Where to go on holiday in December

The best places to go in December, ranked from twenty years of historical climate data. Pick by what matters to you — warm sun, sightseeing, or a relaxing break — then open the live tool to fine-tune.

Top all-round picks

  1. Tenerife (Spain) — 19.3°C, 9.6h sun/day, 0.7 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  2. Cape Verde (Cape Verde) — 23.5°C, 10.2h sun/day, 0.1 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  3. Gambia (Gambia) — 27°C, 9.9h sun/day, 0.1 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  4. Cancún (Mexico) — 24.3°C, 9.5h sun/day, 3.3 rainy days/week. Score: 98/100.
  5. Phuket (Thailand) — 26.2°C, 9.7h sun/day, 3.7 rainy days/week. Score: 96/100.
  6. Curaçao (Curaçao) — 27.2°C, 11h sun/day, 4.5 rainy days/week. Score: 91/100.
  7. Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic) — 18.4°C, 10.3h sun/day, 4.7 rainy days/week. Score: 89/100.
  8. Madeira (Portugal) — 14.9°C, 8.3h sun/day, 3 rainy days/week. Score: 89/100.
  9. Zanzibar (Tanzania) — 27.4°C, 11.3h sun/day, 4.7 rainy days/week. Score: 89/100.
  10. Maldives (Maldives) — 27.3°C, 9.8h sun/day, 4.9 rainy days/week. Score: 88/100.

Best for beach & sun

  1. Gambia (Gambia) — 27°C, 9.9h sun/day, 0.1 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  2. Cape Verde (Cape Verde) — 23.5°C, 10.2h sun/day, 0.1 rainy days/week. Score: 93/100.
  3. Cancún (Mexico) — 24.3°C, 9.5h sun/day, 3.3 rainy days/week. Score: 92/100.
  4. Tenerife (Spain) — 19.3°C, 9.6h sun/day, 0.7 rainy days/week. Score: 91/100.
  5. Phuket (Thailand) — 26.2°C, 9.7h sun/day, 3.7 rainy days/week. Score: 89/100.
  6. Curaçao (Curaçao) — 27.2°C, 11h sun/day, 4.5 rainy days/week. Score: 83/100.
  7. Zanzibar (Tanzania) — 27.4°C, 11.3h sun/day, 4.7 rainy days/week. Score: 83/100.
  8. Maldives (Maldives) — 27.3°C, 9.8h sun/day, 4.9 rainy days/week. Score: 82/100.
  9. Mauritius (Mauritius) — 22.2°C, 11.4h sun/day, 5.6 rainy days/week. Score: 78/100.
  10. Bali (Indonesia) — 27°C, 10.1h sun/day, 5.9 rainy days/week. Score: 76/100.

Best city & sightseeing weather

  1. Tenerife (Spain) — 19.3°C, 9.6h sun/day, 0.7 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  2. Cape Verde (Cape Verde) — 23.5°C, 10.2h sun/day, 0.1 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  3. Algarve (Portugal) — 14.1°C, 7.4h sun/day, 1.9 rainy days/week. Score: 97/100.
  4. Gambia (Gambia) — 27°C, 9.9h sun/day, 0.1 rainy days/week. Score: 97/100.
  5. Gran Canaria (Spain) — 13.9°C, 9.6h sun/day, 1.6 rainy days/week. Score: 96/100.
  6. Marrakech (Morocco) — 13.4°C, 8.7h sun/day, 1 rainy days/week. Score: 94/100.
  7. Madeira (Portugal) — 14.9°C, 8.3h sun/day, 3 rainy days/week. Score: 93/100.
  8. Cancún (Mexico) — 24.3°C, 9.5h sun/day, 3.3 rainy days/week. Score: 92/100.
  9. Mallorca (Spain) — 12.4°C, 7.5h sun/day, 1.3 rainy days/week. Score: 91/100.
  10. Phuket (Thailand) — 26.2°C, 9.7h sun/day, 3.7 rainy days/week. Score: 89/100.

Frequently asked questions

Where is it warmest in December?

In December the warmest, sunniest spots we track are Tenerife (19.3°C, 9.6h sun/day); Cape Verde (23.5°C, 10.2h sun/day); Gambia (27°C, 9.9h sun/day).

Where can you go in December without the crowds?

December is a strong shoulder-season month for several Mediterranean and Atlantic-island destinations. See the all-round ranking, scored from twenty years of climate data.

Is December good for sightseeing?

Our sightseeing band ranks destinations by mild temperatures and low rainfall in December, so you can pick a trip with comfortable walking weather.