What is the weather in Luxor, Egypt really like? Think desert: sunshine almost every day, almost no rain, and a thermometer that decides when you sightsee. In short, mild winters, scorching summers and dry skies all year, with a month-by-month picture and one habit that works in every season below.
How Hot, Cold and Dry Does Luxor Get Through the Year?
Luxor has a hot desert climate. Winter days sit around 22–24°C (72–75°F) with chilly nights near 8–9°C (46–48°F), while summer afternoons reach about 40°C (104°F) and stay warm after dark. Rain is close to zero in every month, and skies are clear or mostly clear most of the year.
Here is the full year at a glance, using long-term averages from Luxor Airport weather records.
| Month | Average high / low | How it feels | Sightseeing verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22 / 8°C (72 / 46°F) | Mild days, cold mornings | Prime season; pack a jacket |
| February | 24 / 9°C (75 / 48°F) | Bright and gentle | Prime season |
| March | 29 / 13°C (84 / 55°F) | Warm, occasional khamsin wind | Excellent with early starts |
| April | 34 / 18°C (93 / 64°F) | Hot afternoons | Dawn starts essential |
| May | 38 / 22°C (100 / 72°F) | Very hot | Dawn and evening only |
| June–August | 40 / 25–26°C (104 / 77–79°F) | Furnace-like afternoons | Dawn only, long midday rest |
| September | 38 / 23°C (100 / 73°F) | Still very hot | Dawn and evening |
| October | 34 / 19°C (93 / 66°F) | Warm and easing | The sweet spot begins |
| November | 28 / 13°C (82 / 55°F) | Golden and calm | Prime season |
| December | 23 / 9°C (73 / 48°F) | Mild days, cool nights | Prime season, biggest crowds |
Why Does Luxor Feel Hotter Than the Thermometer Says?
Because the stone fights back. Temples and cliffs soak up sunshine all day and radiate it back, and there is almost no shade between the ticket gate and the tomb entrance.
- Limestone and sand reflect the sun, so open sites feel hotter than the forecast.
- Low humidity dries sweat instantly, so you can dehydrate before you feel thirsty.
- Shade is scarce across Karnak’s courts and the Valley of the Kings.
Field note: our guides’ summer rule is simple: be at the gate when it opens. By late morning the walls feel like radiators, and the valley turns into an endurance event. Ready to see Luxor without the midday furnace? Explore our curated Luxor day tours, planned around the weather.
How Should You Plan a Day Around Luxor’s Weather?
Use one pattern in every season: tombs and Karnak at opening, a long midday rest, then the Luxor Museum and Luxor Temple after dark. It is the shape of our 2-day Luxor itinerary, and the full lineup lives in our guide to the best things to do in Luxor.
- Opening time: the Valley of the Kings or Karnak, while the stone is still cool.
- Midday: a long rest, or the cool galleries of the Luxor Museum.
- After sunset: Luxor Temple under floodlights, then dinner by the Nile.
The 4 a.m. Chill Nobody Packs For
Winter dawns in Luxor are cold. On a balloon flight or a cruise deck at sunrise it can feel close to 8°C (46°F) before the sun climbs, so pack a real jacket, not a thin layer.
Two more notes travelers miss: wind, not season, cancels balloon flights, and spring khamsin winds can bring a dusty day or two. A flexible guide simply reshuffles the schedule. Our guide to what to wear in Egypt covers every season, and our Luxor hot air balloon guide explains how weather decides your flight. Dreaming of a dawn flight? Reserve a hot air balloon ride in Luxor.
Which Month Wins on Weather, Crowds and Price?
For pure weather, December and January. For weather plus space plus price, November or March. Summer works on a dawn-and-evening rhythm, and the sites are gloriously empty. The full decision guide is best time to visit Luxor.
Pairing Luxor with Egypt’s other stops? Cairo runs cooler and can see a winter shower, while Aswan runs hotter still. Start with our plan for sightseeing tours in Cairo, finish with the Aswan city guide, and settle the debate in Cairo or Luxor and Aswan or Luxor. Ready to sail the river of the gods? Compare our Luxor to Aswan dahabiya cruise.
Luxor Weather Questions Travelers Ask
What is the weather in Luxor in December?
Mild and sunny: highs near 23°C (73°F) and lows near 9°C (48°F). Expect cold dawns and the biggest crowds of the year.
Does it ever rain in Luxor?
Almost never. Rainfall is close to zero in most months, so leave the umbrella at home.
Is Luxor too hot to visit in August?
It is doable, not easy. With highs near 40°C (104°F), sightsee at dawn, rest at noon and drink water constantly.
How cold do Luxor nights get in winter?
Around 8°C (46°F) in January, and colder on the water at dawn. Pack a warm jacket, a scarf and layers.
Plan Around the Heat, Not the Clouds
Luxor’s forecast is simple: sun almost every day, so the only real variable is heat. Choose winter for comfort, the shoulder months for value, and summer only with dawn starts. Share your travel month and let our guides plan your Luxor days around the weather.
