Egypt in December: mild and dry across the country. It is on average 24.2 °C (76 °F) in the afternoon in Luxor, 20.5 °C (69 °F) in Cairo and close to 24 °C (75 °F) on the Red Sea, with no notable rain. It is an excellent month for the temples and the Nile cruise; the second half, however, is the most expensive and busiest period of the year.
To compare with the other seasons, see our guide on when to go to Egypt.
December combines the best climate conditions for a cultural tour with the strongest demand, linked to the year-end holidays. The reasoning is simple: the first half of the month offers the same weather with fewer people.
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Egypt in December: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ mild and dry, ideal for the temples
- Luxor: 24.2 °C (76 °F) in the afternoon, 8.6 °C (47 °F) at night, 0 mm (0.0 in) of rain
- Cairo: 20.5 °C (69 °F) / 11.7 °C (53 °F)
- Red Sea: about 24 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon, wind possible
- Best part of the month: until mid-December
- Festive season: book 3 to 5 months ahead
Weather in Egypt in December, region by region
| City | Max | Min | What for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 20.5 °C (69 °F) | 11.7 °C (53 °F) | Pyramids, museums |
| Luxor | 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 8.6 °C (47 °F) | Temples, Valley of the Kings |
| Aswan | 24.5 °C (76 °F) | 11.4 °C (53 °F) | Cruise, Philae, Abu Simbel |
| Hurghada | 23.8 °C (75 °F) | 13.4 °C (56 °F) | Beach, diving |
| Sharm el-Sheikh | 23.9 °C (75 °F) | 15.6 °C (60 °F) | Beach, diving |
Rain is practically absent in Upper Egypt (0 mm (0.0 in) on average in Luxor). The cold comes from the nights and early mornings: below 9 °C (48 °F) in Luxor, at the time of the hot-air balloon departures. On the Red Sea, the air stays pleasant for sunbathing, but the water cools and the wind makes boat trips chilly.
Things to do in Egypt in December
- Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan: ideal conditions (November to February).
- Luxor: Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, a hot-air balloon at sunrise.
- Cairo and Giza: the pyramids, Saqqara, the Grand Egyptian Museum, in the cool of winter.
- Tour + beach: finish in Hurghada or Marsa Alam for a few days of gentle sun.
- White Desert: a favourable season, but check the current advice first: the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026) advises against all but essential travel to much of the Western Desert, with exceptions that include the White Desert, the Black Desert, Siwa and the oases of Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga; visitors to Bahariya, Farafra and the White and Black Deserts must apply for permits in advance and use an official guide.
Best avoided: a diving stay counting on warm water; plan for a thick wetsuit.
Christmas, New Year and events in December
In late December and early January, the year-end holidays push up prices and crowds in Upper Egypt as well as on the Red Sea. Coptic (Orthodox) Christmas is celebrated on 7 January, just after. Muslim holidays follow the lunar calendar: check their dates for the year. Coptic Christmas on 7 January opens the following period: our page on the weather in Egypt in January tells you whether crowds ease after the holidays.
Crowds and prices in December
Quiet until mid-December, very busy afterwards. For the holidays, book flights and your cruise 3 to 5 months ahead. The main airports for visitors are Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Luxor; check current routes with the airlines.
What to pack for Egypt in December
- A sweater and a jacket for mornings, evenings and the boat
- Light, covering clothes for the day
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- A wetsuit if you have one for diving
For visas, passport validity and arrival procedures, see our guide to the entry requirements for Egypt.
A typical day in Upper Egypt in December
Departures are early, around 6 a.m., when it is below 10 °C (50 °F) in Luxor: a jacket is essential for the balloon or the Valley of the Kings.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., it is around 24 °C (75 °F): temples can be visited without difficulty. Days are short in December, and night falls early.
In the evening, on the boat or on a terrace, the cool sets in quickly. The Karnak sound and light show calls for a jacket.
Our tips for a successful trip in December
- Leave before mid-December if your dates are flexible: same weather, fewer people.
- Book the best-rated cruises very early for the holidays.
- Combine a tour and the Red Sea to end the trip in the sun, without counting on warm water.
- Carry cash for tips.
- Check the current advice of the UK FCDO (GOV.UK) and the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov) before any excursion into the Western Desert.
- Drink bottled water: In many areas of Egypt tap water is not safe to drink, while bottled water and beverages are generally safe (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025); the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026) lists dengue among the health risks, so protect yourself from mosquito bites.
Cairo, Luxor or the Red Sea: which to choose in December?
For a first trip, the classic Cairo, then Luxor and a cruise to Aswan remains the best option in December: every stage is in its ideal season. For a more restful stay, Hurghada, Marsa Alam or Sharm el-Sheikh offer about 24 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon, but cooler water than in autumn and a wind that cools the evenings.
A combined trip of 10 to 14 days is often the most balanced: three days in Cairo, four to five days of cruising between Luxor and Aswan, then a few days on the Red Sea. If you travel over the holidays, book each stage very early, especially the cruise and domestic flights.
Egypt in December: who is it for?
December suits a first cultural trip, a Nile cruise, couples and families during the Christmas holidays, provided you book early. It suits divers looking for warm water less well. Travellers sensitive to cold will appreciate Aswan, with slightly milder nights than Luxor (11.4 °C (53 °F) against 8.6 °C (47 °F) on average).
If December does not suit you
November is one of the most balanced months: 29 °C (84 °F) in Luxor and a sea that is still warm. The weather in Egypt in February is also ideal for the temples, with the Abu Simbel sun phenomenon.
Other ideas in December: the weather in Marrakech in December, Cape Verde or Oman. More ideas: where to go in December. For the itinerary: our Egypt travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Egypt in December?
Mild and dry: 24.2 °C (76 °F) in the afternoon in Luxor, 20.5 °C (69 °F) in Cairo and about 24 °C (75 °F) on the Red Sea, according to the 1991-2020 normals.
Can you swim in Egypt in December?
Yes, on the Red Sea, but the water is cooler than in summer and the wind cools the air: a wetsuit is useful for diving.
Is it cold in Egypt in December?
Not during the day. At night it is cool: 8.6 °C (47 °F) in Luxor and 11.7 °C (53 °F) in Cairo on average.
Is going to Egypt for Christmas a good idea?
Yes for the weather, but it is the most expensive and busiest period. Book 3 to 5 months ahead.
What is the best month to go to Egypt?
November and February are often the most balanced; December is excellent outside the holidays.
Our sources
- Egyptian Meteorological Authority, 1991-2020 climate normals via the World Meteorological Organization (NOAA archive): Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh stations (data published on our page on when to go to Egypt)
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Egypt (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026, read on 26 October 2026)
- U.S. Department of State, Egypt country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025, read on 26 October 2026)
- Data taken from our page on when to go to Egypt
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.