Egypt in December: weather, where to go and a winter holiday plan

"Egypt in December" is a search that comes back every year from November, and for good reason. While winter settles over Algeria, Egypt enjoys its best season: sunshine almost every day, mild days and no heavy heat for visiting the temples. But the country is large, and the weather is not the same in Hurghada, Cairo or Luxor. Here is where to go, what to pack and how to plan a stay during the winter holidays.

At a glance

• Weather: dry and sunny, with rare rain everywhere, apart from the odd shower on the Mediterranean coast.
• Red Sea (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh): around 22 to 25 °C during the day, with the sea staying around 23 to 24 °C.
• Cairo: around 20 °C during the day, with cool mornings and evenings.
• Luxor and Aswan: days around 23 to 25 °C, ideal for the temples, but nights that can drop to about 10 °C.
• Booking: early, as prices rise as Christmas and New Year approach.

The Red Sea: the beach in the middle of winter

This is the big difference with the Mediterranean: in December you can still swim in the Red Sea. The water is cooler than in summer but still pleasant for a swim or snorkelling in the middle of the day.

Hurghada, on the African side, has the advantage of a real town, with its marina, the old El Dahar district and boat trips to the Giftun islands. It is also the easiest base for a trip to Luxor. To choose your area, read where to stay in Hurghada.

Sharm el-Sheikh, at the southern tip of Sinai, is the resort of large all-inclusive hotels, often with water parks and kids' clubs. Can't decide between the two? Our comparison Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada with children will help. For even more calm, see Marsa Alam or Dahab.

Cairo and the pyramids in cool weather

December is one of the best months for Cairo: you can see the Giza pyramids and the Sphinx without the crushing summer heat. Go early in the morning, when the light is beautiful and the crowds thinner, and keep a jacket for the end of the day.

A new must-see: the Grand Egyptian Museum, right next to the Giza pyramids, was officially inaugurated on 1 November 2025. Among other things, it displays the complete treasure of Tutankhamun. Allow at least half a day and book your ticket in advance over the holidays.

For your hotel, the main question is the area: near the pyramids, downtown or in Heliopolis, near the airport. Our guide hotels in Cairo: which area? compares the options, and our hotels in Cairo page shows the rates available on your dates.

Luxor and Aswan: temple season

Summer in Upper Egypt is extremely hot, so winter is the ideal season for Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings or the temples of Aswan: the days are mild and the sky almost always clear. The nights, however, are cool, especially on the deck of a boat, so bring a sweater.

It is also the high season for Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan. Length, direction of travel, east or west bank for your hotel: it is all in our guide Luxor and Aswan, temples and Nile cruise.

Which plan for the winter holidays?

The Algerian winter school holidays run from the evening of Thursday 17 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Three formulas come up often:

• A week on the Red Sea: Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh, all inclusive, to rest in the sun.
• Red Sea and Luxor: a few beach days in Hurghada, then two or three nights in Luxor for the temples.
• Cairo and the sea: three nights in Cairo for the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then the rest of the stay by the Red Sea.

With only a week, keep it to two stops. And if you would rather not organise anything yourself, our Egypt package tours page presents our trips.

What to pack

• Light clothes for the day, a jacket or sweater for evenings and mornings.
• A swimsuit for the Red Sea and closed shoes for the archaeological sites.
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen: the sun is still strong in winter.
• Covering clothes for visiting mosques and places of worship.

Entry rules

In principle, Algerian citizens need to obtain a visa before travelling to Egypt, children included; conditions can change, so check them with the embassy or a consulate of Egypt, or on the official website, before you travel. Our article Egypt visa for Algerians sums it up. We do not sell visa services.

Booking in dinars

Late December is in high demand: the nights from 30 December to 2 January go first, and moving your arrival by a day or two can change the price. On our hotels in Hurghada and hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh pages, enter your dates to see the available rates. From Algeria, you pay in dinars without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly agency. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you after payment.

Still choosing between several countries? Read where to go in December from Algeria.

See our Egypt package tours

Sources: Rough Guides, Où et Quand and specialist travel press (December climate); Anadolu Agency and Wikivoyage (inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum, 1 November 2025).

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.