Why December Is One of the Most Exciting Months to Travel
December is one of the most varied months of the year for travel. It gives you two completely different types of trip. You can chase winter sun and escape the cold, or you can lean into the season and book festive city breaks, snowy mountain holidays, and Christmas market trips. Few months offer such a wide range of travel styles.
For many travellers, December is all about atmosphere. European cities light up with decorations, Christmas markets fill historic squares, and winter destinations feel far more seasonal than they do in January or February. If you enjoy festive travel, cosy streets, seasonal food, and short break energy, December is one of the best times of year to go away.
At the same time, December is also one of the most popular months for long haul sunshine. Places such as the Canary Islands, Dubai, Thailand, Bali, the Caribbean, and parts of southern Africa attract travellers who want warmth and light during the darkest part of the UK winter. This makes December a strong month for people who want a genuine weather upgrade rather than just a city break.
There are downsides, of course. Prices often rise around Christmas and New Year, airports become busier, and the most popular festive destinations can get crowded. That means destination choice matters more in December than in quieter months. The right destination can feel magical. The wrong one can feel expensive, dark, wet, and overcrowded.
If you plan well, December can be one of the best months of the year to travel. It is ideal for Christmas markets, snowy scenery, winter sun, northern lights trips, ski breaks, and end of year city escapes.
Best Places to Visit in December: Destination Guide
The best places to visit in December usually fall into three broad groups. First, there are festive European destinations where Christmas lights, markets, seasonal food, and winter atmosphere are the main attraction. Second, there are snow and nature destinations where December brings winter scenery, northern lights, and outdoor adventure. Third, there are winter sun destinations where travellers can swap dark mornings and cold rain for beaches, blue skies, and warm temperatures.
For festive travel, cities like Vienna, Prague, Strasbourg, Copenhagen, and Edinburgh are among the strongest choices. These destinations feel seasonal without relying on artificial Christmas theming. The architecture, squares, cafรฉs, and winter weather all add to the atmosphere, which is why they work so well in December.
For snow and winter scenery, Lapland, Iceland, the Swiss Alps, and parts of Norway are particularly strong. These are the sorts of places where December feels like the whole point of the trip. You go for snow, winter landscapes, reindeer, forests, mountains, and northern lights rather than trying to dodge the season.
Then there is the winter sun category. This is where destinations such as the Canary Islands, Dubai, Thailand, Morocco, Cape Verde, and the Caribbean come into their own. If your goal is to avoid the European winter completely, these are often the most appealing places to look.
The destinations below are some of the strongest choices for December travel. They mix festive atmosphere, weather appeal, scenery, and practicality. Some are best for short breaks. Others work better as longer holidays. Together, they show why December travel can be far more interesting than people think.
Lapland, Finland
Lapland is one of the most iconic December destinations in Europe and one of the few places that genuinely delivers a full winter experience. If your idea of a December trip involves snow covered forests, reindeer, cosy cabins, husky rides, and a real Christmas atmosphere, Lapland is hard to beat.
December is one of the best times to visit because this is when the region feels at its most magical. Snow is usually well established, the landscape looks properly wintry, and the run up to Christmas gives the whole area a strong seasonal atmosphere. Popular bases include Rovaniemi, Levi, Saariselkรค, and Yllรคs, each offering a slightly different balance of activities, scenery, and accommodation style.
For families, Lapland is particularly appealing because it combines scenery with experiences. Santa themed attractions, sleigh rides, snowmobile tours, and reindeer farms make it feel more like an event than a normal holiday. For couples and adult travellers, the draw is often the quieter side of the region. Cabins, saunas, dark skies, and the chance of seeing the northern lights make it one of the most memorable winter trips in Europe.
The main trade-off is cost. Lapland is rarely a cheap December destination, especially close to Christmas, and daylight hours are short. But that is also part of the appeal. You are going for atmosphere, snow, and a genuine winter setting, not for long sightseeing days.
If you want one of the most seasonal trips possible, Lapland is one of the best places to visit in December.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna is one of the best European city breaks in December because it feels built for the season. The grand architecture, elegant streets, coffee houses, and historic squares all suit winter exceptionally well. Add in the cityโs famous Christmas markets, seasonal concerts, and festive lighting, and Vienna becomes one of the strongest festive destinations in Europe.
The city is particularly good if you want a December break that feels atmospheric rather than chaotic. Some Christmas market cities are enjoyable but overcrowded. Vienna usually feels more polished and more spacious. The markets are spread across different parts of the city, which means you can combine festive browsing with proper sightseeing instead of spending the whole trip in one busy square.
The market in front of Rathausplatz is the most famous, but there are several others worth visiting, each with a slightly different feel. Alongside that, Viennaโs winter appeal goes well beyond Christmas stalls. The cityโs cafรฉs, museums, palaces, and concert venues make it a very easy place to enjoy in cold weather. You are not dependent on perfect conditions because there is always something strong to do indoors as well.
December is also a very good month for food and culture in Vienna. Seasonal pastries, mulled drinks, classical music performances, and richly decorated interiors all add to the sense that the city is at its best in winter. It feels festive without feeling gimmicky.
For travellers who want Christmas markets, elegant streets, and a proper winter city atmosphere, Vienna is one of the best places to visit in December.
Canary Islands, Spain
If you want winter sun without a long haul flight, the Canary Islands are one of the easiest and most reliable December destinations. Located off the coast of North Africa, the islands have spring like weather all year round, which makes them extremely popular during the European winter.
In December, temperatures are usually around 20 to 24ยฐC, with plenty of sunshine and very little rain compared to mainland Europe. This makes destinations such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura ideal if your goal is to escape cold weather without flying across the world.
Each island offers something slightly different. Tenerife has a mix of resorts, volcano landscapes and historic towns. Gran Canaria has beaches, mountains and lively resorts. Lanzarote is known for its volcanic scenery and white villages, while Fuerteventura is famous for long sandy beaches and windsurfing.
December is also a good time to visit because it is outside the extreme summer heat but still warm enough for beaches, pools and outdoor restaurants. Prices do increase around Christmas and New Year, but early December can often be good value compared to peak summer months.
For travellers looking for short haul winter sun, beaches and relaxation, the Canary Islands are consistently one of the best places to visit in December.
Dubai, UAE
Dubai is one of the most popular winter sun destinations in December because the weather is almost perfect. Summer temperatures in Dubai are extremely hot, but December is much more comfortable, usually around 24 to 28ยฐC during the day with warm evenings.
This makes December one of the best times to visit the city if you want sunshine, warm weather, hotels, beaches and city attractions all in one trip. Unlike many beach destinations, Dubai combines resorts with shopping malls, observation decks, desert trips and major attractions such as the Burj Khalifa.
December is also a lively time to visit because the city hosts events, concerts, markets and New Year celebrations. Hotels and beach clubs are busy, restaurants are open late, and the city has a very energetic atmosphere during this period.
One thing to be aware of is that Dubai can become expensive around Christmas and New Year, especially for hotels. However, earlier in December you can often find better deals before peak holiday travel begins.
Dubai works particularly well for travellers who want winter sun but also want things to do in the evening, rather than just staying in a quiet beach resort.
For guaranteed sunshine, warm weather and a mix of city and beach travel, Dubai is one of the best December travel destinations.
New York City, USA
New York in December is famous for its festive atmosphere and is one of the most popular city breaks in the world during the Christmas season. The city is known for Christmas lights, ice skating rinks, department store window displays and the huge Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, all of which create a very strong seasonal atmosphere.
December is not the cheapest time to visit New York, but it is one of the most atmospheric. Areas such as Fifth Avenue, Bryant Park and Central Park all feel very different in December compared to other times of year. Seasonal markets, decorations and winter events make the city feel busy and lively throughout the month.
Ice skating at Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park is one of the classic December activities, and walking through Central Park after fresh snow is one of the most iconic winter city experiences. Even simple things like cafรฉs, delis and rooftop bars feel more seasonal during winter.
Shopping is another major reason people visit New York in December. Between Christmas markets, department stores and winter sales, the city is extremely busy with shoppers and visitors during this period.
If you want a big city trip with a strong Christmas atmosphere, New York is one of the most famous places in the world to visit in December.
Thailand
Thailand is one of the best long haul destinations to visit in December because it falls during the dry season in most of the country. This means sunny weather, lower humidity and good beach conditions, which is exactly why so many travellers head to Thailand over Christmas and New Year.
Destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai are all popular in December, and many travellers combine cities, beaches and cultural destinations in one trip. You can spend a few days in Bangkok, then head south to the islands or beaches for the rest of the holiday.
December is peak season in Thailand, so popular resorts and hotels can fill up quickly, particularly around Christmas and New Year. However, the weather is usually excellent, which is why this is one of the most popular winter sun destinations for European travellers.
Thailand works well for many types of trips. You can plan beach holidays, island hopping, city breaks, food trips, temples, markets and nature trips all within the same country. It is also relatively affordable once you arrive compared to many Caribbean or Middle Eastern destinations.
For long haul winter sun, beaches and culture, Thailand is one of the best places to visit in December.
Best European City Breaks in December
December is one of the best months of the year for European city breaks because many cities are decorated for Christmas, markets fill the main squares, and restaurants, cafรฉs and bars feel warm and busy compared to quieter winter months. The key is choosing cities that embrace winter rather than suffer from it.
Central European cities are often the best choices. Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Munich and Strasbourg are famous for Christmas markets, historic squares and festive atmosphere. These cities look particularly good in winter because the architecture, lighting and markets all suit the season. Walking through old town squares with lights, music and market stalls is very different from visiting the same cities in spring or autumn.
Northern European cities can also be excellent in December. Copenhagen, Stockholm and Edinburgh all feel very seasonal, with winter lighting, cosy cafรฉs and early evening atmosphere. These cities usually do winter well, which means restaurants, museums and attractions remain busy and open rather than feeling quiet and closed.
Some southern European cities can also work well in December, particularly if you want milder weather. Cities like Lisbon, Barcelona and Rome are much quieter than in summer and usually still mild enough for walking and sightseeing without extreme heat.
If you are planning a European city break in December, the best strategy is usually to choose cities known for Christmas markets, winter atmosphere or mild winter weather, rather than picking destinations that rely on summer tourism.
Best Winter Sun Destinations in December
For many travellers, December travel is mainly about escaping the cold and finding sunshine. Fortunately, there are many destinations around the world where December offers warm temperatures, clear skies and beach weather.
Short haul winter sun destinations from Europe include the Canary Islands, Morocco and parts of southern Turkey. These destinations are warm rather than extremely hot, but they are much more pleasant than northern Europe in winter and are ideal for a week away.
For guaranteed heat, long haul destinations are usually better. Dubai, the Caribbean, Thailand, Mexico and Cape Verde are all very popular in December because they offer reliable sunshine, warm sea temperatures and very little rain. This makes them particularly attractive around Christmas and New Year when many people want a proper winter escape.
The Caribbean is especially popular for December holidays because it is dry season on many islands, and temperatures are usually around 25 to 30ยฐC. Islands such as Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia and Aruba are particularly popular during this period.
Southeast Asia is another excellent option. Thailand, Vietnam and parts of Indonesia are in their dry season, making December one of the best months to visit beaches and islands in this region.
If your main goal is sunshine and warm weather, December is one of the best months of the year for long haul beach destinations.
Where Is Hot in December? Quick Destination Guide
If you are choosing a destination mainly based on temperature, December offers a wide range of hot weather destinations depending on how far you are willing to travel. Some destinations are warm enough for sightseeing, while others are full beach and pool destinations.
The Canary Islands are usually around 20 to 24ยฐC, which is warm enough for sunbathing on good days but mainly ideal for walking, relaxing and outdoor dining rather than very hot beach weather. Morocco is similar, with warm days and cooler evenings.
Dubai and the Middle East are warmer, usually between 24 and 28ยฐC during the day, which makes them ideal for both sightseeing and beach clubs. This is one of the reasons Dubai is so popular in December.
The Caribbean is hotter, usually between 26 and 30ยฐC, with warm sea temperatures and tropical weather. This is one of the best regions for beach holidays in December.
Southeast Asia is also hot in December, particularly Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, where temperatures are usually around 28 to 32ยฐC. These destinations combine beaches, cities and nature, which makes them very popular for longer trips.
If you are looking for hot weather in December, the most reliable regions are the Caribbean, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Cheap Holidays in December: Where Your Money Goes Further
December can be an expensive month to travel, especially around Christmas and New Year, but there are still destinations where your money goes further if you choose carefully and avoid peak holiday weeks.
Early December is often much cheaper than travelling during the last two weeks of the month. Flights and hotels usually increase significantly in price from around mid December onwards, so travelling at the beginning of the month can save a lot of money.
Eastern Europe is often good value for December city breaks. Cities such as Krakow, Budapest, Riga and Tallinn all have Christmas markets and winter atmosphere but are usually cheaper than Vienna, Munich or Zurich. Accommodation, food and transport are generally more affordable, which helps keep overall trip costs down.
Portugal can also be a good value winter destination compared to many other Western European countries. Lisbon and Porto are quieter in December and hotels are often cheaper than in peak tourist season.
For long haul travel, Southeast Asia often offers good value once you arrive, even if flights are more expensive in December. Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are usually much cheaper day to day than Caribbean or Middle Eastern destinations.
If you want a cheaper December holiday, travelling early in the month and choosing Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia is often the best strategy.
December Festivals, Events and Seasonal Highlights
December is one of the most atmospheric months of the year to travel because so many destinations have seasonal events, markets and festivals. Even places that are quiet in November often become lively again in December because of Christmas, New Year and winter tourism.
Across Europe, Christmas markets are the main attraction. Cities such as Vienna, Prague, Strasbourg, Munich, Cologne and Budapest are famous for their markets, which usually run from late November until just before Christmas. These markets sell food, decorations, gifts and seasonal drinks, and they often become the centre of the city during December. Travelling somewhere with Christmas markets can completely change how a winter trip feels, especially compared to visiting the same city in January or February.
New Year celebrations are another major reason people travel in December. Cities like London, Edinburgh, Paris, New York and Sydney all have large fireworks displays and events, and many hotels and restaurants host special New Year dinners and parties. Some destinations become extremely busy during the last few days of December because of this.
December is also a great month for winter activities. Ski season begins in many Alpine resorts, northern lights season is underway in Scandinavia and Iceland, and winter scenery is at its best in mountain regions and northern countries.
In warmer destinations, December is often peak tourism season because the weather is dry and sunny. This is particularly true in the Caribbean, Dubai, Thailand and parts of Africa. Resorts, beaches and tourist areas are busy but lively, and many destinations host Christmas and New Year events for visitors.
Planning a trip around festivals, markets or New Year celebrations can often make a December trip much more memorable than travelling earlier in winter.
Rupertโs Handy Travel Tips
If you are planning a trip in December, a little forward planning can make your holiday much easier and often much cheaper:
- Book early for Christmas and New Year: Flights and hotels become expensive quickly in the second half of December.
- Travel early in the month for better prices: The first two weeks of December are often much cheaper than the holiday period.
- Pack for short daylight hours: In northern Europe and Scandinavia it gets dark early, so plan indoor activities too.
- Check Christmas opening times: Some attractions and restaurants close on Christmas Day in many countries.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travelling in December
Is December a good month to travel?
Yes, December is a great month to travel because you can choose between winter sun destinations, Christmas market city breaks, ski trips and northern lights destinations. It is one of the most varied travel months of the year.
Where is hot in December but not too far to fly?
The Canary Islands, Morocco and Dubai are some of the best short to medium haul destinations for warm weather in December.
Are Christmas markets open all December?
Most Christmas markets in Europe open in late November and close just before Christmas, although some cities keep markets open until New Year.
Is December expensive for travel?
Travel can be expensive around Christmas and New Year, but early December is often much cheaper for flights and hotels.
Where is best for winter sun in December?
The Caribbean, Thailand, Dubai, Mexico and the Canary Islands are some of the best winter sun destinations in December.
Further Reading & Related Travel Guides
If you are planning more trips throughout the year, these guides can help you decide where to travel and how to plan smarter:
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Last Updated
March 2026
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