Month guide · San Sebastián · Spain
San Sebastián in December
What December is really like in San Sebastián: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Spike, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 13°C (55°F), lows of 6°C (43°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 9 hours of daylight. Cool and damp; Christmas lights and the Santo Tomás market bring the city out before the holidays.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 13°C (55°F) / 6°C (43°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 14°C (57°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in San Sebastián: days average 13°C (55°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 6°C (43°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with November (15°C (59°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 12°C (54°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 08:34
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:33
- Daylight
- About 9 hours
- Sea
- 14°C (57°F)
Winter (December–February). Mild but rainy, with storm waves, the Tamborrada and cider houses; the lowest prices and the most local atmosphere in the bars.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Santo Tomás fair — farmers' market with txistorra sausage stalls (21 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Miramón
Eureka! Zientzia Museoa
The city's science museum in the Miramón technology park has hands-on exhibits on physics, the human body and nature, a planetarium and simulators.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Beach · Centro
La Concha beach and promenade
Walk the promenade at sunset towards Ondarreta, then return along the beach at low tide.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Parte Vieja
Parte Vieja pintxo bars
The old town's bars line their counters with pintxos — small bites on bread or skewers — and cook hot ones to order from a blackboard.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Food
- After dark
Viewpoint · Igeldo
Monte Igueldo funicular and viewpoint
Go up in the late afternoon for the light on the bay, and walk back down the road if you want to save the return fare.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 13°C, lows near 6°C and 14 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit San Sebastián?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
San Sebastián in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit San Sebastián?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cool and damp; Christmas lights and the Santo Tomás market bring the city out before the holidays.
+How warm is San Sebastián in December?
Average highs are around 13°C (55°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San Sebastián in December?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.