December can be a busy month. Schools close, businesses shut their doors for the holiday period and a sense of festivity seems to take over. Reckon it’s the perfect time for a little escape? Let’s have a look at some of the best places to visit in December around the world.
The weather varies throughout the world in December, offering you the chance to make the most of every season. As well as enjoying London in the winter or celebrating Christmas in Paris, you could head down to the Southern Hemisphere for beach days and sunny adventures.
Meanwhile, in the Northern Hemisphere, countries like Canada, Spain, and Germany are fabulously festive.
Need a little inspiration? Check out my top 12 best places to visit in December for sunshine, skiing, or general seasonal festivities:
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Chichi, Guatemala
- Saint Lucia, Caribbean
- Banff, Canada
- The Maldives
- Munich, Germany
- Tromso, Norway
- New York City, USA
- Patagonia, Chile
- Zakopane, Poland
- Hokkaido, Japan
The best places to visit in December
1. Cape Town, South Africa
- Flight time: 12 hours
- Learn more: Cape Town travel guide
Cape Town is a magical place over the December holidays. Millions of people from across South Africa flock to this heaven on Earth to experience some of the best natural landscapes you can find.
Cape Town’s most famous site has to be Table Mountain. It was recently added to a list of the world’s wonders and offers up spectacular views of the entire city.
Speaking of views, make sure you head to Cape Point to see where the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans meet. Love wine? The city also sits within striking distance of South Africa’s best wine estates.
2. Glasgow, Scotland
- Flight time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Learn more: Glasgow travel guide
While many like to head to Edinburgh for a Christmas holiday, Scotland‘s second city is equally as enchanting. As well as hosting several seasonal events in December, the city is also awash with fantastic attractions.
Booking a pre-Christmas getaway with the kids? Get down to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum for the annual Elfingrove extravaganza. It starts in late November and continues throughout December, with stalls, an ice rink, and a snow wheel being just some of its allures.
You could also venture to George Square (famous for its statues of acclaimed Scots). The square comes alive with a colourful Christmas market complete with rides and plenty of stalls selling festive gifts.
3. Chichi, Guatemala
- Flight time: 21 hours
- Learn more: Guatemala travel guide
Despite December being the best month of the year in Guatemala in terms of weather, it’s also when one of the most exciting festivals of the year is held. The small town of Chichicastenango (or Chichi) is a town of traditional Mayan K’ich’e that keep to themselves through most of the year – except during a few key festivals. One of these festivals, and the most famous among the locals, is the Fiesta de SantoTomás.
Fiesta de SantoTomás, which occurs every year in mid-December, features a parade of patron saints and icons. There’s also singing, dancing and fireworks all happening in the town square and throughout the city streets. Want an unforgettable experience this December? Head to Chichi to experience ancient Mayan traditions (and, not to mention, wonderful sunny weather.)
4. Saint Lucia, Caribbean
- Flight time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Learn more: Saint Lucia travel guide
If your dream winter escape involves white-sand beaches and balmy evenings sipping rum cocktails, say hello to the Caribbean. Saint Lucia is widely considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world and it serves as a breathtaking escape from cold weather.
This paradise island is also an ideal spot to travel to if you’re looking for a holiday where staying active is a key part of the adventure. Saint Lucia is home to several challenging treks in its lofty Piton mountains.
You could also head out on a coral reef dive along Anse Chastanet. And, when that’s all said and done, you can spend time in Sulphur Springs. Anyone for a soothing mud bath?
5. Banff, Canada
- Flight time: 13 hours
- Learn more: Banff travel guide
For the ultimate winter wonderland, the beautiful resort town of Banff in Canada is hard to beat. It’s one of the best holiday destinations in December thanks to its stunning scenery. Glimpse the Rocky Mountains in all their snow-covered glory or skate along one of the lakes with locals in tow.
Banff may just be the ultimate Canadian Christmas experience, too. It’s filled with Christmas carollers, parades, and markets, plus loads of opportunities for skiing and skating. One of the very best things about Banff over the December period is its festivals and events. Sip beer at an ale festival, get into the Christmas spirit at a festive fair or attend an event purely dedicated to ice castles.
Make sure you head over to Sulpher Mountain and ride the famous Banff Gondola before you leave the town. It really is a major highlight of any trip – no matter what time of year you visit.
6. The Maldives
- Flight time: 11 hours
- Learn more: Maldives travel guide
The Maldives is one of the most exquisite groups of islands in the world, with top-class resorts spread out across the Indian Ocean archipelago. It’s one of the best holiday destinations in December for total luxury and blissful R&R.
With warm weather year-round, minimal waves, crystal clear waters and first-class service, there’s very little not to love about a trip to the Maldives. One of the most impressive places to stay is Crossroads, Maldives. This multi-island, fully-integrated leisure space is a short 15-minute trip from the main airport on Malé. It features two incredible resorts, a variety of world-class clubs, plus high-end bars and restaurants.
The sunsets and sunrises throughout your stay will blow your mind. And the struggle will definitely feel real when it’s time to go home.
7. Munich, Germany
- Flight time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Learn more: Munich travel guide
Craving a magical German Christmas market experience? Make your way to Munich in the south of the country. This beer-loving city is awash with glittering lights, traditional stalls and all kinds of delicious festive treats come December.
Forget London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Munich’s Marienplatz Christkindlmart is the real deal and easily one of the best Christmas markets you can visit. Marvel at the huge Christmas tree lit by over 2000 twinkling lights. Browse stalls selling all sorts of traditional gifts. Tuck into delicious treats like gingerbread, gluhwein and stollen.
Munich’s close proximity to the Alps also makes it the perfect jumping-off point for a mini ski retreat. Or why not hop on a train for the day to Tegernsee simply to view the mountains blanketed in powdery soft snow?
8. Tromso, Norway
- Flight time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Learn more: Tromso travel guide
Want to see the Northern Lights? One of the best places to visiting December to see this awesome sight is Tromso, Norway. The final month of the year is a perfect time to experience an affordable getaway in the lap of luxury, all while being immersed in sensational natural beauty.
Despite Tromso’s proximity to the Arctic Circle, the winter isn’t even close to as harsh as you would expect. Book a couple of tours while you’re in the city to experience it through the eyes of a local guide. This includes a trip to witness the Northern Lights which is particularly prevalent at this time of year. Get ready to be blown away by its mesmerising beauty.
9. New York City, USA
- Flight time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Learn more: New York City travel guide
There’s something extra special about New York in the winter. Despite being a concrete and glass metropolis, it offers a winter wonderland feel that’s hard to beat. One of the key things to do in New York in December is stroll down Fifth Avenue and shop to your heart’s content. Don’t forget to marvel at the fabulous festive window displays lining this world-famous street.
Make sure you head over to the Rockefeller Centre to check out the famous giant Christmas tree. You could also pop on some skate and hit the ice rink- a tradition with the locals that dates way back to 1936. For a little more excitement (not that you’ll need it), head over to the Radio City Music Hall to watch the famous Rockettes in action.
10. Patagonia, Chile
- Flight time: 10 hours 30 minutes
- Learn more: Patagonia travel guide
Craving a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? One of the best places to visit in December has to be Patagonia, Chile. Expect mild to hot summer-ish days and a mild to chilly evening.
The weather is mild to hot and it is an ideal place to visit to connect with nature. Torres del Paine is a UNESCO-listed national park that’s high on many people’s bucket lists. Picture beautiful glaciers, crystal-clear turquoise lakes, and breathtaking mountain peaks. It’s one of the most sought-after destinations in South America and the perfect place to kick back and quiet down your mind with fresh mountain air and incredible views.
While you’re in the region, take the time to explore places like the pristine Zapata Valley with a local guide. Or make your way through to the Los Glaciares National Park, just a short hop across the border in Argentina.
Best places to visit in December for Skiing
11. Zakopane, Poland
- Flight time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Learn more: Zakopane travel guide
If your heart’s set on whizzing down the slopes, consider a December ski holiday in Poland. Pland’s ski season is still very much overshadowed by the Alps – but it really shouldn’t be. Zakopane (a city in the country’s south) is the gateway to the Tatra Mountains and the perfect base for a ski trip to Bialka Tatrzanska.
Bialka Tatrzanska is one of Poland‘s best ski resorts, offering up to 16 kilometres of linked ski runs. There are options for every ability too, plus chances to enjoy various other winter activities. Zakopane itself is brimming with things to do. Stroll down its vibrant main street, take a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh or whizz up to the top of Mt. Kasprowy in the Kasprowy Wierch cable car for epic vistas.
12. Hokkaido, Japan
- Flight time: 11 hours 30 minutes
- Learn more: Sapporo travel guide
Rather take your skiing adventure outside of Europe? Hokkaido (Japan’s second largest island) is the place to be in December if you’re looking to shred legendary slopes on skis or a snowboard.
The region (whose capital is Sapporo) has become one of the world’s best spots for hitting the slopes. That’s mostly down to its unique type of fluffy but dry snow. Mid-December is when the Hokkaido ski season kicks off and it runs for the next couple of months. There are numerous resorts to choose from, with the top picks being Niseko, Sahoro and Tomamu.
Looking for more winter holiday inspiration? Have a look at some of the top places to visit in January, luxury New Year’s Eve breaks for couples and the best places to find winter sun.
