It can be quite cool at this time of year, so visitors are recommended to take warmer clothes especially for venturing out after dark. The average daily maximum is 16 C and the average daily minimum is 9 C.
Canary Islands: The absolute best place in Europe for winter sun, these islands are off the coast of Morocco and so far south that they have warm weather year-round. Portugal: The average temperature is warm (especially in the south) and it's one of the cheapest countries in Western Europe.
Cyprus in January experiences mild and pleasant weather. The maximum temperature typically hovers around 14°C to 18°C (57°F to 64°F), making it ideal for outdoor activities without sweltering in the heat.
December brings rain, cooler temperatures and plenty of festive sparkle to Portugal. Up north in Porto, high temperatures now peak at 57°F (14°C), though they can plummet as low as 45°F (7°C), with 11 days of wet weather to contend with.
January is the middle of winter in Greece, and temperatures are generally cool to cold, especially in the northern parts of the country. The average high temperature in Athens is around 14°C (57°F) during the day, while nighttime temperatures can drop to around 5°C (41°F).
You won't find balmy beach temperatures in Europe during the winter, but there are certainly several places that have milder weather. Let's look at some of the warmest places in Europe in winter: Portugal, Crete, Andalusia, Balearic Islands, Sicily, Malta, Southern Turkey, and the Canary Islands.
The Canary Islands climate is considered the best climate in the world, thanks to the year-round pleasant, mild temperatures. This is added to the facts that it rarely rains in the archipelago and that it is the region with the most hours of sunlight per day in Europe.
Canary IslandsThey're far down off the coast of West Africa, but they're technically part of Spain. What is this? Winter temperatures in the Canary Islands tend to range from a low of 14-15 C (57-59 F) to a high of 21-23 C (70-73 F), making it the warmest place in Europe in the winter.
December is one of the coldest months in Greece. Average daytime temperatures range from 8°C (46°F) to 15°C (59°F), with colder temperatures in the northern parts of the country and higher elevations. Expect cloudy days and a higher chance of showers. It's recommended to have a waterproof jacket or umbrella with you.
The usual high temperature in Madeira during January is 18ºC, which is still perfectly warm enough to unwind on a beautiful beach. You should pack some warmer clothes for the evenings though as temperatures drop to 10ºC at night.
The average high temperature in Malta during January is 16ºC, and there will be the chance to catch some winter sun at the beach. You should pack some warmer clothes for the evenings though, as temperatures fall to around 9ºC at night.
Algarve is the hottest region of Portugal, with the exception of Madeira Island (an archipelago of Portugal). In the Alentejo region the average temperatures are around 16ºC (depending on if you are on the coast or in the interior) and in the Algarve region 18ºC.
Popular Paphos has an average high temperature of 19ºC in December, which is perfectly warm enough to relax on the beach when the sun's out. You'll want to bring some warmer clothes for the evenings as things can get a bit chilly, with temperatures dropping to 10ºC at night.
The average high in Madeira during December's 20ºC, cooling to 11ºC at night. The average sea temperature's 20ºC, while humidity's low. Average rainfall's 81mm over 16 rainy days, although you can still expect five hours of sunshine from the ten hours of daylight each day. UV levels will be moderate.
Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are the hottest of the islands in December. There's only a very small chance of rain, and temperatures can reach as high as 26ºC, even over Christmas.