Are you wondering what to wear in Greece in December? We cover everything you need to add to your what to pack for Greece in December list to help you deal with the Winter weather, create outfits appropriate for dress codes and more. So whether you are traveling to the mainlands or the islands keep reading to find out how to dress for Greece so you don’t look like a tourist.
Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you!
Weather in Greece in December
December marks the beginning of Winter in Greece and temperatures and conditions have definitely started to get cool. But how cold is Greece in December?
How Cold is Greece in December?
Generally speaking the daytime temperatures on mainland Greece in December hover between 9°C/48F and -2°C/28F which is quite a range. And it can definitely feel chilly.
It is worth noting that the north tends to be cooler than the South. While on the islands are quite variable particularly in relation to how wind chill affects the temperatures. However I wouldn’t say anywhere in Greece is warm in December.
Overall Athens does tend to be warmer than the islands especially in the afternoons and evenings because some of the islands i.e. Santorini and Mykonos can get windy which brings the temperature down.
And as December is the start of ski season, the temperatures can be substantially lower in the mountains. Note: this guide is intended for general tourists to Greece. For our skiing capsule wardrobe for Greece check out this post.
It is worth noting that the weather between months changes dramatically in Greece. For this reason we recommend checking out our other monthly guide if your trip spans a couple of months:
Overall if I were to generalise about how the weather in Greece in December affects your packing lists, it would be to say that lots of light layers are the key to a successful packing list as well as a thick coat.
Weather in Different Areas of Greece in December
While in this guide I will give you an overview of the Greek weather in December it is important to point out that there inevitably some regional differences across Greece especially between the islands, the mountains and the rest of mainland Greece.
Therefore if you would like some more specific weather information check out our regional packing lists too:
- What to wear in Athens in December
- What to wear in Crete in December
- What to wear on the Greek Islands in Winter
- What to pack for a Greek Island Cruise
- What to wear In Mykonos in December
- What to wear in Santorini in December
Does it Rain in Greece in Greece?
December is one of the rainiest months in Greece. And generally speaking you have around a 40% chance of seeing rain on any given day in December. Therefore it is worth preparing for at least some rainy weather.
Does it Snow in Greece in December?
Whether or not you experience snow in Greece in December largely depends on where you are heading. Ski season has started in Greece so you would expect the higher ground to experience snow.
For instance Mount Olympus and the Pindus Mountains all usually experience significant snow in December. However on lower ground and islands snow is not that common.
Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
How do local people dress in Greece in December?
The Greeks know that the key to how to dress in December and Winter in general is having plenty of light layers.
At this time of year you will see lots of practical thick coats, as well as Winter accessories and comfy Winter boots.
What to Wear to Greece in December
What to wear in Greece in December for Women
For Winter in Greece, lots of light layers are key to packing a capsule wardrobe. But coats and accessories are also going to be needed.
Overall the items we recommend including in your Greece Capsule wardrobe include:
Jacket / Coat
In Winter you will definitely need a coat / jacket. I like to have something like a puffer jacket for Christmas at this time of year. Though obviously if you are going into the mountains to higher ground a thicker coat will be required.
Click here to shop coats for Greece.
Wool Hat or Beanie, scarves and glove
Although you are unlikely to need thermals for December in Greece on the lower ground and island, we still recommend hat, scarf and gloves.
Also it is worthwhile taking with you t gloves that are touch screen compatible. You are likely to be taking lots of photographs in Greece, and you don’t want to have to take off your gloves every time you need to use your phone.
Click here to shop winter accessories for Greece.
Jeans
Jeans are perfect for Greece in December for both the islands, countryside or in the cities.
Also you will see all types of jeans in Greece so you don’t need to worry about the type of jeans you pack. Just be comfortable.
On top of jeans we recommend also packing some smarter trousers. We love a black pant for anywhere in Greece in Winter (we love the Athleta Brooklyn ankle pant for travel) but other great trouser choices for December include a thick wool pant or even some cords.
Layers
Layers are key for your December wardrobe for Greece. We recommend lots of light layers over chunky knits and sweaters. That is because they are much easier to pack.
Jumpers are an essential part of what to wear in Greece in December for me. And merino wool is a great fabric choice when you are trying to pack light for December.
Merino wool is a relatively thin material to pack, however is insulating and repels smell packing it perfect for capsule wardrobes.
But generally speaking for a week in Greece I would pack 3 top layers. As well as a jumper I would also pack a cardigan for nights, and a hoodie for more casual daytime looks.
T Shirts
T shirts are a great base layer for Greece in Winter. We recommend packing more long than short sleeve tees though.
Blouses
Blouses are perfect for Greece in December as they work brilliantly for cooler nights paired with a statement cardigan.
Winter Dress or Skirt
Short skirts and dresses are not appropriate in churches and not really in keeping with the local style. Therefore we recommend packing midi and maxi length items for Winter.
I love a Winter dress for going out for dinner in Greece but due to the temperatures I recommend sticking to sweater dresses / jumper dresses paired with thick tights.
Click here to shop Winter dresses
Pashmina
It doesn’t matter where I am traveling in Europe, a pashmina is always on my packing list. A pashmina can be used as a scarf or lovely accessory to transition an outfit from day to night and is also useful for churches in Greece.
PJs
I would pack thicker weight PJs for December.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying. I like to pack merino wool socks for Winter travel. They are thinner than hiking socks but are insulating so are good for cold weather.
What to Pack for Greece in December for Men
So now you know what to pack for women in Greece in December, we will turn our attention to a men’s packing list. Alongside our regular men’s travel essentials we recommend adding the following items to your men’s packing list for Greece in Winter:
Jeans / Chinos
For men visiting Greece in December I recommend having a couple of pairs of smarter jeans and chinos or dockers. But heavier weight trousers such as a corduroy or wool are also good for December.
T Shirts and Shirts
T Shirts are perfect for Greece during the day and in most places at night even in December.
Again I would recommend avoiding anything with a graphic or slogan or in overly loud colors if you want to fit in with the locals. And for November more long sleeve tees would be required.
A shirt is also useful for if you plan on visiting some nicer restaurants in Greece.
Click here to shop t shirts for Greece.
Coat
A coat is a good idea for Greece in December as a top layer as the weather turns chillier. A puffer is good for most places in Greece.
Layers
As it can be cool in Greece during December we recommend having a couple of weight layers with you. Usually for 1 week in Greece in December we recommend a smart jumper, a casual hoodie and a jacket.
Underwear
PJs
Best Shoes for Greece in December
So not to overpack we recommend packing 2 types of shoes. The 2 we would pack for Greece in Winter are:
Sneakers
Sneakers are great for touring archaeological sites in Greece even in Winter. My favorite brand of sneakers for walking are are Hoka and AllBirds as these are great for walking in.
However you also can’t go wrong with a plain white sneaker as they go with everything fashion wise. One of my favorite pairs of white sneakers is the Adidas Cloud Foam shoes.
Note: if you plan on doing any longer length hikes then you may need hiking shoes and obviously if you visit a Greek ski resort the requirements will be slightly different.
Click here to shop sneakers for Greece.
Ankle Boots
As the weather is changeable in Greece in December we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing as well as a sneaker. These are also better for going to restaurants too and for in the cities.
We suggest packing ankle boots as these are easier to pack than knee high boots. But for advice on packing both check out our guide on how to pack boots for travel
Click here to shop ankle boots.
What to Pack for Greece in December (Non Clothing)
So now you know what to wear for Greece in December, we will turn our attention to what to pack for Greece in December other than clothes.
Our essentials to pack for Greece in December are:
- Universal Travel Adapaters for electronics – Greece uses standard European outputs and plugs.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Crossbody Bag – anti theft type if you are planning to visit cities and tourist attractions which tend to attract pickpockets wherever you are in the world.
- Lipbalm – I never travel to a cold weather destination without lip balm to protect my lips from drying out in the cold.
- Reusable Water Bottle – this is better for the environment and will save you money.
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Power pack / Battery Pack
- Medication and Documentation
- Toiletries – for our essential travel toiletries checklist click here.
FAQs About what to wear in Greece in December
Do you need a jacket in Greece in December?
You absoluetly need a jacket or coat for visiting Greece in December. And for ski resorts you will need thicker coats and proper ski attire.
Do I need swimwear in Greece in December?
Although when you think of Greece you may think of beautiful beaches and blue seas however swimming is unlikely to be on your itinerary in December. Therefore it is usually safe to leave the swimwear at home unless you have access to a heated jacuzzi.
Can you wear jeans in Greece in December?
There are no reason why you can’t wear jeans in December in Greece. In fact I find them a really great choice especially for the cities in Winter.
Are you visiting Greece in December and have questions about what to pack still? Then drop us your question in the comments below and we will do our best to answer!