What is the weather like in Spain during December?

Spain's December weather differs across regions. Madrid sees temperatures of 35-50°F (2-10°C) with occasional rain or snow. The southern regions including Seville and Granada stay more moderate at 45-60°F (7-16°C) which works well for city walks. Barcelona maintains Mediterranean conditions around 45-55°F (7-13°C). A recent visitor noted "the weather in southern Spain was perfect for exploring - cool enough for comfortable walking but sunny enough for outdoor cafes." Hotels like the Abades Nevada Palace in Granada give guests clear views of snow-covered mountains from heated indoor spaces.

What special festivals and events can I experience in Spain during December?

December brings holiday celebrations across Spain with notable Christmas markets and festivities. Madrid's Plaza Mayor hosts a traditional market with local crafts while Barcelona's Fira de Santa Llúcia sets up near the cathedral. The New Year's Eve gathering at Madrid's Puerta del Sol draws crowds for the traditional grape-eating at midnight. Cities like Granada and Seville put up extensive light displays throughout their streets. Many visitors stay at central locations like Hotel Riu Plaza España in Madrid to easily access these events.

What unique holiday foods can I try in Spain during December?

The Spanish holiday season brings out special treats across the country. Look for turrón (nougat) polvorones (shortbread cookies) and Toledo's famous marzipan. Street vendors in Madrid's Plaza Mayor sell hot roasted chestnuts. Local restaurants create special holiday menus featuring dishes like cocido madrileño a hearty winter stew. Hotels such as the Corinthia offer holiday dining that combines Spanish and Portuguese Christmas specialties.

Are major attractions open during December holidays in Spain?

Most key sites stay open in December with adjusted schedules for holidays. The Alhambra Granada's Sagrada Familia and Madrid's Royal Palace continue operations often featuring holiday exhibits. Visitors report fewer crowds at places like the Prado Museum which adds seasonal decorations. Note that attractions often close early December 24 and 31 with full closures December 25 and January 1. Hotels like the Alameda Palace help guests plan around holiday hours.

What are the best cities to visit in Spain during December?

Madrid Seville and Granada stand out as top December destinations. Madrid's Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol fill with holiday activities while Seville offers pleasant temperatures for exploring the Santa Cruz Quarter. Granada combines holiday spirit with views of snow-topped Sierra Nevada mountains near the Alhambra. Recent visitors note smaller crowds at major sites. Central hotels like Catalonia Giralda in Seville and Vincci Albayzín in Granada place guests near seasonal events.

How expensive is Spain in December compared to summer months?

December brings 20-30% lower prices than peak summer season. Multi-country tours like "Amazing Spain and Portugal" cost around 2695 USD in December versus 3500 USD in summer. Visitors report finding good deals on hotels and activities plus more attentive service at restaurants. Expect price increases during Christmas and New Year's especially at popular spots like Catalonia Barcelona 505.

Spain Tours in December 2026

10 best Spain trips in December 2026

View Map
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,Cascais,Sintra,Porto,Ciudad Rodrigo,Salamanca,Avila+13 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
10% Off
From $2,903
US$2,613per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
13 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour

View Map
City & Culture
Madrid and Barcelona dept Saturday
4.0 (5 reviews)
"Great value for money! for the price you can't go wrong."
Michael, traveled in May
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Madrid, Zaragoza, Poblet, Barcelona
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
10% Off
From
US$710per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
5 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
12 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
City & Culture
Spain in 9 Days: Covering Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid
5.0 (1 review)
"Every little detail was given in the itinerary; the hotels were centrally located to access everything we were to see."
M, traveled in July
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Montserrat, Valencia, Madrid, Toledo
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
WiseYatra
30% Off
From $2,498
US$1,758per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
City & Culture
Andalusia & Mediterranean Coast with Barcelona
4.5 (6 reviews)
"TOURRADAR made our trip to Spain easy and smooth, answered all our questions, and gave us an awesome tour."
Jeanette, traveled in June
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona,Zaragoza+1 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Spain
10% Off
From $1,765
US$1,589per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
7 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
21 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
City & Culture
Spain in 10 Days - Covering Barcelona, Seville and Madrid
4.5 (2 reviews)
"We got to Barcelona, Montserat, Madrid, Toledo, Seville, and Granada all in ten days of fun amidst the culture and architecture of the Old World."
Eric, traveled in March
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Sagrada Família, Montserrat, Madrid, Toledo,Seville,Granada+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
WiseYatra
30% Off
From $2,936
US$2,067per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
City & Culture
Absolutely Spain
4.8 (58 reviews)
"The tour is amazing and we enjoyed the country. We highly recommend this trip!"
Maria, traveled in September
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona,Zaragoza+1 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Eskapas
50% Off
From $3,800
US$1,900per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
7 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
21 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
City & Culture
Madrid and Barcelona
4.4 (5 reviews)
"This trip was so much fun. Hotels were very nice."
Ronald, traveled in October
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Madrid, Zaragoza, Poblet, Barcelona
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
50% Off
From
US$729per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
8 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
City & Culture
9-Day tour From Madrid to Barcelona through Andalusia and the Mediterranean Coast
3.8 (4 reviews)
"The tour offers an overview of each city, you have to do your homework and book extra tours."
JOHN, traveled in August
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Southern SpainAndalucia+1 more
Operated in
English, Portuguese,Spanish+1 more
Operator
Julia Travel
50% Off
From
US$2,004per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
5 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
19 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
View tour
View Map
City & Culture
Spanish Ring (without Alhambra)
4.0 (1 review)
"The tour was well versed and knowledgeable."
Jonathan, traveled in September
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Madrid, Zaragoza, Poblet, Barcelona, Peniscola, Valencia,Alicante,Guadix,Granada,Nerja,Malaga,Ronda,Seville,Cordoba,Consuegra+9 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
50% Off
From
US$1,684per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
8 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
City & Culture
Spanish Delights, 7 days from Madrid
4.3 (22 reviews)
"I really loved the opportunity to travel in Spain with a wonderful group of travelers."
Gloria, traveled in July
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Madrid, Merida, Seville, Cordoba, Ronda, Costa del Sol,Granada,Valencia,Barcelona+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
15% Off
From $1,326
US$1,127per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
5 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
12 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
Handpicked adventures loved by our team
TourRadar Curated
Ancient Wonders
Andalucia & Toledo, 5 days on Tuesdays
4.3 (47 reviews)
"We love the accommodation, it was decent and comfortable and location is good. Overall, it was a great tour."
Maria, traveled in April
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Ronda, Costa del Sol, Granada,Toledo+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Southern SpainAndalucia+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
15% Off
From $1,005
US$854per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
8 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
City & Culture
Spanish Ring
4.1 (180 reviews)
"We were very happy with the organization, the hotels and the wonderful places we visited."
Brian, traveled in March
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Madrid, Zaragoza, Poblet, Barcelona, Peniscola, Valencia,Alicante,Guadix,Granada,Nerja,Malaga,Ronda,Seville,Cordoba,Consuegra+9 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
15% Off
From
US$1,729per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
8 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
City & Culture
6-Day Andalucia & Toledo from Madrid
4.8 (10 reviews) award winner
"Andalusia is absolutely gorgeous and I can't even begin to describe how beautiful… Gotta be seen with your own eyes."
Agnieszka, traveled in July
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Madrid, Merida, Seville, Cordoba, Ronda, Torremolinos,Granada,Toledo+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Southern SpainAndalucia+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
15% Off
From $1,092
US$929per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
5 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
12 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
City & Culture
Flavors of Spain: A 11 Day Journey Through Madrid, Seville, Granada & Barcelona
4.9 (8 reviews)
"Good itinerary and Service"
Ross, traveled in April
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Barcelona
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Southern SpainAndalucia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Wonderful Holidays UK
9% Off
From $4,500
US$4,095per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
2 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
5 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
View tour
View Map
City & Culture
A Taste of Spain: : 11 Days Across Madrid, Seville, Granada & Barcelona
5.0 (2 reviews)
"Great tour and flexible"
Donald, traveled in June
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Madrid, Seville, Granada, Barcelona
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Southern SpainAndalucia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Wanderful Holidays LLC
12% Off
From $3,899
US$3,431per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
2 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
5 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
View tour