Mykonos in December: Weather, Crowds and What to Do

December gives you Mykonos at its quietest: low prices, long walks and the whitewashed lanes of Mykonos Town kept alive by the people who live there. The windmills and Little Venice feel quiet and uncrowded in winter. The weather is cool, breezy and often wet, and the beach clubs and swimming that define summer are gone until spring.

What is the weather like in Mykonos in December?

December days swing between crisp sunshine and short showers that can be heavy while they last. The rain rarely lingers long enough to wipe out a whole day, so a wet morning often clears in time for a walk.

The island's nickname, The Island of the Winds, makes sense once the sun drops. Evenings cool fast, and a gust coming around a corner of the old town can make the air feel colder than the thermometer says. Daylight is short, so build your sightseeing around the middle of the day and save the evenings for dinner.

The sea is too cold for comfortable swimming. The beaches are empty and lovely for a stroll.

Is December a good time to visit Mykonos?

It is, for the right traveler. Couples looking for a quiet romantic break, photographers, budget travelers and anyone curious about everyday island life will find a lot to like. You have the windmills, Little Venice and the narrow lanes nearly to yourself, and locals have time to chat.

Prices drop steeply. Hotels that stay open often charge a fraction of August rates, and cafes and tavernas charge everyday local prices. The summer crush that makes July and August extremely crowded is gone, and so are the queues.

What is open in Mykonos in December?

Beach clubs, large seasonal resorts and a good share of the summer restaurants and bars close for the season, roughly November through March. Mykonos Town keeps part of its life going, with tavernas, cafes, bars, bakeries and shops that serve locals all year, and some smaller hotels and guesthouses stay open too. Choice is limited, so book ahead and confirm that your place will be open when you arrive.

Evenings are quiet and local. Winter evenings in Mykonos tend to center on unhurried meals of hearty Greek cooking, with local wine or raki, and an occasional cozy bar that has music playing. The old town's lit lanes are pleasant to wander once dinner is over.

How does December compare with November and January?

November is the gentlest of the three. It's warmer, the days are longer, and more tavernas and hotels are still open, so the town keeps a shoulder-season hum. The sea is a few degrees warmer, though still too cool for a swim.

January is the deepest off-season. It's among the coolest and wettest stretches of the year, and the island is at its stillest. It suits travelers who want solitude and moody light and don't mind finding fewer venues open.

December falls between them in temperature and adds the festive weeks of Christmas and New Year. For a trip with some holiday atmosphere and very little crowd, it's the month to pick.

What is there to do in Mykonos in December?

Start with Mykonos Town. Wander the lanes at your own pace, walk out to the windmills, and see Little Venice without a crowd. Festive lights are strung through the lanes and around the harbor, and the Panagia Paraportiani church, a whitewashed complex of joined chapels, looks especially pretty in its Christmas decorations. Churches hold Christmas services, and New Year has the same local, unflashy spirit, with family gatherings and tavernas that stay open.

Gray days have their own options. The town's museums include Lena's House, a traditional Mykonian home with period furnishings, and the Aegean Maritime Museum, which covers the long history of sailing the Aegean. A cooking class is another good wet-weather plan: you learn to make Greek holiday dishes and then eat the results.

Anyone with a sweet tooth should visit the local bakeries for melomakarona, the honey cookies, and kourabiedes, the almond cookies, ideally with a Greek coffee or hot chocolate.

Delos, the ancient island of ruins and a UNESCO World Heritage site, opens year-round on reduced winter hours. Without crowds, its temples and houses have a hushed feel. Weather can stop the boats, so check the current site hours and boat schedule before you go.

On bright mornings, walk the coast. Coastal paths, viewpoints and quiet beaches are lovely to explore on days when the sky is bright. Inland, the village of Ano Mera and its historic Panagia Tourliani monastery make a pleasant cultural outing. Two or three days covers all of this comfortably, with a day or two more if you want Delos or a neighboring island.

What should you pack for Mykonos in December?

Pack for changeable weather. A waterproof jacket and a windproof layer handle the rain and the gusts. Add warm layers, such as a fleece or sweater, plus a lighter top for bright afternoons that turn out mild.

Sturdy, grippy shoes suit the marble-paved lanes of town and the rougher coastal paths better than sandals. On breezy days a hat, scarf and gloves come in handy, and a pair of sunglasses suits the brighter afternoons. Swimwear is mostly unnecessary this time of year, but an umbrella and a small daypack are useful for days out.

How do you get to Mykonos in December?

U.S. citizens can visit Greece without a visa for up to 90 days, and your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date. Overseas visitors usually fly into Athens and connect from there, since nonstop international service to the island mostly pauses in winter. Domestic flights from Athens run year-round with fewer daily departures, and they're the most reliable way in, so book ahead.

Ferries from Piraeus and Rafina keep running in winter, though on a much thinner timetable than in summer. Many of these are conventional ferries, with crossings of around five to six hours, longer than the summer high-speed boats. Conventional ferries also continue to nearby Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos on set days. Strong winds can delay or cancel any crossing at short notice, so treat each leg as weather-dependent, skip tight connections and leave a buffer day before your flight home.