Where to go on holiday in December

By Alice Tegg, Editorial & Marketing Assistant

Whether you want to lean into winter cosiness or seek summer on the other side of the world, these 5 destinations are perfect for a holiday in December.

December is arguably the Marmite of months. For some, there’s nothing better than diving head first into holiday festivities, celebrating the end of the year and cosying up against the chill of early winter. For others, it’s the bleak beginning of their least favourite season and all they want is tropical sunshine, not twinkly lights.

No matter your seasonal inclination and level of Scrooginess, a holiday to see out the year can win over all camps. Whether it’s reliving your favourite Christmas film in the Cotswolds or spending New Years in a bikini in Brazil, these destinations promise to make your December dreams come true.

1 Berlin

☀ Average December temperatures: Highs: 4°C; Lows: 0°C

Where better to welcome the start of winter than at a genuine German Christmas market? Berlin boasts over 100 of them! Alexanderplatz is the largest (and busiest), so try the ones at Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg Palace and Rotes Rathaus. As the sweet scent of glühwein drifts through the city, it’s impossible not to get swept away in the festive spirit.

When you’re not at the markets, peruse the numerous museums and galleries before indulging in a hot chocolate in a steamy windowed cafe. Or embrace the chill by wrapping up on a scenic walk, admiring the architecture and parks under a dusting of frost or snow, before ice skating at Tiergarten’s open-air rink. Then warm your bones in a sauna at one of the city’s spas.

December is a popular time to visit Berlin, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself. Room rates tend to rise a little but overall remain reasonable, although they spike around Christmas and NYE. If you don’t mind splashing out, seeing in the New Year in Europe’s nightlife capital would be one to remember. Regardless of when you visit in December, you should plan ahead because the best hotels will fill up.

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2 Sri Lanka

☀ Average December temperatures: Highs: 31°C; Lows: 24°C

December marks the start of the dry season in the south and west of Sri Lanka, with daily highs of 28-30°C. There’s a possibility of light rain, but this reduces as the month goes on. Temperatures are cooler in the central highlands, peaking around 23°C, but this is ideal for trekking and touring tea estates.

The monsoon has moved northwards, leaving behind a gorgeous green landscape all over the teardrop isle. So, there’s no better time to take the iconic train from Kandy to Ella that glides past lush plantations and emerald valleys. On the south coast, it’s blue whale season in Mirissa (dolphins are frequently spotted, too), and surfers start to trickle into Hikkaduwa and Weligama to grab the best waves before the season really kicks off.

It’s also a great time to experience Sri Lanka’s wild side. Head out on safari in Yala and Udawalawe to spot leopards, elephants and beautiful birdlife. If twitching is your jam, Bundala National Park on the south coast is the winter home for hundreds of migratory bird species, including the Greater Flamingo, and December is the perfect time to see them.

For a really special trip, why not take inspiration from our Editor’s honeymoon and tag on a couple of nights in the Maldives? The islands come into their own in the winter.

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3 Cambodia

☀ Average December temperatures: Highs: 30°C; Lows: 21°C

For a good dose of winter sun, December is something of a sweet spot in Cambodia. The dry season begins, bringing lower humidity and cooler temperatures (around 22-30°C) that work well for sightseeing and sunbathing. It is, however, the start of high season, so expect crowds and prices to increase as the month goes on. But if you visit early in the month and get to popular sights at the very start or end of the day, you might find you avoid the masses.

Mornings and nights can be a little chilly, so pack a light layer if you’re off to see the sights at dawn. Watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples in Siem Reap is a special way to start the day, and the mild climate means you can spend hours roaming around in comfort. The Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers will be high after the rainy season, so scenic boat trips to floating villages run regularly.

If you want to combine culture with coast, December is ideal. The southern beaches and islands, such as Koh Rong and Kep, experience calm seas and great visibility, perfect conditions for swimming, snorkelling and diving. The annual Sea Festival takes place every December, rotating between Sihanoukville, Kep, Kampot, and Koh Kong. The weekend is known for boat races, cultural performances and fragrant food stalls. Later in the month, in Siem Reap, watch handmade kites fight in the air at the Kleng Ek Kite Festival.

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4 The Cotswolds

☀ Average December temperatures: Highs: 7°C; Lows: 2°C

We’ve all watched The Holiday and dreamed of spending a week or so in a snow-sprinkled cottage in the Cotswolds. With or without Jude Law turning up on the doorstep, it is idyllic. While snow is never guaranteed in England, you can bet that the chocolate-box villages in this rural region will deliver quintessential festive charm all throughout December. Think glittering lights, seasonal markets, and crackling fires festooned with garlands.

Blenheim Palace goes all out every year, filling the grounds with light trails, stalls and an ice rink. Cheltenham has a German-style market and, if you’re here for New Year, the 1st January kicks off with horse-racing and live music. If you’re spending Christmas in the Cotswolds, don’t miss the annual Boxing Day Duck Race in Bibury, where thousands of rubber ducks drift down the river for charity.

This is the place to experience winter’s quiet charms – yes, they exist, and they’re in abundance here. Countryside walks along crunchy frosted paths; cosy pubs serving up hearty lunches; local traditions that even the most hardened Scrooges would enjoy. All slow, simple, warm your cockles stuff. Is there any better way to end a busy year?

Where to stay in the Cotswolds

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5 Brazil

☀ Average December temperatures: Highs: 35°C; Lows: 24°C

If you’re prone to the winter blues, perhaps a tropical getaway to Brazil will help. December is the start of summer (and high season), but in this huge country that means different things depending on the region. The Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo regions experience long, sunny days with the occasional downpour. If you head inland to the Amazon and Pantanal, prepare for showers and humidity.

There are few places in the world more iconic for holiday celebrations than Rio. Christmas sparkles with firework displays and parties on Copacabana Beach, and a week later the shore is swarmed with white-clad revellers enjoying live music and rituals honouring the sea goddess Yemanjá. Apart from Carnival in February, this is the busiest and most expensive time to visit Rio, but these are bucket-list experiences worthy of a splurge. The cities along the coast are alive with music and outdoor events all month long, so if you want a taste of the festivities without the super-peak prices, come in the weeks before Christmas.

Once you’ve partied your pants off, head to the sunbaked coast in Bahia and Santa Catarina for a well-deserved detox. The warm weather is perfect for sunbathing and swimming in turquoise seas, but expect to be interrupted by brief afternoon rainfall. Showers are short-lived so you’ll still get plenty of beach time.