Greece Holidays in December

Some parts of Greece hold on to milder daytime temperatures in December, although sea swimming is rarely comfortable and evenings can turn cool.

• Heraklion, Crete: Heraklion is Crete's largest city and benefits from a more sheltered southern position than the mountainous interior, so daytime conditions often feel milder than on the mainland. The city keeps its harbour, markets and restaurants in regular use through the winter, and it is a practical base for day trips to Knossos, which sits about 5 km away. Rain is possible, and the north coast beaches are unlikely to tempt swimmers, but for a mild city stay with a historic core it is one of the most dependable options this month. It is exactly the brief our Crete holidays deals are built around.
• Rhodes Town: Rhodes Town is one of the few island centres where a winter stay still feels active, with its medieval Old Town open for walking and its harbour cafés serving daily. Wind and rain can come through, and many beach resorts outside the town are closed, so this suits culture-led travellers rather than sunbathers. We recommend staying within the walled town itself, where the Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master are easy to reach on foot. It is exactly the brief our Rhodes holidays deals are built around.
• Athens: Athens sits in a basin that stays temperate in December, and the city is well suited to a winter visit because its major sites are indoors or quick to reach by metro. The Acropolis is open, and visiting on a mild afternoon avoids the summer heat that makes the site hard going in July. Evenings can be chilly and rain is common, so pack layers, but for many travellers the city is the most rewarding December choice in the country. It is exactly the brief our Athens holidays deals are built around.
• Corfu Town: Corfu sits in the Ionian Sea, where winters are generally wetter and greener than in the Aegean, and December can bring frequent rain and grey skies. The town itself keeps its Venetian fortress and old quarter open, which makes it a good cultural stop even when the beaches are empty. Expect fewer services and restricted transport, so plan on walking the old town rather than relying on island buses. It is exactly the brief our Corfu holidays deals are built around.
• Kalamata: Kalamata on the southern Peloponnese is a mainland port town where winter daytime temperatures are typically milder than in the northern mountains. It has year-round shops and restaurants, and the surrounding olive groves are at their quietest. Nights can be cool and the sea is too cold for most visitors, so this works best for slow, food-focused stays rather than beach time.