Greece, Europe

Athens in December

Low-key and inexpensive, with Syntagma Square's Christmas tree and lights. The week around Christmas and New Year sees a domestic bump.

Quiet valueCool, highs near 59F (15C), some rain

Acropolis of Athens, Greece — AthensPhoto: A.Savin, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

December is a quiet, good-value month to visit Athens. Low-key and inexpensive, with Syntagma Square's Christmas tree and lights. The week around Christmas and New Year sees a domestic bump.

Weather: Cool, highs near 59F (15C), some rain
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What December is like in Athens

December is low-key and inexpensive. Highs are near 59F (15C), with some rain and plenty of mild, bright days in between. Crowds are light, sites run short winter hours, and a big Christmas tree and lights go up in Syntagma Square. Around Christmas and New Year, Greek travelers add a small bump in prices, and sites close on December 25 and 26.

It suits budget travelers, history fans and families wanting a mild winter break with sights to themselves. It is not a beach month. If you want warm sunshine, come back in April, May or October. If the holidays are your window, book the Christmas and New Year week early.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Athens this month.

Syntagma Square at Christmas

The square gets a large Christmas tree and lights, and evening walks through the center have a festive feel.

Winter ruins without crowds

The Acropolis and the Ancient Agora are quiet, and the low sun makes the marble glow in the morning.

Cozy taverna dinners

Slow meals in Plaka and the neighborhoods are a big part of a winter visit.

What to pack for December

A warm jacket for cool evenings
A light rain layer
Grippy walking shoes
A scarf for windy hilltops

Our timing tip

Avoid planning site visits for December 25 and 26, when they close, and visit early in the day since winter hours end in the late afternoon.

Book Athens for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Athens
Opens a hotel search for Athens in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Athens
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Athens
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Athens for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Athens

Full guide

The Acropolis

Enter at the 8am opening or in the last two hours before closing. Tickets are sold in timed slots; buy online in advance for spring through fall.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Acropolis Museum

Do it after the rock, not before, so the sculptures make sense. The top-floor Parthenon Gallery is the reason to come.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

National Archaeological Museum

The Mask of Agamemnon, the Antikythera mechanism, and the bronze Artemision god. Budget at least three hours.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus

The best-preserved Doric temple in Greece and far fewer people than the Acropolis. Shade trees make it a good late-morning stop.

Tickets and tours →

Plaka and Anafiotika

The old town under the north slope. Anafiotika's whitewashed lanes feel like an island village dropped into the capital; go early before the tour groups.

Tickets and tours →

Lycabettus Hill at sunset

The highest point in central Athens. Walk up in about 30 to 40 minutes or take the funicular; the view over the lit Acropolis is the payoff.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Be at the Acropolis gate for the 8am opening. Cruise groups typically arrive from about 9:30am, and by late morning the Propylaia entrance is a slow shuffle.
Check the cruise schedule for Piraeus. Big ship days put thousands of extra visitors on the rock; on those days do the Acropolis at opening or in the final two hours.
Buy a timed Acropolis ticket online in advance from April through October. Same-day tickets exist but the preferred slots go first.
Use the combined ticket for the lesser sites (Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library, Kerameikos, Olympian Zeus). They are rarely crowded and cover the city's history better than the Acropolis alone.

Know before you go

Athens does not have an off season in the island sense. Museums, sites, restaurants, and hotels run year-round.
Archaeological sites run shorter winter hours, typically closing in the late afternoon from about November through March. Check the day's hours before planning a sunset visit.
During extreme heat waves the Acropolis has been closed during the hottest afternoon hours. It usually reopens in the early evening, but confirm on the day.
Sites close or shorten hours on major holidays, including January 1, March 25, Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday, May 1, and December 25 and 26.

Athens in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Athens?

December is a quiet, good-value month to visit Athens. Low-key and inexpensive, with Syntagma Square's Christmas tree and lights. The week around Christmas and New Year sees a domestic bump.

What is the weather like in Athens in December?

Cool, highs near 59F (15C), some rain.

Is Athens crowded in December?

December is one of the quieter months in Athens; most sights can be done without long waits.