Spain Madrid Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Madrid is Moderate
December is Moderate for Madrid.
December is winter. Daytime 11°C, nighttime 3°C. Sunset 18:00.
Christmas lights citywide (mid-November to January 6) — Gran Vía + Calle Mayor + Cibeles are iconic. The Cibeles fountain + Palacio de Comunicaciones light show is the canonical Madrid Christmas photo.
Travel score
Madrid December Weather Stats
Avg High
11°C
Avg Low
3°C
Rainy Days
7
45mm total
Sunshine
5h
Daily avg
Humidity
70%
Comfortable
UV Index
2
Low
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 20
Sea Temp
0°C
N/A inland
Snow Days
1
Monthly avg
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 1 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
15 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
Good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
9°C
Nighttime
2°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 20 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Madrid Christmas lights (iconic)
- Plaza Mayor Christmas market
- NYE Puerta del Sol celebration
Cons
- Christmas/NYE hotel prices spike
- December 24-26 + Jan 1-6 many restaurants close
- Shortest days
December Events & Festivals
- Christmas lights citywide (mid-November to January 6)
- Christmas markets at Plaza Mayor
- NYE 12 grapes at Puerta del Sol
Madrid in December — Full Picture
December is winter. Daytime 11°C, nighttime 3°C. Sunset 18:00.
Christmas lights citywide (mid-November to January 6) — Gran Vía + Calle Mayor + Cibeles are iconic. The Cibeles fountain + Palacio de Comunicaciones light show is the canonical Madrid Christmas photo.
Plaza Mayor Christmas market (late November to December 23). NYE at Puerta del Sol — the iconic 12-grape ritual broadcast nationally (1M+ people in the square).
Hotel prices spike December 22 - January 6 (Christmas + Three Kings).
What to Wear & What to Pack
Winter coat + warm sweater + scarf + gloves. Days shortest of year.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
19.7°C
8.3°C
6.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
32.3°C
18°C
2.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
21.3°C
10.7°C
6/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current11.3°C
2.7°C
6.3/mo
Madrid Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10° | 2° | 6d·30mm | 5h | 70% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 13° | 3° | 6d·30mm | 6h | 65% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 17° | 5° | 5d·25mm | 7h | 60% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 19° | 8° | 8d·45mm | 8h | 60% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 23° | 12° | 7d·45mm | 9h | 55% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| 30° | 16° | 4d·20mm | 11h | 45% | 9 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 34° | 19° | 2d·10mm | 12h | 35% | 10 | Busy | Peak | |
| 33° | 19° | 2d·10mm | 11h | 35% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| September (Best) | 28° | 15° | 4d·20mm | 9h | 50% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| 22° | 11° | 7d·45mm | 7h | 60% | 5 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 14° | 6° | 7d·55mm | 5h | 70% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 11° | 3° | 7d·45mm | 5h | 70% | 2 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Madrid December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Madrid?
Madrid in December is Moderate. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Madrid in December?
Madrid December averages a high of 11°C and a low of 3°C.
Does it rain much in Madrid in December?
Madrid December averages 45mm of rainfall over about 7 rainy days.
What should I wear in Madrid in December?
Winter coat + warm sweater + scarf + gloves. Days shortest of year.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Madrid in December?
Madrid December sunrise is 08:30 and sunset is 18:00, with 9h 30m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Madrid in December?
Madrid December air quality (AQI) averages 45, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 15μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Madrid in December?
In December, Madrid is great for Christmas lights walk (Gran Vía + Cibeles), Plaza Mayor Christmas market, NYE 12 grapes at Sol.
Is December peak season in Madrid?
Madrid December crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Madrid
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.