Quick Answer
December splits cleanly into two trip types. If you want the classic festive winter aesthetic, head to Vienna, Strasbourg, Tallinn, or Finnish Lapland for Christmas markets, snow, and Northern Lights. If you want to escape the cold entirely, fly to Phuket, Bali, Costa Rica, or the Maldives for the start of the dry season and reliable beach weather.
Mid December is generally cheaper and quieter than the Christmas and New Year window. If you can travel from December 1 to about December 18, you will get the best mix of festive atmosphere and reasonable prices almost anywhere on this list.
Best European Christmas market cities
Vienna, Austria
Vienna runs more than twenty Christmas markets across the city through most of December, with the Rathausplatz market in front of the city hall as the centrepiece. Expect timber stalls of handcrafted ornaments, hot Gluhwein in collectable mugs, roasted chestnuts, and live choral performances. The Spanish Riding School, the Christmas concerts at the Musikverein, and the Schonbrunn Palace market add a uniquely Viennese layer of grandeur. Average daytime temperatures sit around 2 to 5 Celsius.
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg has called itself the Capital of Christmas since 1570 and the title is earned. The medieval old town fills with more than three hundred stalls, the cathedral square is dressed in lights, and the smell of vin chaud and tarte flambee follows you for blocks. It is also a fraction of the price of Paris in December.
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn's Old Town becomes a postcard in December. The Town Hall Square market is small but exceptionally atmospheric, with hot mulled wine, handmade woollen goods, and a giant lit tree that the city has been raising since 1441, the year often cited as the first public Christmas tree in Europe. Lower crowds and lower prices than Vienna or Strasbourg.
Snow and Northern Lights: Finnish Lapland
Lapland delivers the most maximal winter trip available anywhere in Europe. Rovaniemi sits on the Arctic Circle and markets itself as the official home of Santa Claus, which makes it the easiest destination for families with younger children. Further north, smaller towns like Saariselka and Levi run husky safaris, snowmobile tours, reindeer rides, ice fishing, and glass igloo stays where you can fall asleep watching the Aurora Borealis on clear nights.
Average December temperatures range from minus 10 to minus 3 Celsius. The Aurora is most active on clear cold nights between September and March, and December is one of the strongest viewing windows because the nights are so long.
Tropical escapes for sun seekers
Phuket and Krabi, Thailand
December is the sweet spot of Thailand's southern dry season. The monsoon has cleared, the seas are calm enough for island hopping and diving, and average temperatures sit between 24 and 32 Celsius. Phuket is the easiest base because of the international airport, and day trips to the Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay, and Krabi's Railay Beach are simple to organise.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica's Pacific coast and the Guanacaste region enter the dry season in December. Expect bright, dry days, temperatures from 22 to 31 Celsius, and exceptional wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around the remaining water sources. Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenal Volcano, and the Nicoya Peninsula beaches all peak in December.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is in its short rainy season in December, but the rain is usually brief afternoon showers rather than full day washouts. Prices are noticeably lower than the July peak, the surf on the Bukit Peninsula is reliable, and the temple festivals, Ubud rice terraces, and beach clubs are all open and far less crowded.
The Maldives
December is the start of the dry season in the Maldives. Daily temperatures hover around 28 to 30 Celsius, the water is glassy clear, and visibility for snorkelling and diving is exceptional. It is also the most expensive month of the year there, so book early or look at the smaller local island guesthouses for a far lower price point.
Underrated picks for December
- Quebec City, Canada. The Old Town becomes a small European Christmas village, with the German Christmas Market and the Chateau Frontenac as a fairy tale backdrop.
- Hokkaido, Japan. Some of the best powder snow on the planet, with ski resorts at Niseko and Furano, plus the Sapporo White Illumination festival running through December.
- New York City. The Rockefeller tree lighting, the windows on Fifth Avenue, the Bryant Park rink, and a constant supply of Broadway. Crowds are heavy but the energy is unmatched.
- Buenos Aires. Southern hemisphere summer in full swing, with long warm evenings, outdoor steak dinners, and tango in the squares.
How to price your December trip
December prices spike during two windows: the week before Christmas through January 2, and the school holiday period in many European countries. If you can book travel for the first half of December or the second week of January, you will pay noticeably less and find emptier markets, restaurants, and beaches.
The takeaway
December is one of the most flexible travel months of the year. Pick the experience first, the destination second. If you want festive markets and snow, Vienna, Strasbourg, Tallinn, and Lapland are the strongest picks. If you want sun, the start of the dry season in Thailand, Costa Rica, and the Maldives is genuinely hard to beat. Book early for the Christmas week, or shift your trip to the first half of the month to save money and avoid crowds.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see the Northern Lights in December?
Finnish Lapland, Tromso in Norway, and the Icelandic countryside all deliver strong December viewing on clear cold nights.
What is the cheapest December destination?
Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of Central and Eastern Europe like Krakow and Tallinn deliver excellent December trips on a small budget.
Is December a good time to visit Europe?
Yes, especially for the Christmas market cities. Just avoid the seven days before Christmas if you are price sensitive, since hotel rates climb sharply.
What should I pack for a December trip?
For winter destinations, a waterproof outer layer, thermal base layers, insulated boots, and a warm hat. For tropical destinations, lightweight clothing, reef safe sunscreen, and a small rain jacket for short afternoon showers.
