The month in detail
What to expect in December
In December, Sintra sees 15°C during the day with 4.1h of sunshine per day. Expect rain on 27% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
December ranks 12 out of 12 months in Sintra. Compared to November: −2°C daytime, −1.2h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
3 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
9°
Sea
16°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
9.3h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 31
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Sintra is August (9.1/10), 4.9 pts higher than December.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Sintra
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Sintra
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.
Country · Portugal
🗣️LanguagePortuguese
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthAugust · 24°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 14°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘNovember · 31%
🏖️ Beach holiday
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Sintra ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
PortugalTemperate oceanic climate with a 9.1 → 4.2 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
38.80°N · 9.38°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Sintra?
August is the best month with 24.0°C highs, 17.0°C lows, 9.9h of sunshine and 3.0% rainy days. The months of August & July offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Sintra get in August?
Sintra averages 9.9 sunshine hours per day in August. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.7/10.
What is the rainiest month in Sintra?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Sintra in August?
In August, overnight lows reach 17.0°C, while afternoon highs average 24.0°C.
Is Sintra good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Sintra scores 4.1/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains August with a score of 8.7/10.
When should you avoid Sintra?
January is the most difficult month to visit Sintra, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Sintra in December?
In December, the sea averages 16°C in Sintra: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Sintra in December?
The average UV index reaches 3 in December in Sintra (low), with about 9.3h of daylight. No protection needed.