Egypt month by month
Egypt in December
In short: December is winter sun, Egyptian style. Daytime temperatures are 20°C (68°F) in Cairo, 24°C (75°F) in Luxor and Aswan and 23°C (73°F) on the Red Sea, where the sea is 23°C (73°F). It is pleasant for the pyramids and temples by day and you want a jumper in the evening. The first three weeks of December are quiet and comfortable, while the Christmas holidays are the peak of the year for crowds and prices. December suits anyone who wants a tour in dry, mild weather, and a few beach days are possible if you do not mind cool sea water.
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Comfortable temperatures for culture, chilly nights in the desert.
Christmas and New Year: busy, expensive and booked up early.
Sea 23°C: sunbathing and snorkelling are fine, swimming feels fresh.
The weather in Egypt in December
Cairo reaches 20°C (68°F) by day and 10°C (50°F) at night, with a few rainy days a month. Luxor and Aswan are 24°C (75°F) to 25°C (77°F) by day and 8°C (46°F) at night, dry and clear. On the Red Sea it is 23°C (73°F) by day and 13°C (55°F) at night, and the sea is 23°C (73°F). Expect 7 hours of sunshine a day; the sun sets at around five o'clock.
Egypt in the Christmas holidays
The Christmas holidays are popular with European travellers and you notice it: full ships on the Nile, busy temples and higher prices. It is still a lovely time to go: winter sun, clear skies and festive evenings on board. If you are flexible, leave at the beginning of December or just after New Year and you get the same temperatures with half the crowds.
Our advice for December
Plan the southern temples around midday, when the temperature peaks, and keep the mornings for Cairo and the museums. For the Red Sea choose a sheltered spot such as Marsa Alam or El Gouna, where December is more pleasant than on the windier coast around Hurghada. If you travel at Christmas, book early and accept the crowds.
Figures
Temperatures in Egypt in December
Average daytime highs and night-time lows per destination in December, in Celsius and Fahrenheit. You can see at a glance where it is comfortable and where you adjust the programme.
| Destination | Daytime | At night | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 20°C (68°F) | 10°C (50°F) | Fresh in the morning, mild by day, chance of a shower |
| Luxor & Aswan | 24°C (75°F) | 8°C (46°F) | Sunny and dry, cold nights |
| Red Sea (Hurghada) | 23°C (73°F) | 13°C (55°F) | Sea 23°C, 23°C by day, cool evenings |
Averages over several years; a single year can differ slightly. About 7 hours of sunshine a day, sea water at Hurghada around 23°C (73°F).
Other months
Egypt month by month
Practical
What to pack
Layers: a T-shirt for the afternoon, a jumper and long trousers for morning and evening, a jacket for the water and the desert. Nights in Luxor and Aswan drop to 8°C. A thin rain jacket for Cairo or Alexandria is not a bad idea.
What you can do
Complete tours, Nile cruises and dahabiyas, the White Desert and Siwa. Around Christmas and New Year a Nile cruise has a festive atmosphere but is busy. Alexandria is cooler and wetter in December than the rest of the country.
Booking and prices
Around Christmas and New Year dahabiyas and the better hotels fill first and prices are higher. If you enquire early, you have more choice. If you decide later, do ask what is still possible. You will hear from us personally within one working day. The first three weeks of December are quiet and normally priced.
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Frequently asked questions
How warm is Egypt in December?
Daytime temperatures in Egypt in December average 20°C (68°F) in Cairo, 24°C (75°F) in Luxor and Aswan and 23°C (73°F) on the Red Sea. Nights are between 8°C (46°F) and 13°C (55°F). The sea is 23°C (73°F) and there are about 7 hours of sunshine a day.
Is December a good time to visit Egypt?
Yes, for culture December is excellent: dry, sunny and pleasantly cool. Around Christmas and New Year it is busy and expensive, while the first three weeks of the month are quiet.
Can you swim in the Red Sea in December?
Yes, but the sea is 23°C, so swimming feels fresh. Sunbathing and snorkelling are fine. Marsa Alam and El Gouna are more sheltered and slightly warmer than Hurghada in December. Which resort suits you is covered in Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh.
How busy is Egypt at Christmas?
Egypt is very busy at Christmas: the Christmas holidays are the peak of the year for crowds and prices. Nile cruises, dahabiyas and the better hotels fill first, so the earlier you enquire, the more choice you have. Early December is quieter. You can also ask us what is still possible at short notice.
Where is it warmest in Egypt in December?
In December it is warmest in Marsa Alam: 25°C (77°F) by day. Next come Luxor and Aswan at 24°C (75°F) and Sharm el-Sheikh at 23°C (73°F). Cairo reaches 20°C (68°F) and Alexandria 20°C (68°F). The sea is 23°C (73°F) at Hurghada and 24°C (75°F) at Marsa Alam.
What is the weather like in early and late December in Egypt?
Early December is still close to November: about 24°C (75°F) in Cairo and 28°C (82°F) in Luxor. By late December the figures move towards January: about 19°C (66°F) in Cairo and 23°C (73°F) in Luxor. Over the month the Red Sea water is between about 22°C (72°F) and 25°C (77°F).
Read on
Best time to visit Egypt
Month by month: when Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea are at their most comfortable.
Weather in Egypt
Temperatures per month for Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm el-Sheikh, with the sea temperature.
Nile cruise in Egypt
Classic ship or dahabiya between Luxor and Aswan: nights, route, prices and how to fit a cruise into your trip.
Egypt Highlights (10 days)
Private tour through Cairo, Luxor and Aswan with the great sights of ancient Egypt.
Egypt with kids
Which family tour fits, the best school holidays and how to handle sun, food and water on a private tour.
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