Weather in Costa Brava in December

How December compares

December is the 11th warmest month of the year in Costa Brava. Within Spain it is 84th of 87 (Spain in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Costa Brava is 5.4°C warmer by day and 2.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Costa Brava peaks at 13.1°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 16.3°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 5.5°C; one night in ten drops to 1.4°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 19.9°C (2009-12-29) and the coldest night -4.8°C (2001-12-17).

Rain in December

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 7 days with 1 mm or more, 51 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 1996 with 146 mm, the driest 2015 with 1 mm. Humidity averages 79%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 14.7°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 14.0°C to 15.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (24.8°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:09 and sets about 17:19 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 51%.

Is December a good time to visit Costa Brava?

December is not the strongest month here: cool days. The best months for Costa Brava on our scoring are July, June, August; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug.

Milder afternoons, but pack for cold evenings

The daytime average makes being outdoors more comfortable than the night-time figures might suggest, but December still calls for winter clothing. Pack layers beneath a jacket so you can adjust when the sun comes out, then add warmth as the afternoon fades. The warmest days reach around 16°C or more, which can make a sheltered outdoor break pleasant without turning it into beach weather. At the colder end, nights can fall to around 1°C or below. A warm coat is therefore more useful than a suitcase built around the average afternoon, especially if you plan to stay out after dark.

Make the most of the short daylight window

Expect some useful sunshine rather than uninterrupted blue skies: December averages about 4.4 hours of sunshine within 9 hours of daylight. Put your main outdoor plans into the brighter part of the day instead of leaving them until late afternoon. Rain falls on about 7 days, so a waterproof outer layer earns its place, but the figures do not suggest rain needs to dominate the trip. Keep plans movable and leave room for time indoors when showers arrive. This is a month for taking advantage of a clear spell, rather than relying on every afternoon being dry and sunny.

Treat the sea as scenery, not the main activity

With the sea averaging 14.7°C, December is a poor fit if leisurely swimming is central to your holiday. Even the warmer end of its December range, 16°C, is still cold rather than comfortably swimmable. A sunny afternoon can suit spending time by the coast in a jacket, but sunshine does not make the water warm. The same distinction applies on land: the daytime temperatures support walking more readily than lounging in swimwear. Choose December if you value time outdoors without heat; if your idea of a coastal break revolves around long swims and warm evenings, the weather is the catch.