Travel advice for Greece
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Greece
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Wondering whether visiting Greece in December is a good idea? Read on to find out everything you need to know about average temperatures, rainfall, cost and crowds. As a bonus, we also share itinerary suggestions that’ll help you make the most of your trip, and ideas about what to see and do in Greece in December.
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The Historical and Mythological Cyclades islands
The Cyclades islands include two of the most famous Greek Islands: Mykonos and Santorini. Visit these and some of the smaller, quieter, islands. With white washed houses, narrow cobbled streets, blue domed roofs and stunning beaches, they are what Greece is all about.
customize ⤍A secluded villa stay on Mainland Greece
Stay in a secluded private villa with magnificent views to the sea and explore this beautiful corner of Mainland Greece with your own rental car. Under the impressive Mt Taygetos in Southern Peloponnese, the region of Mani will give you a snapshot of authentic Greece.
customize ⤍Along the Coast of Crete: from Heraklion to Platanias
As Greece's largest island, Crete's culture and atmosphere is distinctly different from mainland Greece. Thousands of years of unique culture and rich history complement the island's untamed natural beauty. Explore Crete at your own pace with this unique self-drive trip!
customize ⤍Cultural and natural sites of Athens and the Peloponnese
Welcome to wonderful Athens for an unforgettable adventure. Enjoy getting lost in this maze of charming streets, where the modern sits beautifully with the ancient. Venture out into the Peloponnese on mainland Greece, and discover historical, cultural and natural wonders the region is blessed with.
customize ⤍An Odyssey Adventure in Ancient Greece
Learn the secrets of Ancient Greek mythology and history visiting the world-renowned site of the Acropolis, explore the unspoiled landscape of Peloponnese, become a true Spartan warrior in Thermopylae and much more - this self drive tour takes you on a real Greek adventure.
customize ⤍Explore Classical Greece: self-drive motorhome trip
This 15-days motorhome road trip will take you to Athens, the city of legends and some of the most fascinating classical sites, such as Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi and the man-made marvels of the Corinth Canal and Byzantine monasteries of Meteora. A perfect tour for history.
customize ⤍Athens: City of the Gods
Welcome to wonderful Athens. Wander this maze of charming streets, where the modern sits beautifully with the ancient; discover the Acropolis and the Parthenon, the crowning architectural achievements of the Classical Age; indulge your sense with delicious Mediterranean food at local tavernas.
customize ⤍Discover Naxos in style
Stay in a secluded private villa and explore Naxos at your own pace in your own rental car. Lasting just above 1 week, this itinerary leaves plenty of room for relaxation and exploration of the amazing island of Naxos, with its authentic mountainous villages and magnificent sea views.
customize ⤍Epirus and Athens: The Ancient Sites
Discover the ancient cities of the Epirus region and Athens. Shrouded in myths and legends of Greek gods and Roman and Byzantine warriors, the sites in the Epirus region of Greece, temples, castles, fortresses and rivers, all have tales to tell.
customize ⤍An exclusive stay in Milos
Get to know the most exotic island in the Aegean by staying in a private luxury villa by the sea. Volcanic rocks paint the beaches red, pink and orange, white rock formations, emerald green waters and caves eroded by the sea, are steeped in stories of pirates. Milos is truly unique.
customize ⤍Greek Island-Hopping Honeymoon
Hop between the islands of Milos, Naxos, and Amorgos on this romantic trip. Drive around stunning coastlines, explore mountain villages, visit ancient sites, and luxuriate on golden beaches as you are transfixed by the allure of the Aegean’s turquoise waters.
customize ⤍Relaxing discovery of classical Greece
Spend a wonderful few days exploring Athens and the ancient sites surrounding the capital on mainland Greece. Blessed with glorious weather, nature and beaches, see sites that rival anything which you may find on the Greek Islands.
customize ⤍It’s fair to say December might not be the most obvious — or popular — month to visit Greece. Understandable, given that the country tends to conjure images of beautiful breaches, exploring ancient sites beneath a big, blue sky, and sipping al fresco sun-downers.
While the weather can be unpredictable, and the heat is definitely turned down, December can be a rewarding time to visit Greece. This is especially the case if you’re keen to visit the country’s ancient attractions, and are on a budget.
And the reasons? Fewer visitors mean you might be able to bag accommodation for up to 50% off the high season price, plus you won’t have to queue to get into the country’s top sights and museums. Once inside, you’ll most likely have free reign of said sights and museums — all the better for full immersion.
Add to add that Christmas ice rinks, festive bazaars and free events on Athens’ public squares, and visiting Greece in December has plenty to commend it.
Set on taking a trip to Greece? Embark on your dream trip hassle-free using our tailor-made travel service.
Stating the obvious, but don’t expect the weather in Greece in December to be anything like the scorching hot days and balmy evenings you’ll experience during the summer months.
One thing to note is that Greece covers a pretty vast area, and temperatures vary. Overall, though, the weather in Greece in December sees a country-wide average of 12°C. Depending on where you’re travelling from, this may well be an improvement on bitterly cold conditions.
The further south you go, the warmer it’ll be. So, for example, while the northern city of Thessaloniki averages daily temperatures between 2°C and 11°C, Athens’ December temperatures range between 8°C. and 15°C. As for the sea, expect average temperatures between 14°C and 16°C.
Want more detail? Read up on the best time to go to Greece.
We won’t sugar-coat the truth. December is one of the rainiest months in Greece. In general, the weather can be unpredictable — a mix of clouds and rain showers broken by bursts of sun.
In addition, note that the mountainous north sees snowfall in the winter months — more on that later.
Not quite sure where you want to go? For further inspo, discover more of the best places to visit in December.
Visiting Greece in December means fewer crowds. With that comes a reduction in the costs of accommodation and flights.
While this is great for your pocket, be aware that some hotels and guest houses close for the winter months. You should also expect a reduction in flights and ferry services.
In fact, some of the smaller islands essentially close down for the winter in terms of offering visitors places to stay, eat and be entertained — choose your destination wisely.
Inspired to go? Discover the best places to visit in Greece in winter.
Of course, what you pack and wear in Greece in December depends on where exactly you’re heading, but we’re generally talking jumpers, coats and scarves.
Given the likelihood of rain (or snow, depending on your exact destination!), you’ll also want waterproof outer attire and a brolly.
If you’re heading to the warmer south, you might want to bring some lighter-weight outfits for the sunnier days.
If you’re in the market for a December break that delivers history, culture and less-crowded strolling experiences, take inspiration from our Greece itineraries.
What’s more, these suggestions can be customised to your exact needs, with a Greece local travel expert on hand to offer insider tips and take the hassle out of planning and booking.
As we said at the outset, visiting Greece in December can be pretty darn rewarding for travellers on a budget who are into cultural experiences.
Overall, December is a good month to visit Greece to explore the likes of ancient sites and museums in crowd-free conditions. If you’re also into adventure, it's pretty easy to slip from ancient sites to ski slopes.
With all that in mind, read on for sugguestions about what to do in Greece in December.
December is a great time to see some of the top sites in Athens without having to queue for hours. From the Acropolis and Parthenon, to the Temple of Athena Nike and the National Archeological Museum, Athens’ cultural treasures are abundant, and very, very popular.
So, to enjoy them without the hassle of queuing for hours — and having to handle huge crowds — December is a good time to visit the capital.
Unlike the smaller Greek islands, the city definitely doesn’t shut down (or even slow down) during the winter months. In fact, if you visit Athens in December you’ll be able to enjoy the somewhat unlikely experience of ice-skating in the vicinity of the Akropolis!
Let’s face it, Greece doesn’t have a rep as a premiere skiing destination. It’s not really even on anyone’s radar as such. But some regions of the country have truly mighty mountains, and the winter months bring snow and opportunities to ski them.
For example, Mt Parnassós draws skiers from Athens, while the Peloponnese offers downhill action and alpine-like beauty at Kalavryta on Mt Helmós.
If the idea of skiing in Greece seems too incongruous, larger islands like Crete, Corfu and Rhodes, are pretty lively throughout the year.
While you might not be basking in scorching-hot sun, or bathing in bath-warm waters, December offers ample opportunities to stroll charming streets, explore countless archaeological sites, and eat, drink and be very merry.
Love the sound of exploring Greece away from the mainland? Read up on the best Greek Islands, and get yourself The Rough Guide to Greek Islands.
Fancy visiting Greece in December, or any other time of the year, for that matter? Get yourself a copy of The Rough Guide to Greece to start planning your dream trip.
Alternatively, if the idea of planning leaves you cold, browse our customisable Greece itineraries.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Greece
written by Joanne Owen
updated 9.10.2023
Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.
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