Cyprus in December

Mild, wet spells, Christmas markets in Nicosia and Limassol; the beaches are quiet.

December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• AprilGreatBest walking month. Orthodox Easter usually falls in April or early May: book rooms and cars early for that week.
• MayGreatWarm sea arrives (21–22 °C), long days, low heat. Kataklysmos festival at the coast about 50 days after Easter.
• JuneGreatBeach season in full; Nicosia hits 35 °C. Walk before 10:00.
• SeptemberGreatSea at its warmest, crowds thin after the first week, still 33 °C on the plain.

• South and east coast · Larnaca, Limassol, Ayia Napa, Protarasfine

  Mild, wet-ish winters around 17 °C (63 °F) by day; July and August reach 32–35 °C (90–95 °F) with sticky humidity. Sea is warm enough to swim from May to November.Mild, wet-ish winters around 63 °F (17 °C) by day; July and August reach 90–95 °F (32–35 °C) with sticky humidity. Sea is warm enough to swim from May to November.

• West coast · Paphos, Coral Bay, Akamas, Polisfine

  A touch cooler and windier than the east in summer; the Akamas tracks are dusty and shadeless from June to September.

• Central plain · Nicosia, the Mesaoriafine

  The hottest part of the island: 38–40 °C (100–104 °F) in July and August, with heatwaves above 44 °C (111 °F) recorded. Winter nights near freezing.The hottest part of the island: 100–104 °F (38–40 °C) in July and August, with heatwaves above 111 °F (44 °C) recorded. Winter nights near freezing.

• Troodos mountains · Platres, Kakopetria, Mount Olymposfine

  The summer escape, 8–10 °C (14–18 °F) cooler than the plain. Snow on Olympos (1,952 m) in January–February, with a small ski area — check snow before driving up.The summer escape, 14–18 °F (8–10 °C) cooler than the plain. Snow on Olympos (1,952 m) in January–February, with a small ski area — check snow before driving up.

• North coast · Kyrenia (Girne), Karpas peninsulafine

  Same Mediterranean rhythm; the Kyrenia range shelters the coast and traps humidity in August.

• Famagusta District (South): East coast (Protaras, Ayia Napa) · Sheltered bays and the Cape Greco headlandcool

  Sea swimming runs roughly May to October; August air tops 33 °C (91 °F) and the headland is exposed. Winter is mild but many beach businesses close.Sea swimming runs roughly May to October; August air tops 91 °F (33 °C) and the headland is exposed. Winter is mild but many beach businesses close.

• Larnaca District: Larnaca coast · Town, Finikoudes and the airport stripcool

  Sea swimming runs roughly May to October; July–August afternoons are 33–35 °C (91–95 °F). Winter is mild and wet, and the salt lake fills.Sea swimming runs roughly May to October; July–August afternoons are 91–95 °F (33–35 °C). Winter is mild and wet, and the salt lake fills.

• Larnaca District: Lefkara and the hills · Villages above 300 mcool

  A few degrees cooler than the coast; snow is rare but possible in January–February.

• Limassol District: Limassol coast · City and seafrontfine

  Sea swimming roughly May–November; August is hot and humid.

• Limassol District: Troodos foothills · Platres, Agros, Pachnacool

  5–10 °C (9–18 °F) cooler than the coast; snow possible above 1,000 m in winter.9–18 °F (5–10 °C) cooler than the coast; snow possible above 1,000 m in winter.

• Nicosia District (South): Nicosia and the Mesaoria plain · Capital and inland plaincool

  Inland heat peaks July–August; spring and autumn are the walking months. Winter nights are cool and the mountains can see rain.

• Paphos District: Paphos coast · Paphos town, Coral Bay, Polisfine

  Sea swimming roughly May–November; July–August afternoons above 32 °C (90 °F). Rain concentrates December–March.Sea swimming roughly May–November; July–August afternoons above 90 °F (32 °C). Rain concentrates December–March.

• Paphos District: Inland hills (Tsada, Tala) · Villages 300–600 m upcool

  A few degrees cooler than the coast; summer evenings are comfortable.

• Nicosia17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 7 rain days
• Agros14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 8 rain days
• Ayia Napa18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
• Deryneia18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 8 rain days
• Kapparis18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
• Lefkara18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Omodos14 °C (57 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 11 rain days
• Pachna17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 6 rain days
• Paralimni17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
• Platres13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 6 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 6 rain days
• Protaras18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 6 rain days
• Tala18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 6 rain days
• Troodos Square7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 12 rain days
• Tsada15.1 °C (59 °F) / 7.1 °C (45 °F), 175 rain days59 °F (15.1 °C) / 45 °F (7.1 °C), 175 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas

  24–26 Dec

  Family holidays; restaurants busy, some museums closed.

• Christmas and New Year

  24 December–6 January · Nicosia

  Lights and markets; reduced hours on 25–26 December.

• Christmas to Epiphany

  25 Dec–6 Jan · Nicosia

  Reduced opening hours; lights on Ledra Street and Eleftheria Square.

Crowds · Cyprus

Low

Prices · Cyprus

Low

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cyprus, side by side.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Troodos Square

  Best months: Apr–Oct for hiking; Dec–Mar for snow sports