Isfahan Weather in December

December days in Isfahan

December is cool by day and can feel near freezing after dark. The average high is 13°C, while the low reaches 0°C. Rain is limited, but a few wet days can interrupt outdoor plans.

You can still walk around Naqsh-e Jahan Square in the sunshine, then warm up inside the Ali Qapu Palace or Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque. The shorter days leave less time for long strolls, so avoid saving the Si-o-se-pol Bridge for a late evening walk.

Quiet sights and Yalda

December is winter low season, so Isfahan is generally quieter than in the popular spring and autumn months. You may find better value on places to stay, though prices vary. If you hate crowds, this is a good time to take in Naqsh-e Jahan Square at an easy pace.

Yalda Night, the winter solstice celebration, falls in late December. Families gather for fruit, nuts and poetry, and you may see seasonal treats in local shops. Travelling with kids? The covered sections of the Grand Bazaar make a handy break from chilly streets.

Make the most of the weather

With around seven hours of sun a day, clear spells can make sightseeing pleasant, but the air cools quickly once the sun goes down. Save outdoor stops for daylight, and use a rainy spell to explore the bazaar or the Vank Cathedral museum in New Julfa.

For a local warm-up, stop in New Julfa for a cup of Armenian-style coffee, then visit Vank Cathedral nearby. Its painted interior is worth seeing whatever the weather, and the short walk between the two is easier than crossing the city in the cold.