What December feels like in Barcelona
For Barcelona, December is early winter on the calendar. Days are on the cool side, the kind of weather that suits brisk sightseeing. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights are cold and the temperature hardly changes after dark. The air is damp, which makes cool temperatures feel colder, particularly in wind.
Rain in Barcelona in December
Rain turns up now and then — about one day in 6. Wet days average about 6.8 mm (0.3 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. That is close to Barcelona's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 7.3 mm).
Daylight and sunshine in December
On 15 December the sun rises at about 8:10 am and sets around 5:23 pm local time, giving 9 h 13 min of daylight. Days are getting shorter: 41 min less daylight than in mid-November. About 80% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, skies are mostly clear.
How December compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, December comes out as the 3rd coolest month in Barcelona. Afternoons run 2.9°C (5.2°F) cooler than in November, with 23 mm less rain. The cooling trend carries on into January. The next month's average high: 13.2°C (55.8°F).
Who December suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
Tips for visiting Barcelona in December
Light Jacket
A light jacket or knit layer is enough for most of the day.
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is Barcelona in December?
Expect around 14.1°C (57.4°F) in the afternoon and 6.2°C (43.2°F) at night, which most visitors would call cool.
Does it rain a lot in Barcelona in December?
Not especially. There are about 5 rainy days (34 mm), mostly moderate rain.
What should I wear in Barcelona in December?
Based on the averages: a light jacket and sunglasses. There is little need to change for the evening.
Is December or January better for visiting Barcelona?
On our 12-month climate ranking, January comes out ahead (#2 of 12 vs #3).