10 incredible places to visit in December around the world

Updated October 30, 2024

The holiday season looms large over travel this month, as destinations as far and wide as Bavaria and small-town Georgia deck the halls, construct festive Christmas markets, and dust off the family-friendly attractions for another year of cheer. And, of course, that can mean higher airfare and hotel rates after the relative calm of shoulder season.

When planning a December vacation, you have a few crucial decisions to make: Embrace the chill or seek the sun in a warm-weather destination? Dive fully into the holiday spirit or try to get away from it all? We’ve collected a list of 10 spots around the globe that run the gamut from wintry to sun-drenched, and everything in between.

Average temp: 89ºF high, 76ºF low

Remember when HBO released the first two seasons of The White Lotus, and everyone temporarily went mad for Maui and Sicily? The third season is currently filming in Thailand, meaning that now could be the perfect time to see what all the fuss is about before it becomes the hottest destination of 2025. According to reports, the series will take place at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, on an idyllic island off the east coast, and the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, on the country’s largest island in the Andaman Sea.

December is a particularly lovely time to visit the Anantara and greater Phuket, when the monsoon season has ended and temps are warm but not scorching. That said, the secret is out and this month kicks off high season, so it’s worth spending a bit of time to research more secluded beaches so you can have some space to yourself. Local favorites include Freedom Beach—accessed by a sometimes strenuous jungle hike or by a longtail boat hailed on Patong Beach—or Yanui Beach, where you can kayak or snorkel among schools of tropical fish.

Average temps: 32°F high; 23°F low

Whether you’re a hardcore skier or more of a sit-in-front-of-the-fireplace type, make your way to Whistler. Powderhounds can explore more than 8,000 acres of skiable terrain at Whistler Blackcomb, one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Last winter, the ski resort unveiled a rare eight-seat chairlift, which means you can spend less time waiting in line and more time shredding.

If you’re not much of a skier, winter in Whistler comes in many flavors: You could go dogsledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or enjoy the illuminated wonders of Vallea Lumina, a magical light display on trails through the forest. Or simply soak in the mountain views from the Scandinave Spa, an outdoor hydrotherapy retreat surrounded by old-growth rainforest.

A visit in early December means you can also enjoy the Whistler Film Festival (December 4-8); there are multi-screening passes, but it’s just as easy to get a single ticket for any movie that interests you.

Average temp: 51ºF high, 32ºF low

Christmas carols take on a distinctly country twang when the holiday season hits Nashville. At the legendary Ryman Auditorium, the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, Amy Grant and Vince Gill team up for a festive residency from November 29 to December 21, while the Opry Country Christmas series at the new Grand Ole Opry attracts stars like Mandy Barnett, Charlie McCoy, and the Gatlin Brothers. Elsewhere around town, you can see the Nashville Symphony play Home Alone in Concert at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center or watch Nashville’s Nutcracker! at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

For family-friendly holiday fun, head to the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, just outside of downtown, for a full day of ice tubing, skating, gingerbread decorating, and carriage rides.

Average temp: 58ºF high, 29ºF low

Venture way down south in New Mexico and you’ll feel like you’ve landed on another planet. White Sands National Park protects 145,000 acres of rolling powdery gypsum crystal sand dunes that, if you squint, almost look like the snow. Camp under the stars, sled down the dunes, take long hikes, and practice your photography. It’s especially stunning at sunset, when the sky glows orange and pink above the sand. Rangers lead guided “sunset strolls” on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

The closest town is Las Cruces, an artsy, eclectic community at the base of the Organ Mountains. Don't skip the weekly Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market, which takes place every Saturday downtown. Shop Southwest-inspired pottery, jewelry, and paintings, as well as fresh veggies, eggs, and locally raised meats to take back to your vacation rental.

Looking for more national parks that shine in winter? We’ve got you covered.

Average temps: 34°F high; 25°F low

While bigger European cities like Budapest and Prague get most of the attention around the holidays, you’ll find plenty of Christmas cheer—and smaller crowds—in smaller towns like Passau.

An easy two-hour train ride from both Munich and Vienna, Passau is known as the “City of Three Rivers” because it’s located at the confluence of the Danube, the Ilz, and the Inn rivers. It’s charming all year-round but, come winter, it becomes even more so thanks to holiday lights, yuletide performances at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the beloved Christkindlmarkt. Here, shop for sheep's-milk soap, wooden ornaments, and miniature ceramic houses, all while munching on shortbread pastries dusted with powdered sugar called snowballs.

Average temps: 65°F high; 43°F low

December is part of Avila Beach’s low season, so you can find great deals on lodging and smaller crowds in this San Luis Obispo County jewel, which is about a 3.5-hour drive north of Los Angeles or a little under four hours south of San Francisco. And since temps are slightly cooler at this time of year, it’s the ideal time to soak in the soothing mineral waters at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa or Avila Hot Springs.

Beyond the springs, you can rent a kayak from Avila Beach Paddlesports, then paddle over to get a look at Point San Luis Lighthouse, which has been standing since 1890. And back on shore, stroll down the pier to Mersea's Seafood Restaurant, where you can snack on clam chowder (white New England or red Manhattan–style) while watching sea lions and sea otters in the water below.

Average temp: 55ºF high, 40ºF low

If you can avoid the Christmas holidays, December is a blissfully crowd-free time to take in Rome's iconic attractions, like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Fontana di Trevi—which can be sweaty and shoulder-to-shoulder in the summer. And as of last summer, Rome added its 60th UNESCO World Heritage site, the Via Appia—the earliest major road built by the ancient Romans, which connected the capital to the port town of Brindisi, way down in Puglia—to the roster. Within Rome, the first 10 miles of the path are protected as part of the Appian Way Regional Park, which also includes the ruins of monumental villas, ancient tombs, aqueducts, and towering cypress and umbrella pine trees. With the brisk December weather, it’s an excellent time to explore the area on a bike tour or rent some wheels to head out on your own.

Average temp: 82ºF high, 67ºF low

Because of its location in the Southern Hemisphere, Buenos Aires has a sun-drenched holiday season. And while December technically falls within high season, many porteños flee the hot, humid city for the coast during Christmas week. That means you’ll often have some of the best restaurants and bars all to yourself, as well as cultural attractions like the Museo de Arte Latinoamericao de Buenos Aires and El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a bookstore housed in an old theater from 1919.

If the summer heat has you craving a barbecue, you can’t do much better than the Michelin-starred Don Julio, a neighborhood parrilla (steakhouse) with an exceptional Argentine wine list. Don’t miss the empanadas, but be sure to try dishes like morcilla (blood sausage) and sweetbreads as well. The city is also home to an incredible cocktail scene. Tres Monos, with its neon pink lights and a ‘90s soundtrack; CoChinChina, where drinks have a Southeast Asian influence; and Florería Atlántico, a speakeasy hidden behind a florist shop, are all must-visits.

Average temp: 52ºF high, 30ºF low

Plan a trip to Dahlonega—just an hour from Atlanta—and don’t be surprised if you feel like you’re in a movie. This small Georgia town is so picturesque that it’s been a favorite backdrop on Hallmark and Lifetime films like Christmas in the Smokies, Christmas in Homestead, and A Taste of Christmas. (The nearby Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo even played a role as District 13 in the Hunger Games series, too.)

Every winter, Dahlonega hosts a month-long Old Fashioned Christmas, complete with twinkling lights, Santa visits, horse-drawn carriage rides, shopping, a parade, and decked-out trees. Festivities aside, Dahlonega also has a thriving wine scene, with standouts including Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery, Cavender Creek Vineyards and Winery, and Kaya Vineyard & Winery. Book a private wine tour or join a group outing with DSH Transportation so that everyone in your crew can sip and sample without worrying about the designated-driver logistics.

Average temp: 85ºF high, 67ºF low

December kicks off the dry season in Puerto Rico, making it an excellent time to see the island’s famed bioluminescent bays, which glow neon blue-green thanks to the presence of microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates. The less rainfall, the less cloudy the bays, and the more visible the glow of these tiny critters.

The best places to see them are La Parguera, where you can swim among the glow during a guided boat tour; Laguna Grande, which you can explore from a kayak; and Mosquito Bay on the island of Vieques. Hot tip: You’ll want to plan a tour during the darkest night of the month, on the days before or after a new moon. And you’re in luck because this December, the new moon happens twice, on both the 1st and the 31st.

The dry season also makes for a fabulous time to explore El Yunque National Forest, and you’ll often encounter a dizzying array of bird species, as migrators tend to arrive in November and stick around through the winter.