Best Warm Places to Visit in December

Grey skies, short days and a heating bill creeping up: by December, most of the UK is quietly plotting an escape to a hot holiday place. 

The good news is there's a warm answer for almost any budget and flight tolerance, from a 4-hour hop to the Canary Islands to a tropical escape in the Caribbean. 

This guide covers 20 warm places in December and where to actually stay once you've picked one. 

Compare hotels, holiday rentals and more in your chosen destination on cozycozy.  

Top 10 Warm Places to Visit in December: At a Glance

*Price ranges reflect rates observed across multiple booking platforms compared via cozycozy for typical December dates outside the Christmas and New Year peak week. Actual prices vary by exact dates, room type and availability, and rise sharply in the days either side of Christmas.

**No direct flights from the UK to Zanzibar; routes connect via a Gulf or East African hub.

Closest Hot holidays in december (Under 5 Hours)

For guaranteed warmth without eating up your whole holiday allowance on travel, the Canary Islands, Malta and Morocco are the obvious short-haul answer.

Tenerife: One of the Warmest Places to Visit in December

Temperature in December: 22-23°C    Flight time: ~4h30

Tenerife consistently ranks among the warmest places to visit in December without leaving Europe's flight network, and the south coast is where that heat concentrates. 

Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos stay reliably warm and sunny right through the month, while the north of the island can be noticeably cloudier, so location matters more here than on most Canary Islands. 

Beyond the beach, December is also whale-watching season, with pods of pilot whales and migrating humpbacks visible on boat trips just off the south coast, and Mount Teide's cooler air makes it a genuinely pleasant time to hike rather than a summer slog.

Where to Stay: Costa Adeje is the best base for families and first-timers, with resorts from around £90-160/night and easy access to beaches and restaurants without needing a car. Los Cristianos is a cheaper, slightly older-skewing alternative a few minutes down the coast, from around £70-120/night. 

Gran Canaria: A Warm December Destination in the Canary Islands

Temperature in December: 21-23°C    Flight time: ~4h30

Gran Canaria is regularly cited as one of the hottest places in Europe in December, and the south of the island backs that up with genuinely reliable sunshine even when the north sees the odd cloudy spell. The Maspalomas dunes give it a landscape unlike anywhere else on this list, a proper stretch of desert dropping straight into the Atlantic, and the water off Playa del Inglés stays warm enough for swimming throughout the month. Because the whole island is essentially open and running normally in December, accommodation prices also drop noticeably compared with summer, which makes it one of the better-value warm destinations in Europe this time of year.

Where to Stay: Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés suit beach-first trips and are also the island's LGBTQ+-friendly hub, with hotels from around £70-150/night. Las Palmas, the capital, is a better pick if you want a proper city alongside your beach time, often a little cheaper outside the main resort strip.

Lanzarote: Warm Weather in Winter Without the Crowds

Temperature in December: 21-22°C    Flight time: ~4h20

Lanzarote sits at a similar temperature to its Canary neighbours in December but feels like a different trip entirely, thanks to the volcanic landscape around Timanfaya National Park and a building ban on high-rise development that keeps resorts low-key. The sea here also runs a touch warmer than elsewhere in the archipelago, so swimming feels more comfortable even in December's slightly cooler water. It's also one of the quieter Canary Islands for December specifically, since it attracts more couples and walkers than the family crowds that fill Tenerife and Gran Canaria over the school holidays.

Where to Stay: Playa Blanca in the south is the easiest base, with calm beaches and a manageable size for walking most places, typically £75-160/night. Puerto del Carmen has a livelier strip at a similar price point. 

Compare hotels in Lanzarote.

Fuerteventura: A Quieter Warm Place to go

Temperature in December: 20-22°C    Flight time: ~4h15

Fuerteventura is the least developed of the main Canary Islands, and that's exactly its appeal for a December trip: genuinely crowd-free white-sand beaches at a time when other parts of Spain and the Mediterranean are shut for the season. The island's near-constant wind, which makes it one of Europe's best windsurfing and kitesurfing spots, doesn't let up in winter, so it's a strong pick if watersports are part of the plan rather than pure lounging. Corralejo's sand dunes are worth a half-day on their own, stretching for miles and rarely busy even in the warmer months.

Where to Stay: Corralejo in the north is the best pick for beach access and a walkable town centre, with prices generally a touch lower than Tenerife or Gran Canaria at £65-140/night. Costa Calma in the south suits a quieter, more resort-style stay. 

Compare hotels in Fuerteventura.

Marrakech: The Closest Hot Country in December

Temperature in December: 19-20°C    Flight time: ~3h30

Marrakech is the shortest flight on this entire list and one of the closest hot countries in December, which makes it a strong option if you want maximum warmth for minimum travel time. Days are reliably sunny and warm enough for exploring the souks and gardens in short sleeves, though the desert climate means evenings drop fast, so layers matter here more than in most other destinations on this list. The Atlas Mountains, visible from the city on a clear day, also make a good half-day trip if you want a change of scene.

Where to Stay: the Medina puts you inside the souks and closest to the main sights, and a riad there, roughly £40-90/night, gets you a genuinely different stay than a standard hotel room. The Hivernage and Gueliz districts are more modern and easier with luggage. 

Compare riads and hotels in Marrakech.

Malta: One of the Warmest Places in Europe in December

Temperature in December: 16-17°C    Flight time: ~3h15-3h20

Malta is milder than the Canaries or Morocco, but it's still consistently ranked among the warmest places in Europe in December, and the trade-off is a proper historic capital rather than a beach resort. Valletta's honey-coloured limestone streets and Baroque architecture make for a genuinely pleasant winter city break, and December temperatures rarely drop below the mid-teens even at night. It's also one of the more festive options on this list: Valletta and the surrounding towns run Christmas markets and light displays through the month.

Where to Stay: Valletta itself is small enough to walk everywhere and puts you closest to the main sights, with boutique hotels from around £60-110/night. Sliema and St Julian's across the harbour are cheaper and better for a longer stay. 

Compare hotels in Malta.

Warm Escapes Under 10 Hours

A slightly longer flight buys noticeably higher temperatures and a different kind of trip.

Cape Verde: A Warm and Cheap December Destination

Temperature in December: 25-27°C    Flight time: ~6h15

Cape Verde sits in the sweet spot between short-haul Europe and a full long-haul trip, and its position off West Africa means the rainy season is long gone by December, leaving consistent tropical warmth. It's noticeably less developed for tourism than the Canaries despite the similar flight-time bracket, which means quieter beaches and a more genuine island atmosphere on Sal and Boa Vista. The trade winds that give the islands their name also keep the heat from feeling oppressive.

Where to Stay: Sal is the better-connected island with more flight options and a solid range of beachfront resorts from around £70-140/night. Boa Vista is quieter and better for genuinely empty white-sand beaches. 

Compare hotels in Cape Verde.

Egypt: Guaranteed Hot Weather, no doubt

Temperature in December: 20-23°C    Flight time: ~5-6h

Egypt's Red Sea coast is one of the more reliable hot countries in December, since the desert climate barely varies month to month and December simply trades summer's intense heat for a more comfortable, but still warm, alternative. Visibility in the water is excellent this time of year, making it one of the better months for diving and snorkelling on the coral reefs off Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. It's also a good pick if you want to combine beach time with sightseeing, since the milder daytime temperatures make trips inland to Luxor or a desert safari far more comfortable than in summer.

Where to Stay: Sharm El Sheikh has the stronger diving reputation and a slightly more built-up resort strip, from around £50-180/night. Hurghada tends to run a little cheaper. 

Compare hotels in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh.

Dubai: Hot Days and Festive Nights in December

Temperature in December: 15-25°C (cooler at night, warmest by day)   Flight time: ~7h

Dubai in December sits at one of the most comfortable points of its entire calendar, warm enough for the beach and pool during the day but cool enough to actually spend a full day outdoors, walking the souks or heading out on a desert safari without the summer's brutal heat, though evenings can turn cool once the sun goes down. The city also leans hard into the festive season, with elaborate light displays, Christmas trees in shopping malls, and a lively atmosphere that most classic winter-sun beach destinations can't match.

Where to Stay: Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah put you right on the sand, generally £150-450/night for a decent resort. Downtown Dubai and Business Bay run cheaper (£90-250/night) and suit anyone prioritising the malls and city sightseeing. 

Compare hotels in Dubai.

Barbados: Among the Hottest Places to Visit during Winter time

Temperature in December: 26-29°C    Flight time: ~8h45

Barbados is one of the hottest holiday destinations in December on this entire list. December sits at the start of the dry season, with rain becoming less frequent as the month goes on, so humidity drops and conditions improve steadily through the month. Crane Beach on the south-east coast is regularly rated among the best beaches in the world, and the warm, calm water there makes it swimmable for hours without ever feeling too rough.

Where to Stay: the west coast (Holetown, Speightstown) has the calmer water and the bulk of the luxury resorts, from around £200-350/night in December. The south coast around St Lawrence Gap is livelier and noticeably cheaper, from £150/night. 

Compare hotels in Barbados.

True Tropical Heat (10+ Hours)

If you want the full tropical experience rather than mild winter sun, this is where December really delivers.

The Maldives: The Warmest Place on Earth in December

Temperature in December: 27-30°C    Flight time: ~10h30

The Maldives is about as close as this list gets to answering “where is the warmest place on Earth in December”, with the dry season starting right at the beginning of the month and bringing calm seas, clear skies and water temperatures that make snorkelling comfortable for hours at a stretch. Because it's also peak season locally, the trade-off for that reliable weather is higher prices and a need to book well ahead, particularly over Christmas and New Year specifically.

Where to Stay: North Malé Atoll has the widest choice of resorts and the shortest speedboat transfer from the airport. Further atolls (Baa, Ari) cost less for a similar overwater villa but add an hour or more of seaplane transfer, and local-island guesthouses bring the budget option down to around £150/night. Given the huge price range, from around £150 to well over £800/night, comparing resorts in the Maldives properly before booking makes a real difference.

Zanzibar: Warm and underrated

Temperature in December: 25-31°C    Flight time: ~10-11h (no direct flights, connects via a Gulf or East African hub)

Zanzibar remains genuinely under-the-radar for UK travellers compared with the Maldives or the Caribbean, which means the beaches at Nungwi and Kendwa stay far less crowded despite the equally impressive white sand and turquoise water. Stone Town adds a UNESCO World Heritage old town with spice markets and centuries of Swahili, Arab and colonial history. Early December can bring short, sharp showers as the tail end of the short rains clears, but the weather typically settles into more reliable sunshine by mid-month, and diving conditions around Mnemba Atoll are excellent once it does.

Stay: Nungwi and Kendwa on the north coast have the calmest swimming water and the most beach bars, roughly £80-180/night. The east coast (Paje, Jambiani) is quieter and better value. 

Compare hotels in Zanzibar.

Sri Lanka: Warm, Dry and Sunny

Temperature in December: 25-30°C    Flight time: ~10h30

Sri Lanka's south coast hits its dry season right in December, which flips the usual monsoon pattern and makes this one of the best months of the year to visit Mirissa, Unawatuna and Galle specifically. It's also peak season for whale watching off Mirissa, with blue whales and sperm whales regularly spotted on boat trips through the month.

Where to Stay: Unawatuna and Mirissa are the easiest bases for beach time and whale-watching trips, with good-value guesthouses from around £40-100/night. Galle Fort suits mixing beach days with colonial history. 

Compare hotels in Sri Lanka.

Thailand: Two coasts; two atmospheres 

Temperature in December: 28-29°C (Koh Samui)    Flight time: ~11h

Thailand splits into two coasts with different December weather, and Koh Samui on the Gulf side is the safer bet, since it's fully into its dry season while Phuket's Andaman coast is still settling down. The warm, calm gulf waters make December especially good for swimming, island-hopping and diving trips out to Koh Tao, just a short ferry ride away.

Stay: Chaweng Beach is the liveliest base with the most restaurants and nightlife, generally £40-120/night. Lamai Beach next door is quieter and a little cheaper. 

Compare hotels in Koh Samui.

Riviera Maya: Warm Beaches and Sun for Christmas

Temperature in December: 27-30°C    Flight time: ~10h30

Mexico's Caribbean coast moves fully into its dry season by December, delivering warm days, warm turquoise water and a noticeably lower chance of tropical storms. The area's cenotes, natural freshwater sinkholes scattered through the jungle, are a genuine highlight, and the region's Mayan ruins, including Tulum's cliffside site and Chichén Itzá a few hours inland, are far more comfortable to explore without summer's humidity.

Where to Stay: Playa del Carmen has boutique hotels and a walkable town centre from around £70-180/night. Tulum is pricier and more design-led. Compare hotels in the Riviera Maya between the two towns, or Cancún's hotel zone for an all-inclusive resort.

Belize: A Warm, Off-the-Beaten-Path December Destination

Temperature in December: 26-28°C    Flight time: ~14-16h (no direct flights, connects via Miami, Atlanta or a similar US hub)

December marks the start of high season in Belize for good reason: the dry weather sets in properly, the water clears up, and the second-largest barrier reef in the world becomes genuinely excellent for diving and snorkelling right off Ambergris Caye. It's a smaller, quieter alternative to the bigger-name Caribbean islands on this list. The lack of a direct flight makes this one for a proper one- or two-week trip rather than a quick getaway.

Where to Stay: San Pedro town is the liveliest base with the most restaurants and dive shops, roughly £100-250/night. Staying a little further from town gets you a quieter beach.

“Cheating” Winter Sun: Where It's Actually Summer

Skip the “winter sun” framing altogether and head somewhere it's genuinely summer in December, no mild-and-mostly-warm compromise required.

Cape Town:

Temperature in December: 20-24°C    Flight time: ~11h45

Cape Town falls right in the middle of the Southern Hemisphere summer in December, which means warm, dry, sunny days rather than the mild-at-best weather most “winter sun” destinations actually deliver. Table Mountain, the Cape Winelands and a genuinely world-class coastline give it far more range than a straightforward beach destination. It's also only two hours ahead of the UK, close enough that jet lag is barely a factor on either end of the trip, which makes the long flight feel far more manageable than the distance suggests.

Stay: the City Bowl (near the V&A Waterfront) is the most convenient base, with guesthouses and hotels from around £70-160/night. Camps Bay and the Atlantic Seaboard cost a bit more but put you right on one of the best beaches in the city. December is peak season locally, so book earlier than for a European short-haul trip. 

Compare hotels in Cape Town.

Buenos Aires: 

Temperature in December: 25-28°C    Flight time: ~14h (no direct flights from the UK)

Buenos Aires sits fully in Argentina's summer by December, with warm, long days that suit wandering the city's grand avenues, sitting out at pavement cafés, and taking in a tango show without needing a jacket for the evening. The city also works well as a starting point for a longer trip, since Patagonia's much milder summer hiking season runs alongside it further south.

Where to Stay: Recoleta is the most polished, central base, from around £60-140/night. Palermo is trendier and better value for restaurants and nightlife. 

Compare hotels in Buenos Aires.

Sydney and Melbourne: 

Temperature in December: 22-26°C    Flight time: ~22-24h (a nonstop service exists at ~19-20h; most fares route via a hub)

Australia's east coast cities move into early summer by December, with warm, long evenings and a genuinely festive atmosphere that often plays out on the beach rather than indoors, Christmas Day barbecues at Bondi are a real tradition. Sydney gives you harbour views and beaches within a short ferry ride of the centre, while Melbourne trades some beach time for a stronger food and laneway culture scene. The flight is a serious commitment, so this rewards a longer trip, two to three weeks rather than a standard week away.

Where to Stay: in Sydney, Bondi or Coogee put you near the beach for around £120-220/night. In Melbourne, the CBD or Southbank are the easiest bases, generally a touch cheaper than Sydney. 

Compare hotels in Sydney and hotels in Melbourne.

Auckland:

Temperature in December: 20-23°C    Flight time: ~24h (no direct flights from the UK)

New Zealand's summer is just getting underway in December, milder than Australia's east coast but still comfortably warm, and North Island beaches like Piha and the Coromandel Peninsula are noticeably quieter than they'll be once local summer holidays kick in through January. Auckland works well as a first base before picking up a rental car to explore further afield.

Where to Stay: the Auckland CBD and Viaduct Harbour work well as a first base, with hotels from around £100-200/night. Ponsonby is a good alternative for restaurants and cafés. 

Compare hotels in Auckland.

Where Is Hot and Cheap in December?

For value, short-haul beats long-haul every time. Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria offer the best ratio of guaranteed warmth to low flight and hotel cost, especially if you travel in the first two to three weeks of December before the Christmas price spike hits. Cape Verde is the best-value stepping stone into proper long-haul warmth without a Caribbean-level price tag, and Zanzibar tends to undercut the Maldives noticeably for a similar climate. Whichever destination you pick, prices for flights and hotels typically jump by 30% or more in the week either side of Christmas, so early or mid-December travel is where the real savings sit.

Where to Go for Warm Weather in November, January and February

December isn't the only month worth planning around. If your dates are flexible, here's how the shoulder months compare.

Where is hot in November: 

• The Canary Islands and Cape Verde are still comfortably warm and slightly cheaper than December.
• The Caribbean's dry season is just starting, so weather can be a touch more changeable than in December.
• Cape Town and Buenos Aires are moving into spring rather than full summer, milder but still pleasant.

Where is hot  in January: 

• Short-haul Canary Islands and Marrakech remain reliable, and prices drop sharply once the Christmas and New Year peak passes.
• The Caribbean, Maldives and Zanzibar are at their driest and most settled.
• Cape Town, Buenos Aires and Australia are in full summer, arguably the best month of the year to visit any of them.

Where is hot in February: 

• Similar picture to January for most long-haul destinations, still dry season across the Caribbean and Indian Ocean.
• Dubai starts warming up noticeably, a good last window before it gets uncomfortably hot from late spring.
• Half-term week pushes short-haul prices back up, so book early if travelling then.

Best Warm Places to Visit in December: compare prices on cozycozy

Whichever destination makes the shortlist, the accommodation cost swings just as much as the flight cost, sometimes more, between neighbourhoods and between booking sites. 

Rather than locking into one hotel chain's package or one travel agent's deal, comparing listings across multiple booking platforms at once on cozycozy tends to surface the better rate, and makes it easy to compare completely different destinations side by side. 

Decide first on the flight time you're comfortable with, then let temperature and budget narrow the rest, and once you've got a shortlist, that's the point to start comparing hotels properly rather than before.