What the weather is like in December
December is the wettest month (101mm) with the year's least sunshine (7.2 hours) and cool 15°C days. Athens and Thessaloniki put on Christmas markets and lights; the islands are effectively closed. Hotel rates in the cities are at their lowest outside the holiday week.
Averages are five-year Open-Meteo (ERA5) figures for Athens; other parts of Greece vary. Full sources below.
What to pack for Greece in December
- Layers — warm afternoons, cool evenings
- A mid-weight jacket
- A packable rain jacket or compact umbrella
Is December the right month?
Greece's best month is May; the toughest is August. For the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds, aim for March. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Greece.
Where to stay in December
December is shoulder season in Greece: good conditions, at lower prices than the peak.
- Athens (Plaka / Koukaki / Psiri)$$Acropolis, museums, food, year-round
Plaka is the classic base under the Acropolis; Koukaki is quieter and better value; Psiri is the nightlife district.
See Athens (Plaka / Koukaki / Psiri) hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026 - Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros)$$$The postcard islands, beaches, sunsets
Open roughly April to October. Santorini and Mykonos are the priciest in Greece; Naxos and Paros offer the same sea for far less.
See Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros) hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026 - Crete (Chania / Heraklion / Elounda)$$Longest season, beaches plus mountains, families
Big enough to have a real winter economy; the season runs March to November. Chania is the prettiest base.
See Crete (Chania / Heraklion / Elounda) hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026
Links open a hotel search for 12–18 Dec 2026; you can change the dates there. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Greece?
December scores 54/100 on the Atlas Ranger Score — "Mixed" — which blends weather with crowds and price. December is a shoulder month in Greece — quieter than the May peak, and usually cheaper too.
How warm is Greece in December?
Expect daytime highs around 15°C (59°F) and overnight lows near 9°C (48°F), with about 7.2 hours of sun a day.
Does it rain in Greece in December?
December sees roughly 101mm of rain — moderate rainfall; a packable rain layer helps.
What should I pack for Greece in December?
For December, pack: Layers — warm afternoons, cool evenings; A mid-weight jacket; A packable rain jacket or compact umbrella.
Sources
Every claim on this page is backed by an authoritative source. Atlas Ranger synthesizes data from multiple references so you can see exactly where each fact came from.
- Visit Greece (Greek National Tourism Organisation)Used for: Official visitor information, seasonal opening guidance, event dates
- Open-Meteo Historical Climate Data (ERA5)Used for: Monthly temperature, rainfall, sunshine averages (5-year, Athens)
- Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY)Used for: Heatwave warnings, meltemi forecasts, national climate data
- Hellenic Ministry of Culture — site opening hoursUsed for: Acropolis and archaeological-site hours, heatwave closures
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