Things to Do in Spain in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Spain
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
53°F (12°C)
High Temp
38°F (3°C)
Low Temp
0.1 inches (3 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, and Burgos turn sharp after dark. Inland cities hit freezing or below. Evening light walks demand proper layers. Hypothermia risk if you underdress. Pack gloves. Bring a beanie. Walk fast. Stay warm.
⚠ Galicia and the Basque Country stay wet. Rain lashes the northern Atlantic coast. Winter storms pound the shoreline. Ferries can cancel without notice. Check sea conditions every morning. Keep coastal plans flexible. Expect spray. Expect delays.
⚠ Spain shuts tight for the holidays. December 24-26, December 31-January 1, and into January 6, buses run less. Many restaurants close. Small attractions lock their gates. Plan food ahead. Book trains early. Celebrate with locals. Embrace the quiet.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Spain in December gives you two countries for the price of one. Madrid and the central meseta turn properly cold, highs around 9-12°C / 48-54°F, dawns near freezing at 1-3°C / 34-37°F. Meanwhile Málaga, Cádiz, and the Costa del Sol keep mild afternoons around 16-18°C (61-64°F). Plan smart and you score both winter mood and walkable sunshine by heading south.
- + Christmas season runs at full tilt. It's a local affair, not a tourist set-piece. Madrid's Plaza Mayor fills with stalls selling figures for the Belén nativity scenes. The smell of roasted chestnuts drifts from corner braziers. Cities compete over their luminarias, the light displays. The El Gordo lottery on December 22 stops the entire country.
- + Crowds at marquee sights thin hard until the holidays kick in around the 20th. First three weeks you can walk into the Prado, the Alhambra (book ahead regardless), or Barcelona's Sagrada Família with a fraction of summer queues. You'll have the Mezquita in Córdoba close to yourself on a weekday morning.
- + Early December sits at the cheaper end of the calendar. Flights and hotels in early-to-mid December run noticeably softer than summer or Easter rates. The food ignores the season. December specialties like roasted chestnuts, slow-cooked stews like cocido madrileño, and Christmas turrón nougat are everywhere.
Considerations
- − Inland cold is real and catches first-timers off guard. People picture Spain as warm and pack for it. Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, and Burgos can sit near freezing at night. The wind off the Sierra de Guadarrama cuts hard. This is not beach weather anywhere north of Andalusia.
- − Short daylight squeezes your sightseeing. Sun rises roughly 8:30am to 6pm. Spanish life starts late. Shops open around 10am. Lunch is not served before 1:30-2pm. You lose early and late hours to darkness.
- − The holiday window, roughly Dec 22 to Jan 6, flips everything. Prices jump. Trains and hotels in popular cities book out. Many family-run restaurants and small museums close for several days around Dec 24-26 and again around New Year. The Three Kings holiday on January 6 keeps closures running past the calendar month.
Year-Round Climate
How December compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11°C | 2°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Feb | 14°C | 3°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Mar | 16°C | 5°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Apr | 20°C | 8°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| May | 25°C | 12°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jun | 30°C | 17°C | 0.0 inches (0 mm) |
| Jul | 34°C | 20°C | 0.0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 34°C | 20°C | 0.0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C | 15°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Oct | 22°C | 11°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Nov | 15°C | 6°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Dec | 12°C | 3°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Spain in December is a country of sharp contrasts. Daytime temperatures sit in the low teens, while nights can drop near freezing. The air carries a crisp bite, cut by the scent of roasting chestnuts from street vendors. This is a month of anticipation. The quiet rhythm of early winter is punctuated by national events. The long bridge weekend of the Puente de Diciembre, from December sixth to the eighth, sees Spaniards taking to roads and railways. This creates a palpable buzz in Andalusian cities and mountain resorts alike. The month builds toward a festive peak. On the morning of December twenty-second, the entire nation pauses for the televised Sorteo Extraordinario de Navidad, the El Gordo lottery draw. The sing-song calls of schoolchildren announcing winning numbers echo from every bar and home. Then, on the final evening of the year, the focal point shifts to Madrid's Puerta del Sol. The chimes of the clock tower are met by the determined chewing of twelve grapes for luck. This ritual is observed in homes and squares across Spain. Visiting now means navigating these cool, clear days while tapping into the unique, scheduled electricity of communal traditions.
Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces Tour with Tickets
culturalunlocks the silent, stone-carved poetry of Granada's hilltop fortress. You will see intricate stucco arabesques filtering the low winter sun. You will hear the gentle trickle of water in the Generalife gardens. This experience grants structured access to the palace interiors where time seems suspended.
It is the definitive encounter with Spain's Moorish architectural peak. Every courtyard and ceiling tells a story of a lost kingdom.
Insider tip: Secure tickets well in advance. Daily entry is strictly limited. Aim for a morning slot when the slanting light makes the carved walls glow.
This month: The cool, dry air of December provides crisp visibility across the Sierra Nevada from the Alhambra's ramparts.
Guided Tour and Entry Ticket
guided_experienceplaces you before the solemn faces of Goya's court and the dramatic shadows of Velázquez's Las Meninas. You will feel the hushed, gallery air. You will see rich pigments under the museum's careful lighting. A knowledgeable guide explains these masterworks within the turbulent history of Spain itself.
It is a concentrated journey through the Spanish soul, as shown by its most celebrated painters.
Insider tip: Focus your visit on the first floor. It houses the core Spanish collection. This avoids being overwhelmed by the museum's vast holdings.
Caminito del Rey all included
otheris a walk along a narrow pathway pinned to the walls of the Gaitanes Gorge. You will hear the wind whistle through the limestone canyon. You will see the Guadalhorce River a dizzying distance below. The feeling underfoot is the secure grip of a new wooden boardwalk. This is a stark contrast to the cliff's sheer drop.
It transforms a once perilous historic footpath into an accessible traverse of one of Andalusia's most dramatic landscapes.
Insider tip: Wear layers. The gorge can be significantly cooler and windier than the surrounding area, in December.
This month: The winter light, lower in the sky, creates deep shadows across the striated rock faces of the gorge.
Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas Day Trip
day_triptakes you to a whitewashed town perched atop a sheer cliff. You will see the deep Tajo gorge splitting the settlement. You will feel the cool updraft from the valley floor. Later, you wander streets in Setenil de las Bodegas. Here, buildings are built directly into overhanging rock, creating cavernous, sheltered spaces.
It contrasts the monumental engineering of Ronda's well-known bridge with the organic, troglodyte architecture of a unique village.
Insider tip: In Ronda, walk down the path beside the bridge. This gives the most impressive photographic perspective of the structure and gorge.
3 Hours E-Bike Tour in Palma
adventurelets you glide along the Bay of Palma's promenade. Feel a cool sea breeze. See the honey-colored stone of the Gothic cathedral, La Seu, towering over the medieval city walls. The quiet hum of the electric motor lets you cover more of the city's seaside and old-town charms without exertion.
It is the most efficient way to survey the capital of Mallorca, from its maritime front to its historic core.
Insider tip: The route typically includes a stop at Bellver Castle. It offers panoramic views over the bay and the city's terracotta rooftops.
San Sebastian: Pintxos and Wine Tour
foodis a crawl through the cobbled streets of the Parte Vieja. You will taste the salty tang of anchovies atop bread. You will smell sizzling garlic from hot pintxos. You will hear the lively chatter of locals in cramped, standing-room-only bars. Each stop reveals a new combination of flavor and technique.
It is an edible education in Basque gastronomy. It navigates the social ritual of pintxo-hopping with expert guidance.
Insider tip: Follow the local lead. Eat standing at the bar. This is often cheaper and more authentic than sitting at a table.
This month: The festive atmosphere in December is warm. Bars are often decorated and offer seasonal specialties.
Where to Stay in Spain in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Mid-Range
GettSleep Madrid - Barajas Airport - Terminal T4S - After security checkpoint
From $86 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
December 6-8
Constitution Day and Immaculate Conception (Puente de Diciembre)
December 6 (Día de la Constitución) and December 8 (La Inmaculada) sit side by side. Together they form a long bridge weekend. Spaniards hit the road. Andalusian cities and ski towns fill up. Trains get busier. Early December buzz is electric. Some banks and offices close. Plan intercity travel around it, not into it.
December 22
Sorteo Extraordinario de Navidad (El Gordo Christmas Lottery)
El Gordo is the world's largest lottery by total prize payout. The draw happens on the morning of December 22. Schoolchildren from the San Ildefonso school sing the numbers. The ceremony is televised for hours. The whole country watches. If a bar or town wins big, champagne sprays in the streets. This is the most Spanish morning of the year.
December 31
Nochevieja (New Year's Eve) and the Twelve Grapes
On December 31 Spain gathers at Madrid's Puerta del Sol. The clock tower counts down. At midnight everyone eats twelve grapes. One grape per chime equals luck for the new year. Buy a small tub of pre-peeled grapes beforehand. The Sol crowd is enormous. Access is tightly controlled. Locals often eat at home or in a bar, then head out.
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View Spain Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Move south for warmth. Stay central for atmosphere. Locals know December Spain splits into two climates. Base in Seville or Málaga for outdoor comfort. Base in Madrid for Christmas lights and chestnut braziers. Just brace for the cold.
Lights switch on in late November. Cities compete hard. Málaga's Calle Larios display and Madrid's Gran Vían arches become events. Crowds increase at the evening encendido. Visit on a weeknight. Phones drop out of the frame.
Restaurants book out for cena de empresa on December weekends. The second and third Fridays are worst. Want a good table? Reserve days ahead. Eat early. Before 9pm beats the Spanish crowd.
Turrón, polvorones, and mantecados are seasonal. Buy now from a long-standing confitería. They vanish after Three Kings. Hard Alicante and soft Jijona turrón are the classics.
January 6, not December 25, is the traditional gift day. Día de los Reyes, the Three Kings. The eve brings the Cabalgata parade on January 5. Every town hosts one. Stay into early January for the real climax.
Avoid These Mistakes
Packing for a 'warm Mediterranean' trip and freezing inland is common. Travelers see 'Spain' and pack summer layers. They shiver through Madrid and Toledo at near-freezing dawns. Bring a real winter coat.
Scheduling tight plans across December 24-26 or January 1 backfires. Many family restaurants, small museums, and shops close. Public transport thins. Build flexible days around those dates.
Showing up to eat dinner at 7pm leaves kitchens empty. Spanish dinner runs 9-11pm year-round. Lunch, the day's big meal, is 2-3:30pm. Adjust or dine alone in tourist traps.
Underestimating short days wrecks itineraries. Sunset lands near 6pm. Three major outdoor sights in one afternoon won't fit. Front-load daylight. Save indoor sights and flamenco for the dark.
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