The best places to visit in December are overwhelmingly in the Southern Hemisphere and tropical Asia, where December marks the start of summer or the peak of the dry season. For travellers in the Northern Hemisphere, December also delivers two distinct experiences worth planning around: Christmas markets in Europe and genuinely cheap winter city breaks.
If you’re wondering where you can go in December, the answer depends on whether you want beaches, culture, or winter experiences. Here’s exactly where to go in December. This guide covers the best countries to travel to in December based on weather, crowds, and budget.
Best Places to Visit in December (Quick Overview by Destination)
| Destination | Best For | December Weather | Budget Level |
| Maldives | Beaches, diving, honeymoons | 27–30°C, dry season starts | High |
| Australia | Summer, cities, road trips | 22–30°C, long sunny days | Medium–High |
| Philippines | Islands, beaches, diving | 27–30°C, dry season | Low–Medium |
| Sri Lanka | West coast beaches, culture | 26–30°C, dry in the west | Low–Medium |
| New Zealand | Spring/summer scenery, outdoors | 16–22°C, long days | Medium–High |
| Morocco | Medinas, desert, Atlas Mountains | 14–20°C, dry and mild | Low–Medium |
| Japan | Winter illuminations, ski season | 3–10°C, cold and crisp | Medium–High |
| Europe | Christmas markets, city breaks | 0–12°C varies by region | Low–Medium |
Why December Is a Great Month to Travel?
December gets underestimated as a travel month. The assumption is that Northern Hemisphere winter means bad weather everywhere, but the reality is the opposite.
- December is peak season in the Maldives, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka for a reason: clear skies, calm seas, and the best beach conditions of the entire year.
- For Southern Hemisphere destinations, like Australia and New Zealand, December is early summer: long days, warm temperatures, and the entire country in holiday mode.
- And for travellers who want to stay closer to home, December tourist destinations in Europe offer the Christmas market experience in Germany and Austria, genuinely magical winter city breaks, and the lowest flight and hotel prices of the year outside of the festive peak itself.
The key to December travel is timing around Christmas and New Year. Prices spike sharply in the final week of December at popular destinations worldwide. Book early or plan your trip to avoid it entirely. The first three weeks of December are often significantly cheaper than the 23rd to 1st January period.
Maldives: One of The Best Places to Visit in December for Beaches & Honeymoon
December marks the start of the best time to go to the Maldives, and if a beach holiday is what you’re after, this is about as good as it gets anywhere in the world.
- The northeast monsoon brings dry, calm, and sunny conditions from late November through April, and December sits right at the beginning of that window.
- Water visibility for snorkelling and diving is exceptional in December, the kind of clear, warm water (27–29°C) that makes the Maldives one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world.
- Overwater bungalows and beach villas book up fast for the Christmas and New Year period, so plan well ahead if you’re going during the festive week.
Maldives is not a budget destination at any time of year, but for a best honeymoon destination or a genuinely special trip, December in the Maldives is hard to argue with.
Australia: One of the Best Countries to Visit in December for Summer Travel
December is early summer in Australia, which makes it one of the best countries to visit in December for travellers who want warmth, outdoor space, and a festive atmosphere that feels completely different from a Northern Hemisphere Christmas.
- Sydney is extraordinary in December. The harbour, Bondi Beach, the coastal walks, and the city’s genuinely excellent food and bar scene all hit differently under summer sun. Melbourne has its own energy — laneways, coffee culture, excellent restaurants, and the beginning of the cricket and tennis season.
- For road trippers, the Great Ocean Road in Victoria in December is one of the most scenic drives in the world.
- Queensland’s Whitsundays and the Daintree Rainforest in the north offer tropical heat and extraordinary natural scenery, though the far north edges into wet season territory by late December, so timing matters.
One practical note: Australians take serious summer holidays from mid-December onward, so popular coastal destinations book up fast and domestic travel prices climb. Book accommodation early, particularly for the Christmas and New Year window.
Philippines: Best Place to Travel in December for Budget Island Trips
The Philippines’ dry season runs from December to May, making it the best place to travel in December destinations in Asia. The southwest monsoon has cleared completely, the seas around Palawan and the Visayas are calm and crystal clear, and island-hopping conditions are about as good as they get.
- El Nido and Coron in Palawan are the flagship destinations, with limestone karsts, hidden lagoons, and some of the best snorkelling in Asia.
- Boracay in December is excellent: the famous White Beach is at its most beautiful, the winds are consistent for kitesurfing, and the party scene is in full swing without being as overwhelming as peak February.
- Siargao in December is worth considering for surfers — the northeast trade winds bring consistent swells, and the island’s laid-back atmosphere makes it one of the most enjoyable places in the Philippines at any time of year. Our dedicated Philippines travel guide covers all the major island groups in detail.
Sri Lanka: Best Country to Travel to in December for Culture + Beaches
Sri Lanka’s geography means its weather is split in December. The east coast gets rain from the northeast monsoon, but the west and south coasts are dry, sunny, and warm. This makes December one of the best countries to travel to in December for travellers targeting the west coast beach circuit and the Cultural Triangle.
- Galle and its surrounding beaches (Unawatuna, Mirissa, Tangalle) are excellent in December. Mirissa in particular becomes one of the best places in the world for blue whale watching from November through April — the whales are present, and the sea conditions are calm.
- The Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla) is accessible year-round, but December’s dry conditions make outdoor climbing and walking considerably more pleasant. Combine the culture with West Coast beaches, and you have a two-week itinerary that covers an enormous amount of ground.
New Zealand: Great Country to Visit in December for Nature & Adventure
December in New Zealand is early summer, with long daylight hours, warming temperatures, and the country’s national parks fully open and accessible. It’s one of the great countries to visit in December for outdoor-focused travellers who want mountain scenery, fjords, and adventure activities without the intensity of peak January crowds.
- Queenstown in December is excellent — bungee jumping, jet boating, hiking the Remarkables, and the lakeside town itself are all at their best.
- The Milford Sound road is open and at its most dramatic. The South Island’s alpine scenery in December has a clarity that winter clouds obscure.
- Auckland and the North Island warm up significantly in December, and the Coromandel Peninsula beaches begin their summer season. For a full breakdown of both islands, our best places to visit in New Zealand guide has everything you need.
Morocco: Underrated Place to Visit in December for Culture & Value
Morocco in December is the most underrated place to visit in December options for European travellers.
- The summer heat that makes Marrakech overwhelming in July has completely gone, temperatures sitting at a very comfortable 14–20°C, perfect for walking the medinas, exploring the souks, and spending time outdoors.
- The Sahara Desert in December is exceptional. Cold nights (genuinely cold — below 5°C) make desert camping a proper experience, and the clear winter skies make for extraordinary stargazing.
- Fes in December is calmer and more authentic than in peak tourist season, and the Atlas Mountain passes are accessible before the deeper winter snows arrive in January.
For value, Morocco is hard to beat at any time of year, and December outside the Christmas week offers some of the best prices of the calendar.
Japan: Unique December Tourist Destination for Winter & Skiing
December in Japan is cold as Tokyo drops to 5–10°C and Kyoto to 3–8°C, but it’s also one of the most visually spectacular months to visit.
- Japan’s winter illumination festivals (known as illumination or raito appu) transform parks, gardens, and city streets across the country from late November through February.
- Nabana no Sato near Nagoya, Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, and the gardens of Kyoto are all extraordinary.
- The ski season opens properly in December in Hokkaido (Niseko, Furano) and in the Japanese Alps (Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen).
- Niseko in particular has developed a strong international following for its powder snow quality, genuinely world-class skiing by any measure.
Europe: Top December Tourist Destinations for Christmas Markets & City Breaks
December in Europe divides neatly into two experiences:
- The first is Christmas markets in Germany (Nuremberg, Cologne, Dresden), Austria (Vienna, Salzburg), the Czech Republic (Prague), and France (Strasbourg) all host markets that range from genuinely magical to simply excellent. The combination of mulled wine, artisan crafts, and medieval town squares under festive lights is one of Europe’s best seasonal experiences.
- The second is budget winter city breaks. Lisbon, Rome, Barcelona, and Athens in December offer mild temperatures (10–16°C), minimal crowds at major sites, and flights and hotels at annual lows. January and February push this value even further, but December outside the Christmas week delivers the same combination.
For more on European destination timing, our best time to visit Europe guide covers the full seasonal picture.
Where to Travel in December Based on Your Trip Type?
- Beach and sunshine? Maldives, Philippines, or Sri Lanka.
- Summer in the Southern Hemisphere? Australia or New Zealand.
- Adventure and outdoor activities? New Zealand or Japan (skiing).
- Culture and value? Morocco or Sri Lanka.
- Festive European experience? Germany or Austria for Christmas markets.
- Budget winter city break? Lisbon, Rome, or Barcelona.
For the months either side, our guides on best places to visit in October and best places to travel in January cover the full seasonal calendar.
Are You Ready to Explore?
Ready to keep planning? Explore our guides on best places to visit in October, best places to travel in January, best time to visit the Maldives, best places to visit in the Philippines, and best places to visit in New Zealand to complete your travel planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Maldives, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Australia are the top choices for warm, sunny December travel. All four offer dry season conditions, warm temperatures, and excellent beach or outdoor experiences during this month.
Morocco and Sri Lanka offer the best combination of December weather and affordability. Both destinations provide excellent value for accommodation, food, and activities, with December sitting comfortably outside the peak pricing window at most properties.
Yes, specifically for Christmas markets in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, and for budget winter city breaks in Lisbon, Rome, and Barcelona. Prices outside the Christmas week are at annual lows, and the major sights are far less crowded than in summer.
The Maldives is the classic December honeymoon destination with peak dry season, warm water, and the iconic overwater bungalow experience. Bali (early December, before the rains build) and Sri Lanka’s south coast are strong alternatives at a lower price point.
Japan’s winter illumination festivals and ski resorts offer a completely different December experience from the typical beach holiday. Morocco’s Sahara Desert in December, with cold nights, extraordinary stargazing, and zero crowds, is another genuinely distinctive option.
