Egypt in December: Weather, Crowds, Prices & What to Know Before You Go

December is one of the best times to visit Egypt. The intense summer heat has faded, and the busy Christmas and New Year crowds usually don’t arrive until the last two weeks of the month. Daytime temperatures range from 20°C in Cairo to 26°C in Aswan. Rain is rare, except for the occasional shower in Alexandria. Many people consider this the ideal time to see the Pyramids, Luxor’s temples, and the Nile Valley in comfort.

1Egypt Weather in December, City by City

Temperatures vary more than most first-time visitors expect — what works in Cairo can leave you cold in the desert at night.

City	Daytime high	Evening low	Water temp	Best for
Cairo & Giza	20–22°C (68–72°F)	8–12°C (46–54°F)	Nile: ~18°C	Pyramids, museums, sightseeing
Luxor	24–26°C (75–79°F)	10–14°C (50–57°F)	Nile: ~20°C	Temples, Valley of the Kings
Aswan	24–28°C (75–82°F)	12–16°C (54–61°F)	Lake Nasser: ~22°C	Nile cruises, Abu Simbel
Hurghada	24–26°C (75–79°F)	16–18°C (61–64°F)	Red Sea: 24–26°C	Beach, diving
Sharm El Sheikh	22–25°C (72–77°F)	15–18°C (59–64°F)	Red Sea: 24–26°C	Beach, snorkeling
Alexandria	20–21°C (68–70°F)	11–13°C (52–55°F)	Mediterranean: cooler	Coastal city walks (occasional rain)

In December, temperatures across Egypt usually stay between 20 and 24°C, with clear skies and little humidity. The intense summer heat that sends Luxor and Aswan above 42°C is long gone. However, many first-time visitors are surprised by how much it cools down at night. For example, a 24°C afternoon in Luxor can drop to 8°C after sunset, especially near the river, where the Nile breeze can make it feel even colder. Rain is rare this month. Cairo might get a brief light shower, but Luxor often goes the whole month without any measurable rain.

Here’s a tip from the Egypt Holiday Makers team: Be ready for a temperature change of 15 to 18°C between afternoon and night. Instead of packing just one warm jacket, bring two or three thin layers you can add or remove as needed during the day.

2Is December a Good Time to Visit Egypt?

Yes, for sightseeing, December is one of the best times to visit. Cairo has mild weather, while Luxor and Aswan are warm during the day and cool at night. The Red Sea is still good for beach holidays, and the country gets busy around Christmas and New Year. The main challenge isn’t the weather, but competition for rooms, guides, and cruise cabins.

3Crowds and Prices in December

December in Egypt can be divided into two parts. During the first two weeks, the weather is much like the rest of the month, but there are fewer tourists and prices are lower. The period around Christmas and New Year is the busiest and most expensive time of the year.

For regular December dates, book flights, hotels, and Nile cruise cabins 6 to 8 weeks in advance. If you plan to travel between December 20th and January 2nd, book even earlier, as tickets for Abu Simbel and inner pyramid chambers often sell out. As the peak season approaches, you will find busier sites and higher prices for flights, accommodation, and tours. However, most attraction queues remain manageable.

4Christmas and New Year in Egypt

Many travel guides make this part sound simpler than it is, which can confuse first-time visitors. Egypt actually celebrates two Christmases. Visitors who follow the Western calendar celebrate on December 25th, but most of Egypt’s Christians, who belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church, use the older Julian calendar and celebrate Christmas on January 7th.

During Coptic Christmas, churches in Cairo and Luxor are brightly lit and filled with worshippers. This makes for a memorable cultural experience if you stay into January. On December 25th, which is more familiar to many visitors, top hotels in Cairo like Marriott Mena House, the Four Seasons, and the Ritz-Carlton offer Christmas dinners and New Year galas with views of the pyramids or the Nile. In Luxor, the Sofitel Winter Palace and other historic hotels host their own New Year events by the river.

Fireworks over the Giza Plateau on New Year’s Eve are now a local tradition, so if you want to see the pyramids at midnight, book your Giza hotel early. If you plan to take a Nile cruise, many ships offer Christmas Eve and New Year’s dinners on deck with music and traditional shows. However, do not assume these events are always included. Check the package details, dress code, and any extra charges before you book.

5What to Wear in Egypt in December

For daytime sightseeing, wear lightweight cotton shirts, trousers, or dresses. Bring a jacket or sweater for cooler mornings and evenings. If you visit religious sites, make sure your clothes cover your shoulders and knees. When you’re near the Nile, whether you’re on a cruise or just walking along the Corniche after dark, pack something warmer than you might expect for Egypt. The river breeze makes the evenings feel even colder.

Here’s a tip from the Egypt Holiday Makers team: Don’t bring just one heavy coat. Instead, pack three thin layers. You’ll find yourself adding and removing layers several times throughout the day.

6Things to Do in Egypt in December

• Visit the Pyramids of Giza right after they open to enjoy the site before the crowds arrive. The morning light is great for photos, the air is cool, and you’ll have at least an hour before the tour buses show up.
• Cairo’s medieval bazaar (Khan el-Khalili / Al-Azhar area) is especially lively on December evenings. The lanes near Al-Azhar mosque are lit up, street food vendors are busy, and the whole area feels festive. Plan to spend 2–3 hours here, and consider visiting the nearby Al-Azhar Park for a quieter break from the crowds.
• Take a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan. The cooler daytime temperatures make spending time on deck much more enjoyable than in summer, which is why this is the most popular season.
• Try desert camping near Aswan or in the Western Desert. The cool, dry air in December makes camping much more comfortable than in summer, and you’ll find some of the best stargazing of the year among the desert’s chalk formations.
• Go diving or snorkeling in the Red Sea. The water is still warm enough in December, visibility is better, and there are fewer boats compared to the busy summer months.

7What to Avoid (or What’s Overrated) in December

• Be careful when booking a “Nile cruise” and check what’s included in the festive menu. Just because you book a package doesn’t mean it includes a Christmas or New Year’s dinner.
• Don’t assume January 1st will be quiet. Major sites can still be crowded from New Year’s celebrations. If you want to visit the Valley of the Kings or Karnak without crowds, go right when they open, not later in the morning.
• Don’t skip packing layers just because it’s Egypt. This is the most common packing mistake in December. Check the temperature table above for details.
• Avoid waiting until November to book your December trip. By then, the best-value options for the first two weeks are usually gone, and only the pricier peak-week choices are left.

8Sample Price Reference Table

The prices listed below show current market ranges from public tour and ticketing sources as of September 2026. These are not confirmed rates for any Egypt Holiday Makers package. Please check the latest prices before you book.

Item	Local price	Approx. USD
Giza Plateau general admission (adult)	700 EGP	~$14
Giza Plateau general admission (student)	350 EGP	~$7
Inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (extra ticket)	~1,500 EGP	~$30
4-night Nile cruise, Luxor–Aswan, standard cabin	—	~$500–$1,050 per person
4-night Nile cruise, 5-star ship	—	~$950–$1,900 per person
Short 4-day Egypt tour package	—	~$1,049–$1,160
2-day Luxor tour from Cairo	—	~$649
Round-trip flight from Europe	—	roughly £600–£1,000

(Currency conversions use an approximate rate of 1 USD ≈ 50 EGP, current as of mid-2026; EGP has been volatile, so re-check before publishing final figures to guests.)

9FAQs

Is Egypt too cold to visit in December?

No, Egypt is not too cold in December. Daytime temperatures across the country range from 20°C to 28°C, so you can sightsee comfortably with a jacket or light layers. Nights can feel chilly, especially in Cairo and along the Nile, where temperatures sometimes drop into single digits Celsius.

Is December peak season in Egypt?

The last two weeks of December, around Christmas and New Year, are the busiest and most expensive time of year in Egypt. The first half of the month has similar weather but fewer crowds and better prices.

Does Egypt celebrate Christmas on December 25th?

Visitors and international hotels celebrate Christmas on December 25th as usual. However, most Egyptian Christians belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church, which celebrates Christmas on January 7th using the Julian calendar. If you stay into early January, you can experience both celebrations.

How many days in advance should I book a December trip to Egypt?

For most December dates, book your flights, hotels, and Nile cruise cabins about six to eight weeks in advance. If you plan to travel between December 20th and January 2nd, try to book by September, as Abu Simbel access and cruise cabins often sell out during this busy period.

Can I still go to the beach in Egypt in December?

Yes, you can still go to the beach in December, but it feels different from summer. Red Sea resorts like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh have temperatures in the low to mid 20s°C. The water is warm enough for diving and snorkeling, but the atmosphere is more about relaxing than sunbathing.

What should I pack for Egypt in December?

Pack layers instead of a heavy coat. Bring lightweight clothes for daytime, a warm layer for evenings (especially on the Nile), modest outfits for visiting religious sites, and swimwear if you plan to visit the Red Sea.

10Final note from the Egypt Holiday Makers team

December offers two different experiences for travelers. The first half of the month is calm and offers better value, while the period after the 20th is busier and more expensive because of the holidays. Both options have their own appeal. Decide which experience you want before booking, and planning the rest of your trip will be much easier.