Sintra in December
In December, Sintra averages 15°C (59°F) during the day and 9°C (48°F) at night, with around 12 days of rain (170 mm total).
High seasonConditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.
December in Sintra 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 Sintra
December is one of the coolest months in Sintra (12th of 12) and one of the wettest months (3rd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 5°C below the annual average (20°C). December runs 2°C cooler than November (17°C) and stays flat into January.
December sunrise & sunset in Sintra
Times shown for Sintra local time (Europe/Lisbon), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in Sintra — December
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Sintra's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Sintra 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 Sintra's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — December in Sintra
This is a busy month in Sintra — 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 Sintra
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.
Sintra in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C / 59°F | 8°C / 46°F | 140 mm | 12 | 0 |
| February | 16°C / 61°F | 9°C / 48°F | 115 mm | 11 | 0 |
| March | 18°C / 64°F | 10°C / 50°F | 90 mm | 11 | 0 |
| April | 18°C / 64°F | 11°C / 52°F | 90 mm | 11 | 0 |
| May | 20°C / 68°F | 13°C / 55°F | 75 mm | 10 | 0 |
| June | 23°C / 73°F | 15°C / 59°F | 30 mm | 5 | 0 |
| July | 25°C / 77°F | 17°C / 63°F | 5 mm | 1 | 0 |
| August | 25°C / 77°F | 17°C / 63°F | 5 mm | 1 | 0 |
| September | 24°C / 75°F | 16°C / 61°F | 55 mm | 7 | 0 |
| October | 21°C / 70°F | 14°C / 57°F | 140 mm | 11 | 0 |
| November | 17°C / 63°F | 11°C / 52°F | 155 mm | 12 | 0 |
| December | 15°C / 59°F | 9°C / 48°F | 170 mm | 12 | 0 |
Other cities with similar December weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Sintra in December →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Sintra in December?
In December, Sintra averages a high of 15°C (59°F) and a low of 9°C (48°F) — generally cool.
Does it rain a lot in Sintra in December?
December can be fairly wet in Sintra, with about 12 rainy days on average.
Is December a good time to visit Sintra?
December is cool. 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 Sintra in December?
Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full December packing list for Sintra for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.