Portugal and Spain Tours in December 2025

What our customers ask about Portugal and Spain Tours in December 2025

• 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."