December in Greece means off-season discounts, light crowds, and a colorful Christmas filled with traditions. Depending on your choice of destination, the weather may be downright mild.

Weather in Greece in December

Although snow is not that common in Athens, the possibility to see some snowflakes still exists. But in general, the weather is quite pleasant.

Thessaloniki and the areas around it see more snow. In fact, several winter resorts are located close to the town.

The weather on some of the islands is cold and the winds are quite powerful. However, head to Crete and you’ll be delighted by the balmy temperatures, since winter is really delightful.

Temperatures:
Athens avg high 14C/58F; avg low 8C/47F
Thessaloniki avg high 10C/51F; avg low 37F/2C

>>more information on Weather in Greece

Price and Other Facilities in Greece in December

The Cyclades aren’t crowded or very lively during December and there aren’t many hotels which still remain open. You surely can go, but there isn’t much to do. Still, it can be a great choice if you really want some peace and quiet.

The same happens on most of the islands, except for Crete and Rhodes, where it’s mostly sunny and you can still find open hotels and some things to do (although the opening hours for attractions are reduced).

High speed ferries are suspended during winter, although slow ones still run in a reduced scheduled. However, you can find flights between Athens or Thessaloniki and the sunnier islands mentioned above.

Getting to Greece in December

Your best bet to get to Greece during any winter month is to hop on a flight. Although low-cost carriers reduce their frequency for the routes quite a bit – with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Holidays -, you can still find flights and, even better, quite a few bargains.

However, you should be prepared to be very flexible with your departure dates because of the limited number of flights.

Where to Stay in Greece in November

Athens and Thessaloniki are the mainland hubs that are quite lively even in winter. Everything moves indoors, though. Enjoy concerts, music, food, and events. The Christmas decorations will also put a smile on your face.

Whether you stay at hotel, hostel, or prefer to rent an apartment, there shouldn’t be problems to find availability. But if you plan to spend the winter holidays here, then, by all means, plan & book ahead.

>>read more about How to find Christmas deals in Greece

And while the islands are mostly deserted by tourists and not many activities are available, it may be the best time to aim for a relaxing escape. The further south you go, the warmer it would be. So, Crete is a great choice. But do make sure to check which accommodations are open.

The Cyclades are windy, wet, and rather cold at this time of the year; and the weather can stop the ferries and you’d be forced to wait for them to start operating again. Also, a lot fewer accommodations are open on the islands.

Booking.com

What to Do in Greece in December

The holiday season starts in early December. The Christmas Tree is lit in Syntagma Square on one o the first days of the month and usually the entire square transforms itself in a magical land with ice rinks and shops and loads of things to do and buy.

The festivities start on December 6, with the feast of St. Nikolaos, when it’s customary to exchange gifts. November 15 marks the start of the Orthodox lent. In Greece, the celebrations are still solemn and moving and the accent is still put on the religious part of Christmas and not the commercial one (although Western influences can be felt each year).

>>more information Christmas in Greece

If you want to spend an active vacation, you can ski in Greece. The ski regions are still not crowded as many Europeans have no idea they can actually ski in Greece. The season kicks off in December (usually depending on when the first snow falls) and ends in March/April. Most of the beautiful and popular resorts are located close to Thessaloniki.

>>more information on Skiing in Greece

If you are after the sightseeing it’s important to know that most of the museums will be closed during the holidays although technically they should be closed only on December 25, 26 and January 1. But make sure to check locally before making any plans.

As for the New Year’s Eve , the highlight of the festivities is the concert organized in Athens by the City Hall. It’s free and the music is great.

Think you’ll be bored if you visit Greece in December? No way! You can literally shop till you drop! The prices are quite low compared to the rest of Europe, that’s unless you plan to spend your time in the very elegant stores. Stroll the streets and markets and you are guaranteed to find some very good bargains!

Places to Visit in Greece in December

Athens

>>book your accommodation in Athens

I may sound like a broken record, but Athens is one of the best places in Greece (and the whole of Europe) to visit in winter.

The nightlife is at its peak. The cafes that line up the streets are full, there is music and good food in tavernas, and you are going to have a lovely time here.

During the day, explore the archeological sites but pay attention to the opening hours.
While day trips aren’t easy to pull off – unless you plan to drive on the mainland – you can plan overnight trips to Meteora, Nafplio, and Delphi.

If you are after an active holiday, thank you should know that in the Peloponnese, and pretty close to Athens, you can bike, hike, and even go horseback riding.

Read more about:
>>Getting from Athens to Meteora
>>Getting from Athens to Delphi (and return)

The Cyclades

>>book your accommodation in Fira, Santorini

Didn’t I just say earlier that the weather is not exactly great?

I did, but I also said you can certainly visit if you are after a relaxing vacation. There are two big tricks to ensure you’ll have a great time. Focus on one island and, if possible, book the accommodation only after you land in Athens.

Factor in the fact that ferries don’t run daily, and you might not find flights every day, either. So, flexibility is important.

But, even so, nothing beats the feeling of exploring a nearly deserted Santorini or Mykonos.

If you chose one of the lesser-known Cyclades, you’d really be immersed in the traditional way of life and discover the islands just like the locals know them.

Crete

>>book your accommodation in Chania, Crete

Crete is a very well-known “winter sun” destination among Europeans who live in colder reasons. While it’s not really sun-bathing weather, if your days are comfortable warm at 14-17C / 57-62F, it surely beats the cold further north!

Christmas traditions abound, the food is incredible, and the people warm. If you want to learn how to cook the healthy & delicious meals, why not join a culinary vacation in Crete and you can really show off your cooking skills to your family & friends when you get back home!

Spend the daylight hours strolling the beaches, sightseeing, and getting to know the locals.

In times of uncertainty, flexibility matters. We recommend booking an option with free cancellation in case your travel plans change.

Note: this article includes links that may qualify as affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission.