Egypt is the nearest reliable winter sun for most of Europe: a four to five hour flight, rain that is close to zero, and a Red Sea that stays between approximately 21°C and 27°C through the winter. It is not Dubai or the Maldives. January nights are cool, and the Red Sea breeze makes late-afternoon beach time feel fresher than the thermometer suggests. The trade-off is that you get beaches, diving and, a short flight away, the temples of Luxor and Aswan, all in comfortable weather. Prices below are approximate and as of 2026.
Month-by-Month Table: November to February
Temperatures are long-term approximate averages. Sea temperatures are the surface water at Red Sea resorts.
| Month | Cairo day | Luxor day | Hurghada day / sea | Sharm day / sea | Marsa Alam day / sea | Best resort base |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | approximately 25°C | approximately 29°C | approximately 27°C / 26°C | approximately 27°C / 26°C | approximately 29°C / 26°C | Marsa Alam or Sharm El Sheikh |
| December | approximately 20°C | approximately 25°C | approximately 23°C / 23°C | approximately 23°C / 24°C | approximately 26°C / 25°C | Marsa Alam, then Sharm |
| January | approximately 19°C | approximately 23°C | approximately 21°C / 22°C | approximately 22°C / 23°C | approximately 24°C / 23°C | Marsa Alam, or Luxor for the Nile |
| February | approximately 21°C | approximately 26°C | approximately 22°C / 21°C | approximately 23°C / 22°C | approximately 25°C / 23°C | Marsa Alam or Sharm El Sheikh |
Night lows run approximately 5-8°C cooler than the daytime highs on the coast and 12-15°C cooler inland. Rainfall is negligible: Sharm averages roughly 4 mm in December, per standard climate tables.
November: Closest to Summer
November is the warmest and busiest of the four months. Hurghada, Sharm and Marsa Alam reach approximately 27-29°C and the sea is still approximately 26°C, so swimming needs no wetsuit. Luxor and Aswan are in the high 20s, so temple visits are comfortable all day. Rates are mid-range, not yet at the Christmas peak. This is the month for first-time visitors. Read Egypt in November for events and cruise timing.
Best base: Sharm El Sheikh for reef snorkelling and the most extensive evening scene, or Marsa Alam for turtles and dugongs at Abu Dabbab. Our Sharm guide and Marsa Alam guide explain neighbourhoods.
December: Two Different Months
The first three weeks are cooler but good value, with approximately 22-26°C on the coast and 25°C in Luxor. From 21 December to 3 January, prices jump 40-80% at Red Sea resorts, as of 2026. See our Egypt in December, Christmas in Egypt and New Year’s Eve in Egypt pages. For a ranking of the warmest towns, see warmest place in Egypt in December.
Best base: Marsa Alam, where the more southerly latitude and sheltered bays hold approximately 26°C air temperatures, or Sharm El Sheikh for a lively Christmas atmosphere.
January: Coolest, Best for Culture
January is the coolest month, with approximately 19°C in Cairo and 21-24°C on the coast. The sea at Hurghada falls to approximately 21-22°C, which feels cold to non-divers without a shorty wetsuit. It is, however, the best month for temple-heavy trips: Luxor at approximately 23°C is ideal for Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, and hotel prices drop after 6 January. A Nile cruise followed by a few beach days works well. See Egypt in January.
Best base: Marsa Alam for the beach, or Luxor with a heated-pool hotel for a Nile-led trip. Our Luxor guide lists East Bank and West Bank options.
February: Warming Again
By late February the days lengthen and Luxor and Aswan reach the high 20s again. The Red Sea is still at its coolest (approximately 21-23°C), so shoulder-season prices continue until Easter demand begins. It is a strong month for Sharm and Dahab diving, with excellent visibility. See Egypt in February.
Best base: Sharm El Sheikh for warmth and good value, or Dahab for budget diving and a relaxed mood.
Choosing a Resort Base
The right base depends on what you want from the week: warm water, short transfers, nightlife or peace. Flight times to Hurghada are the shortest and cheapest from Europe, but Marsa Alam and Sharm hold their warmth better in January. Read the table with that trade-off in mind.
| Base | Winter strength | Good for | Hotel example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marsa Alam | Warmest and quietest coast | Reefs, turtles, couples | Shams Alam Beach Resort |
| Sharm El Sheikh | Warm, long season, evening scene | Diving, families | Ghazala Beach Hotel |
| Hurghada | Cheapest flights, big choice | Package holidays | Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel |
| El Gouna | Calm lagoon, bars, kitesurfing | Couples, groups | Sheraton Miramar Resort |
| Sahl Hasheesh | Quiet, upscale | Resort stays | Jaz Aquamarine Resort |
| Soma Bay | Wind-sheltered golf and spa | Golfers, spa breaks | Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay |
| Dahab | Low budget, relaxed | Divers, backpackers | see Dahab hotels |
Verify the current rate on Booking.com via our Hurghada link or the guides for Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh.
What to Pack
- Beachwear plus layers: a fleece or light jacket for evenings, which fall to approximately 8-14°C.
- Shorty wetsuit (3mm): for January and February snorkelling and diving.
- Long trousers, a light scarf and closed shoes for temples and mosques. See our what to wear in Egypt and packing list.
- Reef-safe sun cream: the winter sun is still strong at midday.
- Adapters: Egypt uses European two-pin plugs. See plugs and adapters.
- Water shoes: many Red Sea entries are over coral or rock.
Costs and Booking Windows
Mid-range all-inclusive resorts in Hurghada and Sharm cost approximately EGP 4,000-7,000 per night in November and January, as of 2026. The Christmas and New Year fortnight is 40-80% higher. A seven-night all-inclusive package from the UK costs from approximately GBP 600-1,100 per person including flights, depending on month. For a rough budget see Egypt travel budget.
Book 3-5 months ahead for the Christmas fortnight and 6-10 weeks ahead for other winter dates. Compare flights to Egypt first, as seat availability often drives the hotel choice.
Adding a Nile Trip
Because Upper Egypt stays warmer by day than the coast in winter, the Nile leg is often the best weather of the trip.
The strongest Egypt winter plan combines a week on the Red Sea with three to four nights on the Nile. Fly Cairo to Luxor, sail Luxor-Aswan, then take a domestic flight to Hurghada or Sharm. If you would rather keep the beach base and make a single day of it, see the Hurghada to Luxor day trip, Hurghada to Cairo day trip or Sharm el-Sheikh to Cairo day trip guides. Otherwise see Egypt Nile cruise itinerary and the 10-day Egypt itinerary. Official visa and entry details are on the Egypt e-visa portal.
Egypt or Dubai for Winter Sun?
Dubai is slightly warmer and glossier; Egypt is cheaper and has far more to see. Our Egypt vs Dubai for winter sun comparison breaks it down.
Booking a beach week? Our best all-inclusive resorts in Egypt guide compares Hurghada, Sharm, El Gouna and Marsa Alam.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Browse Egypt tours to add Nile temples, Giza and Red Sea boat trips to your beach week, and take travel insurance for the season. With the right month and base, Egypt delivers dependable sun, warm seas and ancient sites between November and February.
Weighing Egypt against Turkey? Our Egypt vs Turkey comparison covers cost, history and beaches.