What December feels like in Bilbao
In Bilbao, December brings early winter. Afternoons are cool, pleasant for walking as long as you keep a layer on. There is little difference between day and night: nights are cool, and evenings feel much like the afternoon. The air is damp, which makes cool temperatures feel colder, particularly in wind.
Rain in Bilbao in December
December is persistently wet here: some rain falls on about every other day. A rainy day brings about 7.4 mm (0.3 in) on average — steady rain rather than a passing shower. Across the year Bilbao averages about 6.9 mm per rainy day, so December is typical.
Daylight and sunshine in December
Mid-month, Bilbao gets 9 h of daylight, from sunrise near 8:37 am to sunset near 5:37 pm. Evenings are drawing in — 45 min less daylight than mid-November. About 63% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, there are plenty of bright spells.
How December compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, December comes out as the 3rd coolest month in Bilbao. Compared with November, afternoons are 2.4°C (4.3°F) cooler, with 42 mm less rain. January is cooler again. The next month's average high: 12.1°C (53.8°F).
Who December suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
Tips for visiting Bilbao in December
Rain Protection
Keep a small umbrella in your bag and wear shoes that cope with puddles.
Light Jacket
Bring a sweater or light coat for cool afternoons.
Quick questions
How warm is Bilbao in December?
It feels cool: typical highs are 13.2°C (55.8°F), with lows near 7.7°C (45.9°F).
Does it rain a lot in Bilbao in December?
Yes, fairly — rain falls about every other day and totals about 111 mm, so an umbrella is worth carrying.
What should I wear in Bilbao in December?
Pack rain protection and a light jacket. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is December or January better for visiting Bilbao?
December scores better on our climate ranking (#9 of 12 vs #12), rated Good against Fair. January is cooler and has more rainy days.