Visiting Spain in December – Surprising Truth & Best Things to Do on the Mainland

Among all winter months, December in Spain is the most festive one with so much going on – unique parades, beautiful Christmas lights, seasonal traditions that take over towns in the most authentic way, and Christmas markets that pop up in different cities.

I’m writing this based on my own experience. I spent December living in Santander in the north, later lived in Malaga, and traveled across Spain during the holidays. Last year, I spent December in Costa Blanca between Valencia and Torrevieja. For me, it’s one of the best months to be in Spain in winter.

However, this time of the year might not align with everyone’s expectations, especially for those seeking a typical beach holiday or for those who are on a budget.

It’s important to consider what type of experiences in Spain you hope to have during your visit, as not all of them are worth having in December. In this guide, I’ll show you which places and experiences are genuinely worth planning around this time and which ones you’re better off saving for another season.

Key Things to Know Before Visiting Mainland Spain in December

For Budget Travelers, December Is the Worst Time to Travel 

If you’re trying to keep your travel expenses low, you might want to sit down for this – December is the worst time for anyone who is on a budget to visit Spain! While it may seem at first sight that winter is a cheaper, off-season option, in reality, Spain in December is anything but budget-friendly.

Here’s the deal. December is packed with holidays – Christmas, New Year’s, and even local festivities throughout the month (like Constitution Day on Dec 6th and Holiday of the Immaculate Conception on Dec 8th) that Spanish people love to celebrate in style.

Domestic travel picks up a lot in December, especially around holidays like Christmas and New Year. That means flights, trains, buses, and car rentals tend to get booked up fast, and prices rise accordingly. Accommodation also becomes more expensive, even in places that are usually more affordable. If you’re planning to travel in December, it’s best to book early or be flexible with your dates.

It’s not just transport, accommodation, and car hire in Spain that get pricier. Around the holidays, seasonal markets and special menus can make it harder to stick to a budget. Street food, local treats, and festive meals are everywhere — and while they’re worth trying, the costs add up quickly if you’re not paying attention.

Even sightseeing in December gets more pricey. Almost all companies raise prices for the attractions, and it is impossible to find a discount during this time of year. While Spain’s cities (including small towns in the north and south) are dressed up in their holiday best, you’ll pay a premium for the privilege of seeing them.

So, if you’re looking to stretch your euros, December is not a good month to travel to Spain. Better choose one of the other cheap destinations for winter travel and return to Spain in January or February.

Otherwise, if you’re willing to splurge a little, the festive atmosphere might just be worth the hit to your budget. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Weather in Spain in December Varies Greatly

This can be said about any month of the year, but in December it is especially noticeable. Depending on the region, December weather in Spain varies greatly. But even within a single region, conditions can differ significantly too.

So, if you are getting ready to travel to Spain in December, you cannot rely on just one type of weather as there can be a big difference in temperature and feel depending on the location.

For example, in Catalonia, the coastal areas like Barcelona are quite mild and sunny with temperatures around 10-15 degrees Celsius (50- 59F), while the mountainous regions, such as the Pyrenees are already cold and can even see some snow, and temperatures drop below freezing.

Valencia in winter gets more sun than Barcelona and has slightly higher temperatures, but it also tends to be windier, which feels cooler at times.

In Malaga, the coastal areas are still quite warm (last year we wore shorts and T-shirts in Malaga almost until Christmas) but in Ronda and in Cordoba, it was already too cold and we needed a jacket and a heater inside the rooms.

In northern Spain as well as northeastern regions (those that border France) it gets quite cold, mainly because of the high humidity that comes with rain. When planning your trip here, you should definitely pack a pair of good waterproof shoes and windproof outerwear. 

Costa Dorada (mainly the Tarragona region), which is a bit more to the south, experiences more comfortable weather (even though cooler) due to its protection from cyclones by the chain of mountain systems of the Pyrenees and Cordillera. 

Madrid in winter, located on a hill, in December starts experiencing hints of cold weather, with temperature dips during the day. Mornings can be already crispy with the temperature dropping to +5 degrees C (but this is more common at the end of December). Northern mountain regions not far from Madrid start seeing first snow.

Overall, for someone who comes from a country with cold winters, weather in Spain in December will not look and feel like winter at all. At the same time, it is not really summer. The main climatic differences of this month are gusty winds, increased level of humidity, and a decrease in daily temperatures. 

Beach Holidays in December Are Not Possible Unless You Go to the Canaries

If you’re dreaming of the hottest part of Spain this December, I’ve got some bad news for you. Spain does not get hot during this month. Warm? Yes, in some regions but that warmth is not enough for a beach holiday. Beaches on mainland Spain are not exactly in holiday mode this time of year.

December in Spain will definitely give you plenty of charm, culture, and festivities, but not warm beach weather.

The truth is – most of Spain in the first month of winter is just too chilly for a proper beach day. The coastal areas are milder than inland, but you’re looking at temperatures that hover around 10-15 degrees Celsius (50- 59F) in places like Costa Brava or Costa Blanca and around 18 degrees Celsius during days in Malaga. Sure, the views are stunning, and the seaside walks are refreshing, but swimming or sunbathing isn’t really comfortable for most people.

If you want to go to a warm place in mainland Spain, then look at Cadiz (this is the sunniest and warmest region). Warmer than that is only the Canary Island archipelago with plenty of sunshine to keep you warm. (I currently live in Tenerife and can confirm that December is very warm in our neck of the woods. But even here, December brings winds, and water is around 21 degrees, which is not an ideal temperature for swimming).  

Northern Spain in December is Very Rainy

As someone who spent the whole winter in northern Spain and then traveled on another occasion in December through a few coastal towns, I can tell that during this month anywhere along the Atlantic coast from San Sebastian to Vigo is a veritable rain festival! So you’d want to pack more than just sunglasses and forget about a sunny getaway when in this region. 

I am not saying that it will be raining for the whole length of your trip (maybe you’ll get lucky and will have sun for many days in a row) but chances are high that most days will be rainy since this part of Spain tends to have frequent showers and overcast skies from December to February.

So you can expect rain almost every other day, with some areas seeing precipitation on as many as 20 days throughout the month (this is exactly how many days of rain we had in Santander, it was so depressing).

Still, the rain has its upside — it’s what keeps Northern Spain so green. If you’re prepared for the weather, it can be a great time to slow down, warm up in local cafes, and experience this region with fewer tourists around. So you’ll get a more authentic experience of the region’s culture and scenery — just expect to deal with some wet days along the way.

If you decide to go to Northern Spain in December, book proper accommodation (what I mean by this – no tiled floors and have heating! like Sercotel rooms for example) and be prepared for those wet days when you need to plan ahead and keep in mind indoor activities. Because if it starts raining, it might not stop for days — that’s just how it is here.

Best Places to Visit in December in Spain

The list of recommendations below is based on my own experience. I visited all these places and believe they are wonderful picks for December travel (but you can also add most of them to your Spanish itinerary for January and February).

If you have other places in mind that you are not sure about, ask about them in the comments below and I’ll give my honest opinion if they are good picks for winter travel or not.

• Castilian Jewels Near Madrid: Segovia, Avila & Toledo – they have fewer tourists and festive decorations starting from the first week of December. Do it yourself on a road trip from Madrid or with this tour by bus from downtown.
• Montserrat Monastery Near Barcelona – small crowds at this time and more frequent boys’ choir performances because of the Christmas season. If you don’t feel like renting a car to go there, it is possible to join a small group private tour.
• Granada – its well-preserved Moorish palace is easier to get into in December (still pre-book tickets in advance) and cool temperatures make exploring the Alhambra and the charming Albaicin district more comfortable and enjoyable. Here is the official Alhambra website if you have more time in advance to book tickets and want to explore everything on your own without a tour.
• Sierra Nevada – mountains near Granada where it is possible to ski or just get close to snow. In December, it already starts snowing but check the weather.
• Seville – has some of the best Christmas decorations in the whole of Spain and different processions throughout the month. Also, its magnificent landmarks are always worth a trip.
• Salamanca – historic university city with an amazing Christmas feel.
• Malaga Region – not just Malaga city with its hidden gems, but the whole region to see some of Andalusia’s prettiest countryside with white villages, avocado farms, historic bullrings, and Moorish homes. Use my post with road trips from Malaga to know where exactly to go. And when you have a car, parking in Malaga is easy.
• Cadiz – this is the sunniest and warmest place in Spain in December with small but nice Christmas markets.
• Pyrenees Mountains – both on the Spanish and French sides. If you decide to go, you can also use my road trip from Barcelona to Andorra to make stops in lesser-discovered parts of Spain. It is possible to go on the Three Countries Tour that covers Spain, Andorra, and France.
• Penedes Region – wine region famous for cava, so you can visit lots of wineries. But besides them, there are cute towns, historic monasteries, castles, and landscapes similar to Tuscany.
• Madrid – has impressive holiday lights along Gran Via, nice Christmas market in Plaza Mayor, and big New Year’s Eve celebrations at Puerta del Sol.
• Barcelona – lots and lots of Christmas lights, cultural events, and Christmas fairs that showcase the Caga Tio tradition.
• Towns Between Barcelona to Valencia – this stretch of the road is scenic and interesting with different natural sights and a few points of interest. You can follow my road trip itinerary between Barcelona and Valencia to stop in the most unique places.
• Fuerteventura – the best place in Spain for as much sun as possible. This is where you can get Spanish winter sun in December!

Things to Do in Spain in December

One of the reasons to plan a trip to Spain in December is to be able to see interesting Christmas events like fairs, parades, processions, and religious services that happen across the country. But besides them, you’d want to see the following:

• Visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona – there are many ways to do it, but if you are on a budget, join this free walking tour that also includes other Gaudi works.
• Go on a road trip around Costa Brava – to see coastal towns and do hiking along the coast.
• Don’t miss a flamenco show – authentic shows are in Andalusia and if you go to Malaga, find best flamenco venues in my guide.
• See the highest active volcano in Spain – and that is on Tenerife island.
• Spend a day (or two) in Loro Park – one of the largest parrot parks in the world with world-class marine shows. You’ll find it also in Tenerife (where it is cheap to fly from many Spanish cities). The penguin you see above in my photo lives in this park.
• Do a tapas bar crawl – many cities are great for this, but the best experiences are in Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Malaga, Toledo, and Salamanca. If you are spending at least a few days in Barcelona, you should love this tapas walking tour with tastings. We did it a couple of years ago (it was great) and it still receives excellent reviews.
• Attend Flour Fight Festival in Ibi, Alicante region – a one day event, which involves participants throwing flour and eggs at each other. Something fun to watch and participate in.
• Attend events for Constitution Day on December 6th – different events are happening in various cities on/around main squares.
• Come to watch the San Silvestre race on December 31st – it takes place in various cities but the most famous one is in Madrid.
• Attend Christmas Eve services in any city – churches incorporate fascinating practices and elaborate nativity scenes in Christmas masses, so it is truly fascinating to watch even if you don’t speak Spanish.
• Do all the other touristy things that you’d do in another season – the number of experiences in Spain is just immense, with many activities available throughout the year.

So… Is December a Good Time to Visit Spain? 

Yes and No at the same time. 

December is a good month to go to Spain for those people who are looking to escape the cold weather of their hometown and enjoy a sunny festive winter retreat in Europe. Spain’s mild winter climate provides a pleasant contrast to the frigid temperatures elsewhere, which is why it is a perfect destination if you want to find warmth and sunshine.

If you also enjoy exploring cities on foot and going on road trips, December is an ideal month to plan a trip. Even though Spanish cities do not get snow in winter and Christmas markets aren’t as numerous or large as those in Central or Eastern Europe, the unique festive atmosphere together with nice weather and interesting local traditions make it the best destination to experience in December.

At the same time, December is not a good time to go if you need to travel on a very tight budget. Any time during this month, you’ll spend a lot, almost as much as in the summer (even during the first week). Flights and accommodations can be just as expensive as from June to August!

Additionally, if you expect lively beach scenes, December will not be able to offer that. It will surely feel too quiet or limiting.

But I always emphasize that the number one thing to consider is the cost since December is one of the most expensive months when traveling to Spain. So you just need to do some smart planning and book as early as you can.