Things to Do in Cairo in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Cairo
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect temperature window for exploring pyramids and outdoor sites - you'll get daytime highs around 20°C (68°F) without the punishing summer heat that makes climbing into tombs feel like entering an oven. Morning visits to Giza are actually comfortable, not an endurance test.
- Clearest skies of the year for photography and visibility - December sits in Cairo's dry season with barely 2.5 mm (0.1 inches) of rain all month. The Nile looks spectacular at sunset, and you can actually see across the city from the Citadel without the summer haze obscuring everything.
- Shoulder season pricing with manageable crowds - you're visiting after the October-November peak but before the Christmas-New Year surge. Hotel rates typically run 20-30% lower than high season, and you can book solid mid-range places for USD 40-60 per night that would cost USD 80+ in peak weeks.
- Local cultural calendar is active - Coptic Christmas preparations are underway, street food vendors are out in full force in cooler evenings, and the opera season at Cairo Opera House runs through December with performances most weekends. You're seeing the city at a genuinely lively time, not just tourist season.
Considerations
- Unpredictable temperature swings between day and night - that 8°C (14°F) difference means you'll be peeling off layers by noon and scrambling for a jacket by 7pm. The weather data shows variable conditions, which in Cairo terms means some days hit 23°C (73°F) and others barely reach 17°C (63°F). Pack for both.
- Holiday pricing spikes in the final week - December 20-31 sees a sharp jump in accommodation costs as European and Gulf tourists flood in for Christmas and New Year. If your dates include this window, expect to pay 40-60% more than early December rates, and book at least 8-10 weeks ahead.
- Occasional winter rain disrupts outdoor plans - while those 10 rainy days typically bring brief showers rather than all-day downpours, Cairo's infrastructure handles rain poorly. Streets flood quickly, traffic becomes chaos, and some desert excursions get canceled. The humidity at 70% also means things feel damper than you'd expect for a desert city.
Best Activities in December
Giza Pyramids and Sphinx Complex Tours
December weather makes this the ideal month for extended time at Giza - you can actually spend 3-4 hours exploring without heat exhaustion. Morning temperatures around 15°C (59°F) are perfect for climbing into the Great Pyramid's interior chambers, which get stuffy in summer. The low-angle winter sun creates dramatic shadows on the pyramids between 7-9am, and you'll avoid the worst crowds if you arrive right at 8am opening. The UV index of 8 still requires sun protection, but it's nowhere near the summer's relentless intensity.
Nile River Felucca Sailing
The traditional wooden sailboats are actually pleasant in December, unlike the sweltering summer months when sitting on open water feels punishing. Late afternoon sails from 3-5pm catch decent breeze and comfortable temperatures around 18°C (64°F). The winter light on the water is softer, and you'll see locals out sailing too, not just tourists. Sunset cruises around 5pm work well since it gets dark by 5:30pm in December. The variable conditions mean some days are windier than others, making for better sailing.
Islamic Cairo Walking Tours
December is actually the only comfortable month to spend 4-5 hours walking through the medieval city without wilting. The narrow streets of Khan el-Khalili bazaar and Al-Muizz Street stay relatively cool even at midday, and the 70% humidity is manageable with the lower temperatures. You can explore the interior courtyards of mosques like Sultan Hassan and Al-Azhar without the oppressive heat that makes summer visits brief and miserable. Morning tours starting at 9am work well, or late afternoon from 3pm onward when the light gets beautiful.
Egyptian Museum and Downtown Cairo Exploration
The museum's lack of climate control makes December visits more bearable than summer, when the upper floors become stifling. You'll want 3-4 hours minimum for the collection, and December weather means you can comfortably walk the surrounding downtown area afterward. The museum is moving collections to the new Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza throughout 2026, so confirm which artifacts are currently on display. The Tahrir Square area and nearby cafes are pleasant for afternoon breaks when temperatures peak around 20°C (68°F).
Saqqara and Memphis Day Trips
These sites get overlooked but are spectacular in December weather. Saqqara's Step Pyramid and newly opened tombs involve lots of walking across desert terrain, which is actually pleasant at 18-20°C (64-68°F) rather than the summer's brutal heat. The recently restored Djoser complex is less crowded than Giza, and you can spend time examining the detailed hieroglyphics without crowds pushing through. Memphis has minimal shade, so December's milder temperatures and lower UV compared to summer make it tolerable. Plan for 5-6 hours total including 45-minute drive each way from central Cairo.
Coptic Cairo and Old City Districts
December timing is particularly good for Coptic Cairo as churches are decorated for the upcoming Coptic Christmas on January 7, and you'll see preparations underway. The Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Coptic Museum are all clustered in a walkable area that's comfortable in December temperatures. The narrow streets and covered passages stay cool, and the area sees fewer tour groups than Islamic Cairo. The Coptic Museum's collection is underrated and provides context for Egypt's Christian heritage that most visitors miss entirely.
December Events & Festivals
Cairo International Film Festival
One of the Middle East's oldest film festivals, typically running in late November through early December. Screenings happen across multiple venues in downtown Cairo and Zamalek, with a mix of international and Arab cinema. You can usually buy individual screening tickets even if you're not attending the full festival, and it's a chance to see the city's cultural scene beyond tourist sites.
Cairo Opera House Winter Season
The opera house on Gezira Island runs its main performance season through December, with ballet, classical music, and Arabic music concerts most weekends. Tickets are surprisingly affordable at EGP 100-400 depending on seating, and the building itself is worth seeing. The Saturday evening performances tend to draw well-dressed Cairo families, giving you a glimpse of local cultural life.