Best Places to Go for Christmas (2026)

Christmas is the one time of year when plenty of people want to do things differently, whether that means swapping the cold for a beach, a quiet living room for a snowy forest, or a day of cooking for a table somebody else has already laid. If you are wondering about the best places to go for Christmas, this guide covers sun, snow, and festive cities, along with the weather, flight times, and booking tips worth knowing before you commit. From short haul islands to long haul escapes, these christmas holiday destinations suit almost every kind of traveller.

Christmas week is also the most expensive and most popular part of the year, so planning ahead matters more than usual. If you are still comparing dates across the whole month, our December holidays page is a handy way to see what is available.

Where to Go for Christmas in the Sun

If you want warm weather on Christmas Day, the answer is a handful of destinations that stay hot, dry, and bright through the festive season. Where to go for Christmas in the sun really comes down to flight time, since the closest options sit in the Atlantic and the Gulf, while the very hottest are a longer journey away. Many travellers start with sun holidays for this trip, since the choice of resorts is wide and a week on the beach beats a grey afternoon at home.

Some of the best places to go for christmas in the sun include:

• Tenerife at Christmas, for daytime temperatures of around 21 degrees, a flight of about four hours, and a long stretch of sunshine on the south coast, which is why Tenerife holidays sell out early.
• Dubai at Christmas, for sunny days in the mid twenties, festive hotel brunches, and the most comfortable weather of the year, with Dubai holidays a popular choice for a week.
• Egypt at Christmas, for low twenties temperatures, warm Red Sea water, and good value at resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada.
• Cape Verde at Christmas, for dry, warm days of around 26 degrees and a flight of roughly six hours.
• Barbados at Christmas, for dry, breezy weather of around 29 degrees as the Caribbean season gets under way, with a flight of about nine hours.
• Maldives at Christmas, for calm lagoons, the heart of the dry season, and temperatures close to 30 degrees.
• Thailand at Christmas, for sunny days, low humidity, and peak season on the Andaman coast, though the flight is around eleven hours.

These destinations make up a strong shortlist for hot christmas destinations, particularly for travellers who want to swap the cold for sunshine without losing the festive feel, since most resorts decorate trees, run festive dinners, and host Christmas Day events.

Best Christmas Holiday Destinations in Europe

Not everyone wants a beach at Christmas, and for many travellers the most memorable options in Europe are the ones that feel properly festive. Among the best destinations to visit at Christmas for atmosphere, European cities offer lights, markets, and cosy cafes within a short flight. Christmas places to visit in Europe do need a little planning, since many attractions close on 24, 25, and 26 December.

Wrap up warm, since the markets are outdoors, and book restaurant tables early for the busiest evenings. If you would like to enjoy the markets in the run up to Christmas, Christmas market breaks are one of the most popular ways to do it.

Some of the best places to visit for Christmas in Europe include:

• Vienna at Christmas, for grand palaces, coffee houses, and some of the best markets in Europe, although most finish on 24 December.
• Prague at Christmas, for an old town that looks like a storybook in the cold air, with some markets running on into the New Year.
• Madeira at Christmas, for mild weather of around 19 degrees, lights across Funchal, and one of the most famous New Year fireworks displays in Europe, and Madeira holidays are a popular choice for the festive season.

For more city ideas, our guide to the best city breaks in December covers the European cities that look their best this month.

Snow and Family Trips at Christmas

Families often want a trip that feels like Christmas from the moment they arrive, and the best Christmas holiday destinations for children tend to combine snow, shows, and plenty to do. Great places to visit for Christmas with young children include:

• Lapland at Christmas, for snowy forests, husky rides, and the chance to meet Father Christmas, with temperatures well below freezing and a flight of about three and a half hours. Cold weather clothing is often included in the package, but gloves and thermal socks are worth packing yourself.
• Orlando at Christmas, for warm days of around 22 degrees, festive theme park events, and a long flight of around nine hours, so it suits a full week or more.

Nice places to visit for Christmas with a family do not have to be snowy, though. Tenerife and Dubai both offer kids clubs, pools, and festive entertainment, and the best places to visit for Christmas with children are usually the ones with short transfers from the airport.

What Is the Weather Like at Christmas?

Christmas destinations vary hugely in temperature. The Canary Islands sit around 21 degrees during the day, while Egypt and Dubai are in the low to mid twenties. Cape Verde and Barbados are warmer, and the Maldives and Thailand are close to 30 degrees. Madeira is milder at around 19 degrees, Orlando is warm and dry, and Lapland is well below freezing, so thermal layers are essential. Daylight differs too, with only a few hours of light in Lapland, while the Canaries and the Caribbean enjoy bright afternoons.

Rain is the main thing to check before you book. The Canaries and Madeira can see the odd shower, while Egypt, Dubai, and the Maldives are almost always dry. The best places to go during Christmas are not all equally warm or equally dry, so it is worth checking both before choosing.

For more on the wider month, our guide to the best places to visit in december covers weather and destinations before and after Christmas week.

What Is Christmas Day Like Abroad?

Christmas Day abroad can feel very different from home. Resorts in the Canaries, Egypt, Dubai, and the Caribbean usually hold special dinners, entertainment, and gift events, so you can enjoy a full celebration without lifting a finger. Outside the hotel, things vary, since shops and restaurants in many European cities close on 25 December, and public transport is limited.

The best places to go during Christmas for a traditional day are usually all inclusive resorts and larger hotels, where meals, drinks, and entertainment are covered in one booking. Anyone choosing the best places for xmas with a partner should look for somewhere quiet, and restaurants in busy resorts are worth booking in advance. Check the small print on dinner bookings too, since some resorts charge a supplement for the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day gala meal, and children often have separate events such as a visit from Father Christmas.

Where to Go for Christmas by Trip Type

The right choice depends on who you are travelling with and how much time you have. Short haul trips to the Canaries, Madeira, or Vienna suit a long weekend or a week, while long haul trips to the Maldives, Thailand, or Barbados work best over ten days or more. The best places to go for Christmas as a couple are usually the Maldives and Madeira, for calm lagoons and quiet dinners, while larger groups often prefer a resort in Tenerife or Egypt with space for everyone.

Flights on Christmas Day itself are often cheaper, so departing on 25 December can be a smart way to save money without missing the day entirely.

When Should You Book Christmas Travel?

Prices for Christmas travel rise sharply from around 20 December until the New Year, so the best value is usually found by departing before the middle of the month or after Christmas Day. Even the best destinations to visit at Christmas have plenty of flights, but the best rooms at the most popular resorts go first, so it helps to book several months ahead rather than leaving it late. Once you have settled the question of christmas holidays where to go, the next step is choosing dates.

If you are booking a festive trip for the first time, our guide on how to plan the perfect holiday covers budgeting, timing, and the common mistakes to avoid when choosing a destination. Passport validity, travel insurance, and any entry rules are worth checking early too, since airports are busier than usual during the last two weeks of December.

Conclusion

Christmas rewards travellers who know what kind of day they want. From the Canary Islands and Dubai to Lapland and Madeira, there is a sunny, snowy, or festive option for almost every budget. Anyone still comparing the best places to go for Christmas side by side should remember that flight time matters just as much as the weather, and the best Christmas holiday destinations are the ones that suit your group. Once you have picked where to go, Travelodeal can help you put the whole trip together, from flights to hotels, so you can book with confidence and enjoy the festive season.

Frequently Asked Questions