You've probably heard the rumors. People talk about "winter" in the Middle East like it's some sort of myth, or they go the other way and assume it’s a non-stop monsoon season. Honestly, tel aviv weather december is its own weird, beautiful animal. It’s not the blistering 90°F heat of August, but it’s definitely not London in the fog either.
Basically, you’re looking at a city that refuses to fully commit to being cold.
The numbers actually matter here
Let's get the raw data out of the way because "mild" is a relative term if you're coming from Minnesota versus someone coming from Madrid. In December, the average daytime high in Tel Aviv hangs around 19°C (66°F). That sounds lovely, right? It is. But the mercury can easily spike to 23°C (73°F) if the sun decides to show off, or drop toward 10°C (50°F) once the sun dips behind the Mediterranean.
Nighttime is where it gets tricky.
The humidity stays high—around 73 percent—which means that 50-degree night feels a lot crispier than you’d expect. You’ll see locals bundled up in North Face parkas like they’re summiting Everest, while tourists from Berlin are still sitting outside in t-shirts. It’s a hilarious contrast.
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Does it actually rain?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: It pours, then it stops, then the sun comes out and you’d never know it happened.
December is statistically one of the wettest months in Israel. You’re looking at about 10 to 12 days of rain on average, totaling roughly 141 mm. That’s a decent amount of water. We aren’t talking about the gray, miserable drizzle that lasts for three weeks in Seattle. Tel Aviv gets these dramatic, intense Mediterranean storms.
One minute you’re walking down Rothschild Boulevard, and the next, the sky opens up. Ten minutes later? The clouds part, the pavement steams, and everyone is back to drinking iced coffee.
What most people get wrong about the sea
Most travelers assume the beach is "closed" in December. Kinda true, kinda not.
The lifeguards might be off-duty on many stretches, but the water temperature is actually surprisingly warm—averaging about 20°C to 21°C (68°F to 70°F). Believe it or not, the Mediterranean is often warmer than the air in December.
You’ll still see surfers out at Hilton Beach every single day. If you’re brave, you can definitely swim. Most people just stick to walking the Tayelet (the promenade) at sunset, which is arguably better in winter anyway because the air is clearer and the colors are more intense.
Dressing for tel aviv weather december: The "Onion" Strategy
If you pack only shorts, you’ll freeze. If you pack only a heavy coat, you’ll sweat through it by noon.
The secret is layers. You’ve got to dress like an onion. Start with a t-shirt, throw on a light sweater or flannel, and have a windproof jacket ready. Honestly, a waterproof shell is your best friend here.
- Footwear: Leave the flip-flops for the hotel room. You need something water-resistant. Tel Aviv's drainage isn't exactly world-class, and those "puddles" on the corner of Allenby can be deceptively deep.
- The "Night Out" Factor: Tel Aviv is a casual city. Even at fancy spots like The Drisco or bars in Neve Tzedek, jeans and a nice sweater are usually fine.
- Swimwear: Bring it. Even if you don't hit the sea, plenty of hotels have heated pools, or you might take a day trip to the Dead Sea where it's significantly warmer.
Survival guide for the rainy days
When the sky does turn gray, the city doesn't stop. It just moves indoors.
The Tel Aviv Museum of Art is a massive, Bauhaus-inspired sanctuary where you can easily kill four hours looking at contemporary Israeli art or the winter exhibitions. If you’re near Jaffa, the Old Jaffa Port has a specific vibe when it's stormy—it’s moody, historical, and the crashing waves against the sea wall are world-class.
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Hanukkah usually falls in December too.
That means the city smells like sufganiyot (those heavy, jelly-filled doughnuts). Go to Roladin—it’s a chain, yeah, but their seasonal doughnuts are basically edible architecture. You’ll find menorah lightings at Rabin Square or Habima, and the atmosphere is genuinely festive without the commercial madness you see in New York or Paris.
Practical Next Steps for Your December Trip
- Check the 14-day forecast right before you fly. Mediterranean weather is notoriously fickle and can shift a week out.
- Book a hotel with a balcony. Even if it’s cool, having a coffee while looking at the winter sea is the peak Tel Aviv experience.
- Pack a portable umbrella. Not the big golf ones; something you can shove into a daypack when the sun inevitably comes back out.
- Download a taxi app like Gett. When those flash storms hit, you do not want to be standing on a corner trying to whistle for a cab.
Tel Aviv in December is about embracing the "in-between." It’s a mix of cozy cafe culture and bracing sea breezes. If you can handle a little rain and a bit of a chill at night, you’ll get the city at its most authentic, minus the sweltering humidity and the massive summer crowds.