Best Places to Visit in December (2026)

December is the month when winter really starts to bite at home, and a bit of sunshine, snow or festive sparkle starts to sound very appealing. If you are wondering about the best places to visit in December, this guide covers where the sun is still shining, where the snow is falling, and how to book without overpaying. From short haul islands to long haul escapes, these are the best holiday destinations in December for almost every kind of trip.

December is also the busiest month of the year for second thoughts, since many people only start planning once the weather turns. That is why the best places to visit in December often sell out sooner than you might expect. If your dates are flexible, it is worth keeping an eye on last minute holidays, because prices on winter trips can move quickly right up to departure.

Best Places to Go in December for Sun

If you are still deciding where to visit December gives you plenty of choice, and the simplest place to start is the sun. When people ask where to go in December for guaranteed warmth, the answer is a handful of destinations that stay warm, dry and bright through the festive season. The closest options sit in the Atlantic and the Red Sea, while the very hottest are a longer flight away. Many travellers start with sun holidays for this trip, since the choice of resorts is wide and a week on the beach makes a welcome break from the dark afternoons at home.

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

• Tenerife in December, for daytime temperatures of around 21 degrees and a long stretch of sunshine on the south coast, which is why Tenerife holidays are so popular at this time of year.
• Lanzarote in December, for dry, settled weather, volcanic scenery and quiet beaches, though the breeze can feel fresh along the coast.
• Gran Canaria in December, for warm days around Maspalomas and plenty of resorts that stay lively right through the winter.
• Egypt in December, for low to mid twenties temperatures and warm Red Sea water at resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada.
• Dubai in December, for sunny days in the mid twenties.
• Cape Verde in December, for dry, warm days of around 26 degrees and a flight of roughly six hours.

These destinations make up a strong shortlist for anyone asking where to go in December for the sun, and they are among the best places to travel in December if you want a proper dose of warmth without a very long journey.

Best Countries to Visit in December

This section looks beyond the Canaries and the Red Sea, since the right choice also depends on how much time you have and how far you are willing to fly. Where to travel in December for a longer trip often points toward places in the middle of their dry season, where the best places to go in December offer hot days and calm seas.

Some of the best countries to visit in December include:

• Maldives in December, for the heart of the dry season, calm lagoons and temperatures of around 30 degrees.
• Thailand in December, for sunny days, low humidity and peak season on the Andaman coast, and Thailand holidays are easy to combine with a few days in Bangkok.
• Barbados in December, for dry, breezy weather of around 29 degrees as the Caribbean season gets under way, with a flight of about nine hours.
• Mexico in December, for dry days, warm sea and lively beach towns along the Riviera Maya.

If you already have a shortlist, you can compare flights and hotels across our December holidays before deciding which destination fits your dates.

December sunshine holidays like these can sell out around Christmas, so it helps to decide early whether you want a short or a long flight. Whichever you choose, these are some of the best places to travel in December for a country focused trip, and this list covers beaches, islands and a little culture too.

Where to Go in December for Christmas and New Year

Not everyone wants a beach at Christmas, and for plenty of travellers the best places to travel to in December are the ones that feel properly festive. That might mean snow, twinkling lights or a fireworks display over the water.

If you would like to combine city sightseeing with festive lights, Christmas market breaks are one of the most popular ways to enjoy December in Europe.

For something further afield, the best places to go on holiday in December for a festive feel include:

• Madeira in December, for mild weather of around 19 degrees, Christmas 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.
• Lapland in December, for snowy forests, husky rides and the chance to meet Father Christmas, with temperatures well below freezing.

Among the best places to visit December really suits, Lapland is a firm favourite with families. December snow holidays are popular because they offer the real winter look that is hard to find at home, and Lapland is one of the best destinations in December for children. Snow holidays in December also include Alpine resorts in Austria and Switzerland, though snow depth can vary early in the month, so later dates are usually safer.

Spending the big day itself away? Our guide to the best places to go for Christmas covers the warmest resorts, snowy escapes, and festive cities, plus what Christmas Day is really like abroad.

What Is the Weather Like in December?

Choosing between the places to visit in the month of December starts with the weather, which varies a lot from one destination to the next. 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, Thailand and Mexico are closer to 30 degrees. Madeira is milder at around 19 degrees, and Lapland is well below freezing, so thermal layers are essential.

Rain is the main thing to check before you book, whichever of the best places to visit in December you choose. Daylight matters too when choosing the best places to travel in December, since the days are short in Lapland but bright in the Canaries. The Canaries and Madeira can see the odd shower, while Egypt and Dubai are almost always dry, and the Caribbean and Mexico are in their drier season. The best places to go in December are not all equally dry, so it is worth checking rainfall as well as temperature.

Where to Travel in December by Trip Type

The right choice depends on what you want from the trip. The best places to travel in December for a quick escape are the ones with short flights, such as the Canary Islands and Madeira, while the best places to travel in December for a full week of heat include Egypt, Dubai and Cape Verde. The coolest places to visit in December suit anyone who wants an atmosphere over sunshine, from the snowy forests of Lapland to the lights of Funchal.

If you would rather swap beaches for Christmas lights and cosy streets, our guide to the best city breaks in december covers the European cities that look their best this month.

Best December Destinations for Couples

December suits couples well, since resorts are calmer than in summer and romantic settings are easy to find. The Maldives is the classic pick for its private islands and calm lagoons, Madeira offers festive lights and quiet dinners, and Lapland adds a snowy fairytale feel. Anyone choosing the best places to visit in December for a romantic trip should aim for somewhere with settled weather, since rain can spoil a short stay.

Best December Destinations for Solo Travellers

Solo travellers often find December easier than summer, since resorts see fewer crowds and there is more choice on flights and rooms. If you are still deciding where to go in December alone, the Canary Islands and Madeira are easy to navigate, with good public transport, walkable towns and plenty of other travellers to meet. The best destinations in December for solo travellers are usually the ones where getting around is simple.

When Should You Book Your December Holiday?

Prices for December holidays rise sharply from around 20 December until the New Year, so the best value is usually found in the first half of the month. Most of the best holiday destinations in December on this list have plenty of flights, but the best rooms at the most popular resorts go first, so it helps to book a few weeks ahead rather than leaving it to the last minute, even for the best places to travel in December. Once you know where to travel in December, the main decision is how long to stay, and a week is usually enough for the Canaries and Egypt.

Planning further ahead can also help, and our 2026 travel guide looks at the best months to travel across the whole year, so you can see how December compares with the rest.

If you are booking 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.

Conclusion

December rewards travellers who know what kind of trip they want. From the Canary Islands and Egypt to the Maldives and Lapland, there is a sunny, snowy or festive option for almost every budget and every length of trip. Anyone still comparing the best places to visit in December side by side should remember that flight time matters just as much as the weather, especially if you are travelling with family. 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 make the most of the festive season.

Frequently Asked Questions