10 Things to Do in Cairo in December

Along with January, December is the coldest month of the year in Egypt. Although cold in this country is relative, and in this case the thermometers don't drop below 10 degrees. Rather than cold, what we find is a mild climate that is much more pleasant to see all that Cairo has to offer without the soporific heat that plagues the city for most of the year.

What other advantages does visiting Cairo in December have? Well, that's what you'll find out in this post, although it's a busy tourist season.

The 25th of December has had many meanings throughout history and in Egyptian history as well. The ancient Egyptians celebrated on this day the birth of some of their gods, especially the god Osiris. Horus is also celebrated at the end of December.

Taking advantage of these dates, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo holds special exhibitions explaining the significance of these dates. It is a unique opportunity to visit this museum which houses some of the most important Egyptian pieces such as the treasure of Tutankhamun.

One of the most popular activities to do from Cairo is a cruise on the Nile River. It is the largest river in Africa and the second largest in the world. On its banks are the most important archaeological sites and cities of the country, Cairo being its main port.

That's why cruises depart from Cairo every day and December is when they are most in demand. This is mainly due to the good temperatures and the Christmas holidays in Europe. If you are travelling to Cairo and have a few days to spare, don't miss the opportunity to sail the waters of the Nile as the pharaohs of old did.

In summer or spring, the heat is often unbearably hot, which deprives us of certain experiences. For example, a camel ride through the pyramids. Since December is one of the hottest periods of the year, it is a good time to do it. It is a very popular and fun activity that is usually done as part of a tour at the foot of the pyramids of Giza at sunset.

From around 30 euros you can do it and add this unique experience to your trip. There are tours of up to 4 hours, but there are several options to choose from. Also the temperatures and sunsets in December are ideal for a camel ride.

There are many ways to enjoy the pyramids of Giza and one of them is through the night show that takes place over the pyramids. In December, due to the high number of tourists, it's on almost every night, so there's no shortage of opportunities to see it.

The show consists of projecting a combination of lights and sounds onto the pyramids of Giza to the delight of the audience. Seeing them at the very foot of the contractions is usually expensive but you can also see them from afar from some parts of the city. It is a visual experience that I recommend 100% and almost a must for a night out in Cairo.

With only 10% of Cairo's population being Christian, Christmas celebrations in Cairo are rare. But there is one neighbourhood in particular where Christmas has a special meaning. This is the Coptic quarter, a place where, according to the Bible, the family of Jesus took refuge when they were forced to go into exile in Egypt. That is why certain celebrations are held in this neighbourhood at Christmas.

It is the perfect month to stroll through its streets, where various cultures and religions coexist, such as Coptic Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Since it is Christmas time, it is a good time to visit some of the churches whose stories are related to these dates. The most important ones are listed below.

With the religious background of Christmas, it is interesting to get to know the places linked to its protagonists. The first of these is the church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, which, according to tradition, was built on the site where the holy family lived during their stay in Egypt. However, it is named after two holy martyrs who were Roman soldiers and whose relics are kept in the church.

Beyond religion and history, the church is well worth a visit for its unique architecture and beauty. In addition, special Coptic Christian celebrations are held in December, which are, to say the least, a sight to behold in an almost entirely Islamic city. Next to the church there is also a Coptic museum where you can learn about the particularities of this religious movement.

Continuing our tour of places of worship for Coptic Christians, we come across the Hanging Church. This is the oldest and most curious church in Cairo, as it is built on top of one of the towers that gave access to the fortress. That is why you have to climb a long flight of steps to reach it.

The temple is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, as according to legend she appeared in the same place where the church was built. It is therefore a place of pilgrimage for Coptic Christians and special celebrations are held in December in the run-up to the Coptic Christmas celebrations.

Although Cairo doesn't celebrate Christmas, there are many ways to take advantage of what the city has to offer to celebrate the festive season. One of them is to take advantage of your stay in the capital to go to the markets and bazaars where you can find original gifts for the festive season.

The main market is Khan El Khalili. This market is considered to be the most important in Cairo and in the East because of its size and variety. You can find gifts such as jewellery, handicrafts, perfumes and many other things that are characteristic of Egypt. You're sure to come away with the perfect gift for your friends or family at Christmas. Be prepared to haggle with the shopkeepers, though.

The Cairo International Film Festival is one of those events that is best not to miss if you can. It has been held only in the month of December every year since 1976, being the first of its kind in the Middle East. Thanks to this, and over the years, it has become a cultural reference and today it has international relevance.

It is held at the beginning of December and for more than 10 days there are screenings and events related to cinema. Most of the festival is open to the general public and it is well worth signing up for some of the activities or simply experiencing the atmosphere around this film festival.

The Coptic community has its own Christmas traditions. For example, they have their own Father Christmas called Baba Noel and Christmas Day for them is 7 January. But the most characteristic feature is undoubtedly their cuisine. Throughout December the Copts celebrate a fast, but the restaurants in the Coptic quarter take the opportunity to offer visitors their typical Coptic Christmas dishes.

Tasting these and other dishes is an activity that can only be enjoyed at this time of year and is well worth the effort. The classic menu consists of two dishes:

• A sweet one called Kahk el Eid, which is made up of circular biscuits covered in icing sugar and filled with walnuts, pistachios or dates, usually accompanied by tea.
• And a savoury Christmas dish known as Fatteh made of rice, bread, meat and stuffed grape leaves.

Although December is the second coldest month of the year after January, what we mean by cold doesn't really apply to Cairo's winter. In fact, temperatures in this month are similar to spring in some European countries. Highs rarely exceed 25 degrees Celsius and lows rarely drop below 10 degrees Celsius**. Within this range, temperatures are coolest at the end of December.

As for the skies, they are clear almost every day and rain is rare, although December is the wettest month of the year. But let's not forget that we are in Egypt. All in all, it's clear that the weather in December is very pleasant and I'd say perfect for exploring Cairo.

December is the peak tourist season in Cairo. This is mainly due to the weather and the Christmas holidays in European countries. Put the two together and what you have is a city full of tourists, with long queues at monuments and points of interest and hotel bookings almost full. This is especially noticeable at the tourist hotspots such as the pyramids of Giza.

The high demand also translates into higher prices. Hotels charge high season rates and it is more difficult to find accommodation. This is why I always advise you to plan and book your trip to Cairo in December as early as possible. The high influx of tourists is the downside of visiting the city at this time but it is compensated by perfect temperatures and a wonderful festive atmosphere.

One of the biggest worries about travelling to Cairo is what to pack in your suitcase in a month like December. Although we've already answered the question of whether it's hot or cold in this post, here's an overview of what to pack for your Cairo trip in December:

• Temperatures are mild but not hot, so it's best to pack light, thin clothing.
• At night the thermometer drops quite a bit so don't forget to pack a jacket and some warmer clothes.
• Since Cairo is a largely Islamic city and there are many mosques you'll want to visit, avoid tank tops or skirts. For women, it's advisable to bring a scarf to cover your hair.
• Always carry your passport with you as you may be asked for it at various security checkpoints.
• Footwear is important as you'll be walking for many hours. So prioritise comfort. Sandals are not compulsory at this time of year.