Best destinations to visit in December
Best destinations to visit in December
Festive public square markets and classic snow-covered winter tracks in December
December splits the travel calendar in two, with the Northern Hemisphere heading into the coldest part of winter while the south moves into full summer.
Christmas and the school break that follows drive a huge amount of travel this month, filling flights, resorts and family destinations well before the holiday itself arrives. Ski season shifts into full gear across the Northern Hemisphere, with more reliable snow than the earlier weeks of the season. Christmas markets reach their busiest stretch across parts of Europe too, especially in the final two weeks before the holiday. The Southern Hemisphere heads into peak summer instead, with beaches and coastal towns filling up as local school holidays begin. Prices across most of the world climb steadily as the month goes on.
The destinations on our list cover that same range, from deep winter snow to the height of a Southern Hemisphere summer.
Lists by region
City in United States
New York City
Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting draws large crowds to Manhattan each December. Ice skating rinks open at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park through the winter. Fifth Avenue store windows fill with elaborate holiday displays. Central Park stays scenic for walks even in the colder weather.
City in United Kingdom
London
A Tapestry of History and Modernity
Christmas lights strung along Oxford Street and Regent Street draw crowds through December. Winter Wonderland fills Hyde Park with a fairground, market stalls and an ice rink. The Tower of London was begun by William the Conqueror in the late 1070s. Ice skating rinks pop up at Somerset House and the Natural History Museum.
City in United States
New Orleans
Jazz, Creole Flavors and Mardi Gras Vibes
Mild December weather with highs near 19 degrees Celsius suits walking the French Quarter. Jazz clubs on Frenchmen Street fill with live music every night. Celebration in the Oaks lights up City Park with holiday displays each December. Streetcars rumble along St. Charles Avenue past historic mansions.
Country
India
Palaces, temples, backwaters and Himalayan peaks
Mild December weather across northern India suits visits to the Taj Mahal in Agra. Goa's beaches fill with visitors during the cooler, drier winter months. Camel safaris cross the dunes near Jaisalmer in the Thar Desert. Houseboats drift along the calm backwaters of Kerala.
City in United Arab Emirates
Dubai
Glamour, Adventure and Desert Charm
Warm December weather with highs near 26 degrees Celsius suits outdoor sightseeing across the city. Burj Khalifa rises 828 metres above downtown Dubai with an observation deck near the top. Dubai Fountain's choreographed shows play beside the base of the tower after dark. Desert safaris in the dunes stay comfortable during the cooler months.
City in Australia
Sydney
Where urban life meets stunning beaches
New Year's Eve fireworks light up the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House each 31 December. Warm December weather with highs near 26 degrees Celsius suits beach days at Bondi. Ferries cross the harbour to Manly and other bayside suburbs. Carols by Candlelight events fill parks across the city in the lead up to Christmas.
City in Mexico
Mexico City
Vibrant Culture, History and Street Food
Poinsettias, native to Mexico, decorate homes and plazas across the city each December. The Zócalo, one of the largest public squares in the world, hosts an ice rink during the holidays. Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul museum sits in the colourful Coyoacán neighbourhood. Mild dry season weather suits walking Chapultepec Park's shaded paths.
Island in Thailand
Phuket
Beaches, Culture and Nightlife
Dry season weather returns to Phuket by December with sunny days and calmer seas. The Big Buddha stands 45 metres tall on Nakkerd Hill above the island's southern coast. Old Phuket Town's colourful Sino Portuguese shophouses sit a short drive away. Beach clubs along Patong and Kata stay lively through the peak season.
City in Japan
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
Late autumn foliage can linger into early December in Kyoto's temple gardens. The Philosopher's Path follows a canal lined with maples that hold colour late into the season. Fushimi Inari's thousands of vermilion torii gates climb a wooded hillside. Fewer crowds in December make popular temples easier to visit.
City in Austria
Vienna
A Symphony of Culture and Elegance
Christmas markets fill squares across Vienna, including one in front of the City Hall each December. Schönbrunn Palace's own market spreads across its grand courtyard. Mulled wine and roasted chestnuts warm visitors browsing wooden stalls. The Prater park's historic Ferris wheel operates through the holiday season.
City in Germany
Cologne
Where history meets a vibrant lifestyle
Cologne Cathedral's twin spires rise 157 metres above the old town, among Germany's tallest church towers. A Christmas market fills the square in front of the cathedral each December. Mulled wine stalls and wooden huts line the Rhine riverside markets. The cathedral took more than 600 years to complete, finishing in 1880.
City in Czech Republic
Prague
A fairy-tale city with rich history
A Christmas market fills Old Town Square with wooden stalls and mulled wine each December. The Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square has kept time since 1410. Charles Bridge stays scenic even in the colder winter weather. Snow occasionally dusts the red rooftops of the historic centre.
City in Canada
Quebec City
Old World Charm in North America
German style Christmas markets fill the walled Old Town with wooden chalets each December. A funicular has carried riders between Lower Town and Upper Town since 1879. Snow often blankets the cobbled streets near the Château Frontenac by mid month. Horse drawn calèche rides tour the historic centre through the winter.
City in Australia
Gold Coast
Sun, Surf and Adventure
Surfers Paradise beach draws crowds through Australia's warm December summer season. Theme parks such as Dreamworld and Warner Bros. Movie World sit a short drive inland. Hinterland rainforest trails offer cooler walking away from the coastal heat. Surf lessons run daily along the main beach for visitors of all levels.
Town in Canada
Banff
Rocky Mountain Majesty, Endless Adventure
Lake Louise Ski Resort spreads across about 4,200 acres of terrain. Cold, snowy December weather keeps snow light and powdery across the valley. Skaters glide on groomed ice in front of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Christmas markets fill Banff Avenue with lights and warm drinks.
Country
Costa Rica
Lush rainforests, stunning beaches, pure adventure
Dry season settles fully over the Pacific coast of Costa Rica by December. Guanacaste beaches such as Tamarindo see sunny days and little rain. Hanging bridges wind through the misty Monteverde cloud forest year round. Wildlife stays active in Manuel Antonio National Park's coastal rainforest.
Country
Oman
Ancient heritage meets natural wonders
Green turtles come ashore at Ras al Jinz on the eastern tip of Oman throughout the year. Mild December weather with highs near 25 degrees Celsius suits sightseeing in Muscat. Wahiba Sands has orange dunes that rise up to 100 metres high. Mutrah Souq's covered alleys stay comfortable for browsing in the cooler air.
City in France
Strasbourg
Where France Meets Germany in Style
Strasbourg's Christmas market, one of France's oldest, has run since 1570 in the old town. Wooden chalets sell mulled wine and gingerbread around the cathedral square. Canal boat tours glide through Petite France past half timbered houses and locks. The astronomical clock in Strasbourg Cathedral draws crowds for its figure parade at half past noon.
City in South Africa
Cape Town
Mountains, Beaches and a Vibrant Culture
Table Mountain rises 1,086 metres above the city with a cable car to the top. Warm December weather brings peak summer beach season to Camps Bay and Clifton. Wine estates near Stellenbosch offer tastings on shaded terraces. African penguins waddle across the sand at Boulders Beach near Simon's Town.
Country
Guatemala
Land of diverse climates, volcanoes
Antigua Guatemala lies in a valley ringed by three volcanoes including Agua and Fuego. Cool dry days from November to April make December pleasant for hiking. Tikal's Temple IV rises about 70 metres above the jungle canopy. Lake Atitlán is ringed by volcanoes and Maya villages reached by boat.
Town in Cambodia
Siem Reap
Gateway to Ancient Temples and Culture
Angkor Wat was built in the early 1100s by King Suryavarman II. December falls in the cool dry season with clear skies over the temples. Ta Prohm, where tree roots wrap ancient stone walls, is a short tuk tuk ride away. Sunrise crowds gather beside the reflecting pond before dawn.
City in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
The heartbeat of Brazil's coast
Copacabana Beach fills with sunbathers as Brazil's summer season begins in December. Christ the Redeemer stands 30 metres tall atop Corcovado mountain above the city. Warm afternoon temperatures often reach around 30 degrees Celsius. New Year's Eve fireworks draw huge crowds to the beach each 31 December.
Country
Iceland
Land of fire and ice
Daylight lasts only about four hours in Reykjavik around the December solstice. Northern lights are visible on clear nights away from city lights. The geothermal Blue Lagoon holds milky blue water at about 37 to 39 degrees Celsius. Christmas markets fill Reykjavik's streets with lights and warm drinks.
Island in Philippines
Boracay
Powdery white sands and turquoise waters
White Beach's powdery sand stretches about four kilometres along the island's west coast. Dry season sunshine returns to Boracay in December after the summer monsoon. Sunset sailing trips on traditional paraw boats leave from the beachfront. Warm water suits swimming and snorkelling throughout the month.
Region
Patagonia
Untamed Beauty at the End of the World
Perito Moreno Glacier pushes a blue ice wall into Lago Argentino near El Calafate. The wall rises about 60 metres above the water. Summer weather in December brings long daylight hours for trekking near El Chaltén. Huge chunks of ice regularly crash into the lake with a loud roar.
City in United States
Aspen
Rocky Mountain Glam Meets Outdoor Thrills
Four separate mountains make up the Aspen Snowmass ski resort. December brings reliable early season snow and festive holiday crowds. Victorian buildings from Aspen's silver mining boom line the compact downtown. The gondola from town centre reaches the top of Aspen Mountain in about 14 minutes.
City in Estonia
Tallinn
Medieval charm meets modern innovation
A Christmas market fills Tallinn's Town Hall Square with wooden stalls each December. Medieval stone walls with 26 surviving towers still ring Tallinn's Old Town. Snow often dusts the cobbled lanes by mid month. Mulled wine stalls and craft vendors line the square through the holiday season.
City in Laos
Luang Prabang
Laid-back charm by the Mekong River
Monks collect alms in a silent dawn procession along the main street. UNESCO named the town a World Heritage Site in 1995. Kuang Si Falls about 30 kilometres south has turquoise pools for swimming. Cool dry season weather in December brings pleasant mornings and evenings.
Region in Finland
Lapland
Northern lights and midnight sun
Rovaniemi lies on the Arctic Circle with only a few hours of daylight in December. Northern lights often glow over frozen lakes on clear nights. Huskies pull sleds through snowy forests on guided safaris. Santa Claus Village near Rovaniemi draws families visiting during the holiday season.
Country
Saint Lucia
Tropical paradise with volcanic mountains
The twin volcanic peaks called the Pitons rise dramatically from the sea near Soufrière. Dry season weather from December onward brings sunny days and calmer seas. Sulphur Springs nearby lets visitors soak in warm volcanic mud. Rainforest canopy tours run through the island's mountainous interior.
National Park in Tanzania
Serengeti National Park
The Ultimate Safari Adventure
Wildebeest give birth on the southern Serengeti's short grass plains from around December into March. Lions and cheetahs follow the herds across the open grassland. Hot air balloon safaris drift over the plains at sunrise for wide views. Dry season conditions make wildlife easier to spot around remaining water.
Island in Ecuador
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
Marine iguanas, found only in the Galápagos, bask on volcanic rocks along the shoreline. Warmer water in December suits snorkelling with playful sea lions. Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz studies the islands' giant tortoises. Blue footed boobies perform their courtship dance on several of the islands.
Outer Territory in Australia
Christmas Island
Island Paradise of Red Crabs
Millions of red crabs migrate from the forest to the sea each year, often peaking around November or December. Roads and paths across the island close temporarily to protect the migrating crabs. Snorkelling in the surrounding waters reveals coral reefs and whale sharks in season. Dense rainforest covers much of the island's interior.
Outer Territory in United Kingdom
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Remote polar wilderness with wildlife
King penguin colonies at Salisbury Plain can number in the hundreds of thousands during breeding season. Antarctic summer in December brings long daylight and abundant wildlife to the island. Elephant seals haul out on the beaches near research stations. Expedition cruises reach the remote island from Ushuaia or the Falklands.
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