Egypt
Aswan in May
🔥 Hot seasonVery hot and mostly dry. Watch for extreme heat risk.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · sunglasses & hat
Why May scores 6.4What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort5.9
- !Very hot (40°C highs / 25°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 0.5°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~0 mm rain)
- Air quality6.9
- !Elevated (PM2.5 ~26 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards7.0
- !Extreme heat: Average daily high 40°C
- Safety baseline7.0
- ·Increased caution
| May | Dec | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.4 Fair | 8.9 Excellent |
| Season | 🔥 Hot season | ☀️ Warm dry season |
| High / low | 40° / 25° | 25° / 11° |
| Rain | 0 mm | 0 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 1° | dew pt 4° |
| PM2.5 | 26 µg/m³ | 27 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Aswan weather-station normals. Rainfall: Aswan weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- Sinai Liberation Day 29 Apr – 1 May · 3 days off in a row
- Eid al-Adha 14–18 May · 5 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Spring Festival (3 May)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore AswanEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyA city on the Nile in southern Egypt, known for Nubian culture, felucca sailing, Philae Temple and day trips to Abu Simbel.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Abu Simbel Sun FestivalEvery year22 February and 22 October each year
At sunrise, sunlight reaches the inner sanctuary and lights up the statues.
Why go: Very crowded; arrive before dawn.
Where: Abu Simbel temple
Philae Temple
The Temple of Isis, relocated to Agilkia Island and reached by boat.
Abu Simbel
Ramesses II's colossal rock-cut temples near the Sudanese border, a long day trip by road or a short flight.
💡 Road trips leave very early in the morning.
Felucca sailing
Traditional sailboats on the Nile around Elephantine and the islands, especially at sunset.
Elephantine Island
An island with ancient ruins, a museum and Nubian villages.
Unfinished Obelisk
A huge obelisk abandoned in an ancient granite quarry after it cracked.
Tombs of the Nobles
Rock-cut tombs on the west bank with views over the Nile.
Nubian cuisine
Stews, flatbreads and dishes cooked in clay pots in Nubian villages.
Karkadeh
Hibiscus drink served hot or iced.
Ful medames
Slow-cooked fava beans, a staple breakfast.
Dates
Aswan is known for its dried dates.
💡 Aswan souk
Hibiscus (karkadeh)
Dried hibiscus flowers for tea.
💡 Aswan souk
Spices
Spices and spice blends sold by weight.
💡 Aswan souk
Nubian crafts
Baskets, beaded items and painted crafts.
💡 Nubian villages and the souk