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Weather in Portugal in December – is it worth traveling to?

Is the weather good for travel in December? Find out what the weather is like in Portugal to plan your trip accordingly.
Check flight prices to Portugal on Avionero:
December

Is the weather good in Portugal in December 2024?

OK Weather
Mild
🌧️
Rainy

For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Portugal during December have been around +61°F.

In Portugal the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +61°F in Ponta Delgada to +57°F in Porto. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.

Temperature, wind and humidity in December

Average
Faro
Funchal
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada
Porto
Terceira Island
☀️
+61°F
Avg. max. temperature
+32°F
Min.
+77°F
Max.
117 mm
Total precipitation
78%
Avg. humidity
4 m/s
Avg. wind
6 ☀️
Sunny Days
9 ⛅️
Cloudy
15 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: Portugal has OK weather in December.
Portugal in December – what city is the…
  • rainiest? Porto, with an average of 5 mm of rain and humidity of 79%;
  • warmest? Ponta Delgada, with daytime temperatures averaging +64°F;
  • windiest? Ponta Delgada, with an average of 5 m/s;
  • coolest? Porto, with daytime temperatures averaging +57°F;

How good is the weather in Portugal in December?

During December, the Portugal is characterized by variable weather with air pressure around 1018 HPa and therefore elements of sun, rain, and wind – with a little extra emphasis on the latter two. The humidity in December ranges between 71% in Funchal and 80% in Ponta Delgada.

How warm is it in Portugal during December?

Variable weather with sun, rain and wind: +61°F in average daily temperature.

This is how hot it usually is in December

The average daily temperatures above don't tell you everything about how hot it can be in Portugal. For example, cold nights can make a big difference for those staying in tents or unheated houses. Extra hot days, on the other hand, can make a big difference for those who plan to engage in demanding physical training or competition. So here are some more temperatures for December:
Average
Faro
Funchal
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada
Porto
Terceira Island
  • Average maximum temperature for the month: +61°F;
  • Average minimum temperature for the month: +54°F;
  • Highest monthly temperature: +61°F;
  • Lowest monthly temperature: +54°F;

Monthly temperatures:

Average
Faro
Funchal
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada
Porto
Terceira Island
  • Warmest: August with an average +77°F during the day;
  • Coldest: January with an average +59°F of the day;
  • Hottest month in hottest city: July in Faro;
  • Coldest month in coolest city: February in Terceira Island;

Winds in Portugal during December

Wind speed in Portugal in December based on historical data:
Average
Faro
Funchal
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada
Porto
Terceira Island

December tends to offer light winds averaging 4 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.

Comparison between cities in December:

  • Highest average wind speed: Terceira Island with 4 m/s;
  • Lowest average wind speed: Faro with 3 m/s;
  • Windiest day of the month: Ponta Delgada with 7 m/s;
  • The least windy day of the month: Faro with 2 m/s;

Humidity and precipitation in Portugal in December

Amount of rainfall in mm during December in Portugal based on historical data:
Average
Faro
Funchal
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada
Porto
Terceira Island
December tends to be an extremely humid month with 75% humidity and 60 mm rainfall. In general the humidity tends to be a little lower in mountainous regions and more humid closer to water.

Comparison between cities in December:

Average
Faro
Funchal
Lisbon
Ponta Delgada
Porto
Terceira Island
  • Highest average rainfall: Porto with 150 mm;
  • Lowest average rainfall: Faro with 88 mm;
  • Most number of rainy days: Terceira Island with 19 rainy days;
  • Least number of rainy days: Faro with 10 rainy days;
  • Highest risk of rain during the day: Terceira Island with 61%;
  • Least risk of rain during the day: Faro with 32%;
  • Highest average humidity: Ponta Delgada with 80%;
  • Lowest average humidity: Funchal with 71%;

Tips for traveling to Portugal in December

Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Portugal? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.

Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the Portugal based on the weather that December is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.

rainy, mild weather with light winds and very high humidity in December
Avionero

Pack right for December

The weather makes a difference when it comes to packing - especially which items should go in your suitcase. The tips below are designed to help you pack light and right without carrying more than necessary.
  • For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
  • Cool weather is between warm and cold. This means you can bring long pants and/or a longer skirt and an extra sweater. Be aware that cool days can alternate with cold nights - it may be wise to also pack a hat, gloves and a scarf.
  • Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
  • High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the weather in Portugal in December:

What can you do outside when it's warm in Portugal?

Bathing and sunbathing can be suitable. Warm (but not hot) days are also good for activities that are not so physically demanding: sightseeing on foot, by boat, on a scooter, camel riding. You can also exercise easily as long as you make sure to cool down and quench thirst.

Is December a good time to visit Portugal?

It’s always a good time to visit Portugal, but the weather is changeable in December, so plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and exploring, and pack for every eventuality.

Monthly weather in Portugal

Source of the data

For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Portugal, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.

For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.