Month guide · Luxor · Egypt
Luxor in May
What May is really like in Luxor: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: René Hourdry, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 39°C (102°F), lows of 21°C (70°F), about 0 rainy days and roughly 13.4 hours of daylight. Very hot, with temperatures near 40°C; visit sites at opening time and rest in the afternoon.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 39°C (102°F) / 21°C (70°F)
- Rainy days
- About 0
- Daylight
- About 13.4 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 4th-warmest month in Luxor: days average 39°C (102°F) against a yearly average high of 33°C (91°F), and nights fall to about 21°C (70°F). Rain falls on roughly 0 of its 31 days. Compared with April (35°C (95°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 41°C (106°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:04
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:27
- Daylight
- About 13.4 hours
Spring (March–May). Warm in March, then increasingly hot through April and May, with occasional dusty khamsin winds; plan sightseeing for early mornings.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Luxor, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Historic site · Karnak
Karnak Temple
Arrive at opening time to see the Hypostyle Hall in low morning light before the tour groups and the heat arrive.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Historic site · East Bank Corniche
Luxor Temple
Built mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, this temple in the centre of town is fronted by colossal statues and a single obelisk; its twin stands in the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- After dark
- Photo spot
- Architecture
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Historic site · West Bank Qurna and Al-Bairat
Valley of the Kings
Go at opening time, and choose the extra ticket for Ramesses VI or Seti I if you can only add one; both have exceptionally well-preserved paintwork.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- History
- Art
Historic site · West Bank Qurna and Al-Bairat
Temple of Hatshepsut
The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt's few female pharaohs, rises in three colonnaded terraces against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 39°C, lows near 21°C and 0 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Luxor?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, October–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Luxor in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Luxor?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Very hot, with temperatures near 40°C; visit sites at opening time and rest in the afternoon.
+How warm is Luxor in May?
Average highs are around 39°C (102°F) and lows around 21°C (70°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Luxor in May?
Expect rain on about 0 days of the month, so it is usually dry.