#1Mild
Ayia Napa
- Day
- 17.2°C
- Sea
- 19.2°C
- Sun
- 5.4h
- Rain days
- 8
Your December weather guide
Weather in Cyprus in December
December is a good month for Cyprus if you want mild weather for time outdoors rather than a hot beach holiday. Average daytime temperatures reach 17°C, nights fall to 13°C, and there are 8 rainy days, so layers and flexible plans matter. The coast offers little difference in daytime warmth, but Larnaca has fewer rainy days than the other destinations listed. Swimming is more a matter of personal tolerance than an obvious reason to travel.
Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020
- Average daytime high
- 16.9°Cacross 7 destinations
- Average night-time low
- 12.6°Cafter dark
- Sea temperature
- 19.3°Cbracing
- Rainy days
- 8days1 mm or more
Cyprus, month by month
Turn up the warmth
Warmest places in Cyprus in December
Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.
#2Mild
Limassol
- Day
- 17.2°C
- Sea
- 19.5°C
- Sun
- 5.3h
- Rain days
- 8
#3Mild
Nissi Beach
- Day
- 17.2°C
- Sea
- 19.2°C
- Sun
- 5.4h
- Rain days
- 8
#4Mild
Larnaca
- Day
- 17.2°C
- Sea
- 19.3°C
- Sun
- 5.4h
- Rain days
- 7
#5Mild
Protaras
- Day
- 17.1°C
- Sea
- 19.2°C
- Sun
- 5.6h
- Rain days
- 8
#6Mild
Paphos
- Day
- 16.8°C
- Sea
- 19.4°C
- Sun
- 5.3h
- Rain days
- 10
Cyprus destinations ranked for December
All 7 places we track in Cyprus, ordered by daytime high.
Scroll sideways for more weather, down for more places. Click a heading to sort.
| # | Destination | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ayia Napa | 17.2°C | 13.0°C | 19.2°C | 5.4 h | 8 | 4 h 48 min |
| 2 | Limassol | 17.2°C | 11.5°C | 19.5°C | 5.3 h | 8 | 4 h 48 min |
| 3 | Nissi Beach | 17.2°C | 13.0°C | 19.2°C | 5.4 h | 8 | 4 h 48 min |
| 4 | Larnaca | 17.2°C | 11.6°C | 19.3°C | 5.4 h | 7 | 4 h 48 min |
| 5 | Protaras | 17.1°C | 14.8°C | 19.2°C | 5.6 h | 8 | 4 h 48 min |
| 6 | Paphos | 16.8°C | 12.6°C | 19.4°C | 5.3 h | 10 | 4 h 42 min |
| 7 | Coral Bay | 15.8°C | 11.6°C | 19.3°C | 5.0 h | 11 | 4 h 42 min |
7 destinations shownClimate averages, not a forecast.
December climate overview
Daytime highs across Cyprus in December run from 15.8°C (Coral Bay) to 17.2°C (Ayia Napa). Days over 25°C are rare anywhere in Cyprus in December. Nights average 12.6°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Coral Bay fall to 9°C or below.
Rainfall in December
Expect around 8 rainy days (1 mm or more) in December, with Larnaca the driest (7 days) and Coral Bay the wettest (11 days). The wettest December at Ayia Napa between 1991 and 2020 was 1991 with 145 mm; the driest was 2005 with 5 mm.
Sea temperature
The sea averages 19.3°C around Cyprus in December - warmest at Limassol (19.5°C). That is bracing: fine for a dip, cool for long swims.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 9.7 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).
December against the rest of the year in Cyprus
December is the 10th warmest month of the twelve in Cyprus. It is 4.1°C cooler than November and 1.9°C cooler in January. The hottest month here is August (31°C) and the coolest January (15°C).
Which part of Cyprus in December?
- Most sunshine: Protaras, 5.6 h a day.
- Driest: Larnaca, about 7 rainy days.
- Warmest sea: Limassol, 20°C.
- Hottest: Ayia Napa, 17°C by day.
- Coolest (better for walking and cities): Coral Bay, 16°C.
What to pack for Cyprus in December
Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 17°C; a light jumper for evenings (13°C at night); a rain jacket - roughly 8 wet days; swimwear if you do not mind a bracing 19°C sea.
Similar weather elsewhere in December
Within 1.5°C of Cyprus's December daytime average: La Palma (18°C, sea 21°C), Madeira (18°C, sea 20°C), Sousse (18°C, sea 18°C), Costa de la Luz (17°C, sea 17°C), Albufeira (16°C, sea 17°C). See the full ranking for December.
Which part of Cyprus should you choose?
Larnaca is the practical choice if limiting rain is your priority: its 7 rainy days compare with 10 in Paphos and 11 in Coral Bay. That does not guarantee a dry stay, but it gives Larnaca the edge for outdoor plans. Daytime warmth is much the same across the destinations, with Ayia Napa, Limassol, Nissi Beach, Larnaca, Protaras and Paphos all at 17°C. Coral Bay is slightly cooler at 16°C. For milder evenings, Protaras stands out with nights averaging 15°C, while Limassol has the warmest sea at 20°C. Choose around those small differences rather than expecting a distinctly hot corner of the island.
What to expect outdoors and by the sea
Plan for mild afternoons, cooler evenings and some wet weather, not dependable days in swimwear. With 5.3 hours of sunshine on average, December still leaves room for outdoor time, but keep your plans easy to rearrange around rain. Light layers are more useful than a summer-only wardrobe; bring a jumper, a waterproof jacket and shoes you are comfortable wearing in wet conditions. The average sea temperature is 19°C, which may suit travellers who enjoy cooler water but will feel chilly to others. Limassol's 20°C sea offers a slight advantage, not a guarantee of comfortable swimming. Use the warmer part of the day for lingering outdoors.
A little more detail
Cyprus in December FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Where is the hottest place in Cyprus in December?
Ayia Napa is the warmest of the 7 places we track in Cyprus in December with an average high of 17.2°C; Coral Bay is the coolest at 15.8°C.
Is the sea warm in Cyprus in December?
Not really: the warmest sea we track in Cyprus in December is 19.5°C at Limassol, below the 22°C most people find comfortable.
How much warmer is Cyprus than London in December?
Cyprus averages 17°C by day, compared with London's 8°C. That makes it a milder option for spending time outside, but it is not summer weather: evenings need layers, and rain should still be part of your planning.
Is December suitable for a beach holiday?
It suits time beside the sea better than a holiday built around sunbathing and swimming. Daytime temperatures average 17°C and the sea averages 19°C. If warm water and reliable dry weather are essential, December is not a strong choice.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at 7 destination points.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C