December on Sardinia suits travelers who want ruins, parks and long walks in mild afternoons of 60°F (16°C). The sea is cool at 61°F (16°C), so this is a sightseeing month.
Nights drop to 44°F (7°C) and rain falls on eight days. Plan outdoor sights for the dry hours, and remember that the big archaeological sites run on guided tours.
At a glance
- Afternoon high in Cagliari: 60°F (16°C)
- Night low in Cagliari: 44°F (7°C)
- Rainy days in Cagliari: 8
- Rainfall in Cagliari: 2 inches (55 mm)
- Sea near Cagliari: 61°F (16°C)
- Daylight in Cagliari on December 15: 9 hours 26 minutes
What is the weather like in Sardinia in December?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 66°F (19°C) | 50°F (10°C) | 2.8 in (70 mm) | 8 | 66°F (19°C) | 10 h 04 |
| December | 60°F (16°C) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 in (55 mm) | 8 | 61°F (16°C) | 9 h 26 |
| January | 59°F (15°C) | 42°F (6°C) | 1.5 in (37 mm) | 6 | 58°F (15°C) | 9 h 41 |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
December is mild and damp. In Cagliari the afternoon high is 60°F (16°C) and the night low 44°F (7°C). Olbia, in the northeast, is a touch cooler, with 59°F (15°C) by day and 42°F (6°C) at night.
Both towns see about eight rainy days in December, meaning days with at least a millimeter of rain. That leaves most days dry enough to plan outdoor sights, but keep a rain layer in the bag. Daylight lasts about 9 hours 26 minutes in Cagliari in mid-December, so start sightseeing in the morning.
November is warmer in Cagliari, with afternoons near 66°F (19°C) and a similar count of rainy days. January is cooler, with highs near 59°F (15°C) and fewer rainy days. Olbia follows the same pattern: afternoons near 65°F (18°C) in November and 58°F (14°C) in January.
Where to go in Sardinia in December
Cagliari
December afternoons of 60°F (16°C) suit the city’s parks, the botanical garden and the Castle of San Michele, which hosts exhibitions and lectures. Cagliari has six limited traffic zones, so check the rules before driving into the center.
Barumini
Su Nuraxi di Barumini is a UNESCO World Heritage nuragic complex in the province of Sud Sardegna. The heritage site is open every day of the year without interruption, which makes it a safe bet in December. A single ticket also covers Casa Zapata and the Giovanni Lilliu Centre.
Asinara
Asinara National Park sits on the northwestern tip of Sardinia and has free admission. Boats go from Porto Nuovo at Stintino and from Porto Torres.
Tharros
Tharros lies in the Sinis landscape between the sea and the ponds. Phoenician colonists founded it at the end of the 8th century BC. The archaeological area offers guided tours and a bookshop, and the open ground makes it a good stop for a dry December morning.
Laconi
Laconi sits in the wooded Sarcidano zone in central Sardinia. Its Aymerich park covers 22 hectares and works for a walk.
What to do in Sardinia in December
Su Nuraxi and Casa Zapata in Barumini
The Su Nuraxi area can only be visited with a guided tour. Tours leave every 30 minutes and last about an hour. Casa Zapata and the Centro Giovanni Lilliu are visited the same way, in tours of about 30 minutes.
Wear comfortable clothing and non-slip shoes, which matter on wet December ground. Tours run in Italian, English and French. Animals are not admitted, apart from guide dogs, which need a reservation.
Asinara by bike, horse or tourist train
Asinara’s trails can be explored by mountain bike, on horseback, in an off-road vehicle or by tourist train. The donkey is the park’s symbol.
Access is from Porto Nuovo at Stintino or from Porto Torres. Admission to the park is free. To the west the coast plunges in sea stacks, while the east slopes gently with sand and rocks.
Tharros and the Sinis coast
The site offers guided tours.
The Sinis landscape is open and exposed. Wear a windproof layer, since afternoons reach only 60°F (16°C).
Cagliari’s parks and museums
The botanical garden covers five hectares and was founded in 1866 by Patrizio Gennari. Monte Urpinu Park suits families for strolls and picnics. Its main entrance is on Via Pietro Leo.
On a wet day, head indoors. The Nuragica museum experience, a multimedia and sensory exhibition on the Nuragic people, is at via Roma 191. The Castle of San Michele also hosts exhibitions and lectures.
Is Sardinia busy in December?
Tourist tax is charged per person and per night, at rates set by each municipality. It can be up to 5 euros per night. Some towns, such as Capoterra, have charged it since February 1, 2026.
In Loiri Porto San Paolo the rates are €1.50 for 1-2 star hotels and campsites, €2.50 for 3 stars, €3.00 for 4 stars and €4.00 for 5 stars. B&Bs, agriturismi and holiday apartments pay €2.00. The rate applies for a maximum of 10 consecutive days there.
In Capoterra the tax is due for up to 7 consecutive nights in the same accommodation, and minors up to 14 are exempt. In Sardara the exemption covers minors up to 12.
Can you swim in Sardinia in December?
The sea near Cagliari averages 61°F (16°C) in December. That is a monthly average, so a cold, windy day will feel colder. It is cooler than November, when the sea averages 66°F (19°C), and warmer than January, at 58°F (14°C).
Pelosa beach faces Asinara across the Passaggio dei Fornelli, a navigable canal, and is worth a December walk for the view.
What to pack for Sardinia in December
December asks for layers: mild afternoons, cool nights and a fair chance of rain.
- A warm layer for evenings, since nights fall to 44°F (7°C) in Cagliari and 42°F (6°C) in Olbia.
- A rain jacket, because about eight days in the month bring rain.
- Non-slip shoes, which the Barumini site recommends for its tours.
- Comfortable clothing for the guided visits at Su Nuraxi.
- Sturdy walking shoes for the Asinara trails and the Tharros ground.
What to know before visiting Sardinia in December
The U.S. State Department rates Italy Level 2, exercise increased caution, due to terrorism (advisory issued September 10, 2026). It recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and buying travel insurance before you go.
Cagliari has six limited traffic zones: Poetto, Castello, Marina, Stampace basso, Stampace alto and Villanova. Check them before driving a rental car in. Barumini is open every day of the year.
Is December a good time to visit Sardinia?
Yes, for travelers who want archaeology, parks and walking in mild weather. Su Nuraxi, Tharros and the Asinara trails work well at afternoon highs of 60°F (16°C). Swimmers will find the sea cool.
January is cooler, at 59°F (15°C) by day, with fewer rainy days in Cagliari.
If you want swimming, pick an earlier month, because the sea in December averages 61°F (16°C). For families, Monte Urpinu Park in Cagliari offers picnics and open space.
For rainy days, keep the Nuragica museum experience and the Castle of San Michele in reserve.
Sources
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/fr/sardaigne/que-faire/la-sardaigne-au-dela-des-plages-laconi–sadali-et-isili), checked 2026-10-30
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- sardegnaturismo.it (https://www.sardegnaturismo.it/en/explore/asinara-national-park), checked 2026-10-30
- fondazionebarumini.it (https://www.fondazionebarumini.it/biglietti-e-orari/), checked 2026-10-30
- fondazionebarumini.it (https://www.fondazionebarumini.it/fr/home-2/), checked 2026-10-30
- informacitta.comune.olbia.ot.it (https://informacitta.comune.olbia.ot.it/eventi/benvenuto-vermentino), checked 2026-10-30
- comune.loiriportosanpaolo.ss.it (https://www.comune.loiriportosanpaolo.ss.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Delibera-n.-121-del-09-12-2025-tariffe-imposta-di-soggiorno-2026.pdf), checked 2026-10-30
- cagliariturismo.comune.cagliari.it (https://cagliariturismo.comune.cagliari.it/index.php/en/node?page=23), checked 2026-10-30