Egypt in December: Weather, Crowds and What to Expect

December closes Egypt’s peak season on a high. Temperatures are comfortable, conditions are excellent across the entire country, and the holiday period adds a festive edge to Red Sea resorts. The month splits into two pricing tiers: early December (1–20) offers peak-season weather at moderate prices, while Christmas and New Year week (21 December–3 January) brings the highest prices and largest crowds of the year.

Weather Across Egypt in December

Cairo and the Delta: Daytime highs of 20–25°C with overnight lows of 10–13°C. December mornings at the Pyramids feel cool — a light jacket is useful for early visits. Afternoons warm up enough for comfortable sightseeing across Cairo’s outdoor sites. Rain is rare but not impossible — Cairo gets occasional light showers in December and January, though never enough to disrupt plans.

Luxor and Aswan: Upper Egypt in December is ideal — 25–28°C in Luxor, 24–27°C in Aswan. Full-day temple visits are entirely comfortable. The West Bank of Luxor (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Medinet Habu, Ramesseum) can be explored thoroughly without the midday breaks that summer demands. Evenings cool to 10–14°C — pleasant for deck dining on Nile cruises.

Red Sea coast (Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab): Air temperatures of 22–26°C, water temperatures of 23–25°C. Cooler than the summer peak but comfortable for diving with a 3mm wetsuit. The Red Sea coast becomes a major Christmas and New Year destination for European visitors — Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada fill up from 20 December onwards.

Sinai interior: Cold at altitude. St Catherine’s area drops to 15–20°C by day and 2–6°C overnight. Frost is possible at the summit of Mount Sinai. Warm layers and a decent sleeping bag are essential for sunrise hikes. The coastal towns (Dahab, Nuweiba) are milder at 20–24°C.

Red Sea Diving Conditions

December diving is very good, though water temperatures (23–25°C) mean most divers want a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit. Visibility remains strong at 20–30m — winter conditions often produce the clearest water of the year at northern sites like Ras Mohammed and the Straits of Tiran. The Thistlegorm wreck dive benefits from reduced boat numbers in December compared to the October–November rush. Southern liveaboard routes continue but demand is lower than autumn — good availability and sometimes late-booking discounts for Elphinstone and the Brothers.

Crowds and Pricing

December divides sharply. The first three weeks see strong but manageable visitor numbers — similar to October. The Pyramids, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings are busy in the mornings but thin out by early afternoon.

Christmas week (approximately 21 December–3 January) is the most expensive period in Egypt’s tourism calendar. Red Sea resort rates in Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada spike 40–80% above early December levels. All-inclusive resorts that run 4,000–7,000 EGP per night in early December charge 7,000–12,000 EGP over Christmas and New Year. Cairo hotel prices are elevated but the jump is less dramatic — 3,000–5,500 EGP per night at mid-range properties.

Nile cruises maintain peak pricing throughout December. Book 8–12 weeks ahead for Christmas sailings. Early December departures offer the same weather at lower rates.

Festivals and Events

Christmas and New Year at Red Sea resorts: Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada host significant Christmas and New Year celebrations aimed at the European package-holiday market. Hotels run gala dinners, beach parties, and entertainment programmes. The atmosphere is festive and resort-focused.

Coptic preparations (late December): Egypt’s Coptic Christian community — roughly 10% of the population — celebrates Christmas on 7 January, not 25 December. Late December sees preparations at major churches in Old Cairo, particularly the Hanging Church and the Church of St Sergius. This adds a layer of authentic local activity distinct from the Western holiday calendar.

Moulid celebrations (date varies): Depending on the Islamic calendar, various Moulid festivals may fall in December. These neighbourhood celebrations honouring local saints feature Sufi music, processions, and street food — particularly atmospheric in Cairo’s older quarters around Al-Hussein and Sayyida Zeinab.

Winter archaeological season: December is prime time for Egyptological fieldwork. Active excavation seasons at sites across Luxor, Saqqara, and the Delta mean occasional new discoveries are announced. While dig sites are not open to casual visitors, the presence of active archaeology adds context to temple and tomb visits.

What to Do in December

• Full Egypt circuit (early December): The 10–14 day Cairo–Luxor–Aswan–Abu Simbel–Red Sea route is at its best. Every site is accessible, the weather is comfortable, and early December pricing is significantly below Christmas rates
• Nile cruises: Peak conditions. Cool morning deck time, comfortable temple stops, and excellent light for photography. The 3-night Luxor–Aswan route remains the standard
• Red Sea Christmas: If budget allows, a Christmas week stay at a Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada resort offers warm-weather holidays with Red Sea diving. Book very early
• Desert expeditions: December is excellent for the White Desert, Bahariya Oasis, and Siwa. Cold desert nights (5–10°C) require proper gear but the daytime temperatures (20–25°C) are ideal for hiking
• Khan el-Khalili and Old Cairo: December evenings in Cairo’s medieval market are atmospheric — cool enough for comfortable browsing, with the brass lanterns and spice stalls at their most photogenic

Where to Go in Egypt in December

• 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 December Egypt tours and book ahead — December is one of the busiest months and popular tours sell out.