Greece, Europe

Mykonos in December

Winter. Quiet, local, and mostly shut for visitors.

Think twiceCool, highs near 59F (15C), wind and rain

Mykonos windmills, Greece — MykonosPhoto: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0

The straight answer

December is a month to think twice about visiting Mykonos. Winter. Quiet, local, and mostly shut for visitors.

Weather: Cool, highs near 59F (15C), wind and rain
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What December is like in Mykonos

December is winter on Mykonos. Highs sit near 59F (15C), with wind and rain, and the island is quiet, local, and mostly shut for visitors. Few hotels and restaurants are open, and ferries run on thin winter schedules that rough weather can cancel. The beaches are empty and the sea is cold.

It is not a month for a Mykonos trip. It suits only travelers already in Greece who want a glimpse of the island's quiet side. For the island at its best, plan for June or September. For calm and value with most places open, aim for late May or early October.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Mykonos this month.

A quiet Christmas town

Chora's small churches and lanes take on a simple, local holiday feel.

Stormy sea views

The windmills and the Armenistis Lighthouse headland are dramatic in winter weather.

Winter tavernas

The few tavernas that stay open serve hearty local food to a local crowd.

What to pack for December

A warm, windproof jacket
Warm layers
Waterproof shoes
Motion sickness tablets for ferry crossings

Our timing tip

If you visit, compare winter flights from Athens with the ferry, and keep a buffer day before any connecting flight.

Book Mykonos for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Mykonos
Opens a hotel search for Mykonos 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 Mykonos
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 Mykonos
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Mykonos for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Mykonos

Full guide

Delos

Boats leave from the old port in the morning and the site has almost no shade. Go on the first boat, bring water, and note that strong winds can cancel crossings.

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Little Venice at sunset

Balconied houses right on the water facing west. Arrive an hour early for a seat, or watch from the windmills just above.

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The windmills of Kato Mili

The row of 16th-century windmills on the ridge above Chora. Early morning gives you them to yourself.

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Getting lost in Chora

Walk the lanes behind Matoyianni Street before 10am, when the shops are shut and the cruise groups have not arrived.

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Ano Mera and Panagia Tourliani

The island's inland village and its 16th-century monastery. A calmer slice of Mykonos with a village square lunch.

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Armenistis Lighthouse

A windswept headland in the northwest with views to Tinos. Best at sunset if Little Venice feels too crowded.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the cruise ship schedule before planning a day in Chora. On multi-ship days, do the town before 10am or after 6pm and spend the middle at a beach.
Go to Delos on the first boat of the morning. The site is exposed and hot by midday, and later boats are fuller.
Stay outside Chora, in Ornos, Agios Stefanos, or near Ano Mera, for calmer evenings and easier parking.
Book restaurants in Little Venice and the top beach clubs well in advance in July and August; in June and September, a day or two ahead usually works.

Know before you go

Mykonos is sharply seasonal. Most hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs operate from about late April to mid October, and many close entirely from November through March.
Delos is reached only by boat, and crossings are canceled when the wind is strong, which happens most often during the July and August meltemi.
Winter ferry schedules are much thinner and rough seas cause cancellations, so leave a buffer day before any onward flight.
Some big beach clubs open later and close earlier than the hotels; if a specific venue matters, confirm its season dates.