December is the least sunny month of the year in Barcelona, with 104 hours of sunshine and days that shorten to 9:17 around the solstice. However, it remains quite mild: 15.8°C during the day, which is one degree more than in January, and only three rainy days on average.
Temperatures, rain and sunshine: AEMET station 0076 (Barcelona Aeropuerto), 2016-2025 averages against the 1991-2020 normal. Sea: NOAA OISST, same period. Daylight runs from 9 hr 28 min to 9 hr 17 min across the month.
Early, Mid or Late December?
The weather changes throughout the month. If you're undecided between several dates, here's what sets each period apart. Averages per decade over ten years, AEMET station 0076.
December 1st → 10th
15.7°C / 7.2°C, 11 mm of rain.
With 15.7°C and eleven millimeters of rain, the month begins with a relative mildness. Sunny afternoons still make it easy to enjoy lunch outside.
December 11 to 20
15.7°C / 7.6°C, 15 mm of rain.
This is the wettest period of the month with fifteen millimeters, which is still modest. However, the days reach their shortest duration around the 21st, with only 9 hours and 17 minutes of daylight.
December 21 to 31
16°C / 7.3°C, 8 mm of rain.
The end of the month is both the mildest, with 16°C, and the driest, with eight millimeters of rain. On sunny days, the terraces remain quite pleasant during the festivities.
What to Pack in Your Suitcase
Essentials
- A warm jacket for the morning and evening: nighttime temperatures drop to around 7.4°C
- Several easy-to-remove layers: in the midday sun, one less layer is often enough
- Closed, comfortable shoes for exploring the city on foot
- A compact umbrella: December averages only three rainy days
Still worth considering
- A scarf for the waterfront and evenings
- Something to cover your shoulders for the Sagrada Família and the cathedral
- No need to plan for swimming: the sea is at 15.6°C
- Some indoor visits for late afternoons, as night falls before six o'clock
December Indoors
Christmas Markets and Cozy Tours
December offers the shortest days of the year and only 104 hours of sunshine. The best approach is to enjoy the markets and streets during the day, then save museums and indoor visits for the late afternoon.
In December only
Fira de Nadal de la Sagrada Família
For Lunch
Mercat de Santa Caterina
In the Warmth
Museu Frederic Marès
On the Agenda
What to Do in Barcelona in December?
December gives Barcelona a very different atmosphere from the rest of the year. Christmas markets, lights, and the Fira de Santa Llúcia in front of the cathedral enliven the city center despite the shorter days.
December or January?
January loses -1.1°C on the highs but gains sixteen hours of sunshine, with only five millimeters of additional rain. The two months remain quite similar: December is darker and festive, while January is a bit cooler and more tranquil.
| November | December | January | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum | 18.6°C | 15.8°C | 14.7°C |
| Minimum | 10.3°C | 7.4°C | 6°C |
| Sea | 18.2°C | 15.6°C | 14.1°C |
| Rain | 62 mm | 34 mm | 39 mm |
| Sunshine | 122 h | 104 h | 120 h |
| Rainy days | 4 | 3 | 3 |
December in the Year
With an average high of 15.8°C, December approaches the winter low without being the coldest month: it remains about one degree warmer than January.
Frequently Asked Questions About December in Barcelona
The mornings are cool, but the days remain mild for the season: an average high of 15.8°C and 7.4°C at night, with peaks reaching 20.5°C. Frost is very rare in the city.
Little: December receives about 34 mm of rain over three days, less than in January and significantly less than in October.
December has about 104 hours of sunshine, the lowest of the year, which is three and a half hours per day. Around the solstice, the length of the day drops to 9 hours and 17 minutes.
The sea is at 15.6°C, too chilly for most swimmers. However, the beaches remain pleasant for a stroll, especially on beautiful winter days.
Yes, especially for the festive atmosphere, Christmas markets, and museums. The sites are generally less crowded than during peak season, but the days are short and swimming is no longer on the agenda.