The TOP 4 Destinations to visit in December

December is one of the most atmospheric months for travelling, with the season itself becoming part of the experience. Across Europe, Christmas markets, snow-covered landscapes and long winter evenings set the tone, while warmer destinations offer an entirely different way to spend the festive period. Further south, the arrival of summer brings longer days, beaches and a calendar filled with outdoor events.

The best destinations to visit in December range from festive city breaks and Arctic adventures to tropical island stays and summer escapes. Whether the plan is Christmas markets, Northern Lights, days beside the Indian Ocean or New Year celebrations by the harbour, these four destinations each offer a distinctly seasonal reason to travel.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Vienna comes into its own during December, when its historic squares, palace courtyards and shopping streets are illuminated for the festive season. Christmas markets appear throughout the city, from the large-scale celebrations at Rathausplatz to more atmospheric settings around Schönbrunn Palace. Many of the major 2026 markets run through most of December, while classical concerts, museums and the city’s traditional coffeehouses add plenty beyond the festivities themselves.

Spend the afternoon moving between smaller neighbourhood markets before heading towards the centre after dark, when Vienna feels at its most atmospheric. Ice skating, an evening concert or a long dinner in the Innere Stadt can easily fill the colder evenings, while Schönbrunn and the Belvedere combine cultural sightseeing with their own seasonal programmes. For where to stay, our guide to Vienna’s best hotels for a stylish winter stay brings together the city’s most polished addresses for the season.

MALDIVES

For those looking to exchange winter for the Indian Ocean, December is one of the Maldives’ most sought-after travel periods. The month marks the transition towards the drier northeast monsoon, with conditions generally becoming sunnier and more settled as December progresses, although tropical showers can still occur. Private-island resorts turn the festive period into a season of their own, with Christmas and New Year programmes spanning beach dinners, live entertainment, wellness experiences and ocean activities.

The destination works particularly well for travellers who want the holidays to feel completely removed from home. Days can move between snorkelling, diving, sandbank trips and long afternoons by the lagoon before festive dinners begin after sunset. Resorts across the islands increasingly put their own spin on December celebrations, from beachfront tree lightings and gala dinners to DJ sets and cultural programming, making this one of the few destinations where Christmas can mean bare feet and dinner beneath the stars.

LAPLAND, FINLAND

Deep winter transforms Finnish Lapland in December, covering forests, frozen lakes and fells in snow while the long Arctic nights create one of the year’s most atmospheric settings. The region extends far beyond Rovaniemi, with destinations such as Levi, Saariselkä and Inari offering wilderness lodges, glass-roofed cabins and easy access to snow-covered landscapes. Lapland is also one of Finland’s key regions for seeing the Northern Lights, with aurora season running from late August to early April.

Rovaniemi remains the obvious choice for travellers leaning into the Christmas theme, but heading further north creates a more remote experience. Days can be spent husky sledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing or visiting reindeer farms before returning to a sauna or fireside dinner. For stays where the landscape becomes part of the experience, our guide to Lapland’s top hotels with in-room views covers glass cabins, wilderness retreats and rooms designed around the Arctic scenery.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

December signals the start of summer in Sydney, shifting the focus towards beaches, harbour days and warm evenings outdoors. Bondi and Bronte return to the centre of the city’s social calendar, while waterfront restaurants, rooftop bars and outdoor events make the most of the longer days. The month also brings a distinctly Australian festive season, followed by major events including the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and the city’s globally recognised New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Start with an early swim or the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk before spending the afternoon closer to the harbour, whether around Circular Quay, Barangaroo or across the water in Manly. Neighbourhoods such as Paddington, Surry Hills and Newtown provide an alternative to the obvious waterfront itinerary through independent restaurants, bars and boutiques. Stay through the end of the month and the focus shifts firmly towards New Year’s Eve, when Sydney Harbour becomes the centre of one of the city’s biggest annual celebrations.