Egypt at Christmas Weather: Temperatures & Tips

Egypt at Christmas weather means warm sun by day and cold nights, from 24°C in Luxor to 21°C in Cairo. This guide explains Christmas weather in Egypt city by city, with packing and booking advice.

Egypt at Christmas Weather: What 25 December Really Feels Like

Pack a sunhat and a fleece. That is the shortest honest summary of Egypt at Christmas weather. Afternoons in the south reach 24°C under a cloudless sky, while the same night can fall to 7°C in Luxor. Cairo sits a few degrees lower, the Red Sea sits in between, and the Mediterranean coast is the only part of the country where a raincoat earns its place in the bag.

This guide is written by the planners at Bastet Travel, who handle Christmas week departures every year. It covers the numbers, but it also covers how the numbers feel: what you will wear at 7 am on a balloon launch, what you will wear at 1 pm on a temple terrace, and what you will wear on deck at 8 pm. Figures are December averages from several weather and travel sources. Sources differ by a degree or two, so treat each number as a range and not a promise.

Christmas Weather in Egypt at a Glance

• Daytime highs: 20 to 25°C depending on the city
• Night lows: 7 to 13°C, with the coldest nights inland and in the desert
• Rain: Near zero in Luxor and Aswan, rare in Cairo, possible in Alexandria
• Sunshine: Around 9 hours a day in the south
• Daylight: About 10.5 hours, with sunrise near 6:30 am and sunset near 5 pm in Luxor
• UV index: Around 5, still strong enough to burn
• Red Sea water: Roughly 23 to 24°C, cooler than autumn

The Answer in One Line

Christmas weather in Egypt is warm in the sun, cold in the shade and cooler again after dark. Plan your clothing around that three step pattern and the rest of the trip falls into place.

Egypt at Christmas Weather by Time of Day

Averages hide the daily swing. The real planning question is not how warm it is on 25 December, but how warm it is at the hour you will be outside.

Early Morning: 6 am to 9 am

This is the coldest part of the day and the part many Christmas itineraries start with. A Hot Air Balloon flight over Luxor launches before sunrise at temperatures that feel close to 10°C or lower on the ground and colder in the air. Wear a warm layer, a hat and closed shoes. Flights depend on wind and visibility, so keep a spare morning in the schedule.

Midday: 11 am to 3 pm

Midday is the reason people come in winter. At 22 to 25°C the sun is strong but not punishing. You can walk through Karnak Temple without the exhaustion of a summer visit. Sleeves up, sunscreen on and a light layer tied around your waist is the right setup.

Late Afternoon: 3 pm to 5 pm

Light turns gold and temperatures start to fall quickly because sunset is early, around 5 pm in the south. This is the best window for photography at the Pyramids of Giza and for a Felucca Ride in Aswan. Put the jacket back on before the sun drops.

Evening and Night: After 6 pm

Evenings feel properly cool and desert nights are cold. Outdoor deck dinners need a jacket and sometimes a scarf. Shows such as the Karnak Sound and Light Show and the Pyramids Sound and Light Show are better enjoyed with a coat than without one.

Christmas Weather in Egypt City by City

The same date feels very different from north to south. This section gives typical December averages and what they mean in practice.

Cairo and Giza

Highs around 21°C and nights near 12°C. The air can feel cooler in the shade and on windy plateaus, and occasional rain is possible. Giza is exposed, so a windproof layer matters more than a heavy coat. The The Grand Egyptian Museum - GEM is a good indoor anchor if the weather turns. Our Cairo Tours and Excursions can be arranged to match the best hours of the day. For the shoulder weeks, read Cairo Egypt weather in november to see how quickly the season changes.

Luxor

Highs about 24°C and nights that can fall to 7 to 9°C. Rain is essentially absent, with no rainy days in a typical December. The Valley of The Kings and Hatshepsut Temple are open, bright and comfortable. See all Luxor Tours and Excursions and compare with Luxor weather in november.

Aswan and Abu Simbel

Aswan is usually the warmest of the classic stops, with highs around 24°C and nights near 12°C, though inland evenings at Abu Simbel can be colder. The journey to Abu Simbel Temple begins before dawn so dress for cold on the road and warm at the temple. Philae Temple is best reached by boat in the soft morning light. Browse Aswan Tours for combinations.

The Red Sea: Hurghada, Sharm and Marsa Alam

Days reach 22 to 24°C and nights near 13°C. Beach time is possible but not guaranteed to feel hot, and the north wind can make boats chilly. A thin wetsuit or rash vest helps with snorkelling. Giftun Island Hurghada and Ras Mohammed both run in December. See Hurghada Tours and Excursions, Sharm El Sheikh Tours and Marsa Alam Trips.

Alexandria

Highs near 21°C and nights near 11°C, with the highest chance of rain and wind in the country. Pack a waterproof layer and closed shoes. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Citadel of Qaitbay are good on dry days. See our Alexandria Tours.

Siwa and the Desert

The desert is pleasant by day and genuinely cold at night. A camp in the White Desert needs a proper sleeping bag, a hat and gloves. Clear skies make the stars memorable. Our Egypt Desert Safari Tours provide the gear and logistics.

How Cold Do the Nights Get in Egypt at Christmas?

This is the number that surprises people most. The daytime figure of 24°C suggests a mild holiday, yet the gap between afternoon and midnight can reach 15 degrees. In Luxor the night low averages around 7 to 9°C, in Cairo it sits near 12°C and in the open desert it can fall lower. Hotel rooms and Nile ships often have limited indoor heating, so the cold is something you plan for and not something you can switch off.

Three Habits That Solve It

• Dress in three layers: A light shirt, a fleece and a windproof jacket cover almost every hour
• Pack warm sleepwear: A pair of thick socks and a light hat make a real difference at night
• Ask for an extra blanket: Hotels and ships usually provide one on request

Christmas weather in Egypt is therefore a daytime pleasure and a nighttime reminder. Once you accept that split, the cold stops being a problem.

Rain, Wind and Other Christmas Surprises

Most visitors ask whether Egypt at Christmas weather is reliable. It is, with three small exceptions.

Rain

Rain is rare. Luxor and Aswan are practically dry. Cairo may see a short shower on a few days and Alexandria is the most likely place for a wet day. Short showers rarely cancel sightseeing, but they can make desert tracks muddy.

Wind

The north wind can pick up over the Red Sea and along the Nile. It will not cancel your trip, but it can make boat days feel colder than the thermometer says. Wear a windproof outer layer.

Haze and Fog

Cairo mornings are sometimes hazy and occasionally foggy, which can delay balloon launches or domestic flights. Build a buffer into any same day connection.

Is the Sea Warm Enough at Christmas?

For a Red Sea stay, yes, with a caveat. Water temperature sits around 23 to 24°C in December, down from the warmer figures of autumn. Most people can swim comfortably, but long swims may feel fresh, and hotel pools without heating can feel cooler than the sea. Divers usually choose a 5 mm suit. If swimming is the main goal, read diving in Egypt in november and compare with Hurghada in november, since November is a little warmer. Browse diving holidays Egypt and our Red Sea holidays Egypt pages for options.

Early December, Christmas Week and New Year: Same Weather, Different Trip

Christmas weather in Egypt barely changes from week to week. The crowds and prices do. Here is how the month breaks down:

• December 1 to 14: Mild days, easier bookings and lower prices
• December 15 to 21: Demand starts to climb as school holidays approach
• December 22 to 26: The peak of Christmas week with the strongest demand
• December 27 to 31: New Year programmes begin and prices stay high
• January 7: Coptic Christmas, a national holiday celebrated in Old Cairo

If you can choose, early December gives nearly the same weather for less money. If you are fixed to Christmas week, book early. For the full seasonal view see holidays to Egypt in December and our Christmas and New Year Egypt Tour Packages.

How Egypt at Christmas Weather Compares with Other Months

Seeing the neighbours helps you decide whether Christmas week is the right slot:

• October: Hotter and the sea is warmer, with the south still reaching the high twenties. See Egypt holidays in October
• November: The sweet spot for many travellers, with warm days and cooler evenings. Read is november a good time to visit Egypt and places to visit in Egypt in november
• December: Cooler again with the busiest week of the year around Christmas
• January: The coldest weeks of the year. See holidays to Egypt in January
• February: Warmer days return. See holidays in Egypt in February

If your priority is the warmest possible Egypt at Christmas weather, aim for Aswan and the far south. If your priority is value, move your dates into early December or the first days of January.

What to Wear for Christmas Weather in Egypt

Layers beat bulk. Most travellers on a Cairo, Luxor and Aswan route do not need a heavy winter coat. A fleece plus a medium jacket usually covers it.

Day to Day Checklist

• Base layer: Light cotton shirts for warm midday hours
• Mid layer: A sweater or fleece for mornings and evenings
• Outer layer: A windproof jacket for balloons, boats and desert nights
• Bottoms: Light trousers for sightseeing and a warmer pair for the desert
• Extras: Hat, scarf, gloves for desert camps and lip balm for dry air
• Sun kit: Sunglasses and sunscreen, even in winter
• Footwear: Comfortable closed shoes for stone floors
• Sea kit: A rash vest or thin wetsuit for Red Sea days
• Respectful clothing: Covered shoulders and knees for mosques and churches

What Not to Pack

Skip heavy snow boots and thick down parkas. Many guests overpack bulky items and underpack light layers. Laundry is cheap and fast, so you do not need a suitcase full of options.

Crowds and Prices at Christmas

Good Christmas weather in Egypt comes with a price: Christmas week is the busiest week of the Egyptian travel year. Pressure peaks at Giza, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, luxury Nile ships and Red Sea resorts. Some hotels and ships add festive supplements, so compare the total package and not just the nightly rate. Booking three to six months ahead is a realistic window, and the best cabins and anchor hotels go first. If you want a quieter plan, consider the days just after New Year when weather stays similar and crowds ease.

Christmas in Egypt: December 25 and January 7

Egypt does not shut down on December 25. Museums, temples and tourist services run as usual, although some local businesses treat the day as normal. Coptic Christmas falls on 7 January and is the national holiday. If your trip runs into the second week of January, a visit to Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church adds a festive evening. Many ships and hotels host Christmas Eve dinners and New Year programmes.

Best Plans for Egypt at Christmas Weather

Match your trip to the weather you want. Each plan below suits a different reading of Egypt at Christmas weather.

For Warmth: Aswan and a Nile Cruise

Warmth is highest in the south, so a Nile Cruise on the Luxor To Aswan Nile Cruises route is the safest plan. See the 5 star Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor and the best dahabiya Nile cruise for quieter options.

For Culture: Cairo and Luxor

Cairo for the pyramids and museums, then fly south for temples and tombs. Our Egypt itinerary 10 days with Nile cruise already follows this logic.

For Families

Combine two cultural days with several relaxed days by the sea. Start with Egypt family holidays and best family holidays in Egypt.

For Couples

Pair a private Luxor and Aswan route with a few quiet nights. See couples holidays in Egypt and luxury Egypt holidays.

For Two Destinations in One Trip

A split between the Nile and the coast works well. Look at Egypt two centre holidays and Egypt winter holidays.

Common Mistakes with Egypt at Christmas Weather

1. Expecting beach heat: The Red Sea is mild and not hot in December
2. Forgetting the evening layer: Temperatures drop quickly after sunset
3. Skipping sun protection: Winter UV is still moderate to strong
4. Booking late: Christmas week sells out months ahead
5. Over packing: Heavy coats are rarely needed for the main route

The 25 December Itinerary We Would Hand You

Instead of a closing pitch, here is the Christmas Day we would plan for a first time visitor in Luxor, hour by hour, with the weather it will actually meet:

• 5:30 am: Hotel pickup in the dark and a cold start, so wear the jacket
• 6:15 am: Balloon launch over the West Bank, weather permitting
• 8:30 am: Breakfast and a warm coffee as the sun climbs
• 10:00 am: Valley of the Kings at about 20°C and comfortable
• 1:00 pm: Lunch on the Nile in light layers at a high near 24°C
• 3:00 pm: Karnak Temple in warm gold light
• 5:00 pm: Sunset and the first chill, so jackets back on
• 7:30 pm: Christmas dinner on deck or at the hotel with a scarf

If that day sounds right, tell us your dates on WhatsApp and we will adapt it to your group. Prefer to start from a blank page? Open Plan Tailor-Made Egypt Trip and choose the cities you want to see. You can also browse ready made Egypt Tour Packages first.

FAQs about Egypt at Christmas Weather

What is Egypt at Christmas weather like?

Warm days and cold nights. Highs range from about 20°C in Cairo and Alexandria to 24°C in Luxor and Aswan, while nights fall to between 7 and 13°C.

Is it warm enough to swim with Christmas weather in Egypt?

On the Red Sea, yes. The sea is around 23 to 24°C. Many visitors swim comfortably, and a thin wetsuit helps on longer snorkelling or boat days.

Does it rain in Egypt at Christmas?

Rarely. Luxor and Aswan are almost always dry, Cairo may see a short shower and Alexandria is the most likely place for rain.

What should I wear for Christmas weather in Egypt?

Wear layers: light cotton by day and a fleece or medium jacket for mornings and evenings. Add a windproof layer for balloons and boats and a scarf for the desert.

Is Egypt at Christmas weather good for sightseeing?

Yes. Temperatures of 20 to 25°C are ideal for temples, tombs and the pyramids, and rain rarely interrupts the plan.

Is Christmas a busy time to visit Egypt?

Yes. It is one of the busiest weeks of the year, so book flights, cabins and hotels well ahead. Early December offers similar weather with fewer crowds.

Does Egypt celebrate Christmas on December 25?

Western Christmas is observed by visitors and some hotels, but the national Coptic Christmas holiday falls on 7 January. Tourist sites generally stay open on December 25.