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 2025

Dec '25
May '26

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Explorer
Best of Spain and Portugal (Classic, Winter, End Barcelona) (15 destinations)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Gibraltar
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
10% Off
From $7,795
NZ$7,020per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Spain and Portugal Highlights (Classic - Winter)
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Porto,Salamanca,Avila+2 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
10% Off
From $2,446
NZ$2,201per person
Price based on Shared Room
23 Dec, 2025
1 space left
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Explorer
Best of Spain and Portugal (Classic - Winter)
Duration
19 days
Destinations
Madrid, Burgos, Pamplona, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Zaragoza,Barcelona,Valencia,Granada,Toledo,Cordoba,Seville,Lisbon,Sintra,Cascais,Porto,Salamanca,Avila+12 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
10% Off
From $5,106
NZ$4,595per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Active
18-Day Tour to Portugal, Andalusia and Morocco from Madrid
3.0 (2 traveler 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
10% Off
From
NZ$9,072per person
Price based on Private Double Room
23 Dec, 2025
10+ spaces left
30 Dec, 2025
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Iberian Capitals, Andalucia & Morocco - 16 days
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Morocco
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
20% Off
From $6,150
NZ$4,920per person
Price based on Private Double Room
24 Dec, 2025
4 spaces left
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13 Day Spain & Portugal Tour including Gibraltar
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Spain Gibraltar Portugal
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Bucket List Group Travel LLC
20% Off
From
NZ$6,187per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
19-Day Madrid, Lisbon, Seville, Cordoba, Fez, Marrakech, Granada and more.
Duration
20 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Morocco
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
Remaz Tours GmbH
20% Off
From
NZ$8,880per person
Price based on Private Double Room
22 Dec, 2025
10+ spaces left
29 Dec, 2025
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
9 Day-Barcelona, Madrid, Porto and Lisbon
4.5 (2 traveler reviews)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Barcelona, Madrid, Porto, Lisbon
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
STM Tours LLC
30% Off
From $4,264
NZ$2,985per person
Price based on Private Double Room
19 Dec, 2025
10 spaces left
20 Dec, 2025
10 spaces left
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Explorer
Discovery of Spain & Portugal - 15 days
3.7 (34 traveler reviews)
"I was able to see sites that I have wanted to see for years and was beyond thrilled with the scenery!!"
Sharon, traveled in April
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Madrid, Segovia, Avila, Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela,Viana do Castelo,Porto,Fatima,Aveiro,Lisbon,Merida,Seville,Cordoba,Granada,Valencia,Barcelona+11 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Click Tours
28% Off
From $5,768
NZ$4,153per person
Price based on Private Double Room
29 Dec, 2025
10+ spaces left
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In-depth Cultural
Best of Spain & Portugal
4.4 (35 traveler reviews)
"Well organised and good pace. All went smoothly."
Marlene, traveled in July
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Lisbon, Sintra, Batalha, Coimbra, Aveiro, Fatima, Porto,Madrid,Granada,Cordoba,Seville,Barcelona+5 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
28% Off
From
NZ$5,679per person
Price based on Shared Room
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In-depth Cultural
16-Day Portugal , Andalucia & Morocco
3.6 (5 traveler reviews)
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Morocco
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
28% Off
From
NZ$4,389per person
Price based on Private Double Room
24 Dec, 2025
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Three Countries (including Caceres)
2.7 (3 traveler reviews)
Duration
17 days
Destinations
France Andorra Spain Portugal
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
28% Off
From
NZ$4,616per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
From Lisbon 10-Day Andalucia & Morocco
4.1 (11 traveler 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
28% Off
From
NZ$3,477per person
Price based on Private Double Room
20 Dec, 2025
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Andalucia, Lisbon & Morocco Explorer - 13 days
4.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Spain Portugal Morocco
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
20% Off
From $5,515
NZ$4,412per person
Price based on Private Double Room
24 Dec, 2025
4 spaces left
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Explorer
The Big Tour of Spain, Morocco and Portugal
2.7 (20 traveler reviews)
"Very comprehensive and generally very nice hotels and very good guides."
Frank, traveled in March
Duration
23 days
Destinations
Spain Morocco Portugal
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
20% Off
From
NZ$6,398per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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