Month guide · Cairo · Egypt
Cairo in December
What December is really like in Cairo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Cairo. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 1 rainy days and roughly 10.2 hours of daylight. Mild and sunny with cool nights; Christmas and New Year make it the busiest and most expensive time to visit.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 1
- Daylight
- About 10.2 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Cairo: days average 21°C (70°F) against a yearly average high of 28°C (82°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 1 of its 31 days. Compared with November (25°C (77°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:44
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:57
- Daylight
- About 10.2 hours
Autumn (September–November). The heat fades through September and October, and November brings ideal sightseeing weather.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in December). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- New Year's Eve parties at Nile-side hotels (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Experience · Islamic Cairo
Tanoura show at Wekalet El Ghouri
In a restored 16th-century caravanserai near Al-Azhar, the Al-Tannoura troupe performs Egyptian Sufi-inspired dance, with whirling dancers in multicoloured skirts accompanied by traditional musicians.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Palace · Roda Island
Manial Palace
It is a short taxi ride from Garden City and makes a quiet break from the big sights.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Historic site · Giza
Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Khufu, built about 4,500 years ago and the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, stands with the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure and smaller queens' pyramids on the desert plateau west of the Nile.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Views
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Castle · Citadel
Citadel of Saladin and Muhammad Ali Mosque
Visit in the morning, take a taxi up, then walk down to the Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i mosques below.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 11°C and 1 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Cairo?
One of the best months to visit Cairo, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are January–March and October–November. Compare every month.
Cairo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Cairo?
It is one of the best months to visit Cairo. Mild and sunny with cool nights; Christmas and New Year make it the busiest and most expensive time to visit.
+How warm is Cairo in December?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cairo in December?
Expect rain on about 1 days of the month, so it is usually dry.