What to Pack for Benidorm in December and the Rest of Winter

Pack for a British spring, not a Spanish summer. In December, Benidorm and Alicante get to about 17°C in the afternoon and fall to around 7 or 8°C at night. So you want T-shirts and a light jumper for the day and a proper jacket for the evening. Bring a plug adaptor, and keep the sun cream in the bag.

Quick facts

• Daytime highs: about 20°C in November, 17°C in December, 16-17°C in January and February, 19°C in March (AEMET, Alicante-Elche airport station, 1981-2010 averages).
• Night lows: about 10-11°C in November, 6.5-7.5°C from December to February, around 9°C in March.
• Rain: only about 3-4 days a month with 1mm or more.
• Sea: around 19.5°C in November, down to about 14°C in February and March (seatemperature.org, Benidorm).
• UV: low (2) in December and January, 3 in November and February, up to 5 in March.
• Plugs: Spain uses Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK and Irish plugs won't fit, so bring an adaptor.

Winter temperatures, month by month

These are the long-term averages from AEMET for the Alicante-Elche airport station. AEMET's figures for the city station in Alicante are almost the same, and Benidorm sits on the same stretch of coast, so use them for both.

Month	Day high	Night low	Rain days	Sea	Pack
November	20.3°C	10.6°C	3.8	19.5°C	T-shirts, shorts for lunch, a light jacket
December	17.3°C	7.5°C	3.7	16.5°C	Layers, a warm jacket for nights
January	16.7°C	6.5°C	3.6	14.6°C	Jumper, jacket, a scarf after dark
February	17.4°C	7.1°C	2.9	14.2°C	Same as January
March	19.4°C	8.7°C	3.1	14.4°C	T-shirts again, a light jacket, a hat

Rain days means days with at least 1mm. Sea temperatures are monthly averages from seatemperature.org.

The short packing list

• 3-4 T-shirts or light tops. You'll wear them most days at lunchtime, even in January, if the sun's out.
• 2 long-sleeve tops and a light jumper or fleece. This is the layer you'll take on and off all day.
• A proper jacket for the evenings. A light padded jacket is perfect from December to February. In November and March a denim jacket or a thin waterproof is enough.
• Jeans or chinos, plus one pair of shorts. Shorts are for sunny November and March afternoons. Most people won't want them after dark.
• Comfy trainers or walking shoes. You'll walk more than you think, on the seafront and up and down the old towns.
• Sunglasses, sun cream (SPF 30 or more) and lip balm. More on this below.
• A small umbrella or a thin rain jacket. It doesn't rain often, but when it does it can come down hard.
• Swimwear. For the hotel pool, or a quick dip in November if you're brave.
• A plug adaptor (UK or Irish to EU), ideally two, or one plus a multi-USB charger.
• A scarf or a beanie if you feel the cold. January nights at 6°C feel colder by the sea.

Month by month: what changes

November

Still properly warm in the day, with highs around 20°C. Lots of people are in T-shirts and shorts at lunch. Evenings drop to about 10-11°C, so bring a light jacket. The sea is still around 19.5°C, which many people find fine for a swim. If you're going for the fiestas, pack a costume for the fancy dress day.

December

Afternoons around 17°C, nights about 7.5°C. December gets the fewest sunshine hours of the year at the airport station (about 165 for the month), and you've only got around 10 hours of daylight. It still feels like a good spring day when the sun's out. After dark you'll want the warm jacket. If you're basing yourself further down the coast, see Alicante in December.

January

The coolest month, with highs around 16.7°C and lows about 6.5°C. It's actually sunnier than December, though (about 184 hours). Daytime is jumper weather, sometimes T-shirt weather in the sun. Nights are the coldest of the year, so pack a scarf.

February

Very like January, a touch warmer, and it has the fewest rain days of the winter (2.9). The sea is at its coldest, around 14°C. Pack the same as for January.

March

Highs around 19°C and about 221 hours of sunshine, a big jump. This is when people get caught out by the sun. Bring T-shirts, a light jacket for nights and a hat.

Daytime vs evening: the big gap

The thing to plan for is the gap between afternoon and night. In December and January it's about 10 degrees. Sitting in the sun on the seafront at 2pm feels warm, but step into the shade, or onto a breezy promenade at 8pm, and it's a different day. That's why layers beat one big coat. Go out in a T-shirt and a jumper, and carry the jacket if you're staying out for dinner.

If you're in a holiday flat, ask your host before you book whether it has heating or air-con that heats. A flat that's lovely in July can feel chilly on a January evening, and slippers and a hoodie make a big difference.

What do locals wear?

Locals dress for the calendar, not the thermometer. From November you'll see Spanish people in puffer jackets, scarves and boots at 18°C, while the Brits on the Levante strip are in shorts. Neither is wrong. You'll just stand out a bit in flip-flops in January.

For dinner out, smart casual is fine almost everywhere. Jeans, a decent top and clean trainers or shoes will get you into nearly any restaurant or bar in Benidorm or Alicante.

Do you need sun cream in winter?

Yes. The UV index is low in December and January (around 2), but it's 3 in November and February and climbs to about 5 in March, according to weather2travel's averages. Add a clear sky, the sea reflecting light and a long lunch on a terrace, and you can burn on your face and neck without noticing, especially in March. Pack SPF 30 or more and use it on sunny days. Long-stay winter visitors who sit out on the promenade every day tan all winter for a reason.

Plugs and chargers

Spain uses Type C and Type F sockets, at 230V and 50Hz. British and Irish three-pin plugs won't fit, so you need an adaptor. The voltage is close to the UK and Ireland, so phone and laptop chargers work fine with just the adaptor. A multi-USB charger means one adaptor can charge everything.

If you're staying a month or more

• Bring one warmer outfit than you think you need for January nights.
• Pack a light rain jacket rather than relying on a hotel umbrella.
• Bring the medication you need for the full stay, plus copies of prescriptions.
• Leave room in the case. Clothes shops are everywhere if you get it wrong.

For a rainy day, we've got a list of things to do in Benidorm when it rains. And for the bigger picture, read Benidorm in winter or browse the Benidorm area guide.

FAQ

Do I need a coat in Benidorm in December?

You need a jacket, not a heavy winter coat. Daytime highs are around 17°C, but nights drop to about 7-8°C, so a light padded jacket or a warm fleece is right for the evenings.

Can you wear shorts in Benidorm in winter?

In November and March, yes, on sunny afternoons. From December to February most people stick to jeans, though you'll still see shorts on the Levante strip at lunchtime.

What plug adaptor do I need for Benidorm and Alicante?

A UK-to-EU or Ireland-to-EU adaptor. Spain uses Type C and F sockets at 230V, so British and Irish plugs won't fit without one.

Do I need sun cream in Benidorm in winter?

Yes. UV is low in December and January but reaches about 3 in November and February and 5 in March. On clear days by the sea you can still burn.

Is it warm enough to swim in winter?

November is fine for most people, with the sea around 19.5°C. From December it drops to about 16.5°C and then to around 14°C in February and March, which is for the brave.

Does it rain much in Alicante and Benidorm in winter?

Not much. AEMET's averages show only about 3-4 days a month with 1mm or more from November to March. A small umbrella or a thin rain jacket is enough.

Pack light, layer up, and you'll be fine.

Planning the rest of the year? See November · December · January · February · March