Month guide · Thessaloniki · Greece
Thessaloniki in December
What December is really like in Thessaloniki: 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 11°C (52°F), lows of 4°C (39°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 9.3 hours of daylight. Cold and damp, brightened by Christmas lights, the tree on Aristotelous Square and seasonal events along the waterfront.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 11°C (52°F) / 4°C (39°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 15°C (59°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Thessaloniki: days average 11°C (52°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 4°C (39°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with November (15°C (59°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 9°C (48°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:45
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:02
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
- Sea
- 15°C (59°F)
Winter (December–February). Cold, damp days and the occasional biting Vardaris wind, but low prices, Christmas lights and warming tavernas.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is September at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in September). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Christmas lights and tree on Aristotelous Square (usually from early December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · City Centre (Aristotelous Square)
Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki was for centuries a majority-Jewish, Ladino-speaking city after Sephardic Jews settled here from the late 15th century.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
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Landmark · White Tower and the eastern seafront
White Tower
Climb it late in the afternoon for the light over the gulf, then walk the promenade towards the Umbrellas for sunset.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Kids
Historic site · Kamara and Navarinou
Arch of Galerius (Kamara)
The surviving piers of a triumphal arch raised around 300 AD celebrate Galerius's victory over the Persians, with marble reliefs of battles and imperial processions.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Iconic
- After dark
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Landmark · City Centre (Aristotelous Square)
Aristotelous Square
Order a frappé or freddo espresso on one of the arcade terraces and watch the evening volta, the city's promenade.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 11°C, lows near 4°C and 8 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Thessaloniki?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Thessaloniki in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Thessaloniki?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and damp, brightened by Christmas lights, the tree on Aristotelous Square and seasonal events along the waterfront.
+How warm is Thessaloniki in December?
Average highs are around 11°C (52°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Thessaloniki in December?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.