Barcelona in December
In December, Barcelona averages 14°C (57°F) during the day and 6°C (43°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (51 mm total).
High seasonConditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.
December in Barcelona is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).
How December compares to the rest of the year in Barcelona
December is one of the coolest months in Barcelona (12th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 7°C below the annual average (21°C). December runs 3°C cooler than November (17°C) and stays flat into January.
December sunrise & sunset in Barcelona
Times shown for Barcelona local time (Europe/Madrid), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in Barcelona — December
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Barcelona's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Barcelona in December
Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on December's tier (High season) and Barcelona's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — December in Barcelona
This is a busy month in Barcelona — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.
Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather Christmas / New Year travel surge
Sun & mosquito risk — December in Barcelona
UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.
Sea temperature in Barcelona — December
Across the year Barcelona's sea swings from 13.5°C (February) to 27.4°C (August) — December sits at 15.6°C.
Barcelona in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C / 57°F | 5°C / 41°F | 41 mm | 5 | — |
| February | 15°C / 59°F | 6°C / 43°F | 36 mm | 4 | — |
| March | 17°C / 63°F | 8°C / 46°F | 47 mm | 5 | — |
| April | 19°C / 66°F | 10°C / 50°F | 49 mm | 6 | — |
| May | 22°C / 72°F | 14°C / 57°F | 53 mm | 5 | — |
| June | 26°C / 79°F | 17°C / 63°F | 35 mm | 4 | — |
| July | 29°C / 84°F | 20°C / 68°F | 26 mm | 3 | — |
| August | 29°C / 84°F | 21°C / 70°F | 49 mm | 4 | — |
| September | 26°C / 79°F | 18°C / 64°F | 75 mm | 6 | — |
| October | 22°C / 72°F | 14°C / 57°F | 87 mm | 6 | — |
| November | 17°C / 63°F | 9°C / 48°F | 60 mm | 6 | — |
| December | 14°C / 57°F | 6°C / 43°F | 51 mm | 5 | — |
Other cities with similar December weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Barcelona in December →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Barcelona in December?
In December, Barcelona averages a high of 14°C (57°F) and a low of 6°C (43°F) — generally cool.
Does it rain a lot in Barcelona in December?
December sees occasional rain in Barcelona, with about 5 rainy days on average.
Is December a good time to visit Barcelona?
December is cool and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for Barcelona in December?
Pack a warm jacket and layers. See the full December packing list for Barcelona for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.