The month in detail
What to expect in December
In December, Santorini sees 16°C during the day with 5.4h of sunshine per day. Rain risk remains low (20% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. July (9.6/10) is significantly better if possible.
December ranks 10 out of 12 months in Santorini. Compared to November: −3°C daytime, 9 pts more rainy days, −0.8h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
3 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
8°
Sea
19°C
cool, invigorating
Daylight
9.5h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 32
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Santorini is July (9.6/10), 2.5 pts higher than December.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Santorini
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Santorini
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.
Country · Greece
🗣️LanguageGreek
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘ+1.21°C/decade
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 28°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 14°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘDecember · 20%
🏖️ Beach holiday
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Santorini ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
GreeceTemperate oceanic climate with a 9.6 → 4.4 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
36.39°N · 25.44°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Santorini?
July is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 23.0°C lows, 9.7h of sunshine and 1.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Santorini get in July?
Santorini averages 9.7 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.4/10.
What is the rainiest month in Santorini?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Santorini in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 23.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Santorini good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Santorini scores 5.1/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 9.4/10.
When should you avoid Santorini?
January is the most difficult month to visit Santorini, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Santorini in December?
In December, the sea averages 19°C in Santorini: cool, invigorating. Swimming is possible but brisk; sensitive swimmers may prefer a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Santorini in December?
The average UV index reaches 3 in December in Santorini (low), with about 9.5h of daylight. No protection needed.