December Holidays

🌞 For reliable December heat (places in their dry season): Cancún (28°C), Barbados (29°C), Dubai (26°C), Mauritius (29°C) - all warm enough for the beach, with lower rain risk than many tropical spots.

💛 Best warm picks for December (temperatures listed are average highs):

1. Dubai, UAE: 26°C. The weather in Dubai will be comfortably warm without the extremes of summer.
   Best time to visit: November to March.
2. Cancún, Mexico: 28°C; classic beach weather in December. 
   Best time to visit: November to April.
3. Barbados (Caribbean): 29°C; warm, dry-ish, winter sun. 
   Best time to visit: Mid-December to mid-April.
4. Mauritius (Indian Ocean): 29°C; tropical island in full summer in December. 
   Best time to visit: December to March.
    

💭 “Warm” doesn’t always mean “perfect beach” - some places may have higher rainfall or humidity. Looking for guaranteed heat? Here’s our round-up of 12 holiday destinations that are always hot.

If you can’t decide, these are our top picks right now for 2026/2027:

Egypt: Brilliant winter sun escape, with warm seas. 

1. 🌡️ Temperature: Average highs of 31°C in December (warm, but not tropical).
2. ☀️ Weather: Very dry and sunny - you’ll get clear skies most days.

❓ Why it’s on the list:
It is one of the warmest mid-haul destinations from the UK, especially around Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada on the Red Sea. Great for snorkelling, sunbathing, and guaranteed vitamin D.

Morocco: Warm, yes. Hot, no. Perfect for exploring, not for sunlounger marathons.

1. 🌡️ Temperature: Average highs of 20°C in Marrakech and Agadir during December.
2. 🌤️ Weather: Generally sunny, with cool mornings and evenings.
3. 💛 Why it’s loved: Short flight from the UK, atmospheric souks, desert sunsets, mountain day trips - all without long-haul prices.

❓ Why it’s not in the “hottest” list: It’s pleasantly warm, not beach-hot. You’ll need a jumper at night, and coastal areas can feel breezy. Great for culture and light sun, but not for guaranteed swim-weather

If you’re after December holiday packages that won’t blow the budget, try these:

🔥💸 Hot & cheap (short-haul/mid-haul)

1. Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura): average highs of 19 - 21°C in Jan - Feb, 4 - 5 hrs from the UK, heaps of last-minute deals and self-catering steals.
2. Morocco (Agadir for beach, Marrakech for city): 20°C average highs, 3.5 - 4 hrs. Sunshine, souks, and budget-friendly stays.

☀️💸 Cheapest All Inclusive & hot

1. Egypt (Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh): average highs of 31°C, warm Red Sea, tons of great All Inclusive packages.
2. Cape Verde (Sal, Boa Vista): average highs of 26°C. Feels like the Caribbean without the long haul.

🌤️💸 Mild & cheap (not hot, still sunny)

1. Algarve (Portugal): average highs of 17°C; bargain hotel deals and low-cost flights.
2. Malta: average highs of 18°C; compact, walkable, good winter prices.
3. Cyprus: average highs of 19°C; beach walks, ancient sites, and savings.
4. Tunisia: average highs around 17–18°C; bright days, cooler evenings, great value for culture-packed winter escapes.

🏙️💸 Budget city breaks (cool temps, low costs)

1. Central/Eastern Europe: Kraków, Prague, Budapest. Cold, yes; but flights, hotels, and eating out are cheap.

✈️💸 Long-haul on a budget (higher flight costs)

1. Thailand: 28 - 34°C (Phuket/Krabi), great street-food prices and value hotels.
2. Mexico (Cancún/Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta): 28°C, affordable local costs once you’re there.

1. 📍 Bulgaria: Hotels, meals, and transport cost a fraction of Western Europe, and you still get the good stuff: Sofia’s twinkly Christmas markets, snow-dusted mountains and cosy cafés - without the spend.
2. 📍 Hungary: Budapest's thermal baths, riverside lights and big festive markets, minus big-city prices.
3. 📍 Czech Republic: Prague's fairy-tale squares, low winter rates and easy, walkable sightseeing.

💡 Money-savvy tip: Avoid Christmas week and aim for midweek flights. Early December often brings the calm after the market-opening rush - and usually unlocks the best prices.