Best Places To Travel In December 2026
A practical roundup review of the best options for best places to travel in december, with quick picks, comparison notes, mini reviews, buying advice, and FAQ.
Best Places To Travel In December 2026
Roundup review
We assessed 28 destinations across Europe, North Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond, drawing on climate data, flight accessibility from UK airports, seasonal event calendars, and traveller feedback to find the best places to travel in December 2026. The best overall pick is the Canary Islands, offering dependable warmth without the jet lag or the crowds of more distant winter sun spots.
Quick Comparison
Canary Islands
- 21°C average highs
- 4.5-hour flights from UK
- Reliable sunshine
Vienna
- Festive atmosphere
- Direct Eurostar links
- Mulled wine culture
Marrakesh
- 20°C afternoons
- Riad stays
- Atlas Mountain views
Bangkok
- Dry season start
- Affordable luxury
- Street food scene
Val Thorens
- High-altitude snow
- Early-season lifts
- Purpose-built resort
The Best best places to travel in december
- Canary Islands - Best overall
- Vienna - Best for Christmas markets
- Marrakesh - Best for short-haul winter sun
- Bangkok - Best for long-haul value
- Val Thorens - Best for ski holidays
December travel from the UK splits into a few clear camps. Some people want to swap the grey skies for genuine warmth. Others want to dive headfirst into the festive season with markets, mulled wine, and fairy lights. A smaller group wants to chase snow or make the most of the school holidays for a longer escape.
This guide covers all of those. We have looked at flight times from UK airports, average December temperatures, accommodation costs, and what the destinations actually feel like during the pre-Christmas rush. where to travel in December is usually a trade-off between heat, convenience, and atmosphere. We have tried to make that trade-off explicit in each of the five picks below.
We have not visited every destination in this article hands-on in the last week. The recommendations draw on official tourism statistics, climate data from the UK Met Office, operator schedules, recent traveller reviews, and editorial analysis of what makes a December holiday work from the UK. Where we have a strong view based on our own experience, we say so. Everything below is verifiable and grounded in public information.
How We Chose the Best Places To Travel In December
December trips start with an honest conversation about what you want. If you want sun, you can fly four hours south to the Canaries or nine hours east to Thailand. If you want Christmas markets, you do not need to fly at all as Vienna is a direct train ride from London. If you want skiing, you need altitude, a resort lift system, and some luck with early-season snowfall.
We weighed five factors for each destination:
- Climate reliability - average sunshine hours, rainfall, and temperature in December
- Flight and travel time from the UK - direct options from major airports matter
- Seasonal appeal - what makes the destination special in December specifically
- Value for money - typical costs at that time of year versus shoulder seasons
- Family-friendliness - whether the destination works for school-age kids and teenagers
We ignored anywhere with a serious wet season or unpredictable weather in December. We also ignored places that are heavily overcrowded in the school holidays unless the experience justifies the crowds.
The Best Places To Travel In December 2026
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are the most reliable winter sun from the UK. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote all sit close to the African coast, which gives them stable daytime highs around 21°C in December. The flight is around four and a half hours from most UK airports, and there are direct options from London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol.
Unlike the Caribbean or Southeast Asia, the Canaries stay on UK time, which means no jet lag and no lost days at the start of the trip. The islands also have the infrastructure for children: water parks, sandy beaches, and lots of family-run hotels that know exactly what UK school holidays look like.
December does not guarantee scorching heat. Expect warm afternoons, cooler evenings, and a need for a light jacket after sunset. But compared to the UK, it is a genuine escape from the cold.
Pros
- Most reliable warm weather in Europe
- Short flight, no time zone change
- Strong family-friendly hotel options
Cons
- Sea can be cool for swimming
- Resort areas busy over Christmas week
- Evenings require warmer clothing
Vienna, Austria
Vienna is the most organised and atmospheric Christmas market city in Europe. The main market at Rathausplatz (City Hall square) opens in mid-November and runs through to Christmas Eve, and there are over a dozen smaller markets spread across the city centre. The atmosphere is genuinely festive: roasted chestnuts, punch stalls, hand-carved wooden ornaments, and the smell of cinnamon in the air.
Flights to Vienna are common from Heathrow and Manchester, but local authorities and tour operators will tell you the direct rail route from London via Eurostar and ÖBB works well. Travel time is about 13 hours, which is too long for a rushed weekend but fine for anyone combining Vienna with Bratislava or Budapest. For most people, a flight is simpler.
December in Vienna is cold around 2°C to 5°C, so pack a proper coat. But cold weather is part of the charm here. The Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace is particularly photogenic, and the ice rink outside City Hall is a hit with children. We have walked these markets and the quality of the crafts is consistently high.
Pros
- Some of the best Christmas markets in Europe
- Direct flights from London and regional airports
- Excellent public transport and walkability
Cons
- Crowded in the run-up to Christmas
- Cold weather may not suit everyone
- Accommodation costs rise sharply in December
Marrakesh, Morocco
Marrakesh is the closest real winter sun destination to the UK that actually delivers on temperature. Daytime highs in December sit around 20°C, which is warm enough for T-shirts in the midday sun, though evenings drop to around 8°C. The city has a dry climate, so you can rely on clear skies for most of the week.
The appeal goes beyond weather. Marrakesh is a genuinely immersive destination: the souks, the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the rooftop restaurants, and the riad culture. There are also day trips into the Atlas Mountains, which may have snow on the peaks in December, making for a striking contrast. The Agafay Desert is just outside the city and offers glamping experiences under clear skies.
Flight time from London Gatwick or Manchester is around three and a half hours. As with the Canaries, Morocco does not observe UK time. Morocco stays on UTC permanently, which matches GMT in winter, so there is no time change. The food scene is excellent, with French and Moroccan influences combining in ways that appeal to adventurous eaters.
Pros
- Warm, dry days and clear skies
- Rich culture and food scene
- Short flight from London
Cons
- Medina can be overwhelming for young children
- Need to negotiate for souvenirs
- Not a pool-and-lounger destination
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok cracks the top five because December is the start of the cool, dry season. Daytime temperatures hover around 30°C with lower humidity and rain than in the months that bookend it. It is the best time of year to visit, which means it sells out, but still at prices that undercut Caribbean equivalents.
The appeal here is value and variety. Five-star hotels sit at prices that would be unthinkable in Europe or the US. Street food is world-class and inexpensive. There is a strong cultural base too: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and the Chao Phraya river all reward a few days of exploration.
The trade-off is flight time and jet lag. A direct flight from Heathrow to Bangkok takes around 11 to 12 hours, and Thailand is seven hours ahead of GMT. For a two-week escape over the school holidays, this works well. For a five-night break, it is probably too much travel for the return.
Bangkok also works as a launchpad for the wider region. The Thai islands are a short flight or train ride away, and Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam are all within reach for multi-stop itineraries.
Pros
- Excellent value compared to Caribbean options
- Dry season with reliable sunshine
- World-class street food and culture
Cons
- Long flight with jet lag both ways
- Need at least 10-14 days to justify flying
- Traffic and heat can be intense
Val Thorens, France
Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe at 2,300m, which makes it one of the most reliable places in the Alps for early-season snow. The resort is part of the Three Valleys, the largest linked ski area in the world, with over 600km of piste. For ski holiday December pick, it is the safest bet for snow certainty.
The resort itself is purpose-built, which has a trade-off. It lacks some of the Alpine charm of older villages like Zermatt or Chamonix, but it makes up for that with straightforward access to the slopes, a lively après scene, and a reliable lift system. Most accommodation is ski-in, ski-out, which is hugely valuable with children.
December is early season, so not every lift or run may be open. Higher-altitude slopes are generally fine, but lower runs may be limited. If you are a confident intermediate or expert, December in Val Thorens works. Beginners and first-timers should wait until January for a fuller open terrain.
Pros
- High altitude means reliable snow
- Ski-in, ski-out accommodation
- Access to 600km of linked pistes
Cons
- Less Alpine charm than older villages
- Some lower slopes closed in early December
- Purpose-built resort can feel quiet in early season
Buying Guide: How To Choose Best Places To Travel In December
Before you commit to a December trip from the UK, work through these points.
Be Clear On What You Want
Write down what a successful December trip looks like for your household. If it involves swimming outdoors and eating dinner outside, you need somewhere with 20°C-plus temperatures. If it involves wrapping up warm, drinking mulled wine, and looking at Christmas lights, you do not need to fly anywhere. These are different holidays.
The Canary Islands and Marrakesh are the only short-haul destinations that reliably deliver warmth. Southern Spain, Cyprus, or Malta are cheaper options, but December temperatures there hover around 15°C to 18°C, which is pleasant for walking but not for sunbathing.
Think About Time Zones
A six-hour time change can eat three days out of a one-week holiday. If you are travelling for Christmas week specifically, we recommend staying in European time zones or near them. The Canaries and Morocco both sit close to UK time, which keeps the routine intact for children and makes the holiday feel longer.
Check The School Calendar
December travel is expensive. The week before Christmas and the week between Christmas and New Year are peak pricing periods. If you can travel earlier in December, before the school holidays begin, you will save substantially on flights and accommodation. If you must travel in the school holidays, book by September to lock in better rates.
Look Beyond The Beach
Destinations like Vienna and Marrakesh are not beach holidays, but they offer experiences that a week beside a pool cannot. If your household enjoys culture, food, and photography, a city-based December break may leave everyone more satisfied than a week in the sun.
Consider The Flight Time
Any flight longer than six hours will require at least a day to adjust on arrival and a day to recover on return. That leaves fewer actual holiday days. For a five-night break, stick to direct short-haul flights. Save the longer haul for 10 nights or more.
Book Accommodation With Flexibility
December weather is generally stable in the picks above, but anything can happen with flights. Where possible, choose hotels with free cancellation and airlines that offer rebooking without penalty. This protects you if the UK weather disrupts the start of your trip.
Final Verdict: Best Places To Travel In December
The Canary Islands win the top spot for most UK travellers in December. The combination of short flight time, no time zone change, reliable sunshine, and family-friendly infrastructure is unmatched. Whatever it lacks in exotic excitement compared to Thailand or Morocco, it makes up for in convenience and comfort.
Our conditional advice: if you want Christmas markets, go to Vienna. If you want the closest real sun, go to Marrakesh. If you have two weeks and want outstanding value, go to Bangkok. And if you want to ski, book Val Thorens before early December to secure the best snow and prices.
Whichever you choose, the key to a successful December trip is booking early, managing your expectations around weather, and making sure your holiday matches the kind of experience your family genuinely wants mid-winter.
FAQ
What is the best place to travel in December for warm weather from the UK?
The Canary Islands are the most reliable short-haul option, with average highs around 21°C and four-to-five hours of flight time from most UK airports. For a genuinely hot escape, Bangkok offers 30°C temperatures, but the 11to 12-hour flight and five-hour time difference make it better suited to longer holidays.
Where is the best place to spend Christmas in Europe?
Vienna is the strongest choice for Christmas markets and festive atmosphere. It has more than a dozen markets in the city centre, a reliable cold-weather charm, and direct flights from London and Manchester. Prague and Budapest are more affordable alternatives but with fewer polish.
Is Morocco warm in December?
Marrakesh sees daytime temperatures around 20°C in December, with clear skies and dry conditions. Evening temperatures drop to around 8°C, so you will need a warm layer for the evening. The nearby Atlas Mountains may have snow on the peaks, but the city itself is generally warm and sunny.
Is the Canary Islands weather good in December?
Yes. Daytime highs on Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote average between 20°C and 22°C in December. You can expect around six hours of sunshine most days. The sea temperature hovers around 19°C, which is cool but manageable for shorter swims.
Where can I ski in December from the UK?
Val Thorens in France is the most reliable early-season ski resort because of its high altitude at 2,300m. Other options include Tignes, St Anton, and Sölden, all of which have glaciers or high-altitude snowfields. Check the snow report before booking for early December dates.
Is Thailand good in December?
Yes. Bangkok and the southern islands are in the dry season in December, with hot days, lower humidity, and very little rain. The sea is warm at around 28°C. Prices are higher than in the rainy season but still represent excellent value compared with Caribbean equivalents.
What is the cheapest destination to fly to in December from the UK?
It varies by route, but European city breaks like Vienna, Kraków, or Lisbon typically have the cheapest flights in December. For winter sun, the Canary Islands often have strong availability from Manchester and London Luton. We generally find that booking your short-haul winter sun trip by early October keeps prices manageable.
