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Stay in Santorini in December
127 hotels in the Trip.com pool for Santorini, from US$24 a night.
Opens Trip.com on Fri 4 Dec to Sun 6 Dec 2026; change the dates there.
December in Santorini means confronting one unavoidable fact. Most of the island is closed. Between 60 and 70 percent of hotels, restaurants, and shops shut their doors from late October through April, and December falls squarely in that dormancy. Daytime temperatures hover around 17°C (63°F), nights drop to about 14°C (57°F), and the island sees roughly 60mm of rain, its highest monthly total alongside January. Ferries from Piraeus to Athinios port run on reduced winter schedules, sometimes once daily.
The caldera views don't close for winter, though. Fira, the capital, maintains a core of year-round tavernas and cafes for its roughly 15,000 permanent residents. The Museum of Prehistoric Thera still operates on shortened hours. A few wineries around Megalochori and Pyrgos pour tastings by appointment. Greek Christmas traditions bring kalanda caroling through village streets on December 24, and decorated wooden boats appear in the main squares where mainland Greeks would typically place a tree.
If you arrive expecting peak-season Santorini, the version with infinity pools and sunset cocktails at every turn in Oia, you will leave disappointed. If you come wanting empty caldera paths, authentic Cycladic village life, and accommodation well below summer rates, December can work. Sunset over the caldera from Imerovigli still drops below the horizon around 17:15 in mid-December, and you'll likely have the viewpoint entirely to yourself.
Why visit in December
- Accommodation rates drop 50 to 70 percent below the July and August peak, and properties that remain open compete for a small pool of winter visitors
- The caldera trail between Fira and Oia, normally packed shoulder-to-shoulder in summer, is empty enough to feel like a private walk along the volcanic rim
- Mild daytime temperatures in the mid-teens Celsius make outdoor sightseeing comfortable without the 30°C-plus summer heat that sends hikers to hospital
- Greek Christmas and New Year traditions on the island feel genuinely local rather than performed for tourists, from the December 24 kalanda house-to-house caroling to the decorated boats in Fira's main square
- Archaeological sites like Akrotiri see almost no visitors, giving you unhurried access to one of Europe's best-preserved Bronze Age settlements
Worth knowing
- The majority of hotels, restaurants, and tour operators close for the winter season, severely limiting dining and lodging choices across the island
- Ferry service drops to winter schedules with frequent weather cancellations. Rough Aegean seas can strand travelers for 2 to 3 consecutive days
- Beach clubs, catamaran sunset cruises, and most water-based activities shut down entirely. The sea temperature drops to around 17°C (63°F), too cold for comfortable swimming
- December is the island's wettest month alongside January, with rain arriving in short but intense bursts that can disrupt outdoor plans
Best for
Think twice if
Santorini's December feels like a mild but damp Cycladic winter. Morning fog sometimes blankets the caldera before burning off by mid-morning. Wind is the bigger factor. Gusts along the exposed caldera rim can push wind chill below 10°C, particularly on the stretch between Fira and Oia. Rain tends to arrive in short, intense bursts rather than all-day drizzle, spread across roughly 8 wet days. The Aegean sea temperature sits near 17°C (63°F), cold enough to keep swimmers on shore. Clear afternoons in direct sun still feel pleasant, warm enough for an outdoor coffee in a sheltered courtyard in Pyrgos.
Seasonal caution
- Strong northerly winds along the caldera rim can make mid-teen temperatures feel significantly colder, particularly on exposed stretches between Imerovigli and Oia. Wind-resistant outerwear is more important than heavy insulation.
- Rough Aegean seas frequently disrupt ferry services between Piraeus and the Cyclades in December. Book a flight to Thira (JTR) as your primary transport and treat the ferry as a backup for calm-weather days.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16 | 12 | 41 |
| Feb | 15 | 12 | 35 |
| Mar | 17 | 12 | 32 |
| Apr | 20 | 15 | 13 |
| May | 23 | 18 | 16 |
| Jun | 28 | 22 | 5 |
| Jul | 30 | 25 | 1 |
| Aug | 30 | 25 | 3 |
| Sep | 27 | 23 | 5 |
| Oct | 23 | 19 | 10 |
| Nov | 21 | 17 | 21 |
| Dec | 17 | 14 | 60 |
Holidays and festivals in December
Public holidays
- Christmas Day(Χριστούγεννα)25 December 2026
- St. Stephen's Day(Σύναξις Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου Μαρίας)26 December 2026
When is Christmas season in 2026?
27 November to 26 December 2026
Christmas season is a major cultural celebration in Santorini. In 2026 it runs from 27 November to 26 December 2026.
Best things to do in December
Hike the Fira-to-Oia caldera trail
hikingThe roughly 10km ridge walk follows the volcanic caldera rim through Fira, Firostefani, and Imerovigli before descending into Oia. The trail passes whitewashed churches, cave houses, and viewpoints with unobstructed Aegean panoramas.
Cool mid-teen temperatures make the exposed, shadeless trail comfortable rather than dangerous. In July and August, the same walk above 30°C sends tourists to hospital with heat exhaustion. December means you might see 5 other hikers all day.Booking tipNo booking needed. Start from Fira in the morning for the best light on the caldera. The walk takes 3 to 4 hours at a relaxed pace.
Visit the Akrotiri archaeological site
cultureA Bronze Age Minoan settlement buried by the volcanic eruption around 1600 BCE, sometimes called the Pompeii of the Aegean. The covered excavation shelter protects multi-story buildings, frescoes, and drainage systems preserved under volcanic ash for over 3,600 years.
Summer queues disappear entirely in December. You can stand in the ancient streets with a handful of other visitors at most, and the covered shelter keeps you dry during rain.Booking tipCheck winter opening hours before visiting. The site typically operates 08:30 to 15:00 from November through March.
Wine tasting at a Santorini estate
food and drinkSantorini's volcanic soil produces distinctive Assyrtiko whites and the island's celebrated Vinsanto dessert wine. A handful of wineries in the Megalochori and Pyrgos area stay open through winter by appointment, offering tastings with the winemakers themselves rather than seasonal staff.
Post-harvest quiet means winemakers tend to have time to talk. Summer tastings feel like a production line with 40-person groups. December tastings might be you and 3 others in the barrel room.Booking tipCall at least 2 days ahead. Most estates require winter appointments since they don't staff a tasting room daily.
Explore the medieval village of Pyrgos
sightseeingSantorini's highest village wraps around a Venetian kasteli fortress at its summit. Narrow alleys, blue-domed churches, and panoramic views of the entire island spread out below. Year-round residents keep the village alive through winter with open bakeries and tavernas near the lower square.
Pyrgos is one of the few villages with genuine year-round life. December brings local Christmas decorations to the alleyways, and the open tavernas serve the island's permanent community, not tourist crowds.Photograph the caldera in winter light
photographyDecember's low-angle winter sun creates long shadows and warm golden tones across the white-washed buildings clinging to the caldera rim. Sunrise from Oia around 07:20 and sunset from Imerovigli around 17:15 both reward an early alarm.
Empty streets and viewpoints mean clean compositions without crowds. The winter light angle produces a warmth and depth that the harsh overhead summer sun cannot match.Visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira
cultureOpened in 2000, the museum houses the finest finds from the Akrotiri excavation. Wall frescoes depicting Theran life, gold ibex figurines, and ceramic pottery from the 17th century BCE fill a compact, well-curated space in central Fira.
Reduced winter hours mean smaller visitor numbers. You can spend an hour with the Akrotiri frescoes in near-silence, reading every detail panel without jostling for position.Booking tipConfirm hours directly, as winter scheduling can shift. A short walk from the Fira bus station.
Walk from Kamari to Ancient Thera on Mesa Vouno
hikingThe steep zigzag path from Kamari climbs for about 45 minutes through switchbacks with increasingly dramatic Aegean views. At the top, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine ruins spread across the ridge, including a theater carved into the hillside.
The climb is far more comfortable in December's cooler weather. The site sits fully exposed on a mountaintop with no shade, making summer visits genuinely punishing above 30°C.Booking tipWear shoes with grip. The path is rocky and can be slippery after rain. Start before noon to have enough daylight for the round trip given the early sunset.
What to eat in December
On menus now
Fava Santorinis
The island's signature yellow split pea puree, grown in volcanic ash soil and protected under a PDO designation. It reaches peak comfort-food status in cooler weather, served warm with capers and raw onion at the year-round tavernas in Fira and Pyrgos.
What to drink
Vinsanto
Sweet dessert wine made from sun-dried Assyrtiko and Aidani grapes, aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 2 years. Traditionally poured at Greek holiday gatherings, it pairs well with the Christmas cookies and keeps you warm on a December evening.
Festival food
Melomakarona
Honey-soaked Christmas cookies spiced with cinnamon and clove, appearing in Fira bakeries from early December through Epiphany on January 6. The Santorini version tends to use local thyme honey, giving them a slightly more aromatic edge than what you'd find in Athens.
Kourabiedes
Crumbly almond shortbread coated in powdered sugar, baked across Cycladic households for the Christmas season. Every bakery on the island seems to have its own family recipe, and they're typically offered alongside coffee at any December visit to a local home.
Christopsomo
Christmas bread shaped with a cross on top, made with walnuts, sesame, and orange zest. Santorini households traditionally bake it on December 24 before the evening caroling begins.
Regular events in December
Feast of Agios Nikolaos (St. Nicholas Day)Free
The patron saint of sailors is honored across Greece's maritime communities. Santorini's seafaring history makes December 6 a significant local observance, with services at coastal chapels and some tavernas preparing special fish dishes for the occasion.
December 6Christmas Eve kalanda carolingFree
Children and young adults walk door-to-door singing traditional kalanda carols while carrying metal triangles and small drums. Households offer melomakarona, kourabiedes, and small gifts in return. The tradition is strongest in Fira and Pyrgos.
December 24Greek Orthodox Christmas servicesFree
Christmas services at churches across the island, including the Cathedral of Candlemas of the Lord in Fira, founded in 1827. December 25 and 26 are public holidays. Most remaining open businesses close for both days.
December 25New Year's Eve in FiraFree
The island's main New Year gathering happens around Fira's central square. Local residents and winter visitors count down together. Fireworks are modest compared to Athens, but the caldera makes a distinctive backdrop. Vasilopita, the traditional New Year's cake with a hidden coin, is cut at midnight.
December 31Best places this December
Skaros Rock
viewpointThe remains of a Venetian-era castle sit on a dramatic rocky promontory extending from the caldera rim. The narrow trail out to the rock is exposed and windswept, but December means you'll walk it alone. On clear days, views stretch to Thirassia and the volcanic islets of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni.
ImerovigliThree Bells of Fira
landmarkFounded in 1757, this Greek Catholic church is one of the most photographed buildings in the Cyclades. The three blue domes against the caldera have become the defining Santorini postcard image. December mornings offer clean, crowd-free frames with soft winter light.
FiraPanagia Episkopi
churchA Byzantine church outside the main tourist circuit in the village of Episkopi Gonias, near Mesa Gonia. The stone structure and frescoed interior feel a world apart from the whitewashed caldera towns. Worth the short drive from Fira for anyone drawn to the island's Orthodox heritage.
Episkopi GoniasArchaeological Museum of Thera
museumEstablished in 1960 in central Fira, this museum holds finds from Ancient Thera and other island excavations spanning the Geometric through Roman periods. The sculpture and pottery collections complement the Prehistoric Thera collection by covering a later archaeological era entirely. December's reduced visitors let you study each piece at your own pace.
FiraAncient Thera
archaeological siteA city founded in the 9th century BCE, perched on the Mesa Vouno ridge at 360 meters between Kamari and Perissa. The site preserves temples to Apollo and Dionysos, an agora with inscriptions, and residential quarters spanning nearly a thousand years of habitation. The exposed mountaintop rewards the climb with views in every direction.
Mesa VounoPyrgos kasteli and village square
villageThe fortified hilltop settlement wraps around a Venetian kasteli at roughly 300 meters elevation. Narrow stepped alleyways climb past cave churches and stone archways. The 360-degree panorama from the summit takes in the caldera, the airport plain, and the open Aegean. Year-round bakeries and cafes cluster near the lower square.
Pyrgos
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Insider tips
The few tavernas open year-round in Pyrgos tend to serve better, more honest cooking than the tourist-oriented places lining Fira's caldera rim in summer. The area around Pyrgos square is where locals eat through December.
Rent a car, not an ATV. December roads get slippery on the island's marble-like volcanic stone after rain, and ATV accidents are a leading cause of tourist injuries on Santorini even in dry conditions.
If you want a caldera-view room in Oia for a fraction of the summer rate, call the property directly. Many owners don't update their online availability for winter, but they'll happily take a booking over the phone.
The sunset from Oia's kastro viewpoint is legendary, but in December the Skaros Rock trail from Imerovigli gives you a better angle with nobody else around. In July you'd need to claim a spot 2 hours early at the Oia viewpoint.
Greek pharmacies in Fira operate on a rotation system during winter. Check the schedule posted in the pharmacy window or ask your accommodation host which one is on duty if you need medication outside regular hours.
Avoid these mistakes
- Booking accommodation in Oia and expecting nearby dining and nightlife. In December, nearly everything in Oia closes. Fira and Pyrgos have far more year-round options within walking distance.
- Relying on ferries as the primary transport to the island. Winter sailings from Piraeus get canceled in rough Aegean weather, sometimes for several consecutive days. Book a flight to Thira (JTR) as your primary plan and treat the ferry as a scenic alternative for calm-weather days.
- Planning full-day outdoor itineraries without accounting for December's early sunset. The sun goes down before 17:30, giving you roughly 10 hours of usable daylight. Start outdoor activities by mid-morning.
- Assuming online operating hours and review-site listings reflect winter reality. A restaurant showing open daily on a booking platform likely updated that listing in June. Phone ahead for every meal and every site visit in December.
Practical tips for December
Book accommodation in Fira or Pyrgos for the best access to year-round services. Confirm any restaurant or site is open by phone before making the trip, since online listings almost never reflect winter hours. Rent a car at Thira airport (JTR), as KTEL bus service drops to 2 or 3 routes at reduced frequency, and taxis are scarce in winter. Blue Star Ferries and SeaJets shift to winter timetables in November, with fewer departures and frequent weather cancellations. Museum hours generally shorten to 08:30 through 15:00 from November to March. Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air operate 2 to 3 daily flights from Athens year-round, making air travel far more reliable than the ferry. The airport terminal is small enough that arriving 90 minutes before departure is sufficient even at peak, and December lines are nonexistent. Dress in layers for church visits, as interiors can be cool and some require covered shoulders. Tipping at tavernas is customary at around 5 to 10 percent, same as the rest of Greece. Carry cash, since several winter-open shops and smaller tavernas don't reliably process cards in the off-season.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Santorini?
It depends entirely on what you want. December is deep low season, with most of the island's hospitality infrastructure closed for winter. Beach activities, boat tours, and nightlife are unavailable. That said, the caldera views remain extraordinary, the archaeological sites are nearly empty, and accommodation rates fall dramatically. If you want a quiet, contemplative visit focused on hiking, photography, local food, and Greek Christmas traditions, December can be rewarding. If you want the full summer experience, wait for June through September.
What is the weather like in Santorini in December?
Expect average highs near 17°C (63°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F), with about 60mm of rainfall spread across the month. Humidity sits around 70 percent. It rarely feels truly cold, but wind along the caldera rim can make it feel several degrees cooler. Rain comes in short bursts rather than all-day drizzle. Sunny December days feel pleasant in a warm sweater, though you'll want a windproof layer for the exposed caldera trail.
Is Santorini crowded in December?
Not at all. December is one of the quietest months on the island, alongside January and February. Most tourists visit between May and October, with July and August being the peak. In December, popular spots like the Oia sunset viewpoint, the caldera trail, and the Akrotiri site have almost no visitors. You'll share the island mainly with its year-round residents.
Are restaurants and shops open in Santorini in December?
A limited selection stays open, concentrated in Fira and Pyrgos. Most of the island's restaurants, hotels, and shops close from late October through April. Oia is particularly quiet, with very few dining options. Always phone ahead to confirm, as online listings tend to reflect summer schedules. The tavernas that do stay open in December often serve better home-style cooking than the high-volume tourist spots of peak season.
Can you swim in Santorini in December?
The Aegean sea temperature drops to around 17°C (63°F) in December, which most people will find too cold for comfortable swimming. All beach clubs and waterfront operations close for the season. The volcanic pebble beaches at Kamari and Perissa are still accessible for walks, but swimming is limited to the very determined or wetsuit-equipped. Indoor pools at the few open hotels are a more realistic option.
Things to Do in Santorini in December
Free cancellation Premium Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open Bar, Transfer
Day trip: 5 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfers
Day trip: 5 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Private Santorini Tailor Made - Choice of the Guest!
Day trip: free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Santorini Day Tour: Akrotiri, Villages, Wine and Sunset in Oia
Day trip: 10 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Private Classic Santorini Panorama: Visit Top Destinations
Day trip: free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Santorini Shore Excursion: Private Tour with Tender Port Pickup
Day trip: free cancellation.
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