Spain Barcelona Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Barcelona is Festive
Barcelona Weather in December — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 14° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 41mm · 5 days
- Crowds
- Busy
As of 2026, Barcelona in December averages a high of 14°C and low of 6°C with 41mm of rain over about 5 days. Winter mild — wool sweater + coat, scarf. Indoor heating is rare in cafés/restaurants (just a small radiator) — layer enough.
December is Festive for Barcelona.
December brings Christmas lights, Fira de Santa Llúcia Christmas market in front of Catedral (Dec 1-23 — Barcelona's oldest, since 1786), and family Catalan traditions like Cagatió (a hollow log children beat for gifts). Prices spike Dec 22-Jan 2 for Christmas/New Year holiday peak. Mild winter — 14°C/6°C means coat + sweater suffices.
Travel score
Winter + Christmas + Korean year-end surge
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 57°F / 14°C highs and 39°F / 4°C lows — proper winter. 6 rainy days, 50mm. Humidity 75% + 5 hours of sunshine. Fira de Santa Llúcia Christmas Market + Christmas on Passeig de Gràcia illumination + December 31 countdown + New Year fireworks.
December Travel Advice
Heavy jacket + umbrella + walking shoes. December 6 Día de la Constitución (public holiday) + December 8 Inmaculada Concepción (public holiday) + December 25-26 Navidad (Christmas + St. Esteban public holiday). December 31 Cap d'Any countdown + Caganer (Catalan-style Christmas figurine).
Flying In from Overseas
Korean year-end holiday (Dec 20 - Jan 5) drives 2x baseline — Asia-Barcelona $1,610-2,660 round-trip. First 2 weeks of December are the last value window.
December Pricing Trends
Year-end hotels 2-3x — Eixample 3-star $350-630/night. December 27-31 is the year's highest.
Barcelona December Weather Stats
Avg High
14°C
Avg Low
6°C
Rainy Days
5
41mm total
Sunshine
4.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
71%
Mild
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
14 km/h
Gusts 27
Sea Temp
15°C
Avg water temp
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
20 μg/m³
PM10
30 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
13°C
Nighttime
5°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
14 km/h
Max gust 27 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Christmas market at Catedral
- Catalan traditions (Cagatió, pessebres)
- Mild for European winter
- New Year's Eve at Plaça Catalunya
Cons
- Christmas/NYE price spike
- Many family restaurants closed Dec 24-25
- Sea too cold for swimming
- Short daylight (5:30pm sunset)
December Events & Festivals
- Fira de Santa Llúcia Christmas market (Dec 1-23)
- Cagatió tradition (Dec 24)
- New Year's Eve at Plaça Catalunya
Barcelona in December — Full Picture
December brings Christmas lights, Fira de Santa Llúcia Christmas market in front of Catedral (Dec 1-23 — Barcelona's oldest, since 1786), and family Catalan traditions like Cagatió (a hollow log children beat for gifts). Prices spike Dec 22-Jan 2 for Christmas/New Year holiday peak. Mild winter — 14°C/6°C means coat + sweater suffices.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Winter mild — wool sweater + coat, scarf. Indoor heating is rare in cafés/restaurants (just a small radiator) — layer enough.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
18.7°C
10°C
5.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
28°C
19.3°C
3.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
21.7°C
13.7°C
5.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current14.3°C
5.7°C
5/mo
Barcelona Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14° | 5° | 5d·41mm | 5h | 70% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 15° | 6° | 5d·39mm | 6h | 70% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 16° | 8° | 5d·36mm | 6h | 69% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 18° | 9° | 6d·47mm | 7h | 70% | 5 | Moderate | Peak | |
| May (Best) | 22° | 13° | 6d·47mm | 8h | 71% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 26° | 17° | 4d·30mm | 9.5h | 70% | 9 | Busy | Peak |
| 29° | 20° | 3d·21mm | 10.5h | 70% | 9 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 29° | 21° | 4d·49mm | 9h | 71% | 8 | Very busy | Peak | |
| September (Best) | 26° | 18° | 5d·60mm | 7.5h | 71% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| 22° | 14° | 6d·87mm | 6h | 72% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 17° | 9° | 5d·53mm | 5h | 72% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 14° | 6° | 5d·41mm | 4.5h | 71% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Barcelona December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Barcelona?
Barcelona in December is Festive. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Barcelona in December?
Barcelona December averages a high of 14°C and a low of 6°C.
Does it rain much in Barcelona in December?
Barcelona December averages 41mm of rainfall over about 5 rainy days.
What should I wear in Barcelona in December?
Winter mild — wool sweater + coat, scarf. Indoor heating is rare in cafés/restaurants (just a small radiator) — layer enough.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Barcelona in December?
Barcelona December sunrise is 08:10 and sunset is 17:20, with 9h 10m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Barcelona in December?
Barcelona December air quality (AQI) averages 45, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 20μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Barcelona in December?
In December, Barcelona is great for Fira de Santa Llúcia market, Christmas lights walking tour, Cagatió family tradition.
Is December peak season in Barcelona?
Barcelona December crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Barcelona
View Other Months
Planning a December trip to Barcelona?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.