Visiting Spain in December
Spain in December
Whisper it quietly, but winter is actually a great season to travel to Spain, and December is the best month to do it. Temperatures haven’t yet dipped to their lows and the special charm of Christmas dances in the air. But don’t let the secret out!
Although the weather varies considerably throughout the country, it’s generally sunny and quite dry, except in the North and in the Pyrenees.
For winter sports fans, you’ll be delighted with the arrival of cold and snow, as there are many great ski resorts in Spain.
While the sheer number of festivities on the calendar almost every month may make it feel like Spain is in constant party mode, December takes it up a notch. Visitors cannot miss the enchanting Christmas markets that spring up in cities all across the country and bring an added dash of festive cheer.
And of course, anyone here in late December absolutely must participate in the uniquely Spanish way of ringing in the New Year.
For foodies, warm, seasonal dishes help us to fight away the cold in an always delicious way.
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Weather
Spain looks pretty small on a map, but the weather can be surprisingly different depending on the region. This is especially true in winter. So much so, that you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’d entered a different country as you head from the wet, chilly north to the dry sunny south. Landscapes can also vary to almost shocking degrees.
In December, the coast of Levante (Spain’s eastern coast) and the south typically have mostly sunny days with mild temperatures. The average daily temperature in southern Andalusia in December is 55º F (13º C).
Alicante, in the east, registers an even warmer average daily temp of 57º F (14º C). Expect early morning and nighttime to be chilly, but for midday temperatures to be quite pleasant for strolling.
Madrid and the North are generally colder, with an average temperature of 48º F (9º C) in the capital and 52º F (11º C) in Bilbao in the Basque country. Both central and northern Spain present much higher chances of rain, with anywhere from 8-12 rainy days each month. Pack a raincoat.
Events
Christmastime in Spain means markets, hearty meals, and lively family gatherings. Cities are also all decked out in the winter decorations and loads of events and Christmas programming take place allover the nation.
Be aware that the week of December 6 is a sort of holiday in Spain as there are two bank holidays in the week and many Spaniards take vacations around this time. Bear this in mind when planning as some services will be closed and hotel availability may be lower.
Festivity of the Inmaculada Concepción
The Day of the Immaculate Conception, on December 8, is an important festivity all over Spain, and it’s celebrated in all the cathedrals of the country. However, in Seville’s cathedral it’s celebrated with the Seise’s (choirboys) dance, a liturgical dance that is several centuries old.
Song of the Sybil in Majorca
Designated by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the tradition of this song comes from medieval liturgical celebrations. It’s sung by a young man accompanied by the organ, and it takes place on Christmas Eve in all the churches of the island of Majorca.
The Song of the Sybil is an interesting example of medieval religious folklore that has been passed on from generation to generation, and watching it in Palma de Mallorca’s Cathedral is certainly an experience worth having.
Cartagena International Film Festival
This festival has been held in Cartagena, in the eastern coastal region of Murcia, since 1972, and it’s a good excuse to visit one of the most beautiful towns of the Spanish Levante coast.
The film festival is reason enough to visit, but further bolstering the appeal of a December visit is the city’s well-preserved Roman theater, a charming old town, and the perennial sunny weather.
Festivity of Santa Lucía de Tirajana in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
These festivities, held on December 13th, have been declared of “National Tourist Interest”. They’re held every year in the capital of the Canary Islands, and they always gather large crowds. The celebrations honor the town’s patroness, Saint Lucy.
There are a series of processions where people come dressed in typical costumes accompanied by carts and cattle, laden with products of the land for tasting.
The procession highlights the pilgrimage of the Labradores (farm workers), as well as the day of the Haragán (the idler), which is a way to rest after the busy day of the Virgin.
You shouldn’t need any excuse to visit the warm Canary islands in winter, but now you have one just in case!
Vic’s Medieval Market (Catalonia)
During four days in December (usually the first weekend of the month, coinciding with a bank holiday), the old town of Vic, in the heart of Catalonia, recalls the historical past of the city with a large medieval market.
In it, visitors can browse artisans’ stalls selling everything from medieval goods to perfumes and soaps, watch performances, and taste all manner of delicious local specialties.
All this takes place in an environment that has been meticulously curated to appear exactly as it would have in Medieval times. This is a favorite activity for residents coming from nearby Barcelona, so you should expect large crowds.
Where to visit in December
The cold is not an excuse to not visit Spain in December, as temperatures are not extreme in most of the country. Those who detest the cold really only need avoid visiting the far north and certain parts of central Spain.
For everyone else, pack some warm layers and a raincoat and you’re sure to have a great time.
Seville
The enchanting capital of Andalusia looks fantastic in December, with Christmas lights and cheery markets decorating the streets. It’s also the warmest city in Spain this time of year!
Madrid
One of the most famous Christmas markets in the country is located in Plaza Mayor, the Spanish capital’s central square. Aside from the fabulous market, splendid Christmas lights all throughout the city and an unparalleled wealth of cultural activities make it a must-visit destination in winter.
Vigo
The ambition of Vigo’s mayor since 2018 is to win the title of “largest Christmas light display in the world”. He’s undeterred by the competition from far larger cities (like New York and Paris), and Vigo really puts on a show.
It’s become a bit of a running gag in the country, but it has genuinely made this charming Galician town a favorite destination in December. The mayor almost certainly will not win the competition, but Vigo has benefitted all the same. And realistically, that was probably always the point.
Canary Islands (Tenerife in particular)
The Canaries are an archipelago of seven islands located 650 miles away from the Iberian peninsula, closer to the coast of Africa than they are to Spain.
These “lucky islands” boast an average temperature of 75.2º F (24º C) in winter, which make they the perfect spot to experience a very different Christmas: in flip-flops and short-sleeve shirts!
White villages in Sierra Nevada
If you’re fond of mountain scenery and picturesque little towns, then head to the Sierra Nevada mountains in Southeastern Spain for the ultimate mix of both!
Lovely white villages such as Capileira and Pampaneira, which enchanted Gerald Brenan, Virginia Woolf, and other important writers at the beginning of the past century, only look more charming when covered in snow.
What to do in December
Visit the Christmas market of Santa Llucia in Barcelona
December 13 or Santa Llucia’s day (St. Lucy in Catalan) is the starting signal for this large Christmas market located in front the of the Cathedral of Barcelona. A traditional activity that you will share with hosts of Barcelonians and that will make you experience real Catalan tradition.
Ski in the Pyrenees
Ski and winter sports lovers shouldn’t miss some of the best resorts in the country, such as Baqueira-Beret in Lleida (Catalonia) or Formigal in Huesca (Aragón). Both offer a mix of highly-demanding slopes for those most experienced but also large areas for beginners, and wonderful options for après-ski. After all, Spain is famous for its party!
Eat churros in Madrid
People from Madrid love their churros with hot chocolate in the morning. No wonder, as they are really delicious. On a Sunday morning, nothing more typical of the capital city than spending hours in a traditional cafeteria where you may order one serving after another.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Puerta del Sol (Madrid)
Eating grapes to the beat of the 12 strokes of midnight on December 31 to see out the year is a Christmas tradition that no Spaniard skips. Doing it in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol is a plus, but you will find the same celebration in every square of every town and village.
You are supposed to eat the grapes correctly, one for each of the 12 tolls of the midnight clock tower, in order to have a lucky new year.
Visit the world’s largest chocolate nativity scene (Cordoba)
The town of Rute, in Cordoba, is home to what is said to be the world’s largest edible nativity scene. To make this impressive 65 square meter nativity scene, more than 3,500 pounds of dark, white and colored chocolate are used.
When Christmas is over, this special monument is dismantled and given to the schools of the area, where happy students enjoy the treat. If you are a chocolate lover, beware of this visit because it will make you really hungry!
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