Paphos in December
Museum, ancient city and harbour walks
Choose a month
Selected month: December
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Paphos
- Daytime
- 17 °C Average daily maximum
- At night
- 13 °C Average daily minimum
- Sea
- 19 °C Average water temperature
- Wet days
- 10.3 Days with at least 1 mm
- Rainfall
- 78 mm Average monthly total
- Sunset
- 16:40 On the 15th, local time
Monthly averages. A wet day has at least 1 mm of rainfall.
Contents
Is it worth going?
A December trip suits visitors who put history and a relaxed city break first. Swimming depends on your comfort with cool water and calm sea conditions.
Archaeological sites, Walks by the sea and harbour, A relaxed city break
- The archaeological park is exposed to sun and weather
- Allow time to travel between Kato Paphos and the upper town
Weather and rain
How warm is it?
The coast can be windy, and stone or dirt paths need careful footwear after rain. Bring a jacket and layers, and consider daylight hours when planning a longer site visit.
How much does it rain?
A shower can shift a long visit to the open park. Use the district archaeological museum and an upper-town café for a break, then return to the harbour or site during a dry spell.
Swimming and sun
Can you swim?
A Paphos coast sea-temperature reference is about 19 °C. Wind and sea conditions affect how it feels, so decide about swimming on the day. Bring dry clothes for after a dip.
Can you sunbathe?
Alternate sunny spells with site visits and a break in the shade. At the open archaeological park, carry water, a hat and sun protection.
When to go
Weather at the beginning, middle and end of the month.
| Part of the month | Daytime | At night | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early month | 18 °C | 14 °C | 2.7 |
| Mid-month | 17 °C | 14 °C | 3.5 |
| Late month | 16 °C | 12 °C | 4.1 |
Early: days 1–10. Mid-month: days 11–20. Late: day 21 to the end of the month.
Early month
Early December, use daylight for the archaeological park and harbour. Bring water and comfortable shoes for the open site.
Mid-month
Mid-December, split the route between Kato Paphos and the upper town. Keep the museum as a quieter option if rain arrives.
Late month
Late December, start the site walk earlier and keep the harbour for a short evening stroll. Add a layer after sunset.
When does it get dark?
Plan countryside walks for daylight hours, with time to return before sunset.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | End of civil twilight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05.12.2026 | 06:42 | 16:39 | 17:06 |
| 15.12.2026 | 06:50 | 16:40 | 17:08 |
| 25.12.2026 | 06:55 | 16:45 | 17:13 |
Local time; dates are shown in the table.
How busy is it?
The harbour and archaeological sites shape the main visitor route. Start at the park in the morning and give the upper town its own part of the day.
Things to do
Mosaics and the harbour
Set aside several hours for Kato Paphos Archaeological Park: Roman villa mosaics and other monuments are spread over a large site. Continue to the harbour afterwards.
An evening in the upper town
Walk through the old centre and market for a different view of Paphos away from the resort waterfront. It works as its own outing; combine it with the archaeological park only when you have time to spare.
An indoor history stop
Keep the district archaeological museum for a hot or rainy part of the day. Its collection gives useful context before a walk among the area’s ancient sites.
Where to stay
Choose Kato Paphos for the harbour and archaeological park; the upper town suits visits to the market and cafés. On a multi-day trip, give each area its own day.
Kato Paphos and the harbour
This area suits seaside walks and a visit to the archaeological park. Choose it if you want to start the day near the waterfront; plan a separate journey to the upper town.
The upper town
The old centre around the municipal market offers a look at everyday Paphos and easy café stops. It sits apart from the harbour, so account for the trip between the two areas.
The Tombs of the Kings area
The northern end of the visitor district is convenient for the necropolis and coastal walks. Treat the harbour, upper town and this area as separate route segments when planning the day.
What to pack
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Water and a hat
- Sun protection
- Light jacket for wind and rain
- Dry layer after a seaside walk
Before your trip
Start with the archaeological park and leave the upper town for another part of the trip. Carry water and shoes with good grip for a longer walk; the museum and cafés make useful stops when rain interrupts the day.
Getting around
Pafos Buses connects the airport with the Tombs of the Kings main station and Karavella station. For a short break, base yourself in Kato Pafos near the harbour or in the Upper Town, allowing for a separate journey between them. Pair the archaeological park and harbour on one day, then keep the Upper Town and district museum for another. A car can help with island excursions, but it is unnecessary for the central walking areas.
Three days in Paphos
Pair the museum with a short harbour walk and save a longer visit to the archaeological park for a dry day. This keeps a December itinerary flexible.
Kato Pafos and the harbour
Spend a day in the archaeological park: the grounds are extensive, so allow time for mosaics and ancient remains. After exploring, walk down to the harbour and finish beside the sea.
Tombs of the Kings and coast
Start at the Tombs of the Kings archaeological site, then continue along the northern coast of the visitor area. Return to the harbour by transport or shorten the walk for a more relaxed day.
Upper Town
Give the Upper Town its own day. Follow its older streets towards the market and choose the district archaeological museum. This is a separate part of Paphos, so avoid planning several quick walks between it and the seaside park.
Common questions
Can I swim in Paphos in December?
The water is cool. Choose calm sea conditions for a short swim and bring dry clothes. For daily swimming, choose a hotel with a heated indoor pool.
What can I see in Paphos on a rainy day?
Visit the district archaeological museum, spend time in an upper-town café and head to the harbour if the rain eases. Move a long walk across the open site to another day.
What should I wear in Paphos in winter?
Dress in layers and bring a jacket for wind and rain. Closed shoes with good grip are useful on the archaeological grounds.
How can I spend three days in Paphos in December?
Give the first day to Kato Paphos and the harbour, and the second to the museum and upper town. Keep the third for a seaside walk or a short trip around the district.
Compare other months
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Antalya or Paphos in December: compare the trip
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Trip ideas
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