December in Porto averages highs of 15 °C (58 °F) and lows of 9 °C (48 °F), with about 13 rainy days and 9 h 13 min of daylight. The sea is cold, around 15 °C (60 °F).
December weather in Porto at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit Porto?
Tough month: cool and wet. December is usually low season in Porto: 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
- Tue 1 Dec: Restoration of Independence (Restauração da Independência) public holiday
- Tue 8 Dec: Immaculate Conception (Imaculada Conceição) public holiday
- Fri 25 Dec: Christmas Day (Natal) 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 Porto in December
With frequent rain in December, here are the indoor picks first, then the outdoor ones for drier spells.
- Port cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia — tastings across the river indoors
- Livraria Lello and Clérigos Tower — book ahead for both indoors
- São Bento station tiles — 20,000 azulejos in the hall indoors
- Ribeira and the Dom Luís I bridge — walk the top deck at sunset outdoors
- Foz do Douro — ocean promenade and lighthouse outdoors
- Douro Valley day trip — vineyards and river views outdoors
Where to stay: Ribeira and Baixa for sights on foot; Cedofeita for cafés; Foz for the ocean.
What to pack for Porto in December
- Layers and a light jacket: days around 15 °C (58 °F), nights near 9 °C (48 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 13 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Porto costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €50–110 | €140–280 |
Excluding flights. December is usually low season in Porto: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | 16° / 10° | 6 | Mixed weather |
| Madrid | 12° / 3° | 5 | Mixed weather |
| Seville | 17° / 8° | 5 | Good time to go |
Plan your Porto trip
- Romantic Weekend in Porto: 2-Day Plan for Couples (2026)
- How to Plan a Trip in 10 Minutes (2026 Step-by-Step)
- Best Time to Visit Portugal: Month-by-Month Guide 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 Porto?
By the numbers, December is a tough month: cool and wet, with average highs of 15 °C (58 °F) and about 13 rainy days. December is usually low season in Porto: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are July, August, September.
How warm is Porto in December?
Average highs are 15 °C (58 °F) and lows 9 °C (48 °F) (2015–2024 averages). The sea is cold, around 15 °C (60 °F).
Does it rain a lot in Porto in December?
Expect about 13 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 182 mm in total. It is the wettest month of the year in Porto.
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.