Month by month
Egypt in May
Getting hard work inland. Very good on the coast, and cheap.
What Egypt in May is actually like
Egypt in May is hard work once you reach Luxor and Aswan. Thirty-nine degrees with no shade in the Valley of the Kings is not sightseeing, it is endurance, and afternoons become indoor time whether you planned it or not.
The Red Sea, by contrast, is excellent — 27C water, reliable visibility, and resorts at low-season prices.
If you want the temples in May, do them at dawn and accept a 5am alarm. If you mostly want the sea, May is one of the best value months of the year.
What Egypt in May is good for
- ▲Diving and snorkelling, which are at their best as the water warms past 27C.
- ▲Dawn starts on the West Bank, finishing by ten and spending the afternoon indoors or in a pool.
- ▲Cairo, which is hot but far more bearable than Upper Egypt and has air-conditioned museums.
One thing to plan for
By mid-May the middle of the day in Luxor is not usable for sightseeing. Plan the itinerary around that rather than discovering it on arrival.
Egypt in May at a glance
| Cairo | 32°C |
| Luxor and Aswan | 39°C |
| Red Sea water | 27°C |
| Crowds | Quiet |
| Prices | Low season |
Typical daytime highs. Sea temperature is Hurghada. Approximate.
Common questions
Is May a good time to visit Egypt?+
Getting hard work inland. Very good on the coast, and cheap. Expect about 32C in Cairo and 39C in Luxor, with the Red Sea around 27C.
How hot is Luxor in May?+
Typical daytime highs are around 39C. Upper Egypt is consistently hotter than Cairo, and the Valley of the Kings has almost no shade, so morning visits are better than afternoon ones whatever the month.
Can you swim in the Red Sea in May?+
Yes. At around 27C the water is comfortably warm for swimming, snorkelling and diving.
Is May expensive?+
Low season. This is when Egypt is at its cheapest, with real savings on boats and hotels.
Official sources
Entry rules, opening hours, security advice and exchange rates all move. Check them at the source, not here.
- UK FCDO travel advice for Egypt ↗It updates continuously, and most UK travel insurance follows it.