Ask anyone in Luxor about the best time to visit, and you will hear the same answer: from October to April. The days are warm and sunny, the evenings are cool, and you can explore the temples from morning to sunset without fighting the heat. If you can choose, aim for late October and November, or February and March: the weather is close to perfect and the sites are calmer than at Christmas and New Year.
That does not mean summer is off the table. From May to September Luxor is very hot, but it is also quiet, and with an early start you can see a lot before the midday sun. Here is what each month is really like.
Luxor weather month by month
The figures below are average day and night temperatures for Luxor (1991–2020 climate normals). Rain is almost unheard of in any month.
| Month | Day / night | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|
| January | 23 / 7 °C | Pleasant days, cold mornings and nights |
| February | 25 / 9 °C | Mild and sunny, one of the best months |
| March | 30 / 13 °C | Warm, long bright days |
| April | 35 / 18 °C | Hot by midday, still fine early and late |
| May | 39 / 22 °C | Very hot: start at dawn |
| June | 41 / 25 °C | Hottest season, quiet sites |
| July | 41 / 26 °C | Hottest season, quiet sites |
| August | 41 / 26 °C | Hottest season, quiet sites |
| September | 39 / 23 °C | Still very hot |
| October | 36 / 20 °C | Warm, cooling down by the end of the month |
| November | 29 / 13 °C | Warm days, fresh evenings, a favourite month |
| December | 24 / 9 °C | Mild days, cold nights, busy around the holidays |
Source: Luxor climate data, based on the Egyptian Meteorological Authority and NOAA.
October to April: the high season
This is when most travelers come, and for good reason. Mornings are fresh enough for a long walk through Karnak, the Valley of the Kings is comfortable even at midday, and the Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan sail in pleasant weather.
The busiest weeks are Christmas, New Year and Easter. Hotels, Nile cruises and balloon flights fill up early, and some prices and cancellation terms are stricter at those dates (see our cancellation policy). If you travel then, book a few weeks ahead.
December and January mornings can be surprisingly cold, around 7°C before sunrise. That matters if you plan a sunrise hot-air balloon ride: dress in layers you can take off as the sun comes up.
The sweet spots: late October, November, February and March
If your dates are flexible, these months give you the best of both: warm, dependable sunshine and fewer people at the sites. On 22 February (and again on 22 October) the sun also reaches the inner sanctuary of the great temple of Abu Simbel, a famous event if you plan a trip south to Abu Simbel.
Ramadan falls in late winter in 2027, expected from around 8 February to 9 March depending on the moon. Temples and museums stay open, some with shorter hours, and the evenings in town are lively and festive. It is a lovely time to visit if you plan around the shorter hours.
May to September: hot, quiet and still rewarding
Summer in Luxor is serious heat: average highs reach 41°C in June, July and August. Yet the sites are calmer and hotels are easier to book. The trick is to follow the rhythm of the people who live here:
- Start early. Be at the Valley of the Kings or Karnak soon after opening, when the air is coolest.
- Rest at midday. Go back to your hotel or the pool from about noon to 4 pm.
- Go out again late. Luxor Temple is beautiful in the late afternoon and after dark, and the Karnak sound and light show runs in the evening.
- Drink often. Carry water all day, even if you do not feel thirsty.
Amwaj tip: in summer, a private tour lets you set the timetable. We can start at dawn, keep the long walks for the cooler hours and take you between the sites in an air-conditioned car.
What to pack for each season
- October to April: light clothes for the day, plus a warm layer for early mornings, evenings and balloon flights.
- May to September: loose, light-coloured clothes that cover your shoulders, a wide hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- All year: comfortable closed shoes for uneven temple floors, and a scarf that also works as sun protection.
Plan your days in Luxor
Whenever you come, a few experiences are worth building your trip around:
- A full day on both banks of the Nile, with Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple: our East and West Bank day tour.
- A sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the West Bank, best on your first or second morning in case the wind delays the flight.
- A Nile cruise or a dahabiya between Luxor and Aswan, at its best from October to April.
Tell us your dates and what you love, and we will suggest the best plan for that time of year. Write to us from the contact page, and someone in Luxor replies the same day.
