Where to go in December

25 destinations with the right weather and season in December, with temperatures and what not to miss.

🌡️ 3°C
Vienna
Austria
Magical Christmas markets and imperial palaces in winter atmosphere.
Winter
- Christmas markets
- Schönbrunn Palace
- Opera House
- Coffee houses
Austria guide →
🌡️ 29°C
Zanzibar
Tanzania, United Republic of
Exotic beaches and spice markets in warm December weather.
Summer
- Beaches
- Stone Town
- Spice farms
- Snorkeling
Tanzania, United Republic of guide →
🌡️ 6°C
Bolzano
Italy
Italy's best-known Christmas market fills Piazza Walther with wooden stalls, mulled wine and Alpine crafts.
Christmas markets
- Piazza Walther market
- Ötzi museum
- Renon cable car
- Speck and strudel
Italy guide →
🌡️ 9°C
Gubbio
Italy
On 7 December the world's largest Christmas tree lights up across the slopes of Monte Ingino above town.
Christmas tree lighting
- Giant Christmas tree
- Palazzo dei Consoli
- Colle Eletto cable car
- Medieval lanes
Italy guide →
🌡️ 7°C
Turin
Italy
The Luci d'Artista light installations illuminate the streets, and historic cafés serve bicerin against the cold.
Luci d'Artista
- Luci d'Artista
- Egyptian Museum
- Mole Antonelliana
- Historic cafés
Italy guide →
🌡️ 15°C
Lecce
Italy
In the run-up to Christmas the Santa Lucia fair fills the centre with papier-mâché and terracotta nativity figures.
Nativity fair
- Santa Lucia fair
- Basilica of Santa Croce
- Roman amphitheatre
- Papier-mâché workshops
Italy guide →
🌡️ 5°C
Strasbourg
France
The Christkindelsmärik, one of Europe's oldest Christmas markets, fills the old town with lights and mulled wine.
Christmas markets
- Christkindelsmärik
- Great Christmas tree
- Petite France
- Notre-Dame cathedral
France guide →
🌡️ 7°C
Lyon
France
Around 8 December the Fête des Lumières turns façades and squares into giant light shows for four nights.
Fête des Lumières
- Fête des Lumières
- Fourvière basilica
- Vieux Lyon traboules
- Bouchon dinner
France guide →
🌡️ 3°C
Nuremberg
Germany
The Christkindlesmarkt brings gingerbread, Nuremberg sausages and red-and-white stalls to the main square.
Christmas markets
- Christkindlesmarkt
- Lebkuchen tasting
- Imperial Castle
- Old town walls
Germany guide →
🌡️ 3°C
Salzburg
Austria
Advent brings markets below the fortress, Krampus runs and the Silent Night chapel in nearby Oberndorf.
Advent
- Christkindlmarkt
- Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Silent Night Chapel
- Krampus run
Austria guide →
🌡️ 4°C
Budapest
Hungary
Steaming thermal baths in the cold air and the Christmas market in Vörösmarty Square make December special.
Christmas markets
- Széchenyi baths
- Vörösmarty Square market
- Parliament by night
- Basilica light show
Hungary guide →
🌡️ 25°C
Sydney
Australia
Summer in the southern hemisphere, beaches and vibrant nightlife.
Summer
- Sydney Opera House
- Bondi Beach
- Harbour Bridge
- New Year fireworks
Australia guide →
🌡️ 5°C
Zagreb
Croatia
Advent in Zagreb, repeatedly voted Europe's best Christmas market, fills the upper and lower town with lights.
Advent
- Ban Jelačić Square
- Zrinjevac park lights
- Upper Town
- Fritule tasting
Croatia guide →
🌡️ 5°C
Montreux
Switzerland
Montreux Noël lines the Lake Geneva shore with chalets, and Santa flies over the market on his sleigh.
Christmas market
- Montreux Noël
- Rochers-de-Naye train
- Freddie Mercury statue
- Lakeside promenade
Switzerland guide →
🌡️ -1°C
Tallinn
Estonia
The medieval Town Hall Square hosts a Christmas market around a tall tree, a tradition said to date back to 1441.
Christmas markets
- Town Hall Square market
- Toompea hill views
- Old town walls
- Kadriorg park
Estonia guide →
🌡️ 22°C
Tenerife
Spain
With 22°C sunshine in December, it's ideal for beaches and hikes around Teide while the rest of Europe is cold.
Winter sun
- Teide National Park
- Anaga mountains
- La Laguna old town
- Los Gigantes cliffs
Spain guide →
🌡️ 7°C
Edinburgh
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Christmas markets in Princes Street Gardens and the famous Hogmanay on 31 December brighten the short days.
Hogmanay
- Princes Street market
- Edinburgh Castle
- Royal Mile
- Calton Hill views
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland guide →
🌡️ 4°C
Copenhagen
Denmark
Tivoli Gardens reopens for Christmas with thousands of lights, and the city's hygge cafés are at their cosiest.
Christmas
- Tivoli at Christmas
- Nyhavn harbour
- Æbleskiver and gløgg
- Rosenborg Castle
Denmark guide →
🌡️ 0°C
Prague
Czechia
Fairytale atmosphere with snow, castles and Christmas spirit.
Winter
- Old Town Square
- Charles Bridge
- Christmas markets
- Castle
Czechia guide →
🌡️ 28°C
Maldives
Maldives
Perfect tropical getaway with white sand and turquoise waters.
Dry season
- Resorts
- Snorkeling
- Overwater villas
- Beaches
Maldives guide →
🌡️ -5°C
Quebec City
Canada
Snow-covered streets and French charm, perfect for winter magic.
Winter
- Old Quebec
- Christmas markets
- Château Frontenac
- Snow activities
Canada guide →
🌡️ 27°C
Goa
India
Tropical beaches and lively Christmas celebrations.
Dry season
- Beaches
- Churches
- Nightlife
- Christmas festivals
India guide →
🌡️ -10°C
Lapland
Finland
Meet Santa Claus, reindeer rides and northern lights.
Winter
- Santa Claus Village
- Northern Lights
- Reindeer rides
- Snow activities
Finland guide →
🌡️ 24°C
Havana
Cuba
Warm Caribbean atmosphere with music, history and culture.
Dry season
- Old Havana
- Classic cars
- Music
- Malecón
Cuba guide →
🌡️ 15°C
Petra
Jordan
Mild desert climate, perfect for exploring the ancient city.
Winter
- Treasury
- Monastery
- Caves
- Desert hikes
Jordan guide →