Best Holiday Destinations in December: Warm Winter Sun Escapes

Quick answer: Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, and Egypt are the top warm December escapes from the UK, holding 20-25°C while home sits near freezing. For a Christmas-in-the-sun trip, Dubai, Thailand, and the Caribbean offer 26-30°C and largely dry weather.

“Destinations that are hot in december” is one of the highest-volume searches of the year — unsurprising, given the UK’s grey, cold December. Here’s where genuinely delivers warmth, split by flight time.

Top December Destinations at a Glance

Short-haul: Canary Islands and Egypt

For a December escape that doesn’t eat your whole holiday budget on flights, the Canary Islands and Egypt’s Red Sea coast are the standard picks. Tenerife holds around 21°C, Hurghada around 22°C, and both run extensive all-inclusive resort options — useful if you’re travelling over Christmas week itself and want festive extras handled for you.

Cape Verde: warmer without going long-haul

Cape Verde consistently edges out the Canaries and Egypt on warmth — 25°C average in December — while staying under six hours’ flight time. It’s a strong pick if the extra couple of degrees and steadier trade winds matter more to you than resort variety.

Dubai and the Caribbean: festive long-haul

December is one of Dubai’s most pleasant months — 24°C, dry, and heavily decorated for the festive season with fireworks and events around New Year. The Caribbean (Barbados, Jamaica) sits just outside hurricane season by December and delivers 26-28°C, making it a popular choice for Christmas-and-New-Year long-haul trips.

Thailand: the hottest option on this list

December falls in Thailand’s cool, dry season — which still means 30°C and very little rain. It’s the longest flight on this list at 11-12 hours, but for travellers chasing genuine heat rather than “mild warmth,” it delivers the biggest temperature jump from a UK December.

Getting there: flights and airlines

Canary Islands and Egypt routes run from most UK regional airports through December, though Christmas week itself sees higher demand for the same routes, so seats fill faster than a normal December week. Dubai and Caribbean routes are concentrated at major hubs — worth checking direct availability from your nearest airport before assuming a connection is required.

Before you book

December bookings often get made further in advance than other months, especially around Christmas week itself, so check the current FCDO travel advice for your destination before committing, and again closer to departure — advice can shift and affects insurance validity.

Typical costs across these destinations

Christmas and New Year week carries the highest prices of the year across almost every destination on this list, often 40-60% above a normal December week. Travelling in the first two weeks of December, before the festive premium kicks in, is the most reliable way to get the same weather for meaningfully less money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is guaranteed hot in December?

Thailand offers the most reliable heat in December at around 30°C with little rainfall, since the month falls within its cool, dry season.

Where can I spend Christmas somewhere warm from the UK?

The Canary Islands and Cape Verde are the most practical short-haul options for a warm Christmas, both under six hours’ flight time with temperatures between 21-25°C.

Is Dubai warm in December?

Yes, Dubai averages around 24°C in December with low humidity and minimal rain, making it one of the most comfortable months to visit the city.

Related Guides

• Best Holiday Destinations in October: Hot & Warm Half-Term Escapes
• Best Holiday Destinations in January: New Year Sun Escapes
• Best Holiday Destinations in February: Warm & Sunny Escapes