Month guide · Santorini · Greece
Santorini in December
What December is really like in Santorini: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 16°C (61°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 9.7 hours of daylight. Quiet and local, with Christmas decorations in Fira; limited ferries and flights.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 16°C (61°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 9.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Santorini: days average 16°C (61°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with November (19°C (66°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 14°C (57°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:23
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:05
- Daylight
- About 9.7 hours
- Sea
- 17°C (63°F)
Winter (December–February). Cool, wet and windy with dramatic caldera views but most hotels, restaurants and boat trips closed.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 1 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
December has no major recurring festival in Santorini, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Neighbourhood · Pyrgos
Pyrgos village
Pyrgos's lanes spiral up to the ruins of a Venetian castle, passing chapels and arched houses.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Architecture
Experience · Pyrgos
Caldera winery tasting
Book a sunset tasting slot in summer and take a taxi rather than driving.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Couples
- Views
Waterfront · Fira
Fira Old Port and cable car
Fira's old harbour sits at the foot of the cliff, connected to the town by a cable car and a zig-zag path of almost 600 steps.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
Viewpoint · Akrotiri
Akrotiri lighthouse
Bring a jacket; the headland is often windy after sunset.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Free
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 16°C, lows near 11°C and 9 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Santorini?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Santorini in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Santorini?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Quiet and local, with Christmas decorations in Fira; limited ferries and flights.
+How warm is Santorini in December?
Average highs are around 16°C (61°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Santorini in December?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.