Grey skies and short days? December doesn’t have to mean grey. Plenty of places a few hours from the UK still see 20°C or more. Here are 10 winter sun destinations for December, ordered by flight time, with what to expect from each.
Temperatures are average December highs, as a guide. Flight times are approximate, for direct flights from London.
Under 3 hours
1. Seville and Andalucía (Spain)
About 17°C · 2h 30m
Not a beach break, but Andalucía in December means blue skies, orange trees in the streets and lunch on a sunny terrace. Seville is at its prettiest before Christmas, with festive lights and nativity scenes. Pack a jacket for the evenings. See our latest deals.
2. The Algarve (Portugal)
About 17°C · 2h 45m
Golden cliffs, empty beaches and golf: the Algarve is quiet and good value in December. Perfect for coastal walks between Lagos and Sagres. Fly into Faro, with direct flights from most UK airports.
3 to 5 hours
3. Malta
About 17°C · 3h 15m
Mild weather, honey-coloured towns and nativity cribs in every church: Malta is ideal for a short cultural break in the sun, without the summer crowds. English is an official language, which makes it an easy first trip.
4. Marrakech (Morocco)
About 19°C · 3h 30m
Sunny days, cool evenings and buzzing souks: Marrakech is one of the easiest winter escapes from the UK. Book a riad with a roof terrace to make the most of the afternoon sun.
5. Agadir (Morocco)
About 22°C · 3h 50m
Warmer and more of a beach resort than Marrakech, Agadir has a long sandy bay and good-value hotels in December. The sea is fresh, around 18°C, but sunshine is close to guaranteed.
6. Madeira (Portugal)
About 20°C · 3h 50m
The “island of eternal spring” is mild all year. In December, Funchal lights up for the festive season, and its New Year’s Eve fireworks are among the most famous in the world. Great for hiking the levada trails.
7. The Canary Islands (Spain)
About 21 to 22°C · 4h to 4h 30m
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote or Fuerteventura: the Canaries are Europe’s most reliable winter sun, with flights from almost every UK airport. Stay in the south of the islands for the most sunshine. See our Canary Islands deals.
8. Cyprus
About 18 to 19°C · 4h 30m
The easternmost Mediterranean island stays mild in December. Ancient sites, mountain villages and the beaches around Paphos make a good mix of culture and downtime. Driving is on the left, like at home.
Over 5 hours
9. Hurghada and the Red Sea (Egypt)
About 24°C · 5h
Beaches, coral-reef diving and sea temperatures around 23°C: the Red Sea is one of the few places you can really swim in December without a long-haul flight. Luxor is an easy day trip.
10. Dubai (UAE)
About 25°C · 7h
December is one of the best months for Dubai: pleasant heat, a 24°C sea and plenty going on for the festive season. It’s also peak season, so book early.
Tips for winter sun in December
- Go before the school holidays: prices for flights and hotels in the first half of December are often far lower than over Christmas.
- Check the usual price: a “sale” fare isn’t always a bargain. Every Travellerio deal is compared with its usual price.
- Pack layers: even in the sun, evenings are cool in Andalucía, Morocco and Cyprus.
- Check your passport: for EU countries it must have been issued less than 10 years before you enter, and still be valid for at least 3 months after you leave. Egypt needs at least 6 months.