#1Mild
Elounda
- Day
- 16.3°C
- Sea
- 18.1°C
- Sun
- 3.9h
- Rain days
- 9
Your December weather guide
Weather in Greece in December
December is a good month for Greece if you want mild weather for time outdoors rather than a beach holiday. Average daytime temperatures of 14°C make walking more appealing than sunbathing, while an 18°C sea will feel cool for a leisurely swim. The catch is rain, with 11 rainy days on average. Choose your destination carefully: the milder places offer comfortable daytime conditions, but you should still pack for chilly evenings and wet spells.
Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020
- Average daytime high
- 14.4°Cacross 44 destinations
- Average night-time low
- 10.6°Cafter dark
- Sea temperature
- 17.5°Ccold for swimming
- Rainy days
- 11days1 mm or more
Greece, month by month
Turn up the warmth
Warmest places in Greece in December
Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.
#2Mild
Hersonissos
- Day
- 16.2°C
- Sea
- 18.0°C
- Sun
- 3.9h
- Rain days
- 10
#3Mild
Sissi
- Day
- 16.2°C
- Sea
- 18.0°C
- Sun
- 3.9h
- Rain days
- 10
#4Mild
Stalis
- Day
- 16.2°C
- Sea
- 18.0°C
- Sun
- 3.9h
- Rain days
- 10
#5Mild
Koutouloufari
- Day
- 16.2°C
- Sea
- 18.0°C
- Sun
- 3.9h
- Rain days
- 10
#6Mild
Kiotari
- Day
- 16.0°C
- Sea
- 19.0°C
- Sun
- 5.1h
- Rain days
- 12
Greece destinations ranked for December
All 44 places we track in Greece, ordered by daytime high.
Scroll sideways for more weather, down for more places. Click a heading to sort.
| # | Destination | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elounda | 16.3°C | 11.5°C | 18.1°C | 3.9 h | 9 | 4 h 6 min |
| 2 | Hersonissos | 16.2°C | 10.5°C | 18.0°C | 3.9 h | 10 | 4 h 6 min |
| 3 | Sissi | 16.2°C | 10.8°C | 18.0°C | 3.9 h | 10 | 4 h 6 min |
| 4 | Stalis | 16.2°C | 10.9°C | 18.0°C | 3.9 h | 10 | 4 h 6 min |
| 5 | Koutouloufari | 16.2°C | 10.5°C | 18.0°C | 3.9 h | 10 | 4 h 6 min |
| 6 | Kiotari | 16.0°C | 12.5°C | 19.0°C | 5.1 h | 12 | 4 h 12 min |
| 7 | Faliraki | 15.9°C | 13.1°C | 19.3°C | 5.1 h | 12 | 4 h 12 min |
| 8 | Ixia | 15.9°C | 13.1°C | 19.3°C | 5.1 h | 12 | 4 h 12 min |
| 9 | Lindos | 15.9°C | 12.4°C | 19.0°C | 5.1 h | 12 | 4 h 12 min |
| 10 | Kolymbia | 15.9°C | 12.8°C | 19.2°C | 5.1 h | 12 | 4 h 12 min |
| 11 | Rhodes | 15.8°C | 13.0°C | 19.3°C | 5.1 h | 12 | 4 h 12 min |
| 12 | Rhodes Town | 15.8°C | 13.0°C | 19.3°C | 5.1 h | 12 | 4 h 12 min |
| 13 | Crete | 15.6°C | 10.0°C | 18.0°C | 3.5 h | 11 | 4 h 6 min |
| 14 | Kos | 15.6°C | 12.9°C | 18.9°C | 4.9 h | 13 | 4 h 6 min |
| 15 | Kardamena | 15.6°C | 13.1°C | 19.0°C | 4.9 h | 12 | 4 h 6 min |
| 16 | Gouves | 15.6°C | 9.9°C | 18.0°C | 3.5 h | 12 | 4 h 6 min |
| 17 | Zante | 15.0°C | 12.3°C | 17.9°C | 4.3 h | 14 | 3 h 30 min |
| 18 | Laganas | 15.0°C | 12.2°C | 17.9°C | 4.3 h | 14 | 3 h 30 min |
| 19 | Kefalos | 15.0°C | 12.5°C | 18.9°C | 4.9 h | 11 | 4 h 6 min |
| 20 | Zakynthos Town | 15.0°C | 12.3°C | 17.9°C | 4.3 h | 14 | 3 h 30 min |
| 21 | Kefalonia | 14.9°C | 12.3°C | 17.7°C | 4.3 h | 13 | 3 h 30 min |
| 22 | Lassi | 14.9°C | 12.3°C | 17.7°C | 4.3 h | 13 | 3 h 30 min |
| 23 | Chania | 14.8°C | 11.5°C | 18.1°C | 4.0 h | 15 | 4 h |
| 24 | Naxos | 14.6°C | 12.2°C | 17.1°C | 4.3 h | 10 | 3 h 54 min |
| 25 | Skala | 14.6°C | 7.2°C | 18.2°C | 4.7 h | 10 | 3 h 48 min |
| 26 | Mykonos | 14.5°C | 11.9°C | 16.7°C | 4.2 h | 10 | 3 h 54 min |
| 27 | Kavos | 14.0°C | 8.4°C | 17.4°C | 4.1 h | 14 | 3 h 18 min |
| 28 | Santorini | 13.9°C | 11.2°C | 17.6°C | 4.3 h | 10 | 4 h |
| 29 | Roda | 13.8°C | 10.8°C | 17.2°C | 3.9 h | 14 | 3 h 12 min |
| 30 | Kalamaki | 13.7°C | 8.7°C | 17.3°C | 4.1 h | 8 | 3 h 42 min |
| 31 | Paxos | 13.7°C | 10.9°C | 17.4°C | 4.2 h | 14 | 3 h 18 min |
| 32 | Corfu | 13.3°C | 10.1°C | 17.3°C | 3.9 h | 14 | 3 h 18 min |
| 33 | Athens | 13.2°C | 7.2°C | 17.3°C | 4.1 h | 8 | 3 h 42 min |
| 34 | Skiathos | 13.2°C | 11.1°C | 15.6°C | 3.6 h | 12 | 3 h 36 min |
| 35 | Parga | 13.2°C | 8.3°C | 17.4°C | 4.1 h | 13 | 3 h 18 min |
| 36 | Skiathos Town | 13.2°C | 11.1°C | 15.6°C | 3.6 h | 12 | 3 h 36 min |
| 37 | Sidari | 13.0°C | 10.0°C | 17.2°C | 3.9 h | 14 | 3 h 12 min |
| 38 | Pefkos | 12.5°C | 5.8°C | 16.3°C | 4.0 h | 8 | 3 h 42 min |
| 39 | Alonissos | 12.4°C | 9.7°C | 15.6°C | 3.7 h | 11 | 3 h 36 min |
| 40 | Sani | 11.7°C | 8.4°C | 15.5°C | 3.7 h | 9 | 3 h 30 min |
| 41 | Afitos | 11.6°C | 8.3°C | 15.5°C | 3.7 h | 9 | 3 h 30 min |
| 42 | Halkidiki | 11.4°C | 7.4°C | 15.5°C | 3.7 h | 9 | 3 h 30 min |
| 43 | Kalives | 11.0°C | 5.4°C | 15.5°C | 3.7 h | 9 | 3 h 30 min |
| 44 | Thassos | 10.4°C | 6.3°C | 14.3°C | 3.8 h | 10 | 3 h 30 min |
44 destinations shownClimate averages, not a forecast.
December climate overview
Daytime highs across Greece in December run from 10.4°C (Thassos) to 16.3°C (Elounda). Even in Elounda only 0% of days reach 25°C. Nights average 10.6°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Thassos fall to 2°C or below.
Rainfall in December
Expect around 11 rainy days (1 mm or more) in December, with Kalamaki the driest (8 days) and Chania the wettest (15 days). The wettest December at Elounda between 1991 and 2020 was 2018 with 165 mm; the driest was 2006 with 9 mm.
Sea temperature
The sea averages 17.5°C around Greece in December - warmest at Faliraki (19.3°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 4.2 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 9.6 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).
December against the rest of the year in Greece
December is the 10th warmest month of the twelve in Greece. It is 3.7°C cooler than November and 1.4°C cooler in January. The hottest month here is August (29°C) and the coolest January (13°C).
Which part of Greece in December?
- Most sunshine: Kiotari, 5.1 h a day.
- Driest: Kalamaki, about 8 rainy days.
- Warmest sea: Faliraki, 19°C.
- Hottest: Elounda, 16°C by day.
- Coolest (better for walking and cities): Thassos, 10°C.
What to pack for Greece in December
Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 14°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 11°C; a rain jacket - roughly 11 wet days.
Similar weather elsewhere in December
Within 1.5°C of Greece's December daytime average: Benidorm (16°C, sea 16°C), Malaga (16°C, sea 16°C), Ibiza (16°C, sea 16°C), Valencia (16°C, sea 16°C), Sicily (15°C, sea 17°C). See the full ranking for December.
Where to go for milder weather
Elounda is a sensible starting point if warmth and fewer rainy days matter most. Its daytime average of 16°C matches the other warmest destinations listed, while its 9 rainy days compare favourably with 12 in Lindos, Faliraki and Ixia. Hersonissos, Sissi, Stalis and Koutouloufari offer similar daytime warmth, though evenings vary. Faliraki and Ixia have a slightly gentler drop after sunset, averaging 13°C at night compared with 10°C in Hersonissos. These are modest differences, not a route to summer weather. At the cooler end, Thassos averages 10°C by day, making it a less suitable choice if your main aim is to find mild outdoor conditions.
Plan for useful sunshine, not reliable beach weather
December works best with flexible plans and layers you can adjust during the day. Average sunshine of 4.2 hours leaves scope for enjoying brighter spells, but it is not a promise of clear skies throughout your stay. Keep outdoor plans movable and carry a waterproof jacket rather than relying on a warm jumper alone. With average nights of 11°C, an extra layer will be useful after sunset. Midday is more about making the most of the warmth than avoiding heat: even Elounda has 0% of days above 25°C. This suits travellers who prefer being active in mild conditions and do not mind changing plans when rain arrives.
A little more detail
Greece in December FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Where is the hottest place in Greece in December?
Elounda is the warmest of the 44 places we track in Greece in December with an average high of 16.3°C; Thassos is the coolest at 10.4°C.
Is the sea warm in Greece in December?
Not really: the warmest sea we track in Greece in December is 19.3°C at Faliraki, below the 22°C most people find comfortable.
Can you swim in Greece in December?
You can consider it if you are comfortable in cool water, but December is not a dependable swimming-holiday choice. The sea averages 18°C nationally, rising to 19°C in places such as Kiotari and Lindos. Cool air can make getting out less appealing.
Is Greece warmer than London in December?
Yes. Greece averages 14°C by day compared with London's 8°C, so it offers milder daytime conditions. That does not make it hot: you will still want layers, and rain remains a consideration when planning time outdoors.
Which destination is best for avoiding rain?
Among the destinations with rainfall figures listed, Elounda has the fewest rainy days at 9. That makes it a reasonable choice if you want better chances for outdoor plans, but it is not a guarantee of a dry stay.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at 44 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