Weather in Albania in December

December climate overview

Daytime highs across Albania in December run from 11.7°C (Tirana) to 12.7°C (Saranda). Days over 25°C are rare anywhere in Albania in December. Nights average 5.1°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Tirana fall to -1°C or below.

Rainfall in December

Expect around 13 rainy days (1 mm or more) in December, with Tirana the driest (12 days) and Saranda the wettest (14 days). The wettest December at Saranda between 1991 and 2020 was 2005 with 452 mm; the driest was 2016 with 2 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 16.8°C around Albania in December - warmest at Saranda (17.2°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.0 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 9.2 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

December against the rest of the year in Albania

December is the 11th warmest month of the twelve in Albania. It is 4.4°C cooler than November and 1.0°C cooler in January. The hottest month here is August (31°C) and the coolest January (11°C).

Which part of Albania in December?

• Most sunshine: Tirana, 4.1 h a day.
• Driest: Tirana, about 12 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Saranda, 17°C.
• Hottest: Saranda, 13°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Tirana, 12°C.

What to pack for Albania in December

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 12°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 5°C; a rain jacket - roughly 13 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in December

Within 1.5°C of Albania's December daytime average: Paxos (14°C, sea 17°C), Porto (14°C, sea 14°C), Salou (13°C, sea 15°C), Corfu (13°C, sea 17°C), Sorrento (13°C, sea 17°C). See the full ranking for December.

Saranda for milder evenings, Tirana for slightly less rain

Saranda is the warmer choice, but the difference is too small to decide your trip on daytime temperature alone: expect 13°C there against 12°C in Tirana. The evening gap is more useful, with Saranda averaging 6°C at night and Tirana 4°C. You will still want a warm jacket in either place. Saranda's catch is its 14 rainy days, compared with 12 in Tirana, so the extra warmth does not mean drier conditions. Choose Saranda if you prefer a milder coastal stay and can accept wet spells; choose Tirana if slightly fewer rainy days matter more than a little extra warmth.

Plan around cool days and wet spells

With average sunshine of 4 hours, December can offer time outdoors, but it is not a month to build every day around clear skies. Keep outdoor plans flexible and have an indoor alternative when rain arrives. A waterproof outer layer, shoes that cope with wet ground and warm clothing for evenings are sensible packing choices. Midday is a better time to aim for an outdoor break than the colder evening, though average daytime conditions are still cool. The sea averages 17°C nationally, which is chilly for a leisurely swim. Treat the coast as somewhere for time beside the water rather than a conventional beach holiday.