The month in detail
What to expect in December
In December, Thessaloniki sees 12°C during the day with 3.3h of sunshine per day. Rain risk remains low (21% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.
December ranks 10 out of 12 months in Thessaloniki. Compared to November: −5°C daytime, −0.6h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
2 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
4°
Sea
14°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
9.1h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 31
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Thessaloniki is September (8.9/10), 4.6 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 · Thessaloniki
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Thessaloniki
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 trendData unavailable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 33°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 11°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘMarch · 25%
🏖️ 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 Thessaloniki ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
GreeceTemperate oceanic climate with a 8.9 → 4.2 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
40.64°N · 22.94°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Thessaloniki?
September is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 18.0°C lows, 7.7h of sunshine and 13.0% rainy days. The months of September & May offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Thessaloniki get in September?
Thessaloniki averages 7.7 sunshine hours per day in September. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.5/10.
What is the rainiest month in Thessaloniki?
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 Thessaloniki in September?
In September, overnight lows reach 18.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Thessaloniki good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Thessaloniki scores 4.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains September with a score of 8.5/10.
When should you avoid Thessaloniki?
January is the most difficult month to visit Thessaloniki, 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 Thessaloniki in December?
In December, the sea averages 14°C in Thessaloniki: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Thessaloniki in December?
The average UV index reaches 2 in December in Thessaloniki (low), with about 9.1h of daylight. No protection needed.