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In season · December

Best Places to Visit in December

The best countries to visit in December are Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, UAE and more. Pick by weather, crowds, budget, or whether you're flying short-haul from India.

Last updated June 2026

December at a glance

Best for ideal weatherThailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, UAE
Best from India (short-haul)Thailand, Vietnam, India, Nepal
Best honeymoon picksJapan, Thailand, Vietnam, Iceland
Best for familiesJapan, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea
Best on a budgetNepal, Cambodia
Shoulder-season picksIndonesia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bhutan
Months to avoidTürkiye, Georgia, Italy, France

Best countries to visit in December

Peak weather and full access this month.

🇹🇭

Thailand

A tale of two coasts and three seasons.

Asia
4 regionsBest time in December →
🇵🇭

Philippines

7,000 islands, one dry season.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇰🇭

Cambodia

Cool & dry for Angkor.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇱🇦

Laos

Mekong country, cool dry winters.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇦🇪

UAE

Desert winters are magical; summers brutal.

Middle East
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇨🇭

Switzerland

Two seasons, both spectacular.

Europe
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇦🇹

Austria

Alpine charm in any season.

Europe
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇸🇮

Slovenia

A fairy-tale Alpine compact.

Europe
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇪🇬

Egypt

Pyramids in cool desert winter.

Africa
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇿🇦

South Africa

Reverse seasons — perfect Dec for beaches.

Africa
3 regionsBest time in December →
🇰🇪

Kenya

The Great Migration in Maasai Mara.

Africa
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇹🇿

Tanzania

Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar.

Africa
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇪🇹

Ethiopia

Highlands and ancient churches.

Africa
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇲🇽

Mexico

Dry winter, green summer.

North America
3 regionsBest time in December →
🇨🇷

Costa Rica

Dry season is high season.

North America
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇨🇺

Cuba

Dry winter is the move.

North America
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇦🇷

Argentina

Patagonia summer, wine country shoulder.

South America
3 regionsBest time in December →
🇨🇱

Chile

Atacama to Antarctica in one country.

South America
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇧🇷

Brazil

Carnival summer, Pantanal dry winter.

South America
4 regionsBest time in December →
🇨🇴

Colombia

Eternal spring in the Andes.

South America
Country-wideBest time in December →

Best places from India in December

Short-haul, e-visa or visa-on-arrival options that line up with December weather.

🇹🇭

Thailand

A tale of two coasts and three seasons.

Asia
4 regionsBest time in December →
🇻🇳

Vietnam

A long country with three climates.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in December →
🇮🇳

India

A subcontinent — pick your region carefully.

Asia
6 regionsBest time in December →
🇳🇵

Nepal

Crystal-clear mountain views in autumn.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇵🇭

Philippines

7,000 islands, one dry season.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇨🇳

China

Continental — pick a region first.

Asia
4 regionsBest time in December →

Best honeymoon destinations in December

Romantic destinations at their best this month.

🇯🇵

Japan

Cherry blossoms in spring, fiery maples in autumn.

Asia
5 regionsBest time in December →
🇹🇭

Thailand

A tale of two coasts and three seasons.

Asia
4 regionsBest time in December →
🇻🇳

Vietnam

A long country with three climates.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in December →
🇮🇸

Iceland

Midnight sun or northern lights — both, never at once.

Europe
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇨🇭

Switzerland

Two seasons, both spectacular.

Europe
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇳🇿

New Zealand

Two seasons — both stunning.

Oceania
Country-wideBest time in December →

Best family-friendly destinations in December

Safe, easy, kid-friendly picks for December.

🇯🇵

Japan

Cherry blossoms in spring, fiery maples in autumn.

Asia
5 regionsBest time in December →
🇹🇭

Thailand

A tale of two coasts and three seasons.

Asia
4 regionsBest time in December →
🇻🇳

Vietnam

A long country with three climates.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in December →
🇰🇷

South Korea

Sharp four-season country.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇹🇼

Taiwan

Night markets, misty mountains, hot springs.

Asia
3 regionsBest time in December →
🇦🇪

UAE

Desert winters are magical; summers brutal.

Middle East
Country-wideBest time in December →

Best budget-friendly destinations in December

Lower trip costs without sacrificing the season.

🇳🇵

Nepal

Crystal-clear mountain views in autumn.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in December →
🇰🇭

Cambodia

Cool & dry for Angkor.

Asia
Country-wideBest time in December →

Where to avoid in December

Monsoons, extreme heat, deep cold or peak storm risk make these tough this month.

🇹🇷

Türkiye

Cappadocia balloons and Aegean beaches.

Europe
3 regionsView Türkiye
🇬🇪

Georgia

Mountain valleys and wine country.

Europe
Country-wideView Georgia
🇮🇹

Italy

Shoulder seasons are the sweet spot.

Europe
4 regionsView Italy
🇫🇷

France

Paris in spring is a cliché for a reason.

Europe
3 regionsView France
🇪🇸

Spain

Sunny shoulder seasons rule.

Europe
3 regionsView Spain
🇵🇹

Portugal

Mild Atlantic country, long beach season.

Europe
Country-wideView Portugal
🇬🇷

Greece

Islands May–Oct, ruins year-round.

Europe
3 regionsView Greece
🇬🇧

United Kingdom

Bring layers — and an umbrella.

Europe
Country-wideView United Kingdom
🇮🇪

Ireland

Forty shades of green, always a chance of rain.

Europe
Country-wideView Ireland
🇩🇪

Germany

Christmas markets and beer gardens.

Europe
Country-wideView Germany
🇳🇱

Netherlands

Tulips bloom for one short window.

Europe
Country-wideView Netherlands
🇨🇿

Czechia

Prague in spring, Christmas market dreams in December.

Europe
Country-wideView Czechia
🇭🇺

Hungary

Budapest baths year-round.

Europe
Country-wideView Hungary
🇭🇷

Croatia

Adriatic perfection in shoulder season.

Europe
Country-wideView Croatia
🇵🇱

Poland

Pretty old towns and brutal winters.

Europe
Country-wideView Poland
🇷🇴

Romania

Carpathian castles, painted monasteries, wild bears.

Europe
Country-wideView Romania
🇧🇬

Bulgaria

Black Sea beaches, Rila monasteries, cheap ski.

Europe
Country-wideView Bulgaria
🇷🇸

Serbia

Belgrade nightlife and brass-band villages.

Europe
Country-wideView Serbia
🇲🇪

Montenegro

Fjord-like bay, Adriatic beaches, Durmitor peaks.

Europe
Country-wideView Montenegro
🇦🇱

Albania

Europe's last cheap Riviera.

Europe
Country-wideView Albania
🇸🇰

Slovakia

High Tatras, hidden castles, half the crowds.

Europe
Country-wideView Slovakia
🇪🇪

Estonia

Medieval Tallinn and endless midsummer light.

Europe
Country-wideView Estonia
🇱🇻

Latvia

Art-nouveau Riga and Baltic dunes.

Europe
Country-wideView Latvia
🇱🇹

Lithuania

Vilnius baroque and Curonian Spit dunes.

Europe
Country-wideView Lithuania
🇲🇰

North Macedonia

Lake Ohrid and Ottoman bazaars.

Europe
Country-wideView North Macedonia
🇧🇦

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Ottoman bridges and emerald rivers.

Europe
Country-wideView Bosnia & Herzegovina
🇫🇯

Fiji

Tropical dry season May–Oct.

Oceania
Country-wideView Fiji
🇨🇦

Canada

Endless wilderness — pick season carefully.

North America
Country-wideView Canada

FAQs: travel in December

What is the best country to visit in December?

December is peak season in Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, UAE. Pick by interest: beaches, mountains, culture or wildlife — most of these destinations also offer favourable weather and fewer disruptions this month.

Where should I avoid travelling in December?

In December, watch out for Türkiye, Georgia, Italy, France, Spain — these destinations face heavy monsoon, extreme heat, deep cold or peak storm risk this month.

What are the best countries to visit from India in December?

Short-haul picks from India in December: Thailand, Vietnam, India, Nepal. These offer 3–7 hour flights, e-visa or visa-on-arrival options and good weather.

Is December a good time for a honeymoon or beach holiday?

December works well for honeymoons in destinations such as Japan, Thailand, Vietnam. Match the destination to whether you want beach, snow or culture.

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See also: Best countries to visit from India in December · Interactive December calendar