Athens · December
Low seasonGreece · Europe
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, range from coolest to warmest dayØ dayrange | 14° (57°)5– (41–)18 (64) | 14° (57°)7– (45–)20 (68) | 17° (63°)10– (50–)22 (72) | 21° (70°)14– (57–)26 (79) | 25° (77°)18– (64–)31 (88) | 30° (86°)23– (73–)36 (97) | 33° (91°)28– (82–)38 (100) | 33° (91°)28– (82–)36 (97) | 28° (82°)22– (72–)34 (93) | 23° (73°)16– (61–)28 (82) | 19° (66°)13– (55–)24 (75) | 15° (59°)8– (46–)20 (68) |
Ø night, range from coldest to warmest nightØ nightrange | 6° (43°)-2– (28–)13 (55) | 6° (43°)-1– (30–)13 (55) | 8° (46°)1– (34–)14 (57) | 10° (50°)4– (39–)15 (59) | 15° (59°)8– (46–)20 (68) | 19° (66°)14– (57–)24 (75) | 23° (73°)17– (63–)27 (81) | 23° (73°)18– (64–)28 (82) | 19° (66°)13– (55–)24 (75) | 15° (59°)7– (45–)19 (66) | 11° (52°)3– (37–)17 (63) | 7° (45°)0– (32–)14 (57) |
☀️Sunshine | 3h | 4h | 5h | 7h | 7h | 8h | 9h | 9h | 6h | 5h | 4h | 3h |
🌊Water Temp | 16° (61°) | 15° (59°) | 15° (59°) | 16° (61°) | 20° (68°) | 24° (75°) | 26° (79°) | 27° (81°) | 25° (77°) | 23° (73°) | 20° (68°) | 18° (64°) |
🌧Rain Days | 5d50mm (2.0") | 4d41mm (1.6") | 3d33mm (1.3") | 2d20mm (0.8") | 2d17mm (0.7") | 2d16mm (0.6") | 0d5mm (0.2") | 0d2mm (0.1") | 2d23mm (0.9") | 2d39mm (1.5") | 4d46mm (1.8") | 5d60mm (2.4") |
Best travel time current monthØ = average · small figures = range: coolest–warmest day / coldest–warmest nightClimate data 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Off-season — lowest travel prices with still acceptable climate.
December in Athens is on the cool side — with highs around 15°C (59°F) it's less suited for a beach holiday, but good for sightseeing away from the high season.
Daytime highs average 15°C (59°F), cooling to 7°C (45°F) at night (daily average: 12°C (54°F)). Peaks reach around 20°C (68°F), the coldest nights around 0°C (32°F). With 3 sunshine hours per day and 5 rain days (60 mm (2.4 in)), this is one of the cloudier months. The sea is 18°C (64°F) — refreshing and manageable for confident swimmers.
Pack warm clothing and sturdy footwear. Cool temperatures make hiking and cultural trips enjoyable — beaches are off the agenda.
Athens in the off-season: no queues at the Acropolis entrance, Monastiraki flea market on Sundays for real bargain hunters. The Panathenaic Stadium and National Garden without tour groups.
Packing list for Athens in December
- Warm jacket
- Jumpers and warm layers
- Long trousers
- Warm shoes
- Small umbrella (occasional showers possible)
- Travel first-aid kit
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is December a good time to visit Athens?
- December is not an optimal month for Athens (Score: 39/100), but it is manageable. For better conditions, consider May, June, July, August, and September.
- How warm is it in Athens in December?
- In December, Athens sees daily highs of 15°C (59°F). Nights cool to 7°C (45°F), with a daily average of 12°C (54°F). Peaks reach around 20°C (68°F), the coldest nights around 0°C (32°F).
- How much rain falls in Athens in December?
- In December, Athens receives an average of 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain over 5 rain days. That is comparatively dry.
- How many sunshine hours does Athens get in December?
- Athens averages 3 sunshine hours per day in December — below the annual average.
- How warm is the water in Athens in December?
- Water temperature in Athens in December averages 18°C (64°F) — refreshing but slightly cool for sensitive swimmers.