#1Warm
Puerto Rico
- Day
- 21.3°C
- Sea
- 20.7°C
- Sun
- 6.4h
- Rain days
- 4
Your December weather guide
Weather in Spain in December
December is a good month for Spain if you want mild weather rather than reliable summer heat. Country averages of 17°C by day and 12°C at night favour time outdoors with layers, not a beach-only holiday. For the warmest conditions, focus on the Canary Islands, where the leading options reach 21°C. The catch is that Spain varies considerably: choosing the right part of the country matters more than the national average suggests.
Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020
- Average daytime high
- 16.6°Cacross 87 destinations
- Average night-time low
- 11.8°Cafter dark
- Sea temperature
- 17.4°Ccold for swimming
- Rainy days
- 6days1 mm or more
Spain, month by month
Turn up the warmth
Warmest places in Spain in December
Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.
#2Warm
Puerto de Mogan
- Day
- 21.3°C
- Sea
- 20.7°C
- Sun
- 6.4h
- Rain days
- 4
#3Warm
Taurito
- Day
- 21.3°C
- Sea
- 20.7°C
- Sun
- 6.4h
- Rain days
- 4
#4Warm
Amadores
- Day
- 21.3°C
- Sea
- 20.7°C
- Sun
- 6.4h
- Rain days
- 4
#5Warm
Gran Canaria
- Day
- 21.2°C
- Sea
- 20.6°C
- Sun
- 6.4h
- Rain days
- 5
#6Warm
La Gomera
- Day
- 21.2°C
- Sea
- 21.1°C
- Sun
- 6.5h
- Rain days
- 5
Spain destinations ranked for December
All 87 places we track in Spain, ordered by daytime high.
Scroll sideways for more weather, down for more places. Click a heading to sort.
| # | Destination | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puerto Rico | 21.3°C | 17.0°C | 20.7°C | 6.4 h | 4 | 4 h 24 min |
| 2 | Puerto de Mogan | 21.3°C | 17.0°C | 20.7°C | 6.4 h | 4 | 4 h 24 min |
| 3 | Taurito | 21.3°C | 17.0°C | 20.7°C | 6.4 h | 4 | 4 h 24 min |
| 4 | Amadores | 21.3°C | 17.0°C | 20.7°C | 6.4 h | 4 | 4 h 24 min |
| 5 | Gran Canaria | 21.2°C | 16.9°C | 20.6°C | 6.4 h | 5 | 4 h 24 min |
| 6 | La Gomera | 21.2°C | 18.4°C | 21.1°C | 6.5 h | 5 | 4 h 24 min |
| 7 | Playa de la Arena | 21.2°C | 16.9°C | 21.0°C | 5.7 h | 7 | 4 h 24 min |
| 8 | Meloneras | 21.2°C | 16.9°C | 20.6°C | 6.4 h | 5 | 4 h 24 min |
| 9 | Puerto de Santiago | 21.2°C | 16.9°C | 21.0°C | 5.7 h | 7 | 4 h 24 min |
| 10 | Los Gigantes | 21.1°C | 16.9°C | 21.0°C | 5.7 h | 6 | 4 h 24 min |
| 11 | Playa del Ingles | 21.1°C | 16.8°C | 20.6°C | 6.4 h | 5 | 4 h 24 min |
| 12 | Tenerife | 20.7°C | 16.4°C | 21.1°C | 6.6 h | 6 | 4 h 24 min |
| 13 | Playa de las Americas | 20.7°C | 16.4°C | 21.1°C | 6.6 h | 6 | 4 h 24 min |
| 14 | Los Cristianos | 20.7°C | 16.4°C | 21.1°C | 6.6 h | 6 | 4 h 24 min |
| 15 | Canary Islands | 20.2°C | 16.9°C | 20.6°C | 6.1 h | 5 | 4 h 24 min |
| 16 | Fuerteventura | 20.2°C | 16.9°C | 20.0°C | 5.6 h | 3 | 4 h 12 min |
| 17 | Santa Cruz de Tenerife | 20.2°C | 17.5°C | 20.8°C | 5.3 h | 7 | 4 h 18 min |
| 18 | Corralejo | 20.2°C | 16.9°C | 20.0°C | 5.6 h | 3 | 4 h 12 min |
| 19 | Playa Blanca | 19.9°C | 17.3°C | 20.0°C | 5.6 h | 3 | 4 h 12 min |
| 20 | Lanzarote | 19.6°C | 16.9°C | 19.9°C | 5.5 h | 4 | 4 h 6 min |
| 21 | Matagorda | 19.6°C | 16.9°C | 19.9°C | 5.5 h | 4 | 4 h 6 min |
| 22 | Costa Adeje | 19.5°C | 15.2°C | 21.0°C | 5.6 h | 7 | 4 h 24 min |
| 23 | Playa Paraiso | 19.5°C | 15.2°C | 21.0°C | 5.6 h | 7 | 4 h 24 min |
| 24 | Costa Teguise | 19.5°C | 17.1°C | 19.9°C | 5.6 h | 3 | 4 h 6 min |
| 25 | Puerto de la Cruz | 18.5°C | 16.4°C | 20.9°C | 5.8 h | 7 | 4 h 18 min |
| 26 | La Palma | 18.3°C | 16.1°C | 21.1°C | 5.8 h | 6 | 4 h 24 min |
| 27 | Costa de la Luz | 16.5°C | 9.6°C | 16.5°C | 4.9 h | 8 | 2 h 54 min |
| 28 | Cadiz | 16.5°C | 9.6°C | 16.5°C | 4.9 h | 8 | 2 h 54 min |
| 29 | Estepona | 16.5°C | 11.2°C | 15.9°C | 4.6 h | 9 | 2 h 54 min |
| 30 | Nerja | 16.4°C | 11.0°C | 15.9°C | 4.9 h | 7 | 2 h 48 min |
| 31 | Torrevieja | 16.4°C | 8.7°C | 16.2°C | 5.3 h | 4 | 2 h 36 min |
| 32 | Seville | 16.1°C | 7.7°C | - | 4.9 h | 7 | 2 h 42 min |
| 33 | Fuengirola | 16.0°C | 10.3°C | 15.9°C | 5.0 h | 7 | 2 h 48 min |
| 34 | La Cala de Mijas | 16.0°C | 10.3°C | 15.9°C | 5.0 h | 7 | 2 h 48 min |
| 35 | Alicante | 15.9°C | 9.1°C | 16.2°C | 5.0 h | 5 | 2 h 30 min |
| 36 | Benidorm | 15.8°C | 8.9°C | 16.2°C | 5.0 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 37 | Malaga | 15.8°C | 10.7°C | 15.8°C | 4.5 h | 7 | 2 h 48 min |
| 38 | Ibiza | 15.7°C | 11.3°C | 16.4°C | 5.1 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 39 | Costa Blanca | 15.7°C | 9.2°C | 16.1°C | 5.0 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 40 | Altea | 15.7°C | 8.7°C | 16.2°C | 5.0 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 41 | Mojacar | 15.7°C | 8.9°C | 16.3°C | 5.2 h | 4 | 2 h 42 min |
| 42 | Andalucia | 15.6°C | 9.7°C | 15.9°C | 4.7 h | 8 | 2 h 42 min |
| 43 | Torremolinos | 15.6°C | 9.8°C | 15.8°C | 4.5 h | 7 | 2 h 48 min |
| 44 | Costa del Sol | 15.5°C | 10.0°C | 15.9°C | 4.7 h | 8 | 2 h 48 min |
| 45 | Valencia | 15.5°C | 7.9°C | 15.6°C | 5.0 h | 5 | 2 h 24 min |
| 46 | Moraira | 15.5°C | 9.9°C | 16.1°C | 5.0 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 47 | Denia | 15.5°C | 10.4°C | 15.9°C | 5.0 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 48 | Santa Eulalia | 15.5°C | 11.6°C | 16.3°C | 5.0 h | 5 | 2 h 24 min |
| 49 | Es Cana | 15.5°C | 11.6°C | 16.3°C | 5.0 h | 5 | 2 h 24 min |
| 50 | Marbella | 15.4°C | 10.4°C | 15.9°C | 4.6 h | 9 | 2 h 48 min |
| 51 | Albir | 15.4°C | 8.5°C | 16.2°C | 5.0 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 52 | San Antonio | 15.4°C | 11.4°C | 16.1°C | 5.1 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 53 | Calpe | 15.3°C | 9.6°C | 16.1°C | 5.0 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 54 | Calas de Mallorca | 15.2°C | 10.8°C | 16.6°C | 4.6 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 55 | Cala d'Or | 15.2°C | 10.7°C | 16.6°C | 4.6 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 56 | Playa de Palma | 15.2°C | 10.6°C | 16.4°C | 4.6 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 57 | Can Pastilla | 15.2°C | 10.6°C | 16.4°C | 4.6 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 58 | Porto Cristo | 15.2°C | 10.8°C | 16.6°C | 4.6 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 59 | Majorca | 15.1°C | 10.7°C | 16.4°C | 4.6 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 60 | Palma | 15.1°C | 10.7°C | 16.4°C | 4.6 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 61 | Palma Nova | 15.1°C | 12.1°C | 16.4°C | 4.7 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 62 | Magaluf | 15.1°C | 12.1°C | 16.4°C | 4.7 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 63 | Puerto Pollensa | 15.1°C | 11.0°C | 16.2°C | 4.3 h | 8 | 2 h 18 min |
| 64 | Camp de Mar | 15.1°C | 12.1°C | 16.4°C | 4.8 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 65 | Alcudia | 15.0°C | 10.8°C | 16.2°C | 4.3 h | 8 | 2 h 24 min |
| 66 | Sa Coma | 15.0°C | 11.0°C | 16.5°C | 4.6 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 67 | Cala Bona | 15.0°C | 11.0°C | 16.5°C | 4.6 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 68 | Playa de Muro | 15.0°C | 10.8°C | 16.2°C | 4.3 h | 8 | 2 h 24 min |
| 69 | Cala Millor | 15.0°C | 11.0°C | 16.5°C | 4.6 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 70 | Paguera | 15.0°C | 12.0°C | 16.4°C | 4.8 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 71 | Santa Ponsa | 14.9°C | 11.9°C | 16.4°C | 4.7 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 72 | Menorca | 14.7°C | 12.2°C | 16.3°C | 4.4 h | 8 | 2 h 24 min |
| 73 | Cala'n Bosch | 14.7°C | 12.3°C | 16.3°C | 4.4 h | 8 | 2 h 18 min |
| 74 | Cala'n Forcat | 14.7°C | 12.3°C | 16.3°C | 4.4 h | 8 | 2 h 18 min |
| 75 | Cala Blanca | 14.7°C | 12.3°C | 16.3°C | 4.4 h | 8 | 2 h 18 min |
| 76 | Benalmadena | 14.3°C | 8.6°C | 15.9°C | 4.4 h | 8 | 2 h 48 min |
| 77 | Salou | 13.4°C | 6.4°C | 15.2°C | 4.7 h | 5 | 2 h 12 min |
| 78 | Costa Dorada | 13.4°C | 6.4°C | 15.2°C | 4.7 h | 5 | 2 h 12 min |
| 79 | La Pineda | 13.4°C | 6.4°C | 15.2°C | 4.7 h | 5 | 2 h 12 min |
| 80 | Mijas | 13.4°C | 7.6°C | 15.9°C | 4.4 h | 7 | 2 h 48 min |
| 81 | Tossa de Mar | 13.2°C | 6.2°C | 14.7°C | 4.4 h | 7 | 2 h 6 min |
| 82 | Santa Susanna | 13.2°C | 5.3°C | 14.8°C | 4.4 h | 7 | 2 h 6 min |
| 83 | Barcelona | 13.1°C | 6.2°C | 14.9°C | 4.5 h | 6 | 2 h 6 min |
| 84 | Costa Brava | 13.1°C | 5.5°C | 14.7°C | 4.4 h | 7 | 2 h 6 min |
| 85 | Lloret de Mar | 13.0°C | 5.1°C | 14.7°C | 4.4 h | 7 | 2 h 6 min |
| 86 | San Sebastian | 12.0°C | 7.4°C | 13.8°C | 2.6 h | 15 | 1 h 54 min |
| 87 | Madrid | 10.1°C | 2.1°C | - | 4.1 h | 7 | 2 h 18 min |
87 destinations shownClimate averages, not a forecast.
December climate overview
Daytime highs across Spain in December run from 10.1°C (Madrid) to 21.3°C (Puerto Rico). Even in Puerto Rico only 2% of days reach 25°C. Nights average 11.8°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Madrid fall to -2°C or below.
Rainfall in December
Expect around 6 rainy days (1 mm or more) in December, with Costa Teguise the driest (3 days) and San Sebastian the wettest (15 days). The wettest December at Puerto Rico between 1991 and 2020 was 1991 with 134 mm; the driest was 2006 with 0 mm.
Sea temperature
The sea averages 17.4°C around Spain in December - warmest at La Gomera (21.1°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 5.1 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 10.2 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).
December against the rest of the year in Spain
December is the 10th warmest month of the twelve in Spain. It is 2.5°C cooler than November and 0.9°C cooler in January. The hottest month here is August (28°C) and the coolest January (16°C).
Which part of Spain in December?
- Most sunshine: Tenerife, 6.6 h a day.
- Driest: Costa Teguise, about 3 rainy days.
- Warmest sea: La Gomera, 21°C.
- Hottest: Puerto Rico, 21°C by day.
- Coolest (better for walking and cities): Madrid, 10°C.
What to pack for Spain in December
Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 17°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 12°C; a light waterproof for the odd shower.
Similar weather elsewhere in December
Within 1.5°C of Spain's December daytime average: Madeira (18°C, sea 20°C), Sousse (18°C, sea 18°C), Ayia Napa (17°C, sea 19°C), Limassol (17°C, sea 20°C), Paphos (17°C, sea 19°C). See the full ranking for December.
Where to go for the warmest weather
The Canary Islands are the clearest choice if warmth is your priority. Puerto Rico, Puerto de Mogan and Amadores all average 21°C by day, making them better suited to sitting outside and spending time by the sea than Madrid, the coolest destination listed at 10°C. Gran Canaria also combines that daytime warmth with nights of 17°C, so evenings call for a light layer rather than dressing as you would for a hot summer night. La Gomera has slightly milder nights at 18°C. Choose Madrid if cooler weather does not trouble you, but do not use Spain's country average to plan your clothing there.
Expect useful sunshine, but pack for rain
Spain averages 5.1 hours of sunshine and 6 rainy days in December, so there is scope for outdoor plans without assuming every day will be dry. Keep your schedule flexible and bring a waterproof layer you can carry easily. The warmer destinations are not equally dry: Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogan average 4 rainy days, compared with 7 in Playa de la Arena and Puerto de Santiago. If reducing the chance of rain matters most, the former options have the better figures. Light layers give you flexibility in sunshine, while a jumper makes cooler evenings easier to dress for.
Is December suitable for a beach holiday?
December works better for a holiday with some beach time than for a trip that depends on hot days and warm-water swimming. The country sea average is 17°C, which is likely to feel chilly for a leisurely dip. Around the warmer listed Canary Island destinations, the sea averages 21°C, making swimming more appealing, though comfort still depends on your tolerance for cooler water. Plan beach time around the warmer part of the day and have a dry layer ready afterwards. These conditions suit travellers who prefer gentle warmth to strong heat, provided they are happy to change plans when rain arrives.
A little more detail
Spain in December FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Where is the hottest place in Spain in December?
Puerto Rico is the warmest of the 87 places we track in Spain in December with an average high of 21.3°C; Madrid is the coolest at 10.1°C.
Is the sea warm in Spain in December?
Not really: the warmest sea we track in Spain in December is 21.1°C at La Gomera, below the 22°C most people find comfortable.
How much warmer is Spain than London in December?
Spain averages 17°C by day, compared with London's 8°C. That makes it a reasonable choice for milder weather, but location matters: Madrid averages 10°C, while Puerto Rico reaches 21°C. Choose your destination rather than relying on the country average.
Can I expect hot weather in December?
Do not plan around hot weather. Puerto Rico, the hottest destination listed, averages 21°C by day, and only 2% of days exceed 25°C. Expect mild warmth that suits being outdoors more reliably than a holiday centred on heat.
Will I need a jumper in the evenings?
Yes, packing a jumper is sensible. Spain's average night temperature is 12°C. Even warmer choices such as Puerto Rico and Gran Canaria average 17°C at night, so daytime warmth does not mean you will be comfortable without an extra layer after dark.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at 87 destination points.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C