Warmest Places in Europe in December: 15 Destinations Compared
Wondering where to find warm weather in Europe in December? Compare 15 destinations across southern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and Atlantic islands belonging to European countries. Explore historical temperatures, rainfall and humidity to help plan your winter trip.
Where Is Warmest in December?
Among our selected destinations, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has the highest average December temperature at 19.1°C, followed by Puerto del Rosario at 19.0°C and Arrecife at 19.0°C. These locations are in Spain's Canary Islands, off the northwestern coast of Africa.
Explore December Destinations on the Map
Select a city marker to view its historical average December temperature, rainfall and humidity.
December Temperature, Rainfall and Humidity Comparison
The destinations below are ranked by historical average December air temperature. This is a curated selection, not an exhaustive ranking of every European city.
| Rank | Destination | Average temperature | Rainfall | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Spain · Canary Islands | 19.1°C | 28.2 mm | 75% |
| 2 | Puerto del Rosario Spain · Canary Islands | 19.0°C | 13.9 mm | 75% |
| 3 | Arrecife Spain · Canary Islands | 19.0°C | 17.1 mm | 75% |
| 4 | Santa Cruz de Tenerife Spain · Canary Islands | 18.6°C | 39.4 mm | 76% |
| 5 | Funchal Portugal · Madeira | 17.6°C | 53.0 mm | 78% |
| 6 | Ponta Delgada Portugal · Azores | 16.8°C | 101.1 mm | 81% |
| 7 | Valletta Malta · Malta | 16.4°C | 82.2 mm | 73% |
| 8 | Limassol Cyprus · Cyprus | 16.0°C | 89.6 mm | 70% |
| 9 | Larnaca Cyprus · Cyprus | 15.7°C | 71.0 mm | 69% |
| 10 | Rhodes Greece · Greece | 15.2°C | 161.2 mm | 71% |
| 11 | Lagos Portugal · Portugal | 14.8°C | 78.4 mm | 80% |
| 12 | Gibraltar Gibraltar · Gibraltar | 14.7°C | 94.2 mm | 80% |
| 13 | Rethymno Greece · Crete | 14.6°C | 95.2 mm | 75% |
| 14 | Faro Portugal · Portugal | 13.9°C | 72.2 mm | 82% |
| 15 | Málaga Spain · Spain | 13.8°C | 71.0 mm | 78% |
Atlantic Islands vs Mainland Europe
The Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores are territories of Spain and Portugal, but they are not geographically part of mainland Europe. Their Atlantic locations help explain why some have milder December temperatures than many continental destinations.
For travellers who prefer geographically European destinations, Malta, Rhodes, Crete, the Algarve and southern Spain are alternatives worth comparing. Cyprus is included as an eastern Mediterranean destination, although its geographical classification differs from its political and cultural ties to Europe.
Which Warm December Destination Should You Choose?
If your priority is mild air temperatures, compare the Canary Islands and Madeira first. If you prefer a Mediterranean city break, Valletta, Limassol and Rhodes are worth exploring. For a mainland European trip, consider Lagos, Faro or Málaga.
Temperature alone does not tell the full story. Rainfall, humidity, wind and daylight can affect your experience. A destination with slightly cooler temperatures but less rainfall may suit your plans better.
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Find Your Ideal Weather →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the warmest place in Europe in December?
Among the 15 destinations compared here, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has the highest historical average December temperature at 19.1°C. The Canary Islands belong to Spain but are geographically located in the Atlantic near Africa.
Where is warm in mainland Europe in December?
Southern Portugal and southern Spain offer some of the milder mainland European climates in December. Lagos, Faro and Málaga are included in this comparison. They are generally cooler than the Canary Islands.
Are the Canary Islands geographically part of Europe?
The Canary Islands belong to Spain, an EU country, but geographically lie in the Atlantic Ocean off northwestern Africa. Madeira and the Azores are also Atlantic islands belonging to Portugal.
Can you swim in Europe in December?
Swimming conditions depend on sea temperature, wind, waves and personal preference. Mild air temperatures do not necessarily mean the sea is warm enough for comfortable swimming.
Are these December temperatures weather forecasts?
No. These are historical monthly climate averages for 2001–2025. Actual temperatures, rainfall and humidity can vary from day to day and year to year.
What does December rainfall mean?
Rainfall represents the average total precipitation during December in millimetres. It does not tell you how many rainy days to expect.
Data source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2/POWER), historical monthly climate averages for 2001–2025. Values are not weather forecasts. Rankings cover only the 15 selected destinations.