Is December a Good Time to Visit Egypt?
Yes — December is Egypt’s finest month for sightseeing. The summer heat that reaches 42°C in Luxor and Aswan has completely gone. Temperatures across Egypt in December sit at 20–24°C in Cairo, 20–26°C in Luxor and Aswan, and 22–26°C on the Red Sea coast. There is almost no rain. The skies are blue and clear from dawn to dusk. The early morning light on the desert monuments — the Pyramids of Giza at 7:00 AM, the Valley of the Kings at 6:00 AM, Karnak Temple at dawn — is the most atmospheric in the year. December is not just acceptable for visiting Egypt. It is the best month.
Egypt Weather in December — City by City
| City | Daytime High | Evening Low | Sea/Nile | Sightseeing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo & Giza | 20–22°C | 8–12°C | Nile: 18°C | Excellent |
| Luxor | 24–26°C | 10–14°C | Nile: 20°C | Outstanding |
| Aswan | 26–28°C | 12–16°C | Lake Nasser: 22°C | Outstanding |
| Hurghada | 24–26°C | 16–18°C | Red Sea: 24–26°C | Beach & Diving |
| Sharm El Sheikh | 23–25°C | 15–18°C | Red Sea: 24–26°C | Beach & Diving |
What to Do in Egypt in December
December gives you the full range of Egypt’s experiences in their finest conditions. The ancient sites are at their most atmospheric in the cool morning air. The Nile cruise route from Aswan to Luxor is most beautiful in December, when the desert light is at its most golden and the evenings on the sun deck are warm enough to sit outside comfortably. Here are the experiences that make December in Egypt unforgettable:
Visit the Pyramids of Giza at Christmas
Standing at the Pyramids of Giza on Christmas morning — 4,500-year-old monuments in 22°C December sunshine — is one of the most extraordinary alternatives to a conventional Christmas available to any traveler. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), opened November 2025 adjacent to the Pyramid plateau, is the ideal afternoon complement: all 5,398 artefacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb displayed in one space for the first time. Book the Egypt Christmas Tour (8 Days, from $1,699) for the full Cairo + Nile cruise experience departing December 20–23.
New Year’s Eve on the Nile
Every 5-star Nile cruise ship runs a New Year’s Eve gala dinner with live entertainment, a special menu and a midnight countdown on the deck as the Nile reflects the celebrations. Departing from Cairo on December 26, 27 or 28 places you on the Nile for New Year’s Eve. Book the New Years in Egypt Tour (8 Days, from $1,899) for this experience.
The Christmas Nile Cruise (December 23 & 24 Departures)
For travelers who want the Nile cruise itself as the Christmas experience, Egypt For Travel offers three specific Christmas Nile Cruise departures: the Comodore (from $649, Dec 24), the MS Magic I (from $849, Dec 23) and the JAZ Celebrity (from $999, Dec 23). All include Christmas Eve and Christmas Day gala dinner on board.
The Complete Christmas and New Year Holiday
For travelers who want Christmas on the Nile AND New Year’s Eve on the Red Sea, the Holidays to Egypt at Christmas and New Year (12 Days, from $2,549) combines Cairo + Nile cruise + overnight night train + 4 nights Sharm El Sheikh full board. It is Egypt For Travel’s most complete festive package.
The Valley of the Kings on New Year’s Day
Visiting the Valley of the Kings on the morning of January 1st — before any crowds arrive — is the most powerful possible start to a new year. The 63 royal tombs cut into the limestone cliffs of the Luxor West Bank, with their extraordinary painted walls and hieroglyphic ceilings, are among the most extraordinary spaces accessible to any traveler anywhere on earth. December’s cool temperatures mean you can spend 3–4 hours on the West Bank without heat discomfort.
Abu Simbel in December
December includes one of ancient Egypt’s most extraordinary celestial events: on October 22 and February 22 each year, the rising sun shines directly through the Abu Simbel temple entrance to illuminate the inner sanctuary statues — a solar alignment engineered 3,200 years ago. While these specific dates fall outside December, Abu Simbel is accessible year-round from Aswan by early morning flight (4:00 AM departure, back by noon) and is at its most comfortable in December’s mild temperatures. The 15-day Egypt tour from USA includes Abu Simbel: 15 Days Tour to Egypt from USA (from $2,499).
December Travel Tips for Egypt
What to Pack for Egypt in December
- Daytime: Light layers — a t-shirt or light shirt is sufficient during the day. A light jacket or fleece for evenings, especially on the Nile cruise deck after sunset.
- Temples & tombs: Comfortable walking shoes with grip. The Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple involve significant walking on uneven limestone paths.
- Red Sea: Swimwear — the Red Sea at 24–26°C in December is very comfortable for swimming and snorkelling.
- Religious sites: Shoulders and knees covered for mosques and churches. A light scarf is useful.
- Sun protection: Sunscreen SPF 50+ and sunglasses — the December sun at midday is still strong, especially at Aswan.
Book by September — This Cannot Be Overstated
December is Egypt’s busiest month. Nile cruise ships for Christmas week (December 24–28) and New Year week (December 29–January 2) are fully booked by October every year without exception. The most popular ships — King of Thebes, MS Magic I, JAZ Jubilee, Kira, Steigenberger Senator, MS Terramar — sell out fastest. Cairo hotels near the Pyramids follow the same pattern. Egypt For Travel holds December allocations for advance bookings. Contact us by September at the latest. ???? WhatsApp: +20 155 555 2466
Which Egypt Tour is Best for December?
| Tour | Duration | Departs | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Nile Cruise | 4 Days | Dec 23 & 24 only | $649 |
| Egypt Christmas Tour | 8 Days | Dec 20–23 only | $1,699 |
| New Years in Egypt Tour | 8 Days | Dec 26–28 only | $1,899 |
| Holidays at Christmas & New Year | 12 Days | Dec 20–23 only | $2,549 |
| Egypt New Year Tour | 10 Days | Daily Dec 20–Jan 5 | $1,549 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Egypt crowded in December?
December is peak season in Egypt, so yes — the major sites are busier than in September or October. However, Egypt For Travel always schedules early morning starts (6:00 AM at the Valley of the Kings, dawn at Karnak) which means you see the most important sites before the tour buses arrive. The Christmas and New Year weeks (December 24–January 2) are the busiest of the year. Outside these specific dates, December is manageable with good scheduling.
What is the best part of Egypt to visit in December?
All of Egypt is excellent in December, but the Nile route from Aswan to Luxor is the most rewarding: the temples are at their most atmospheric in cool December light, the evenings on the cruise deck are comfortable, and the absence of summer heat makes multi-hour site visits genuinely enjoyable. Abu Simbel in December is also outstanding — the early morning flight from Aswan in cool air is far more comfortable than the same trip in July’s 42°C heat.
How much does an Egypt December holiday cost?
Egypt For Travel’s December packages range from $649 per person (4-day Christmas Nile Cruise) to $2,549 per person (12-day Christmas and New Year holiday with Cairo + Nile + Sharm). The most popular option is the 8-day Egypt Christmas Tour from $1,699 covering Cairo and a 4-night Nile cruise. All prices are per person and include private guide, accommodation, entrance fees and domestic flights within Egypt.
