Early winter · Weather & things to do
Bilbao in December
Bilbao cools off: highs slip to 56°F (13°C), from 60°F in November, with lows of 49°F (10°C) and about 4.7 in (120 mm) of rain.
Its comfort score of 60/100 is still Good, though it ranks 11th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 56°F (13°C)
- Avg low
- 49°F (10°C)
- Rain
- 4.7 in (120 mm)
- Humidity
- 79%
- Cloud cover
- 79%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 48 min
- Comfort score
- 60/100 · Good
What December feels like
Days are mild at around 56°F (13°C): comfortable for walking all day, with a layer for the evening.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 49°F (10°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 4.7 in (120 mm) across the month.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 79%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 12 mph (5.2 m/s) at ground level.
Only about 8 h 48 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May and July – September.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 48 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 64/100 in November to 60/100.
- Our Basque Coast Food Trail route recommends May – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 49°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes4.7 in of rain on average
- Windproof shellaverage wind 12 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Bilbao in December
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Café Bar Bilbao
Plaza Nueva bar with tiled walls and a counter of pintxos.
Vizcaya Bridge
1893 transporter bridge, a UNESCO site, with a gondola and walkway on top.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
Hermitage on an islet reached by 241 steps along a stone causeway.
Funicular de Artxanda
Short funicular ride up to a viewpoint over the city and river.
Plaza Nueva
Arcaded square in the old town lined with pintxos bars.
Nearby in December
- San Sebastián in December~48 mi · highs 54°F, 4.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Laguardia in December~52 mi · highs 49°F, 2.2 in rain · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, drier
- Barcelona in December~291 mi · highs 57°F, 1.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Girona in December~306 mi · highs 56°F, 1.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Bilbao in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Bilbao?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 60/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are May and July – September. Expect highs of 56°F (13°C) and 4.7 in (120 mm) of rain. Our Basque Coast Food Trail route recommends May – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Bilbao in December?
Average highs are 56°F (13°C) and average lows 49°F (10°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Bilbao in December?
Yes: about 4.7 in (120 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 39.5 in (1003 mm).
What should I pack for Bilbao in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 49°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (4.7 in of rain on average), windproof shell (average wind 12 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Bilbao in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.