December in Egypt is mild and comfortable for sightseeing, with cold nights in Luxor. See city-by-city temperatures in °C and °F, plus what to pack and where to go.
December is Egypt's mild, comfortable winter. Average daytime highs run from 20.1°C (68°F) in Alexandria to 24.3°C (76°F) in Luxor, which is ideal for walking temples and tombs. Nights are cold, especially in Luxor at 7.8°C (46°F), and the days are short. Pack layers, start sightseeing early, and expect mild Red Sea beach days rather than hot ones.
Key takeaways
- The south is warmest by day. Luxor averages 24.3°C (76°F) and Aswan 24.2°C (76°F) in the afternoon, against 20.4°C (69°F) in Cairo and 20.1°C (68°F) in Alexandria.
- Luxor has the coldest nights of the six cities. Its average low is 7.8°C (46°F), so early starts and sunrise balloon flights call for a proper jacket.
- The Red Sea is mild, not hot. Hurghada averages 23.2°C (74°F) by day, and Sharm El-Sheikh has the warmest nights at 15.1°C (59°F).
- Layers beat one heavy coat. A day can run from a jacket at dawn to a T-shirt at noon.
- Book early. December is part of the winter high season for Nile cruises, and the weeks around Christmas and New Year fill first.
December temperatures by city
The table shows long-term monthly averages from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) World Weather Information Service, based on data supplied by Egypt's national weather service. The average daily high is the typical afternoon maximum, and the average daily low is the typical overnight minimum. They are averages, not forecasts.
| City | Average daily high | Average daily low | What it means in December |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 20.4°C (69°F) | 11.0°C (52°F) | Comfortable for Giza and Old Cairo, with cool evenings |
| Luxor | 24.3°C (76°F) | 7.8°C (46°F) | The warmest days of the six, and the coldest nights |
| Aswan | 24.2°C (76°F) | 11.3°C (52°F) | Warm days, with nights a little milder than Luxor |
| Alexandria | 20.1°C (68°F) | 10.5°C (51°F) | The coolest daytime average of the six |
| Hurghada | 23.2°C (74°F) | 13.0°C (55°F) | Mild Red Sea weather for lounging and walking |
| Sharm El-Sheikh | 23.4°C (74°F) | 15.1°C (59°F) | The warmest nights of the six |
Two patterns stand out. First, December is clearly cooler than autumn: Luxor's average high falls from 29.0°C (84°F) in November to 24.3°C (76°F) in December, then eases to 23.0°C (73°F) in January. Second, the swing between day and night is largest in Luxor and smallest in Sharm El-Sheikh.
What the weather means for sightseeing
With highs of 20.4°C (69°F) in Cairo and 24.3°C (76°F) in Luxor, December is one of the most comfortable months for the long walking days that Egypt's big sites demand. The intense summer heat of Upper Egypt, the Nile Valley south of Cairo around Luxor and Aswan, is gone, so open-air sites such as Karnak Temple in Luxor can be walked at a relaxed pace. The sun is still strong at midday.
In Cairo, December suits the Giza Plateau, the Sphinx and Old Cairo. The Tutankhamun galleries are in the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza, the Royal Mummies are in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat, and the classic collection is in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square. Together they give you indoor options when you want a break from the open-air sites.
December also has the shortest days of the year, so plan outdoor sites for the morning and middle of the day, and confirm opening and last-entry times when you book.
Alexandria, on the Mediterranean coast, averages 20.1°C (68°F) by day. It is also the part of Egypt most likely to see a wet day in winter, so add a light waterproof layer if it is on your route.
December on the Nile
A Nile cruise is the classic way to see the temples of Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, and December suits it because the shore visits are comfortable on foot. On deck it turns cool after sunset. With Luxor averaging 7.8°C (46°F) and Aswan 11.3°C (52°F) at night, bring a warm layer for dinner and early excursions. To weigh a cruise against hotel stays, see our guide is a Nile cruise worth it.
A sunrise hot air balloon flight over Luxor's West Bank is one of the pleasures of the season. It launches around dawn, when the air is coldest, so wear a jacket you can take off once the sun is up. Flights depend on the weather and can be canceled. For the full decision, see is the Luxor hot air balloon worth it.
December on the Red Sea
Hurghada averages 23.2°C (74°F) by day and 13.0°C (55°F) at night in December. Sharm El-Sheikh averages 23.4°C (74°F) and 15.1°C (59°F). This is a month for lounging and walking by the water rather than a hot beach month: the sea is cooler than in summer.
If you want a Red Sea stop after the temples, the 11-day Christmas Nile cruise and Red Sea tour continues from Karnak and Luxor Temple to Hurghada, with a free day by the Red Sea and a leisure day before the return to Cairo.
What to pack for December
- A light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings, especially in Luxor and Aswan.
- T-shirts and thin sweaters you can layer and remove.
- Comfortable closed walking shoes for stone floors and sand.
- A sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- A swimsuit and a warm cover-up if the Red Sea is on your route.
- Modest clothing for mosques, souqs and rural areas.
Which cities and programs fit December best
Luxor and Aswan are the best December cities for sightseeing: warm days and none of the summer heat. Cairo is comfortable but cooler, Alexandria is the coolest, and the Red Sea suits a few relaxed days rather than a swimming holiday.
- Seven days: the 7-day Egypt Christmas tour covers the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, Old Cairo, the Citadel and the Khan El Khalili bazaar, then Aswan, Abu Simbel, Edfu and Luxor. Day 7 is titled West Bank and Hot Air Balloon Ride.
- Eight days: the 8-day Egypt Christmas holiday pairs Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum with Karnak, Luxor Temple, a Nile cruise toward Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, Philae Temple, the High Dam and Abu Simbel by road.
- Ten days with the desert: the 10-day Egypt Christmas tour package adds Siwa Oasis, with its lakes, springs and a desert safari on Day 9. Desert nights in winter are cold, so bring your warmest layer.
- Short on time: the three-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor runs four days and covers Philae Temple, a Nubian village, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu and the West Bank.
Several of these programs involve a domestic flight, for example from Cairo to Aswan or Luxor. Domestic flights are booked separately and are not part of the program price. You can see all our Christmas tours for the full range of December programs.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Egypt?
Yes. Highs range from 20.1°C (68°F) to 24.3°C (76°F) across the six cities, which is comfortable for sightseeing all day. For how December compares with the other months, read our guide to the best time to visit Egypt.
How cold does Egypt get in December?
Luxor has the coldest average night at 7.8°C (46°F), followed by Alexandria at 10.5°C (51°F) and Cairo at 11.0°C (52°F). Individual nights can be colder than the average, particularly in the desert.
Can you swim in the Red Sea in December?
Yes, if you do not mind cool water. Daytime air in Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh averages 23.2°C (74°F) and 23.4°C (74°F), but the sea is cooler than in summer and evenings are cool. Check a forecast closer to your dates.
Does it rain in Egypt in December?
Most of the Nile Valley stays dry, and the temple sites are rarely affected. The Mediterranean coast, including Alexandria, is the part of Egypt most likely to see rain in winter.
Should I book early for December?
Yes, especially for the weeks around Christmas and New Year. For a side-by-side look at holiday trips, see our Christmas and New Year trip guide.
