November brings warm days and cool evenings across Egypt. See city-by-city highs and lows, what to pack, and which Nile, Cairo and desert programs suit the month best.
November is one of the most comfortable months in Egypt. Average daytime highs run from 75°F in Alexandria to 84°F in Luxor and Aswan, and average nights range from 54°F in Luxor to 66°F in Sharm El-Sheikh. The summer heat is gone, so temples, Nile cruises and desert trips are easy, and the Red Sea resorts still have beach weather.
Key takeaways
- Cairo averages 24.7°C (76°F) by day and 14.6°C (58°F) at night. That suits a full day on foot at Giza and in the city's museums.
- Luxor and Aswan both reach 29.0°C (84°F) in the afternoon. This is far easier than October, when Luxor averages 35.3°C (96°F).
- Luxor cools to 12.3°C (54°F) overnight. Pack a jacket for sunrise starts, balloon flights and desert evenings.
- The Red Sea is still warm by day. Hurghada averages 27.0°C (81°F) and Sharm El-Sheikh 27.3°C (81°F).
- Dress modestly in mosques, souqs and rural areas. Resort-style clothing is for the beach and the pool only.
Average temperatures in Egypt in November, by city
The table shows long-term November averages from the World Meteorological Organization, supplied by Egypt's national meteorological service. An average daily high is the typical afternoon peak, and an average daily low is the typical overnight minimum, both averaged over the month. They are not forecasts, and single days can run warmer or cooler.
| City | Average daily high | Average daily low | In short |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 24.7°C (76°F) | 14.6°C (58°F) | Comfortable for walking all day |
| Luxor | 29.0°C (84°F) | 12.3°C (54°F) | Warm afternoons, coolest nights of the six |
| Aswan | 29.0°C (84°F) | 15.6°C (60°F) | As warm as Luxor, with milder nights |
| Alexandria | 23.7°C (75°F) | 14.2°C (58°F) | Lowest highs of the six |
| Hurghada | 27.0°C (81°F) | 17.0°C (63°F) | Beach weather by day |
| Sharm El-Sheikh | 27.3°C (81°F) | 19.0°C (66°F) | Warmest nights of the six |
Two patterns stand out. The Nile Valley is the warmest by day, and Luxor has the widest gap between afternoon and night. The coast is more even from day to night, which makes evenings there feel gentler.
How November compares with October and December
November is the month the heat breaks, especially in the south. Luxor falls from 35.3°C (96°F) in October to 29.0°C (84°F) in November and 24.3°C (76°F) in December. Cairo goes from 29.7°C (85°F) to 24.7°C (76°F) and then 20.4°C (69°F).
Nights follow the same slope. Luxor's average low is 18.4°C (65°F) in October, 12.3°C (54°F) in November and 7.8°C (46°F) in December. That makes November gentler than December for travelers who feel the cold, and a clear step down from October for anyone who dislikes heat. For the whole year, see our guide to the best time to visit Egypt.
Cairo, Giza and Alexandria in November
Cairo's 24.7°C (76°F) afternoons suit the long walking days that Giza and the old city ask for. Three museums are worth knowing apart. The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square holds the classic collection. The Tutankhamun galleries are in the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza. The Royal Mummies Gallery is in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat, and it displays the mummies of 17 kings and 3 queens.
Evenings drop to 14.6°C (58°F), so a light sweater is enough in the city. Alexandria is the mildest stop, with a high of 23.7°C (75°F) and a low of 14.2°C (58°F). In November it is a sightseeing stop on the Mediterranean waterfront more than a swimming one.
The Nile in November: Luxor, Aswan and cruises
This is the month when the south becomes comfortable. Luxor and Aswan both average 29.0°C (84°F) by day, so the open-air sites, from Karnak and Luxor Temple to the West Bank and Philae, no longer force you to plan the day around the heat. Mornings are cool: Luxor averages 12.3°C (54°F) overnight and Aswan 15.6°C (60°F).
That cool start matters for a sunrise flight over the West Bank, where you will want layers on the ground. Our guide explains whether a Luxor hot air balloon ride is worth it.
A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan also stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo. The sundeck is pleasant in the afternoon, while mornings and the hours after sunset call for a jacket. If you are deciding on the format, read is a Nile cruise worth it.
Red Sea and desert in November
Hurghada averages 27.0°C (81°F) by day and 17.0°C (63°F) at night. Sharm El-Sheikh averages 27.3°C (81°F) and 19.0°C (66°F). You can swim, and the afternoon is the comfortable time, but the sea is cooler than in summer and evenings feel fresh, so bring a cover-up. The programs below focus on Cairo, the Nile and the desert, so treat a Red Sea stay as a separate plan.
The Western Desert has the largest swing between day and night: sun in the afternoon, cold after dark. That suits November, when the days are bearable for walking and 4x4 driving, as long as you carry warm layers for sunrise and the evening. For the oasis itself, see our Siwa Oasis guide.
What to wear in Egypt in November
- Light layers: a cotton shirt or T-shirt for the day, plus a fleece or light jacket for mornings, evenings and the deck of a cruise ship.
- Sun protection: a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, because the sun is still strong when the air feels mild.
- Walking shoes: closed, comfortable shoes for temple floors, sand and uneven stone.
- Modest clothing: dress modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and souqs.
- Swimwear: only if you add Red Sea days, with a cover-up for the evenings.
- Insect repellent: useful for evenings near the Nile and in oases.
Which programs fit November
For this month, the Nile cities of Luxor and Aswan are at their most comfortable, Cairo is pleasant all day, and Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh suit beach days. These programs match the season:
- 3 Nights Nile Cruise (Aswan to Luxor) runs four days, with Aswan, Philae Temple, a Nubian village, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu and West Bank visits.
- 5 Star Luxury Nile Cruise lasts five days, from Luxor's East and West Banks through Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan, with an optional journey to Abu Simbel on the last day.
- 9 Days Egypt Tour, Luxury Nile Cruise & Alexandria combines Cairo, the Pyramids of Giza, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel and both banks of Luxor.
- 5 Days Cairo Essentials gives separate days for Cairo and Giza, the best use of Cairo's mild afternoons.
- 3-Day Siwa Oasis Adventure includes historical visits, salt lakes with a 4x4 safari, and a Dakrour Mountain sunrise.
Domestic flights between cities, for example from Cairo to Aswan, are booked separately and are not part of the program price. Entry fees to sites change and are confirmed when you book.
Frequently asked questions
What is the temperature in Egypt in November?
Average daytime highs range from 23.7°C (75°F) in Alexandria to 29.0°C (84°F) in Luxor and Aswan. Average nights range from 12.3°C (54°F) in Luxor to 19.0°C (66°F) in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Can you swim in Egypt in November?
Yes, at the Red Sea resorts. Hurghada averages 27.0°C (81°F) by day and Sharm El-Sheikh 27.3°C (81°F). The water is cooler than in summer, so the afternoon is the comfortable time to swim.
Are there mosquitoes in Egypt in November?
Mosquitoes are most active in warm weather, so cooler November evenings bring fewer than summer. They can still appear near the Nile, lakes and palm groves after sunset, so pack insect repellent.
What clothes should you wear in Egypt in November?
Wear light cotton layers for the day and add a jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings. Bring a hat, sunglasses and walking shoes, and dress modestly in mosques, souqs and rural areas.
Is November a good time to visit Egypt?
For most travelers, yes. The summer heat has gone, the Nile Valley is comfortable for open-air temples, and Cairo is easy to walk. Travelers who dislike cold nights should note that Luxor drops to 12.3°C (54°F).
