Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh in December: which to choose?
Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh in December: choose between two Red Sea bases by the beach, district and plans beyond the hotel. For a winter trip, consider access to the water and what you want to do after the beach.
Travel month
Average temperatures in the cities on this page, °C
Contents
Compare the weather by city
| City | Daytime | At night | Sea | Wet days | Rainfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurghada | 23 °C | 17 °C | 24 °C | 0.1 | 0.5 mm | 10.5 h |
| Sharm el Sheikh | 25 °C | 15 °C | 25 °C | 0.1 | 1.4 mm | 10.4 h |
Air: average daily highs and lows for 2015–2024. Wet day: at least 1 mm of precipitation. Sea: a monthly coastal reference.
The sea and the beach
Average sea temperatures in December are around 24°C in Hurghada and 25°C in Sharm el Sheikh. Start with the stretch of shore: a sandy entry for short dips and access to a reef serve different plans. A hotel with a heated pool is useful for longer winter swims.
Time beyond the beach
In Hurghada, give a separate walk to the city districts and marina. In Sharm el Sheikh, put Naama Bay and the Old Market on different days, with a trip to the natural areas as a separate outing. On a short holiday, explore your own district in more detail and add one excursion to leave time between journeys.
Dates and the pace of your stay
In December, build your stay around the sea, alternating beach hours with shorter city walks. Take a jumper and long trousers for after sunset. For a week by the water, leave a free day between larger excursions.
Detailed city guides
Hurghada in December
December in Hurghada suits walks by the sea and reef trips. It is about 23 °C during the day and cooler in the evening, so take a light jacket for dinner on the promenade.
Sharm el Sheikh in December
In December, Sharm el Sheikh is about 25 °C by day, and the sea is about 25 °C. Plan time in the bays, a museum visit and trips to natural areas on separate days.
Common questions
Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh for a winter beach holiday?
Compare individual beaches and accommodation: water access, distance to the shore and a heated pool. In Hurghada, add a walk by the marina; in Sharm el Sheikh, explore Naama Bay and the Old Market.
How much does the sea differ in December?
Average water temperatures are around 24°C in Hurghada and 25°C in Sharm el Sheikh. The difference is small; the beach you choose and an easy exit from the water matter for daily swimming.
Trip ideas
Where to go for winter sun: four sea breaks in December
Compare a stay in Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in December. They offer different ways to spend a week: a beach base on the Red Sea, walks through a large city, or museums combined with time on the waterfront.