December is three holidays in one
December is the one month when a single question has three completely different answers. Some travellers want to escape the cold altogether and spend Christmas week in the sun. Others want to lean into winter, with Christmas markets, mulled wine and snow-dusted streets. And some want a city break that feels festive without freezing. This guide covers all three, with the seven best places to visit in December from the UK, plus a short note on staying in the UK.
Every destination below is chosen for December specifically, not just for winter in general. Flight times are typical direct flights from London, and temperatures are December averages. Both vary by day and route, so check the forecast and your flight details before you book.
December trips at a glance
| Destination | December weather | The vibe | Budget feel | UK flight time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | Around 22°C | Winter sun, beaches, volcanic landscapes | Mid | Around 4.5 hours |
| Fuerteventura | Around 20°C | Winter sun, beaches, water sports | Mid | Around 4.5 hours |
| Marrakech | Around 20°C in the day | Winter sun, souks, culture | Low to mid | Around 3.5 hours |
| Prague | Around -1 to 4°C | Christmas markets, old town | Low to mid | Around 2 hours |
| Vienna | 0 to 5°C | Christmas markets, imperial city, concerts | Mid to high | Around 2 hours |
| Budapest | 3 to 6°C in the day | Christmas markets, thermal baths | Low to mid | Around 2.5 hours |
| Lisbon | 14 to 17°C | Mild city break, historic centre | Mid | Around 2.5 hours |
Tenerife: the warmest winter sun without a long flight
Tenerife is the warmest place on this list, with December temperatures around 22°C, and it is the easiest winter sun choice from the UK. The island has beaches, resorts and volcanic landscapes around Mount Teide, and December is one of its quieter months, so the resorts feel calmer than in summer. You can swim, walk and eat outside, which is the whole point of a December sun trip.
Tenerife suits a straightforward beach holiday, a family trip, or a first winter sun break, because everything is set up for visitors and the flight is under five hours. It is less about culture and more about warmth, rest and reliable sunshine. Pick Tenerife if you want the warmest December weather on this list without flying long haul.
Fuerteventura: beaches, wind and water sports
Fuerteventura is the quieter Canary Island on this list, with December temperatures around 20°C and long sandy beaches. It is known for wind and water sports, so it suits travellers who want to be active rather than just lie on a beach, though there is plenty of room to do that too. The island is flatter and calmer than Tenerife, with a laid-back feel and good self-catering options.
Fuerteventura works well for a budget winter sun trip, because the island has plenty of self-catering stays and last-minute deals, and December is outside the peak summer season. It is less built-up than Tenerife, which is either a plus or a minus depending on what you like. Pick Fuerteventura if you want beach days and water sports on a budget, without the busier resorts.
Marrakech: sun, souks and culture
Marrakech is the most different trip on this list, and that is its appeal. December days reach around 20°C, with sunny weather, atmospheric souks, desert sunsets and mountain day trips, all a short flight from the UK. The medina is made for wandering, with food stalls, craft shops and rooftop cafes, and the city feels completely different from a beach resort.
Marrakech is also good value, with budget-friendly stays and affordable eating, though you should pack a jumper for the evenings, when it cools down. UK citizens do not need a visa for Morocco for stays up to 90 days, but your passport should be valid for at least six months after arrival, so check that before you book. Pick Marrakech if you want sun plus culture, food and a city that feels like an adventure rather than a resort.
Prague: the classic Christmas market trip
Prague is the classic Christmas market city, and December is when it looks its best. The main markets are in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, with stalls selling traditional food and gifts, carols from local choirs, and the old town lit up for Christmas. December temperatures sit around -1 to 4°C, so it is properly cold, but that is part of the atmosphere, and the city is made for walking even in winter.
Prague is also one of the most affordable market cities, with cheap flights, hotels and eating out compared with western European capitals. It suits a short break, a couples trip, or a first Christmas market trip, because the centre is compact and easy to explore on foot. Pick Prague if you want the classic market experience, a beautiful old town, and a trip that does not cost a fortune.
Vienna: elegant markets, music and cafe culture
Vienna does Christmas markets with more elegance than anywhere else on this list. The city has imperial markets, concerts and cafe culture, with December temperatures of 0 to 5°C and a festive atmosphere that runs through the whole centre. It is a city for slow wandering, from market to market, with coffee and cake stops in between, and the architecture makes every walk feel grand.
Vienna costs more than Prague or Budapest, so it suits travellers who want a special trip rather than a budget break, and it works well for couples or for anyone who loves music and history. The markets are spread across the city, so plan to visit more than one, and dress warmly, because you will spend a lot of time outside. Pick Vienna if you want elegant markets, concerts and cafe culture, and you are happy to pay a bit more for it.
Budapest: markets plus thermal baths
Budapest is the cleverest winter city on this list, because it pairs Christmas markets with thermal baths. December daytime temperatures are 3 to 6°C, which is cold enough for markets and mulled wine, but the thermal baths, including the famous Szechenyi baths, give you a warm escape when you need one. The city has a beautiful riverside setting, with Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion above the Danube, and the markets add a festive layer on top.
Budapest is also affordable, with cheap flights, hotels and eating out, so it suits a budget market trip that still feels special. It works well for a long weekend, because the centre is walkable and the baths make a perfect cold-weather activity. Pick Budapest if you want Christmas markets plus a warm thermal bath, which is the best combination for a cold December day.
Lisbon: a mild city break without the cold
Lisbon is the mildest city break on this list, with December temperatures of 14 to 17°C, which means you can walk the historic centre and visit Belem without the summer crowds or the summer heat. The city has a small Christmas market in Rossio Square, usually running from late November to mid-December, with mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, plus the usual Lisbon pleasures of trams, viewpoints and pastel de nata in Belem.
Lisbon suits travellers who want a city break that still feels like December, but without the cold of central Europe. It is a good choice for a long weekend, for food lovers, or for anyone who has already done the big market cities and wants something gentler. Pick Lisbon if you want mild weather, a historic city and a touch of Christmas, without freezing.
December in the UK
If you would rather stay in the UK, December is market season at home too. Our guide to the best Christmas markets in the UK covers Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bath, York and London, with dates and train access, so you can plan a festive break without flying at all.
Which December trip is right for you?
If you want warmth above all, choose Tenerife or Fuerteventura for beach days, or Marrakech for sun plus culture. If you want Christmas markets, choose Prague for the classic trip, Vienna for elegance, or Budapest for markets plus thermal baths. If you want a mild city break, choose Lisbon. And if you want markets without flying, start with our guide to the best Christmas markets in the UK and pick a city you can reach by train.
How to plan a December trip from the UK
Book early for Christmas week, because that is when prices and crowds peak. Early December is usually quieter and better value across all seven destinations, in general terms, while the week between Christmas and New Year is the busiest and priciest. If you can travel in the first two weeks of December, you will get the festive atmosphere with fewer crowds and generally lower prices.
Schools in most of England break up on Friday 18 December, with the Christmas holidays running from Monday 21 December, though exact dates vary by council, so check your local authority if you are travelling with children. Pack for the destination, not just for December: layers and a warm coat for Prague, Vienna and Budapest, light layers plus a jumper for Marrakech evenings, and swimwear for the Canaries. And check the forecast before you travel, because December weather varies from day to day even in the warmest places on this list.
December rewards the right choice
These are the best places to visit in December from the UK, and picking the right kind of trip matters more than picking the most famous place. Choose winter sun if you want warmth, choose a market city if you want festive atmosphere, or choose Lisbon if you want mild weather and a city break. And if you are still deciding between markets at home and abroad, our guide to the best Christmas markets in the UK is a good place to start.
