Where's hot in December?

Where is hot in December? Anywhere that isn’t home, to be fair. If you want serious heat, the Maldives and Thailand are the long-haul dream, while Dubai and Cancun keep the sunshine coming with a bit more city buzz and beach-club energy. Prefer a shorter flight? Lanzarote is your mild-and-sunny pick. Here are some of our favourites, with hotel suggestions to match so we can get you started.

24 hour in-resort support

Flexible payment plans

On the Beach deposits — Deposits from €10pp

1.5m beachers book every year

Weather in Dubai in December

Dubai is the one for sunshine with all the bells and whistles. December is peak season for a reason: it’s festive and buzzing, with glitzy malls, rooftop bars and desert safaris all on one trip. Couples, families and anyone after a boujee winter jolly will find plenty to love. It’s around a seven-hour flight, so make sure you've got your comfy hoodie for a nap. Browse all our Dubai holidays here.

🌡️ 21°C Avg. Temp
🌥️ 26 Avg. Dry Days
🌧️ 20mm Avg. Rain
🏖️ 23°C Sea Temp
☀️ 8 Hours Sunshine

Weather in Cancun in December

Cancun is the classic long-haul Christmas treat, with white-sand beaches, beach clubs and all-inclusive resorts built with families in mind. It’s lively and colourful, and there’s plenty beyond the sunbed too, from Mayan ruins to cenotes. Give yourself around 10 hours for the flight and make sure you've got a book or two in the hand luggage. Check out all of our Cancun holidays, or peep some of our fave hotels below...

🌡️ 24°C Avg. Temp
🌥️ 23 Avg. Dry Days
🌧️ 87mm Avg. Rain
🏖️ 24°C Sea Temp
☀️ 8 Hours Sunshine

Weather in Lanzarote in December

Lanzarote does winter sun with a difference. Think otherworldly volcanic landscapes, golden beaches like Papagayo and laid-back resorts such as Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca that work brilliantly for families. It’s mild and sunny rather than sizzling, so expect a day out at the volcanoes followed by a sunbed afternoon, not all-out baking. At around four and a half hours from the UK, it’s an easy Christmas getaway with the kiddos. Browse all our Lanzarote holidays.

🌡️ 19°C Avg. Temp
🌥️ 26 Avg. Dry Days
🌧️ 29mm Avg. Rain
🏖️ 20°C Sea Temp
☀️ 6 Hours Sunshine

Where else can you go on a December jolly?

Probably not at home, let's be honest. But we've gotta give a nod to our ever-reliable Canaries, always serving up that year-round warmth. Having said that, don't sleep on Portugal - especially Madeira - which also keeps things pleasantly mild at this time of year. If you're craving somewhere toastier, you might want to try somewhere long haul. Think...soaking up the sun on a Caribbean beach, or basking in the desert vibes of Dubai. Adventure awaits, no matter your heat preference!

Of course, you don't have to keep it toasty on your December holiday! If you're in the mood to wrap up and enjoy the festivities, then city breaks like Rome, Prague, Copenhagen and Budapest are great picks for some of the ol' Christmas market action - mulled wine mandatory, of course

Cape Town in South Africa is actually deemed one of the cheapest places to travel in December. Not only do you get to bask in those beachy vibes and soak up the summer warmth, but you'll also dodge those peak price tags. Yep, Cape Town is kind of a December steal, offering all the sizzle without burning a hole in your pocket.

Absolutely! Loads of resorts and hotels do special Christmas programmes with festive meals, entertainment, and even Santa visits for the kids. The Canaries, Egypt, and Dubai are all popular for Christmas holidays. Just check what your resort actually offers - some go all out with Christmas dinner and decorations, while others basically ignore it. It's worth asking before you book so you know what to expect. Many families love spending Christmas Day by the pool rather than stuck in the kitchen cooking.

Most UK schools break up around December 18th-20th, with kids back in early January. Travelling just before the official break starts can save you a fair bit - though you'll need to sort absence with the school first. Worth a look if you're flexible.

Egypt and Turkey are the two names you wanna remember for December all-inclusive holidays. Egypt (Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada) is hotter, with guaranteed sunshine (24-28°C), warm seas, and resorts packed with facilities - pools, water parks, kids' clubs, evening entertainment, the lot. Turkey's slightly cooler (18-22°C), but the all-inclusive resorts are massive, with incredible food and tons of activities. The Canaries also do great all-inclusive deals and are closer to home. All three offer fantastic value with everything sorted once you arrive.