Weather in Santorini in December

How December compares

December is the 10th warmest month of the year in Santorini and ranks 92nd of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within Greece it is 28th of 44 (Greece in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Santorini is 6.2°C warmer by day and 8.5°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Santorini peaks at 13.9°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 16.9°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 11.2°C; one night in ten drops to 7.9°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 20.2°C (2010-12-01) and the coldest night 4.2°C (2015-12-31).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 10 days with 1 mm or more, 54 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2010 with 104 mm, the driest 2015 with 3 mm. Humidity averages 70%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 17.6°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 16.7°C to 18.6°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (24.6°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.3 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.5 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:23 and sets about 17:04 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 54%.

Is December a good time to visit Santorini?

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

Milder than home, but pack for cool days

Santorini's average December daytime high is 6.2°C above London's, so there is a useful improvement in temperature without anything approaching summer heat. The warmer days reach around 17°C or more, which can make outdoor time comfortable with suitable layers. The catch is that colder nights can drop to around 8°C or below, so do not pack only for the average. Bring trousers, closed shoes, a jumper and a jacket you can wear into the evening. A removable layer is more useful than relying on a single heavy outfit. December works best if you enjoy being outside in cool conditions rather than needing to sit in the sun to feel comfortable.

Keep outdoor plans flexible

There are about 10 rainy days in December, making waterproof outerwear a sensible part of your packing. That does not mean every wet day is lost, but it does mean fixed plans for long stretches outdoors could be frustrating. Sunshine averages about 4.3 hours within 9.5 hours of daylight, so expect a mix rather than dependable clear skies. Use brighter spells for walking and leave room to change plans when rain arrives. With limited daylight, avoid leaving all your outdoor time until late in the day. This is a better month for travellers comfortable adjusting their pace to the weather than for anyone who wants reliable sunshine throughout the holiday.