Best places to visit in

December

December is a magical time to travel the globe, marked by festive merriment and holiday celebrations. Wintery Europe and North America see cooler temperatures and a sprinkling of snow in places, while Africa and South America see summery, sun-soaked days. Asia and Oceania enjoy a mesh of contrasting weather at this time. With so many options to choose from, Travelstart is here to help you pin down your dream December destination!

Travel to the fullest during the most magical time of the year, with our guide on the best places to visit in December!

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Europe

Popular High Season Destinations in December

  • Czech Republic
  • The crisp cover of winter is a great time to see the Czech Republic, awash with Christmas cheer and a sprinkling of snow. Attend Christmas markets in the Old Town Square in Prague or wander the grounds of Český Krumlov Castle in its namesake city.

    See the Church of Bones (Sedlec Ossuary) in Sedlec

    Dip into a hot spring in the spa town, Karlovy Vary

    Purchase Czech crystal in Prague

    Bring your best coat for a chilly 0°C!

  • Monaco
  • Make Monaco your winter playground and enjoy a host of seasonal events. Ice skate at the open-air rink in the Port of Monaco, visit nativity scenes in Monaco-Ville or brave the icy waters of Larvotto beach for the annual Christmas swim.

    Enjoy retail therapy at Métropole Shopping Centre

    Try your luck at the famed Casino de Monte Carlo

    Visit the Oceanographic Museum

    Sunny, crisp days at 12°C

  • Switzerland
  • Snow-swept winter in Switzerland abounds with seasonal celebrations and Christkindlimarkt, or Christmas markets, strewn across the mountainous terrain like decorations. Snuggle up at the fireside, sipping hot chocolate or dip into cheese fondue in Gruyères.

    Visit the indoor Zurich Christmas Market

    Explore the pistes of the ski town, Verbier

    Travel the Swiss Alps aboard the Glacier Express

    Be prepared for a chilly 2°C

Popular Budget-Friendly Destinations in December

  • Germany
  • Play out romantic ideas of winter in Germany as the snow-capped country starts to bustle. Visit one of the oldest Christmas markets in Nuremberg or journey along the Romantic Road as it leads through Bavaria, alongside castles and historic towns.

    Ski and hike in Baiersbronn, in the Black Forest

    Visit the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle

    Sample Bockwurst with helpings of bread and mustard

    Cosy up on short, 1°C days

  • Portugal
  • The temperate Mediterranean winter in Portugal is best enjoyed browsing markets in Lisbon, pasteis de nata in hand, seeking out snowy pistes in Serra da Estrela for a ski, or nature walks in a winter wonderland of pillowy white mounds and frozen lakes.

    Taste Bacalhau (or cod) in its many forms

    Hit the waves at World Surfing Reserve of Ericeira

    Visit the home of port wine in the Douro Valley

    A waterproof jacket goes well with an average of 14°C

  • Netherlands
  • The charm of snow-dusted Netherlands in winter is only enhanced by the festive cheer and building celebration of the incoming New Year. Take a walking tour alongside Amsterdam’s canals or cosy up in a wood-clad café to drink Dutch gin, or jenever.

    Enjoy the Amsterdam Light Festival by boat

    Shop for Delftware, customised clogs and cheese

    Eat traditional doughy, sugar-sprinkled Oliebollen

    4°C days call for warm clothes

Events in December

Germany – Christkindlesmarkt

Dating back to the 17th century, the enchanting Christkindlesmarkt is an age-old, authentic Christmas market experience in the Hauptmarkt, or central square, of Nuremberg. If the smell of gingerbread and slowly roasting Bratwurst doesn’t lure you in straight away, maybe it’s the mulled wine, Christmas decorations and handmade toys that draw you in.

-2 to 4°C daytime temperatures

29 November - 24 December

Nuremberg

France – Lyon Festival of Lights

The Fête des Lumières lights up the city of Lyon with spectacular temporary installations that showcase the city’s architecture, which forms the backdrop for an illuminating journey of magic, dreams and history. Held annually, the festival is a spectacular display of both contemporary light-creations, traditional culture and candle-lined window sills. Pair the experience with great local food and excellent Lyon wine.

2 - 7°C daytime temperatures

5 - 8 December

Lyon

Scotland – Hogmanay

The namesake festival of Scottish New Year’s Eve, Hogmanay draws inspiration from viking origins and celebration of the winter solstice. Accompanied by fireworks, singing and plenty of whisky, the festival reaches fever pitch at a street party of almost 400,000 revellers on 31 December. Loony Dook, the following day, offers weary party-goers a refreshing, charitable swim in the icy waters of South Queensferry’s Firth of Forth estuary.

1 - 7°C daytime temperatures

30 December - 2 January

Edinburgh

Africa

Popular High Season Destinations in December

  • Ghana
  • Historically Africa’s Gold Coast, Ghana is blessed with abundant natural beauty and resources. With a colourful culture and history, its warm people will welcome you in to enjoy the tropical beaches, rhythmic African beats and local cuisine on offer.

    Buy beadwork and Kente cloth at Kejetia Market

    Eat Ghanaian cuisine of fufu, waakye or banku

    Experience a Fiok festival in the Upper East Region

    Enjoy a summery 27°C

  • Morocco
  • Magical Morocco is home to sweeping desert dunes in Merzouga, bustling markets in Marrakech and a blue-stained city in Chefchaouen. The energy is palpable as you explore the country’s old imperial cities and its diverse, changing landscape.

    Spend a few nights in a traditional Riad

    Surf the swells of Essaouira or Taghazout

    After haggling in a Marrakech souk, eat a tagine

    Pack something warm for temperatures of 14°C

  • Nigeria
  • Nigeria is both culturally diverse and varied in its assemblage of deserts, jungles and plains across the regions. Soak up the searing African sun along the banks of the Niger river or get lost amongst arts and crafts in the Lekki Market in Lagos.

    Drink, dance and dine at the Calabar Carnival

    Float along the ‘Venice of Africa’ at Makoko

    Buy clothes and fabric at Balogun Market in Lagos

    Dry, hot 27°C days await

Popular Budget-Friendly Destinations in December

  • Mozambique
  • With more to offer than just unspoilt beaches flanked by mangrove forests and coral reefs, an unforgettable journey beckons in Mozambique. Sample fresh seafood on the beach, scuba dive in Inhambane or hop over to Mozambique Island.

    Try the national rum Tipo Tinto

    Visit the ample wildlife at Gorongosa National Park

    Buy homemade, punch-packing peri-peri sauce

    Get ready for daytime averages in excess of 25°C

  • Kenya
  • A wildlife mecca, Kenya is incredibly beautiful, diverse and culturally rich. A visit to the East African country is incomplete without a safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve, fishing on the Pemba Channel or exploring coral reefs at Diani beach.

    Tuck into streetside barbequed nyama choma

    Visit the Giraffe Manor in Nairobi

    Dine in Diani at Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant

    Expect humid days reaching 27°C

  • Uganda
  • December is an excellent time to enjoy the prolific wildlife of Uganda. Go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, white water raft in Jinja, or birdwatch in the many national parks across the country.

    Hike Rwenzori Mountains National Park

    Try steamed Luwombo enveloped in a banana leaf

    Visit Murchison Falls cascading from the Nile

    Hot, dry days average at 21°C

Events in December

Morocco – International Film Festival of Marrakech

Morocco’s Red City annually hosts the prestigious FIFM, or Festival International du Film de Marrakech. Famous actors, film directors and producers from around the globe gather to attend screenings of Moroccan and foreign films. Add to that parties, public screenings and an all-round lively Marrakech.

7-20°C daytime temperatures

29 November - 7 December

Marrakech

Northern Senegal – Les Fanals de St. Louis

With origins in the 18th century, Les Fanals de St. Louis, or Fanal, is a customary parade that continues the annual night-time procession of elaborate floats and lanterns through the city, ending in the square. Accompanied by fireworks, dancing, drumming and joyful revellers dressed in traditional costume, Fanal rivals even the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro!

18-32°C daytime temperatures

Last week of December

Saint-Louis

Cape Town – South Africa - MCQP

A glittering highlight on every Capetonian’s calendar, MCQP (or Mother City Queer Project) is a glamorous gathering held annually in some of Cape Town’s top locations. Eagerly-awaited themes for each event are met with an array of costumes and camaraderie, all to the beats of a local and international music line-up.

17-27°C daytime temperatures

Mid-December

Cape Town

Asia & Oceania

Popular High Season Destinations in December

  • Australia
  • Summer in Australia is inviting to say the least. From Ayers Rock (Uluru) at the sweltering Red Centre of Alice Springs to a seaside escape on the white-sand beaches of Jervis Bay, the varied landscapes each offer something special and significant.

    Spectate the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

    Snorkel around the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland

    Sample wine in Victoria’s Yarra Valley

    Daytime temperatures of 22-30°C in the north

  • Malaysia
  • Recognisable by the polished Petronas Twin Towers in its capital of Kuala Lumpur, to the street art of George Town in Penang, Malaysia is a multi-layered country. December on the west coast sees warm, dry weather, in contrast to the cooler east coast.

    Taste piping hot nasi kandar in Penang

    Browse shophouses on Jonker Street in Malacca

    Brave the labyrinths of the Dark Cave at Batu Caves

    Summery days reach 27°C

  • Sri Lanka
  • Head for the hills, or the south and west coasts during December for the best weather in Sri Lanka at this time. Visit tea plantations in Kandy, in the country formerly known as Ceylon, or surf off the southwest coast.

    Take a cross-country train trip on Sri Lanka Railways

    Relax with an authentic Ayurvedic treatment

    Explore colonial buildings in downtown Colombo

    Enjoy warm days of 27°C

Popular Budget-Friendly Destinations in December

  • Lebanon
  • Enjoy a winter in Lebanon exploring the ruins of Baalbek or those in the old Phoenician city of Byblos. Sip wine amongst expansive vineyards in the Bekaa Valley or venture beneath Mount Lebanon and explore the Jeita grottos by foot and boat.

    Ski the snowy peaks of the Mount Lebanon range

    Eat kibbeh washed down with anise-flavoured arak

    Celebrate music at the Beirut Chants Festival

    Pack for a cool 15°C

  • Nepal
  • Escape the crowds for clear skies and snow-capped mountains, at the start of winter in Nepal. An excellent time of year for hiking at low elevations, and enjoying crisp mountain views from the Kathmandu Valley or Poon Hill treks and more.

    Tour Nepal's largest cave, Sidda Gufa

    View the Himalayas from Bandipur

    Spot tigers in Bardia National Park

    15°C Days call for thermals

  • South Korea
  • Get your snow fix in wintery South Korea over December. Hit the ice-skating rink in Seoul, warm up in a traditional teahouse, or soak off the winter chill at a jjimjilbang public bath.

    Drink warming, citrusy cups of yuja-cha tea

    Snap travel photos wearing traditional Hanbok

    Open-ice fish at Pyeongchang Trout Festival

    Layer up for temperatures of -2°C

Events in September

New Zealand - South Island Wine & Food Festival

Pair great food with world-renowned local wines and live music, all under the summer sun in picturesque Christchurch. Applauded for spectacular local Sauvignon-blanc, the festival is accompanied by celebrity chefs, cooking masterclasses, seminars and an all-around good vibe.

11-21°C daytime temperatures

First week of December

Christchurch

Bali – Pemuteran Bay Festival

The coastal village of Pemuteran Bay in Buleleng, Bali, plays host annually to this lively celebration of conservation efforts in the region. Apart from championing the top dive locale, this art and cultural event is packed with all things marine-themed, from parades and performing arts to music, culinary delights, traditional fishing competitions and more.

20-28°C daytime temperatures

Mid-December

Buleleng

India – Kumbhalgarh Festival

Set high in the Aravalli Hills at the majestic UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kumbhalgarh Fort, the festival brims with celebratory, cultural activities. From traditional music, dance and tug of war to arts, crafts, exhibitions and puppetry for the little ones, the festival culminates in a wash of lights as night falls.

10-27°C daytime temperatures

First week in January

Rajasthan

North & Central America

Popular High Season Destinations in December

  • Cuba
  • The dry December season in Cuba makes for perfect, warm ocean swims on Varadero beach or mingling with pink flamingos on Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria islands. Also, walk in the footsteps of Cuban mafia and movie stars at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba.

    Smoke an authentic Cuban cigar

    Cruise around Havana in a classic car

    Drink mojitos in the home of this famed cocktail

    Hit the beach on those 23°C days

  • Mexico
  • Mexico comes alive in winter, thanks to pleasant weather and a plethora of festivals and events. Bask on the beach at Tulum or Cancun, eat tacos at every streetside food truck you can find, and partake in the vibrant nightlife of Guadalajara.

    Scout the Archaeological complex of Teotihuacan

    Watch a Lucha Libre wrestling match in Mexico City

    Enjoy Mariachi music and a meal in Guadalajara

    Warm, welcoming days of 20-24°C

  • Panama
  • The year-round warm weather of Panama makes it popular with beach seekers, adventure junkies and historians alike. December is the dry season, and a perfect time to discover the deserted islands, soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere, or get outdoors.

    Paddle the Chagres River by dugout canoe, to Emberra

    View the canal from Miraflores Visitors’ Centre

    Stroll the historic quarter of Casco Viejo

    A summery average of 26°C

Popular Budget-Friendly Destinations in December

  • Curaçao
  • Dutch and Spanish heritage is prevalent in colourful, Caribbean Curaçao, particularly in historical Willemstad. With multiple beaches to choose from, make sure to stop at exquisite Grote Knip or explore the street art and museums across the island.

    Drink the namesake blue liqueur of Curaçao

    Visit candy-hued Handelskade waterfront and market

    Move to the rhythm of live Ritmo Kombina music

    Sunny beach days at 28°C

  • Canada
  • The stuff skiers dreams are made of, Canada is the perfect wintery-white escape in December. Get on-piste in Quebec, Alberta or British Columbia, try your luck fishing the frozen Lake Simcoe in Ontario, and go snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies.

    See the Northern Lights in Yellowknife

    Ice skate on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa

    Drink ice wine and sample maple syrup

    Bundle up for biting temperatures of -4°C to -13°C

  • USA
  • The United States is awash with winter, although weather varies across the vast country. Chase the Northern Lights in Alaska, ski in the powdery white Rocky Mountains, or escape the snow and take in masterpieces in Miami at the Art Basel Fair.

    Cruise down the famous Las Vegas strip

    Visit the original Disneyland Park in California

    Eat apple pie in Pie Town, New Mexico

    Temperatures range from -9°C to -18°C countrywide

Events in December

USA – Times Square Ball Drop

Arguably the most iconic way to ring in the new year in North America, lose yourself in a sea of almost one million revellers at the Times Square Ball Drop. Synonymous with ushering in the new year, Times Square is alive with energy, neon lights, music and a melting pot of partygoers eagerly awaiting midnight.

0-7°C daytime temperatures

31 December

New York City

Costa Rica - Zapote Festival

Calling all Ticos and Ticas! Held annually in the small town of Zapote, the Las Fiestas de Zapote is an extravaganza featuring a bull-riding rodeo, ferris wheel, fairground rides, live music, dancing and plenty of churros to go around.

19-24°C daytime temperatures

25 December - 6 January

Zapote

Nicaragua - La Purisima

This religious festival honouring the Virgin Mary is celebrated across Nicaragua with an explosion of fireworks, singing and shouting throughout the streets, churches and cathedrals. Join the lively procession in visiting the various altars and you may be gifted with fruits and candies in reward.

24-30 °C daytime temperatures

7 December

Across Nicaragua

South America

Popular High Season Destinations in December

  • Argentina
  • The start of summer in Argentina brings with it hot weather and outdoor adventures. Patagonia is the hero at this time - go trekking in Los Glaciares National Park, whale watching in the Valdes Peninsula and visit the Perito Moreno Glacier.

    Tuck into asado, or barbecued meat

    Learn to tango or browse street art in Buenos Aires

    Meet South American cowboys, or Gauchos, in Salta

    A comfortable daytime average of 23°C

  • Chile
  • Summer in Chile is the perfect time to visit Easter Island with its stone statues, Moai, found both on land or by diving in the adjacent sea. Trek Chilean Patagonia, home to Torres del Paine National Park, with towering granite peaks, glaciers and lakes.

    See Lake General Carrera’s marble caves in the South

    Enjoy sopaipillas, empanadas de pino, and pisco

    Tour the historic quarter of Santiago

    Savour an average temperature of 20°C

  • Colombia
  • With close proximity to the equator, Columbia’s weather is great year-round, particularly the dry, hot December period. Laze leisurely on Playa Blanca beach, take a trip to a coffee plantation in Bogotá, or stroll the streets of Cartagena’s old city.

    Discover Ciudad Perdida, an ancient lost city

    Salsa dance in Cali - salsa capital of the world

    Eat meaty bandeja paisa and sancocho soup

    Temperatures range from 15-29°C

Popular Budget-Friendly Destinations in December

  • Peru
  • Don’t be deterred by the interior rains in December, there are many parts of Peru worth visiting. Northern Peru offers warm waters for beach breaks and surfing, ancient archaeological sites to explore and historical sightseeing in the capital, Lima.

    Visit the Huaca Rajada site and Lord Sipan museum

    Try traditional cuy (cooked guinea pig)!

    Partake in the Fiesta de la Purísima Concepción

    22°C land temperature meets 21°C seas

  • Ecuador
  • The rainy season of Ecuador is also one of the best times to go diving and snorkelling in the Galápagos Islands, for warm land and sea temperatures and only short bursts of rain. Make a stop at Salinas, along the hot, humid coast or surf in Montanita.

    Buy colourful textiles or pottery at Otavalo market

    Soak in hot springs of Papallacta, Andes Mountains

    See giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

    Mainland temperatures of up to 18°C

  • Bolivia
  • The weather in Bolivia varies over December, making for exciting discoveries across the country - from the hot, humid lowlands of Santa Cruz and Trinidad to the rainy highlands of Lake Titicaca and Sucre.

    See the glistening, watery Salar de Uyuni salt flats

    Watch Cholita wrestling in the city of La Paz

    Visit otherworldly Valle de la Luna desert

    Temperatures range from 9-26°C

Events in December

Ecuador - Quito Festival

The build-up to Fiestas de Quito is marked by bullfights, parties in the street and reveller packed chivas (or festive open buses) cruising around to Spanish music. The final event brings everyone together to party to the entertainment provided by local bands and DJs across town.

9-19°C daytime temperatures

Late November 6 December

Quito

Colombia - Cali Fair

Dance in the streets of Columbia’s Capital of Salsa, at La Feria de Cali, a musical, cultural street carnival in Cali city. Horseback and classical car parades carry out alongside concerts, beauty pageants and bullfighting. An array of Colombian cuisine on offer completes the experience.

18-29°C daytime temperatures

25 - 30 December

Cali

Peru - Santuranticuy

Literally translated, the ‘Sale of Saints’ is Peru’s most prized Christmas fair, adorned with hand-carved religious figurines and many a retablo, or beautifully boxed nativity scene. Purchase puppets, paintings, leatherwork and clothes. Feliz Navidad!

8-21°C daytime temperatures

24 December

Cusco

When travelling, remember to book 3 months in advance to get the best deals.

Book in September to get great discounts on your December trip!

Not ready to travel in December? Book your trip in December and travel in March to get the best deals!

December is an excellent time to tick off your dream destinations, from winter-washed Europe and North America, to the summer sun of Africa and South America. Want it all? Take in a little of all the seasons in Asia - the choice is yours.

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