Which cities in Spain and Portugal are best to visit in December?

The winter charm of Madrid and Barcelona shines through their festive markets and wealth of indoor cultural spaces. The Prado Museum and Sagrada Familia provide warmth and artistic refuge. Further south Seville and Granada's gentle winter temperatures make exploring the Alcazar and Alhambra comfortable. In Portugal Porto beckons with its intimate port wine cellars while Lisbon's TimeOut Market serves as a central gathering spot during cool days. A TourRadar review notes: "The Lutecia Hotel in Lisbon was perfectly located for December sightseeing close to indoor attractions and Christmas markets."

What is the weather like in Portugal and Spain during December?

The Iberian Peninsula sees distinct regional patterns in December. Andalusia in southern Spain stays mild with daytime temperatures of 15-18°C (59-64°F). Northern regions of both countries cool down to 10-13°C (50-55°F). Barcelona and Valencia benefit from Mediterranean conditions while Madrid's continental climate brings colder spells near 5°C (41°F). Portugal's Atlantic coast including Porto and Lisbon tends toward rain. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The weather in southern Spain was perfect for sightseeing in December - not too hot or cold though we needed layers for morning and evening."

What special Christmas events or festivities can I experience in Portugal and Spain during December?

December transforms city centers into winter celebrations. Madrid's Plaza Mayor fills with traditional market stalls while Barcelona's Gothic Quarter comes alive with local crafts and food. Lisbon's Wonderland Lisboa adds ice skating to the mix. In Cordoba the Mosque-Cathedral resonates with holiday concerts and Seville's Plaza San Francisco glows with evening lights. As one TourRadar traveler notes: "The Christmas atmosphere in Madrid was incredible with the whole city decorated in lights and the smell of roasted chestnuts everywhere."

Are major attractions and sites open during December holidays?

Visitors will find most key sites operating on regular schedules through December with limited hours on December 24-25. This includes the Alhambra Granada's Sagrada Familia and major institutions like Madrid's Prado Museum. Many locations add special holiday programming and evening light displays. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Most attractions were open but we stayed at the excellent AC Hotel Forum Oviedo which helped us plan around holiday closures."

What unique winter culinary experiences are available in December?

Winter brings out distinctive holiday foods across the region. Spain offers turrón (nougat) and polvorones (shortbread) while Portugal celebrates with bolo rei (king cake) and rabanadas (Portuguese French toast). Restaurants showcase seasonal specialties like Portuguese bacalhau and Spanish cochinillo. Madrid's historic cafes serve steaming cups of chocolate with churros. A TourRadar reviewer shared: "The Christmas markets in Barcelona offered amazing seasonal treats and the Hampton by Hilton Barcelona Fira Gran Via recommended great local restaurants."

Are there any significant festivals or cultural events in December?

The month fills with cultural celebrations starting with Spain's Constitution Day on December 6 followed by the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. Cities host Christmas Eve processions while Portugal honors Nossa Senhora da Conceição with festivals in Porto and Lisbon. As shared by TourRadar travelers: "The December festivals and processions in Seville were spectacular with traditional music and dancing in the streets."

Portugal and Spain Tours in December 2026

Dec '26
May '27

10 best Portugal and Spain trips in December 2026

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City & Culture
Best of Spain and Portugal (Classic, Winter, End Barcelona) (20 destinations)
4.0 (1 review)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Gibraltar
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
10% Off
From $4,925
US$4,433per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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27 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
Spain and Portugal Uncovered (Classic - Winter)
Duration
19 days
Destinations
Madrid, Burgos, Pamplona, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Zaragoza,Barcelona,Valencia,Granada,Toledo,Cordoba,Seville,Lisbon,Sintra,Cascais,Porto,Ciudad Rodrigo,Salamanca,Avila+13 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
15% Off
From $3,550
US$3,018per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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13 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
23D Spain Portugal Morocco Premium Small Grp Tour
Duration
23 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Gibraltar Morocco
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Julia Travel
15% Off
From
US$8,111per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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11 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
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City & Culture
Madrid to Marrakech
4.5 (37 reviews)
"Excellent holiday, great team of people."
Julia, traveled in April
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Morocco
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Northern Morocco
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
25% Off
From $4,991
US$3,744per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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12 Dec, 2026
2 spaces left
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City & Culture
14-Day Portugal, Andalucia & Morocco
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Morocco
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
25% Off
From
US$2,475per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
8 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
18-Day Tour to Portugal, Andalusia and Morocco from Madrid
3.0 (2 reviews)
"Fascinating places made more fascinating by the excellent multilingual guides."
Margaret, traveled in July
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Morocco
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
Remaz Tours GmbH
25% Off
From
US$5,105per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
8 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
10-Day Tour to Northern Spain and Galicia
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Spain France Portugal
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
Remaz Tours GmbH
25% Off
From
US$2,858per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
8 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
17-Day Madrid, Portugal, Andalucia & Morocco
Duration
17 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Morocco
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
25% Off
From
US$2,852per person
+$86 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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6 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
13 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
From Lisbon: 16-Day Andalucia, Morocco & Porto
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Portugal Spain Morocco
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
25% Off
From
US$2,960per person
+$97 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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3 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
10 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
From Lisbon: 13-Day Andalucia & Morocco
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Portugal Spain Morocco
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
25% Off
From
US$2,413per person
+$86 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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3 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
10 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
Spain, Portugal and Morocco (Small Group)
4.8 (64 reviews)
"The architecture and the landscape were spectacular! I loved the rich history of Spain, Portugal and Morocco."
George, traveled in August
Duration
21 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Gibraltar Morocco
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English
Operator
Eskapas
7% Off
From $8,000
US$7,440per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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13 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
Spain & Portugal highlights W/Optional Moroccan Day Trip
5.0 (9 reviews)
"this tour covered an incredible variety of landscapes and cultures."
Ema, traveled in February
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Spain Morocco Portugal
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Wanderful Holidays LLC
6% Off
From $4,499
US$4,229per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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3 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
5 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
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Ancient Wonders
Portugal, Andalusia and Morocco (Multi country)
3.0 (3 reviews)
"The actual tour itself was good. Guides were great, accommodation was excellent."
Louise, traveled in February
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Morocco
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Spain
10% Off
From $4,520
US$4,068per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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15 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
22 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
From Lisbon 10-Day Andalucia & Morocco
4.1 (11 reviews)
"Wonderful trip. Amazing places. We will vacation again with TourRadar."
Linda, traveled in June
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Portugal Spain Morocco
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
10% Off
From
US$1,991per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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5 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
12 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
Three Countries
2.7 (3 reviews)
Duration
17 days
Destinations
France Andorra Spain Portugal
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
10% Off
From
US$2,842per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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