December is a great time to travel and discover new countries. But, where could you go to have the best end for 2025? Find the best places to go in December in this article.
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Why travel in December?
December is a month of festivals, celebrations, and general merriment worldwide. It’s a perfect moment for you and your whole family to get away from the same old routine together.
How about enjoying the Christmas decorations of a foreign country, as many cities have special events and thematic activities? Maybe go to a winter sports resort for a few days. Have the best time of your life going down snowy slopes with the winter breeze freezing your breath. If, on the contrary, you are not particularly fond of the cold, maybe choose a tropical escapade instead. Travel where the sun is always high in the sky, the breeze is warm, and smells of salt. The possibilities are endless, so, go ahead and learn more about the best places to go in December.
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Best Places to Go in December
Top Snowy Destinations for December
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is one of the best places to go in December this year! This lovely village is situated in the Swiss Alps and has a lot of charm and breathtaking scenery. If you love skiing and snowboarding this place is ideal for you. You will find over 360 km of pistes with many difficulties. If you feel particularly adventurous you can try the 25 km descent from Klein Matterhot to Zermatt, and afterward, enjoy a big cup of warm Swiss chocolate at your inn.
While you’re there you should definitely take the cable car to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Station, the highest in all of Europe, with an elevation of 3883 m. From there visitors can see an astounding amount of 38 Alpine peaks and 14 glaciers, and if you happen to go there on a very clear day you can see as far as the Mediterranean Sea in the distance.
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Lapland, Finland
What better place to visit for Christmas than the home of Santa Claus himself? Located in Rovaniemi, the Santa Claus Village is a beautiful place that makes you remember all about the magic of Christmas. There are a lot of things you can do there. One of the most recommended activities is visiting Santa Claus in his cozy office and taking a photo as a memory. If someone you love and care about couldn’t make the trip with you you can also visit Santa’s postal office and send a letter with a special postmark from the Artic Circle.
If you are in Finland, please don’t miss the opportunity to go and see the Northern Lights. You can spend the night there in the far North. Nestled in a cozy cabin with big windows, or even a glass igloo. All to get the best view of the incredible change of the sky’s colors. It’s definitely something you should do at least once in your life.
Warm Weather Destinations for December Vacation
Maldives
While December is a snowy and cold month in the northern hemisphere, you can do as the migratory birds and travel south following the warm sun. In the Maldives, you’ll find clear blue skies, warm sand, and turquoise-colored water ideal for swimming and diving in. If you love nature you’ll enjoy snorkeling and exploring the incredible marine life and beautiful reefs. You may even get to see giant fishes like manta rays and whale sharks while you’re under the waves.
It’s also a great travel destination for couples, with hotels offering a ton of special romantic activities like dinners by the beach, sunset cruises, and spa treatments. So don’t hesitate and book now.
Photo by Rayyu Maldives on Unsplash
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
An incredible destination with a very unique balance of wonderful beaches to relax, savage nature to explore, and a crazy nocturnal life with many, many bars to visit. For nature lovers, December is a great month to travel there. It’s directly on the migration route of the humpback and gray whales and there are tours available to go and see these majestic giants traverse the open waters.
Don’t stay in the water for the whole day, though. Go get some fun in one of the clubs near the beach. You have many to choose from, but the parties at El Squid Roe are famously memorable and many travelers speak highly of the place. So go check it out, and drink and dance until sunrise.
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The Best Christmas Markets and Festivities in December
Viena, Austria
Europe is a beautiful destination all year round, but there’s just something different during the holiday season. One of the best places to go in December, and more so before Christmas, is Viena. The elegant, old streets transform into a festive atmosphere with buildings glowing in the dusk with thousands of light decorations.
You could spend a whole afternoon perusing the stalls at the Christmas Market at Rathausplatz and finding unique ornaments to gift. Take the time to stop at a nice cafe to enjoy the traditional Austrian Holiday treats like mulled wine and gingerbread. You can even try a traditional Christmas dinner at a local restaurant!
Prague, Czech Republic
If you want to experience a Christmas worthy of a fairytale, Prague is where to go this year. This beautiful city is full of history with amazingly conserved architecture that presents styles from over a thousand years. The traditions run deep here, people celebrate this holiday with great devotion. In the Old Town Square Market, you can find the heart of the Christmas festivities, especially the massive Christmas Tree full of ornaments.
Once in the market, take your time to look around and find lovely and traditional gifts. Some interesting articles to keep an eye on are wooden toys and handmade Christmas ornaments. If you have a special person you want to give a very special present to, you might buy some Czech lace or Bohemia glass.
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Photo by Helena Jankovičová Kováčová
Adventure Activities in December
Patagonia, Argentina
Argentina is another great destination for adventurers in the Southern Hemisphere is Patagonia. With longer days and warm temperatures, December is an ideal time to get your good adventure shoes and go over the many hikes and trails Patagonia offers. You can explore the Torres del Paine in the National Park, with its stunning granite tower, or go observe the immense glacier Perito Moreno. Make sure you have your camping gear with you because some trails can take up to 10 days to complete.
December in Patagonia is also one of the best months to watch the immense colonies of penguins that breed there. Places like Punta Tombo can have over half a million adults and many couples with young chicks.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is one of the best places to go in December if you want to go remote. While you can totally relax amidst the savage nature, Queenstown is widely known as the Adventure Capital of the world. There you’ll find many activities to do if you love the feel of the adrenaline pumping through your body. Have you ever wanted to do bungy jumping? You can try the world’s first commercial bungy site in Kawarau Bridge, or try the highest one in New Zealand, the Nevis bungy, with a free fall of 134 meters.
But that’s just one activity, you can do so much more. You can try skydiving, jet boating, paragliding and hand gliding, ziplining, and canyon swing among many others. Just be careful, extreme sports are highly addicting and you might want to go back next year.
Photo by Kamil Pietrzak on Unsplash
December Destinations for Tradition and Festivals
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico is widely known as a very happy country with strong traditions and festivities, and December is no exception. So you have a great opportunity here to learn a lot and enjoy even more. In Mexico City specifically, you can visit during the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12, with its many parades, and processions. That night you can watch the fireworks illuminating the sky as the traditional song Las Mañanitas is played in every corner.
If you’re still in Mexico by New Year’s Eve you won’t regret it. The Mexican celebrations for the New Year are memorable. Maybe try participating in some fun traditional custom like eating 12 grapes for health or carrying suitcases around to get to travel more the next year.
Edinburgh, Scotland
This is another city with a great ambiance during the holidays and memorable festivals towards the New Year. Edinburgh fully embraces Christmas and adorns the whole city with its colors and spirit. Traverse the Markets, watch the seasonal performances only held in December, and get your tummy full with plenty of hearty festive food.
But if you want a unique experience go during the Hogmanay. It starts days before the end of the year, with the Torchlight Procession, where you can participate! Walk the streets of the city with a torch leading your way, alongside thousands of its inhabitants and visitors. The celebration culminates on December 31st with a city-sized party with live music, DJs, entertainers, and of course, an immense spectacle of fireworks right at midnight.
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Photo by Arthur Chauvineau on Unsplash
Budget-Friendly Destinations to Visit in December
Budapest, Hungary
We are aware that not everyone has the same means to travel, Nonetheless, if you would like to travel to another country without overspending consider a place like Budapest. Traveling to countries during their off-peak season is a great idea, and while visitors may prefer summer time the winter is the best moment to get significant discounts.
Aside from that, Budapest really is a great place to travel on a budget. Many of the main attractions like Buda Castle, Margaret Island, and the Chain Bridge are completely free to enter. You can get around easily using public transport and eat good hearty traditional food at the Hungarian eateries.
If you miss the warm during your visit, we invite you to go to visit one of the staples of the city. The thermal baths are just the best place to be during the winter, and they’re excellent for your skin as well as for your soul. You really have no excuse to visit this lovely city.
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Photo by Liam McKay on Unsplash
Travel Tips for December
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Embrace the festivities: Every country in the world has a unique way of celebrating the holidays, especially the end of the year, so make a point of learning more about the specialties and traditions of your destination. Try the local holiday treats and attend the events for more satisfactory travel.
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Look for Holiday Discounts and Deals: Another staple of the holidays, the special offers and the attractions. Be sure to research more so you can get discounts and special gifts.
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Pack smartly: Remember that winter clothing can be quite heavy, so pack more light clothes you can wear in layers, and use your heaviest and best coat for the trip so you don’t have to pack it. Don’t forget your gloves, hats, and scarves.
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