Weather in Ibiza in December

How December compares

December is the 10th warmest month of the year in Ibiza and ranks 73rd of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within Spain it is 38th of 87 (Spain in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Ibiza is 8.0°C warmer by day and 8.6°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Ibiza peaks at 15.7°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 18.3°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 11.3°C; one night in ten drops to 8.2°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 21.2°C (2015-12-16) and the coldest night 3.5°C (2010-12-27).

Rain in December

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 6 days with 1 mm or more, 35 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2004 with 131 mm, the driest 2015 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 72%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 16.4°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 15.6°C to 17.1°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (26.5°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.1 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:06 and sets about 17:33 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 46%.

Is December a good time to visit Ibiza?

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

Mild afternoons, but pack for cool evenings

December is comfortable for walking if you dress for mild rather than warm weather. The average high of 15.7°C makes a light jumper or layered outfit a more sensible starting point than shorts and a vest. Warmer days can reach 18.3°C or more, so having a layer you can remove is useful, but do not plan around summer-like heat. After dark, the average low is 11.3°C, with the coldest nights dropping to 8.2°C or below. Bring a jacket and closed shoes for evenings. This suits travellers who prefer being active outdoors to sitting still in search of a tan.

Use the daylight and leave room for rain

Expect some sunshine, but not an uninterrupted run of clear skies. December averages about 5.1 hours of sunshine within 9.3 hours of daylight, so it makes sense to put outdoor plans into the brighter part of the day rather than leave them until late afternoon. There are about 6 rainy days, enough to make a waterproof jacket useful without treating rain as the whole story of the month. Keep your plans movable and check the forecast before committing to a long spell outdoors. The practical compromise is to enjoy dry windows while being comfortable changing plans when it turns wet.

The sea is the main limitation

The sea averages 16.4°C in December, which is cold rather than merely refreshing. That is the clearest reason to choose another month if swimming is central to your holiday. Even a mild, sunny afternoon does not make the water warm, and the year-to-year range of 16°C to 17°C gives little reason to expect a different experience. Time beside the sea is a more realistic focus than long swims or lingering in wet swimwear. If you do enter the water, plan to dry off and dress warmly afterwards. For most travellers, December works better as an outdoor break on land.