Where should I travel in December?
December is about Christmas atmosphere or escaping the dark. Choose between Christmas markets, snow in Lapland or sun on the other side of the world.
Find your own match in December
We've already picked December. Wayoop asks about your budget, travel time and wishes and finds up to three destinations that suit you.
5 ideas for travelling in December
01Photo: Photo Claude TRUONG-NGOC · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons Strasbourg, France
One of Europe's best-known Christmas markets in a beautiful old town. Great for a long weekend.
02Photo: Floppyjb · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons Rovaniemi, Finland
Snow, reindeer and Santa's village on the Arctic Circle. Popular with children, so book well ahead.
03Photo: Trantuonglam · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Dry season in southern Vietnam, with beaches and calm seas. A long trip that fits well with the Christmas holidays.
04Photo: albinfo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons Oman
Pleasant winter days for mountains, wadis and desert camps. Calmer than the big Gulf cities.
05Photo: Daniel Dimitrov · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons New York, USA
The Rockefeller Center tree, ice rinks and lit-up shop windows. Cold, but full of Christmas spirit.
Where is it warm in December?
In December it's hot and dry in southern Vietnam and pleasant in Oman. Strasbourg, Rovaniemi and New York are cold – there you travel for the Christmas atmosphere.
11 of the 28 destinations typically reach at least 25 degrees by day in December.
- 30°+
- 25–29°
- 20–24°
- Below 20°
| Destination | Day | Night | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gambia · West Africa | 32° | 22° | 25° |
| Phu Quoc · Vietnam | 30° | 24° | 30° |
| Phuket · Thailand | 29° | 24° | 30° |
| Bali · Indonesia | 29° | 24° | 30° |
| Galle · Sri Lanka | 29° | 23° | 29° |
| Punta Cana · Dominican Republic | 28° | 24° | 28° |
| Sal · Cape Verde | 27° | 22° | 25° |
| Dubai · United Arab Emirates | 27° | 18° | 24° |
| Cancún · Mexico | 27° | 22° | 28° |
| Muscat · Oman | 26° | 19° | 26° |
| Miami · Florida, USA | 25° | 18° | 24° |
| Hurghada · Egypt | 23° | 16° | 24° |
| Agadir · Morocco | 23° | 13° | 18° |
| Gran Canaria · Canary Islands, Spain | 22° | 16° | 22° |
| Tenerife · Canary Islands, Spain | 22° | 17° | 22° |
Holidays in December: good to know
The Christmas holidays and New Year are among the most expensive times to travel. Leaving in early December or just after New Year can be more flexible.
These ideas are general seasonal tips. Weather, opening times and prices vary from year to year, so check before you book.
Read also: Warm countries in December: 8 picks for sun when Denmark is darkest →Find your own match in December
We've already picked December. Wayoop asks about your budget, travel time and wishes and finds up to three destinations that suit you.