15 best destinations to travel in December 2022

Are you looking for a good destination to travel in December ? Special dates are approaching and surely you will not want to stay at home. Do you feel like escaping the European winter cold? There are plenty of perfect places to travel in December ! But spending Christmas in a swimsuit is also a very curious experience. In this post we tell you the 15 best destinations to travel in December 2022 .

No matter which destination you choose to travel in December, it is very important that you have travel insurance to go easy. You will have medical assistance, the possibility of canceling the trip for justified reasons and coverage for unforeseen events , such as transport delays. We travel insured by Iati and we offer you a 5% discount on all your travel insurance for the whole world .

15 BEST DESTINATIONS TO TRAVEL IN DECEMBER 2022

1. New York (United States) and its Christmas atmosphere

There are few places more special than New York to enjoy Christmas . Although it is an ideal destination throughout the year, the Big Apple looks splendid decorated with the magical lights of Christmas. In addition, there are a lot of things to do in New York that you can only enjoy during those dates. For example, hallucinate with the Christmas tree in the Rockefeller or skate on the ice rink in Bryant Park. In addition, there are also a lot of beautiful Christmas markets throughout the city that are very well decorated.

Of course, you should keep in mind that despite being one of the best destinations to travel in December , it also has negative aspects . The main one, the cold . December is one of the coldest months of the year with average temperatures of 6ºC.

In addition , the days are short , the sun sets around 4:30 p.m. and there are quite a few crowds. Regarding prices, it is not the cheapest time to travel to New York, but it is the most special. Without a doubt, the most spectacular city to see in the United States .

2. Rovaniemi (Finland), the land of Santa Claus

December is synonymous with Christmas. And is there a better place than the land of Santa Claus? This city is located in the heart of Lapland, in the Arctic Circle . So you shouldn’t wait for Santa Claus to bring you the gifts, this time you can go get them and get to know one of the most beautiful areas to see in Finland .

But Rovaniemi is much more than Santa Claus and his town (where they say he originates from). Let yourself be carried away by its beautiful snowy forests, go through them at full speed on a snowmobile and enjoy the opportunity to see the northern lights . During those dates you will have plenty of chances to see this curious phenomenon.

But like most places in Europe, Christmas is also synonymous with cold. Prepare a good coat and thermal clothing because you will have to endure average temperatures of -11 °C . However, it is one of the most interesting destinations to travel in December. 

3. Krabi (Thailand) one of the best destinations to travel in December to enjoy the sun

December is quite a cold month in Europe. If you’re looking for a sun-and-beach holiday , there are few better destinations than Thailand’s Krabi province. Although it is a very good month to tour the entire country, we advise you to enjoy this little piece of paradise. You will be around 30ºC on average resting on your sun lounger!

For us, in Krabi are the best beaches in Thailand . The famous Railay beach is the best known, but from Ao Nang, the main tourist center of the province, you can visit a lot of islands with deserted beaches. Among them, the Phi Phi islands, which appeared in the movie The Beach by Leonardo Di Caprio. For some reason it is an ideal destination for honeymooners! If you are interested, we tell you the 10 best beaches in Krabi .

It is also a fairly cheap destination to travel in December . You can sleep in good hotels for very little and above all, enjoy dream beaches. You can also take advantage of the trip to see some of the most spectacular sites in Thailand .

4. Canary Islands (Spain)

If you are looking for a nearby place with good weather to travel in December , the Canary Islands are an excellent destination. The flight from the peninsula only takes a couple of hours, long enough to forget about the winter cold. The Canaries have an enviable climate with warm temperatures all year round . To give you an idea, the thermometer is around 20º during the month of December.

It is a very complete destination with a lot of attractions for nature lovers : scandalous beaches, volcanic landscapes that will make you travel to another planet and the famous Teide in Tenerife. Plus, you’ll have the luxury of enjoying all of this without the typical summer crowds .

We have visited Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Tenerife . All of them are perfect destinations for family travel. Don’t know which one to stay with? We help you choose with this comparative guide on the Canary Islands .

 5. Strasbourg (France) and the oldest Christmas market in Europe

When the cold arrives and the Christmas lights are turned on, almost everyone thinks of Strasbourg. This city, located near the border between France and Germany , is home to the oldest Christmas market in Europe .

You won’t be short of things to do in Strasbourg , a paradise for lovers of traditional wooden houses decorated for Christmas or local products like mulled wine. In addition, it also has a beautiful Gothic cathedral in its picturesque old town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It looks like a place out of a story!

It is an ideal destination to travel in December , especially for the bridge. If you have more days, you can always make excursions to other locations such as Colmar , Heidelberg or Baden-Baden so that you have a very complete trip.

There are very cheap flights to Strasbourg from the main airports in Spain. So you will have no excuse!

If you plan to get to know the city, we will tell you the best areas to stay in Strasbourg .

 6. Cologne (Germany)

Germany is one of the best destinations to travel in December . Basically because the Christmas markets are original to the Germanic country. And due to its long tradition, in Germany you can enjoy the best Christmas markets in Europe. So in December, the markets can take a backseat to the beauty of Cologne’s spectacular Gothic cathedral.

From the end of November the city begins to take on a very cool atmosphere. So if you have a few days off in December, we advise you to get lost in this city. There are plenty of things to do in Cologne , from enjoying the cathedral to taking a cruise on the Rhine.

7. Vienna and Tyrol (Austria), one of the most romantic destinations to travel in December

elegant . That is the adjective that best defines the Austrian capital. Vienna is one of the main tourist destinations in Europe and although December is quite a cold month, the city has its charm. It doesn’t matter when you visit its imperial palaces and other attractions in Vienna , you’re going to fall in love. But in December you can enjoy its Christmas markets and its historic illuminated streets.

Mainly, the Christkindlmarkt Market  . It is mounted every year in mid-November and is one of the most spectacular in Europe. There you can try a lot of local products such as gluhwein (mulled wine) or their cakes.

But don’t settle for just Vienna. Rent a car and get lost in the towns of Tyrol to experience Christmas in a different and calm way. And enjoy the snow! If you are interested, we will tell you about the most spectacular places to see in Austria .

8. Tallinn (Estonia) and its magical medieval old town

Did you know that Tallinn was the first city to put up a public Christmas tree in the Town Hall Square in 1441? Several centuries have passed, but the Christmas tradition is still very much alive in the Estonian capital. Its Christmas market is one of the most beautiful in Europe.

There are stalls where they sell all kinds of things: from food and drink to handicrafts, including the typical Christmas decorations. They also set up an ice skating rink and there is a marzipan museum where you can create your own figurines.

Its atmosphere seems to be taken from a fairy tale: the houses with colored facades and snowy roofs create a perfect winter setting. We tell you all the things you can’t miss in Tallinn . Tallinn’s medieval old town is a real gem, it’s a pleasure to walk through its streets. In fact, it is considered a World Heritage Site. In addition, it has a perfect size to discover it in a weekend, even in a day. So if you don’t know where to travel in December because you have few vacation days… put Tallinn on your list! We recommend the best accommodation in Tallinn for all budgets.

9. Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and its modernity

The European Christmas markets are a great option where to travel in December . But… what if you are one of those who hates the cold? We have another solution for you! Dubai is a very popular destination for sunbathing in December.

It is the most famous city in the country, although there are other interesting places to see in the United Arab Emirates . In reality, Dubai practically did not exist until a couple of decades ago, when they began to build towering skyscrapers. You will have the opportunity to go up to the viewpoint of the Burj Khalifa , the tallest building on the planet.

Beyond its luxurious buildings, you cannot leave Dubai without taking a trip to the desert. Walking barefoot on the dunes is a great feeling. You can also lie on the sand of its beaches and take a bath to cool off. One of the best areas to stay in Dubai on these dates is on Jumeirah beach itself. There are several hotels where you only have to take two steps to stand on the beach.

Temperatures are around 25ºC, a real luxury while in Europe everyone wears gloves and a scarf! If you visit Dubai at the end of December you can witness the spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa. Without a doubt, one of the most impressive destinations to travel in December.

10. Patagonia (Chile and Argentina) for nature lovers

Argentine and Chilean Patagonia is a perfect destination to travel in December for nature lovers . There are hundreds of kilometers to hike surrounded by stunning landscapes: glaciers, emerald lakes, snow-capped peaks…

You cannot miss the Torres del Paine National Park, the famous Perito Moreno or the mountains that surround El Chalten. Nature in its purest form! You can also visit Ushuaia, known for being the southernmost city in the world.

If you can, it is better to choose the first half of December . This way you will avoid school holidays. Therefore, the prices are lower and there are fewer people everywhere.

11. Prague (Czech Republic), always charming

We return to Europe, we could not leave Prague out of our recommendations for places to travel in December ! The Czech capital is one of the most magical cities we have set foot in. Walking through its cobbled streets makes you feel inside the pages of a fairy tale.

The Old Town square concentrates a lot of attractions and hosts the classic Christmas market. Deciphering the astronomical clock, visiting the Prague Castle or crossing the Charles Bridge are classic things to do in Prague throughout the year. But in December everything becomes more magical under the Christmas illuminations and decorations.

The only drawback that we see when visiting Prague in December are the crowds . No one wants to miss out on this Christmas fantasy! We recommend booking your hotel in advance to get a good price. We tell you the best areas and hotels to stay in Prague to inspire you.

If you have plenty of time, you can take the opportunity to visit other amazing places in the Czech Republic .

12. New Zealand, our favorite country

We have been lucky enough to visit a lot of countries but we have not liked any of them as much as New Zealand. It’s so complete and pretty! December is an ideal month to get to know its two islands (although it actually has three). It is the beginning of summer and you will have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in shorts and flip flops.

But maybe you don’t even feel like celebrating it because there are a lot of spectacular places to see in New Zealand : from the beautiful New Zealand Alps with their glaciers and lakes to one of the most beautiful fjords in the world. The south island is beautiful!

There are various forms of transportation in New Zealand. We opted for the car, although going by campervan must also be very cool. In any case, we tell you what it is like to drive in New Zealand .

13. Bruges (Belgium) and the Ice Sculpture Festival

If you don’t want to go too far and are not looking to take risks, Bruges is a perfect place to travel in December . It is one of the most charming cities to see in Belgium and Europe. Also, under the Christmas lights it looks even more special. Stroll through its canals and enjoy its beautiful architecture, especially in the Grote Markt, the main square of the city. She is so pretty! Plus you can easily discover Bruges in one day . Although if you want to take it easy, we recommend staying in Bruges for at least one night.

In addition, in the month of December the spectacular Ice Sculpture Festival of Bruges is celebrated . It is not as spectacular as the one in Harbin, but it is one of the best winter events in Europe. Everything there is built of ice. Not only the sculptures, but also the buildings. Is awesome.

Oh, and don’t forget to have a good Belgian hot chocolate!

You will most likely arrive at one of the two Brussels airports. So we tell you how to go from Brussels to Bruges on your own .

 14. Cape Verde, a paradise near Spain where to travel in December

Cape Verde is another great beach destination for the last month of the year. This archipelago off the coast of Senegal is a perfect alternative to the Canary Islands . If you already know the Spanish islands and they have conquered you, surely Cape Verde also touches your heart.

It has spectacular beaches with turquoise waters and white sand perfectly complemented by mountainous areas . Nor are there any shortage of coastal towns with a lively atmosphere. You will arrive for its beautiful landscapes and you will want to stay for its fascinating culture and hospitality. It falls quite close to Spain, but you will be able to come into contact with a totally different way of life. Without a doubt, Cape Verde is one of the best countries to travel to in December .

15. Goa (India), another good destination to travel in December if you are looking for a beach and nightlife

To end this post on the best destinations to travel in December, we did not want to forget Goa, one of the pearls of India. It seems to us a perfect place to have a first contact with India. Visiting the country is quite a culture shock for most, but Goa is its most international part.

December is one of the best months to visit Goa . Despite being winter, it is just when the monsoons end and the rain has “cleaned” the environment. So it is the ideal time to relax on its beaches and enjoy its lively nightlife.

There are a lot of very interesting festivals and parties like Sunburn. Being high season it is advisable to book hotels in advance.