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Quick answer: The warmest place in Tunisia in December is Djerba, with highs of about 18°C, a sea of about 18°C and only 5-6 rainy days. The desert towns of Douz and Tozeur match it by day (16-17°C) but fall to 4-5°C at night. Tunis, Bizerte and the north coast are the coolest, at 14-15°C with the most rain.
December is a mild month and no part of Tunisia is hot. The ranking below is based on the daytime high, then the number of rain days, then the sea temperature and the night low. All figures are typical averages from our December guide, approximate and as of 2026.
December Ranking: Warmest to Coolest
| Rank | Place | Day | Night | Sea | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Djerba | 18°C | 10°C | 18°C | 5-6 |
| 2 | Douz | 17°C | 4°C | none | 1-2 |
| 3 | Tozeur | 16°C | 5°C | none | 1-2 |
| 4 | Hammamet and Sousse | 16°C | 9-10°C | 17°C | 7-10 |
| 5 | Kairouan and El Jem | 15°C | 7°C | none | 5-6 |
| 6 | Tunis | 15°C | 9°C | 17°C | 9-11 |
| 7 | Bizerte | 14°C | 8°C | 16°C | 9-11 |
1. Djerba: Warmest and Sunniest Coast
Djerba sits far to the south and east, and the island has the fewest wet days on the coast. A typical December day is about 18°C, sometimes reaching 20°C in a sheltered spot out of the wind. The sea is about 18°C, so swimming is for the brave but beach walks and cycling are very good.
Towns to base in: Midoun and the Sidi Mahrez beach zone for hotels, Houmt Souk for markets and restaurants, and Guellala for pottery and a quieter stay.
Hotel: the Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso in the Midoun hotel zone has a spa and indoor facilities that keep December comfortable. Hasdrubal Prestige Thalassa & Spa is the other premium choice. Read where to stay in Djerba or check Djerba hotel prices. December rates are 40-60% below August, with a rise in the Christmas to New Year week.
2. Douz: Warm Days and Cold Nights
Douz is the gateway to the Grand Erg Oriental and averages about 17°C by day in December with almost no rain. The light is clear, and camel treks from the town are most comfortable at this time of year. The Douz Sahara Festival has been reported for 19 to 22 December 2026, so confirm dates before booking.
Towns to base in: Douz itself for dune access and Zaafrane or Ksar Ghilane for camps.
Hotel: the El Mouradi Douz is a four-star on the desert edge at about 200-320 TND per night as of 2026. See where to stay in Douz and book a Douz tour. A sleeping bag or heavy blankets are essential for camp nights at 4°C.
3. Tozeur: Palm Oasis and Chott el Jerid
Tozeur reaches about 16°C and has a similar dry, bright winter pattern. It combines a palm oasis, the old brick quarter of Ouled el Hadef, mountain oases at Chebika and Tamerza, and the Chott el Jerid salt lake.
Towns to base in: Tozeur for hotels and Nefta for a quieter stay.
Hotel: Hotel Ksar Rouge in town is a mid-range choice at about 130-200 TND per night, and Dar Hi near Nefta is the design-led luxury option at about 280-400 TND as of 2026. See where to stay in Tozeur.
4. Hammamet and Sousse: Mild, Spa-Friendly Coast
Hammamet and Sousse share about 16°C by day. Rain is more frequent than in Djerba, with 7-10 days, but the east coast gets a lot of sun between showers. This is the thalassotherapy coast.
Hotel in Hammamet: the Steigenberger Marhaba Thalasso in Yasmine Hammamet at about 350-550 TND per night. Hotel in Sousse: the Mövenpick Resort & Marine Spa at about 160-290 EUR in ordinary rates, as of 2026. See where to stay in Hammamet and best hotels in Sousse.
5. Kairouan and El Jem: Dry Inland Sightseeing
Kairouan and El Jem are around 15°C with a cool morning and a pleasant afternoon. They are best treated as day trips from the coast or as a stop between Sousse and the south. See where to stay in Kairouan for hotels.
6. Tunis: Coolest Big City, Best for Culture
Tunis is about 15°C, with a wet December, but museums, hammams and cafes make it comfortable. Dar El Jeld Hotel and Spa in the medina is the luxury pick, and Hotel Le Calife is a simple central base. See our Tunis hotel guide.
7. Bizerte: Quiet, Cool and Green
Bizerte is the coolest on our list at about 14°C, with a lively old port and Ichkeul National Park nearby. It is a good winter day trip but not a sun destination.
How to Use This Ranking
- Want the warmest beach base? Choose Djerba.
- Want the clearest sky? Choose Tozeur or Douz, and pack for 4°C nights.
- Want a spa? Choose Hammamet or Sousse, and accept cooler days.
- Want culture? Choose Tunis and use rainy days for museums.
- Want both? Stay five nights on Djerba and three in the desert. Our 7-day Tunisia itinerary shows how to link the north and south.
Getting There and Around
Djerba-Zarzis, Tozeur-Nefta, Enfidha and Tunis-Carthage airports all take winter flights, though schedules are thinner than in summer. Compare flights to Tunisia and see our winter flights news. In the south, a hire car is the most flexible option: rent a car. Add a Sahara tour if you do not want to drive.
For the month overall, see Tunisia in December, for the full season Tunisia winter sun guide 2026-27, and for the holiday week our Christmas in Tunisia guide. If you are weighing Tunisia against other winter-sun options, see Tunisia vs the Canary Islands. Current events and festival dates are listed by the Tunisian National Tourism Office.