November is Egypt’s best month. Temperatures are comfortable across the entire country, all sites and services operate at full capacity, and the conditions allow extended days of sightseeing without heat compromise. The trade-off is that everyone knows this - November brings peak crowds and peak prices. Book early and the rewards are significant.
Weather Across Egypt in November
Cairo and the Delta: Daytime highs of 24–28°C with overnight lows of 14–17°C. These are ideal sightseeing temperatures. A full day at the Pyramids of Giza followed by afternoon explorations of Old Cairo, the Citadel, and Khan el-Khalili is entirely comfortable. Light rain is possible but rare - Cairo averages less than 3mm in November.
Luxor and Aswan: Upper Egypt cools to 28–32°C in Luxor and 29–33°C in Aswan. The Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Medinet Habu can all be visited across a full day without the dawn-only restrictions of summer. The West Bank of Luxor - which requires significant walking between sites - is at its most manageable. Evenings on Nile cruise decks are warm and pleasant.
Red Sea coast (Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab): Air temperatures of 27–30°C, water temperatures of 25–27°C. Slightly cooler than October but still warm enough for comfortable diving without a wetsuit (a thin 3mm shortie suits some divers). Visibility remains excellent at 20–30m. November is the beginning of the peak dive booking period.
Sinai interior: Cool and pleasant. St Catherine’s area sees 20–25°C by day and 7–11°C overnight. The Mount Sinai sunrise hike requires warm layers for the pre-dawn summit - temperatures at the peak drop near freezing in exposed wind.
Red Sea Diving Conditions
November is prime season for Red Sea diving, though water temperatures (25–27°C) have dropped from the summer peak. Most divers find this comfortable with a thin rash guard or 3mm shortie. Visibility is consistently strong at 20–30m across the northern and central sites. The southern liveaboard routes to Elphinstone, Daedalus, and the Brothers remain productive - grey reef sharks, hammerheads, and occasional oceanic whitetips are present. November liveaboards command peak pricing and sell out early - book 8–12 weeks ahead.
Crowds and Pricing
November is Egypt’s busiest month for international tourism. The Pyramids of Giza, Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Abu Simbel all see their highest visitor numbers. Mornings at the Valley of the Kings involve queues at the most popular tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramesses VI). Tour buses fill the parking area at Karnak by 9am.
Pricing reflects the demand. Mid-range Cairo hotels run 3,000–6,000 EGP per night. Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan command full peak rates - 5-star boats at 8,000–15,000 EGP per person for a 3-night cruise. Red Sea all-inclusive resorts in Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada run 4,000–8,000 EGP per night. Book everything 8–12 weeks ahead for November travel.
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Festivals and Events
Cairo International Film Festival (mid-November): The oldest film festival in the Arab world and Africa, running since 1976. It screens international and regional films over approximately 10 days at venues across Cairo, including the Cairo Opera House. The festival is primarily a cultural event for film enthusiasts rather than a mainstream tourist attraction, but it adds energy to Cairo’s November atmosphere and occasionally features notable premieres.
Luxor African Film Festival (usually November): A smaller complement to Cairo’s festival, screening African cinema in one of the world’s oldest settings. Events are held at venues near Luxor Temple.
Moulid celebrations (date varies): Various Moulid festivals - commemorating local saints and religious figures - occur throughout the year on the Islamic calendar. Some fall in November depending on the year. The largest, Moulid an-Nabi (the Prophet’s birthday), transforms the area around Al-Hussein Mosque in Cairo with Sufi music, lights, and street food.
Peak Nile cruise season: November sees the highest number of active cruise boats between Luxor and Aswan. Temple stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo are busy with multiple boats docking simultaneously. Arriving early at each stop gives a better experience.
What to Do in November
- Classic Egypt circuit: November is the definitive month for the Cairo–Luxor–Aswan–Abu Simbel combination. Every site is accessible, every service runs, and the weather supports full days
- Nile cruises: Peak conditions for the 3–4 night Luxor–Aswan route. Book well ahead - the best boats fill months in advance for November
- Red Sea extension: Add 3–4 days in Hurghada, Sharm, or Dahab after the archaeological circuit. Water is warm, diving is excellent, and the contrast between ancient temples and coral reefs makes Egypt feel like two countries
- Desert camping: The White Desert, Siwa Oasis, and Bahariya are at their best. Cool nights are comfortable for sleeping under the stars, and daytime hiking is pleasant
Where to Go in Egypt in November
- Cairo and the Pyramids: Cairo guide | Things to do in Cairo
- Luxor: Luxor guide | Valley of the Kings
- Aswan and Abu Simbel: Aswan guide | Abu Simbel
- Red Sea: Hurghada | Sharm El Sheikh | Dahab
Planning
See the best time to visit Egypt for a full month-by-month breakdown, or the Egypt travel budget guide for cost planning. Browse Egypt tours for november and book ahead if visiting during peak season.
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