December in Barcelona averages highs of 15 °C (59 °F) and lows of 6 °C (43 °F), with about 3 rainy days and 9 h 12 min of daylight. The sea is cold, around 16 °C (60 °F).
December weather in Barcelona at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit Barcelona?
Good time to go: cool and fairly dry. December is usually low season in Barcelona: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in December 2026
- Sun 6 Dec: Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución) public holiday
- Tue 8 Dec: Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepción) public holiday
- Fri 25 Dec: Christmas Day (Navidad) public holiday
- Sat 26 Dec: St. Stephen's Day (Feast of Saint Stephen) public holiday
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Barcelona in December
December's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Park Güell — timed tickets outdoors
- Gothic Quarter and El Born — plus the Picasso Museum outdoors
- Barceloneta beach — and the seafront promenade outdoors
- Montjuïc — castle, gardens and the Miró foundation outdoors
- Sagrada Família — book the first slot indoors
- Casa Batlló and Passeig de Gràcia — Gaudí's best house indoors
Where to stay: Eixample for Gaudí and good transport; Gothic Quarter or El Born for old streets; Gràcia for a local feel.
What to pack for Barcelona in December
- Layers and a light jacket: days around 15 °C (59 °F), nights near 6 °C (43 °F).
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Barcelona costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €65–145 | €160–320 |
Excluding flights. December is usually low season in Barcelona: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nice | 14° / 6° | 5 | Tough month |
| Madrid | 12° / 3° | 5 | Mixed weather |
| Florence | 12° / 3° | 10 | Tough month |
Plan your Barcelona trip
- ChatGPT vs AI Trip Planner App: Which Plans Better? (2026)
- How to Plan a Group Trip: 7 Steps Without the Drama
- 3 Days in Barcelona Itinerary: First-Timer's Plan for 2026
- Is Barcelona Expensive? A Realistic Budget Guide for 2026
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Barcelona?
By the numbers, December is a good time to go: cool and fairly dry, with average highs of 15 °C (59 °F) and about 3 rainy days. December is usually low season in Barcelona: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are May, June.
How warm is Barcelona in December?
Average highs are 15 °C (59 °F) and lows 6 °C (43 °F) (2015–2024 averages). The sea is cold, around 16 °C (60 °F).
Does it rain a lot in Barcelona in December?
Expect about 3 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 25 mm in total. It is the 2nd driest month of the year in Barcelona.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.