Travel time: Year-round
Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes, possesses a classic subtropical desert climate (Köppen classification BWh). Located in Upper Egypt, it is one of the sunniest and driest inhabited places on Earth. Travelers will find a region defined by dramatic temperature shifts between day and night and a sun that remains nearly constant throughout the calendar year.
The climate in Luxor behaves with extreme predictability. Because the city is removed from the moderating influences of the Mediterranean or Red Seas, it experiences significant diurnal temperature variation.
Winter is Luxor’s "peak" season for a reason. While the rest of the Northern Hemisphere chills, Luxor enjoys daytime highs between 22°C and 25°C (72°F–77°F). Skies are almost 100% clear. However, nights are genuinely cold, often dipping to 5°C–10°C (41°F–50°F). Occasionally, the desert floor can experience near-freezing temperatures just before dawn.
Spring is a brief transition. Temperatures rise steadily, reaching the mid-30s°C (90s°F) by April. This season is defined by the Khamsin, a hot, dust-laden wind that blows from the Sahara. It can last for days, dramatically reducing visibility, turning the sky a hazy orange, and causing sudden spikes in temperature—sometimes rising over 10°C in a matter of hours.
Summer in Luxor is intense and not for those sensitive to heat. Average highs regularly exceed 40°C (104°F), and record-breaking days can soar past 50°C (122°F). The humidity is extremely low (often below 20%), which creates a "convection oven" effect. While the heat is dry, the sheer solar intensity makes outdoor activity difficult between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Like spring, autumn is a short transition. September remains very hot, but by late October, the "benevolent sun" returns. November is widely considered one of the most pleasant months, with warm, golden afternoons and crisp, cool evenings.
The Nile River acts as a narrow ribbon of moderation. Within the lush vegetation along the riverbanks (the "Green Belt"), humidity is slightly higher, and temperatures can feel a degree or two cooler than in the stark desert of the West Bank. The Valley of the Kings, located in a limestone basin, acts as a heat trap; without the Nile's breeze, the stone walls reflect heat directly onto visitors, making it significantly hotter than Luxor's city center.
Historically, Luxor’s climate was the primary reason its ancient treasures remained so well-preserved. The lack of rain and low humidity kept the vibrant pigments of the tombs intact for millennia. However, modern climate change is introducing erratic patterns, including rare but intense rainstorms and increasing humidity from the Aswan High Dam’s reservoir, which local conservationists are now monitoring for their impact on the porous ancient stone.
Locals have adapted to the "Saeedi" (Upper Egyptian) heat over centuries. Life follows the sun: work begins at dawn and pauses during the afternoon "siesta." Evenings are the social peak, as the city comes alive under the cooling influence of the North Wind (Al-Shamali), which provides a natural breeze that flows down the Nile valley. Architectural choices, like thick mud-brick walls or high ceilings in traditional homes, are designed to naturally vent the summer heat.
The Khamsin (meaning "fifty" in Arabic) refers to the 50-day period during which these sandstorms are most likely to occur. While they are disruptive to travel and can make the air feel "thick" with dust, they are a fundamental part of the regional ecology. The air feels abrasive and statically charged during these events, a sensation locals recognize as the true end of winter.