May is hot in Upper Egypt: average highs are 39.0°C / 102°F in Luxor and 39.0°C / 102°F in Aswan, and 31.9°C / 89°F in Cairo. It falls outside the October–April window on Egypt Top Tours’ package pages, so plan early starts, long midday breaks and, if you want a cooler stretch, time on the coast.
Key Takeaways
- Luxor’s average high is 39.0°C / 102°F in May, 3.7°C above April (35.3°C / 96°F); nights average 21.2°C / 70°F.
- Alexandria is milder at 26.3°C / 79°F by day and 17.1°C / 63°F at night, against 31.9°C / 89°F in Cairo.
- May 1 (Labour Day) is a fixed-date national holiday.
- Sham El-Nessim falls on Monday, May 3, 2027, and Eid al-Adha is expected around May 16 (it depends on the moon sighting).
May weather in Egypt by city
| City | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 31.9°C / 89°F | 18.4°C / 65°F |
| Alexandria | 26.3°C / 79°F | 17.1°C / 63°F |
| Luxor | 39.0°C / 102°F | 21.2°C / 70°F |
| Aswan | 39.0°C / 102°F | 23.1°C / 74°F |
| Hurghada | 31.8°C / 89°F | 22.4°C / 72°F |
| Sharm El Sheikh | 34.2°C / 94°F | 23.9°C / 75°F |
Figures are monthly climate normals (long-term averages), not a forecast for a specific week. Luxor and Aswan sit in the desert of Upper Egypt, which is why their days are hotter and their nights cooler than Cairo’s or the coast’s.
How May compares with April and June
| Luxor | April | May | June |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average high | 35.3°C / 96°F | 39.0°C / 102°F | 41.3°C / 106°F |
| Average low | 16.9°C / 62°F | 21.2°C / 70°F | 23.5°C / 74°F |
| Cairo | April | May | June |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average high | 28.2°C / 83°F | 31.9°C / 89°F | 34.6°C / 94°F |
| Average low | 15.4°C / 60°F | 18.4°C / 65°F | 21.4°C / 71°F |
Luxor’s average high is 39.0°C / 102°F in May, against 35.3°C / 96°F in April and 41.3°C / 106°F in June (changes of 3.7°C and 2.3°C). Cairo moves from 28.2°C / 83°F to 31.9°C / 89°F to 34.6°C / 94°F over the same three months. Neighbouring guides: Egypt in April and Egypt in June.
Crowds and prices in May
May is outside the October–April window our USA packages recommend, and our best-time guide names December and January as the busiest months, so May is not a peak month. Local holidays can still fill beaches and some sites, so confirm dates before you book.
Holidays and events in May
- May 1 – Labour Day. A fixed-date national public holiday (a Saturday in 2027).
- May 2–3 – Coptic Easter and Sham El-Nessim. Coptic Easter is Sunday, May 2, 2027, and Sham El-Nessim, the ancient spring festival, is the next day. Egyptians picnic in parks and along the Nile, so those spots are crowded, and government offices and banks close.
- Around May 16 – Eid al-Adha (expected). The Day of Arafah is expected on Saturday, May 15 and Eid al-Adha on Sunday, May 16, 2027. Islamic dates depend on the moon sighting and can move by a day; Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta announces the official date. Banks, schools and government offices close, and Egyptian families head to the North Coast, the Red Sea and Luxor and Aswan.
What to pack for Egypt in May
Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own (long, loose sleeves still work for sun and for mosques), a hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and a refillable bottle. Dress modestly at mosques and in rural areas (UK FCDO advice). See what to pack for Egypt and what to wear in Egypt.
Best things to do in Egypt in May
- Dawn temple visits in Luxor. With a 39.0°C / 102°F average high, see the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple right after opening and rest by midday.
- Indoor sightseeing in Cairo. Pair the Grand Egyptian Museum with a morning at the Giza Pyramids.
- The Mediterranean coast. Alexandria averages 26.3°C / 79°F by day.
- A Red Sea break. Hurghada (31.8°C / 89°F high) and Sharm El Sheikh (34.2°C / 94°F high).
Plan your May trip
Browse the Egypt tours in May page, or see the 11-day Egypt Travel Package if you want a Red Sea stop built in.
Before you book
Government travel advice for Egypt and the wider region has changed during 2026. Read the current status in our travel advisory guide and check your government’s live advisory before you pay for flights or tours.
Sources: monthly temperature averages from the WMO World Weather Information Service (data supplied by Egypt’s national meteorological service; averages, not forecasts) – worldweather.wmo.int; dress guidance – UK FCDO travel advice; Easter – calendardate.com: Orthodox Easter 2027; Sham El-Nessim – Wikipedia: Sham El Nessim and Fanack on Sham el-Nessim; Eid al-Adha – Wikipedia: Day of Arafah and Wego on Eid al-Adha in Egypt. Checked October 5, 2026.
Image: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.