Weather in Paphos in December

How December compares

December is the 10th warmest month of the year in Paphos and ranks 62nd of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within Cyprus it is 6th of 7 (Cyprus in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Paphos is 9.1°C warmer by day and 9.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Paphos peaks at 16.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 19.6°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 12.6°C; one night in ten drops to 9.8°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 24.1°C (2010-12-03) and the coldest night 5.4°C (1992-12-27).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 10 days with 1 mm or more, 84 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 1991 with 223 mm, the driest 1995 with 4 mm. Humidity averages 71%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 19.4°C - bracing (18-22°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 18.5°C to 20.3°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (28.0°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:50 and sets about 16:41 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 45%.

Is December a good time to visit Paphos?

December is not the strongest month here: mild days and frequent rain. The best months for Paphos on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Mild afternoons, with layers needed after dark

December's average daytime high is 9.1°C above London's 7.7°C, so the difference should feel noticeable without being summer-like. Walking and spending time outdoors are a better fit than planning to sit in swimwear all afternoon. The warmer days can reach 19.6°C or more, but that is not the everyday expectation. Pack light layers for daytime, plus a jumper and jacket for evenings. Colder nights can fall to 9.8°C or below, making warm clothing useful even if the afternoon felt pleasant. This is a sensible month for travellers who prefer mild conditions to heat and do not need every day to feel beach-ready.

Plan around rain and limited daylight

Rain is the main catch: December has about 10 rainy days, so a waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements deserve space in your bag. Keep outdoor plans flexible rather than relying on uninterrupted dry weather. There is still useful sunshine, averaging 5.3 hours a day, but only 9.7 hours of daylight overall. Start outdoor plans earlier and leave room to change course if rain arrives. The balance suits travellers happy to take brighter spells as they come, rather than those booking mainly for guaranteed sun. A wet day need not define the trip, but it should be part of your expectations.