Relief sits a flight or two away.
December does not have to mean damp commutes and short afternoons. From four-hour hops to far-flung scorchers, you can swap drizzle for balmy evenings, warm seas and long daylight. Prices vary, but timing, routes and flexibility help you lock in value. Here’s where brits can find proper winter sun in december 2025, and what each place offers right now.
What counts as hot in december?
Most travellers chase highs above 20c, at least six hours of sunshine, low rainfall and swimmable seas. That shortlist pushes you to Atlantic islands, North Africa, the Middle East and the tropics. Families tend to favour four to six hours’ flying. Couples often stretch to eight to twelve. Time your dates outside peak school holidays if you can.
Target highs over 20c and 6–9 hours of sunshine. Early december often delivers the best prices and calmer beaches.
Best bets by distance from the uk
| Destination | Typical highs (°c) | Sun hours | Flight time (from london) | Indicative fares (from) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gran canaria, spain | 21–23 | 6 | 4h 30m | £49–£89 |
| Lanzarote, spain | 21–22 | 6 | 4h 20m | £59–£99 |
| Tenerife, spain | 21–22 | 6 | 4h 30m | £59–£109 |
| Madeira, portugal | 19–21 | 5 | 3h 50m | £69–£129 |
| Paphos, cyprus | 18–20 | 6 | 4h 45m | £59–£139 |
| Hurghada, egypt | 22–24 | 7 | 5h 20m | £120–£220 |
| Muscat, oman | 25–27 | 8–9 | 7h 15m (direct) | £329–£499 |
| Cancun, mexico | 28–30 | 6–7 | 10h 50m (direct) | £399–£649 |
| Bangkok, thailand | 30–32 | 8–9 | 11h 30m (direct) | £499–£799 |
| Cape town, south africa | 24–27 | 10–11 | 11h 50m (direct) | £599–£899 |
| Gibraltar | 16–18 | 5–6 | 2h 50m | £39–£109 |
| Limassol, cyprus | 18–20 | 6 | 4h 45m | £79–£149 |
| Sydney, australia | 23–26 | 8 | 24h+ (1 stop) | £749–£1,049 |
Book 8–12 weeks before departure, fly midweek, and use hand luggage to shave £60–£120 off short-haul trips.
Destination snapshots you can trust
Gran canaria, spain
Beaches sit warm, dunes glow at maspalomas, and the surf at las canteras rolls gently. Las palmas mixes grand colonial streets with breezy waterfront walks. Hike to roque nublo for big island views. Aim for the south if you want the driest pocket.
Lanzarote, spain
Timanfaya’s lava fields look otherworldly yet family friendly trails keep things easy. Arrecife adds low-key nightlife and good seafood. Costa teguise and playa blanca offer sheltered sands. Winds can pick up, so pack a light layer for evenings.
Tenerife, spain
Mount teide delivers crisp vistas above the clouds. Los gigantes cliffs tower over calm coves. Santa cruz brings museums and plazas without silly prices. South-west resorts stay sunnier. You can swim most days on the costa adeje.
Madeira, portugal
Funchal’s gardens and cable-car views fill gentle days. Levadas thread through laurel forests for easy, scenic walks. Seas sit cooler than the canaries, yet pools and lidos stay inviting on still days. Food lovers rate the markets and poncha bars.
Paphos and limassol, cyprus
History runs deep at kato pafos with roman mosaics and the tombs of the kings. Limassol brings a slick marina, cafés and mild beach days. You get light-jacket evenings, terrace lunches, and road trips to troodos villages without crowds.
Hurghada, egypt
Water stays warm enough for long reef days. Boats reach giftun islands for shallow snorkelling. Nights feel pleasantly cool. Resorts span wallet-friendly to plush, and day trips to desert camps add variety. Check house reefs if diving tops your list.
Muscat, oman
December shines here: dry heat, clear skies and sea breezes. Mornings suit wadis and fort towns like nizwa. Afternoons work for al qurum beach or the corniche at muttrah. The sultan qaboos grand mosque stuns; dress codes apply, so plan clothing.
Cancun, mexico
Rainy season fades, the sea calms, and visibility improves for reef dives. Hotel zone buzzes, yet ferries and buses reach quieter stretches. Day trips to chichen itza or cenotes add depth. Avoid peak weekends for lower rates and thinner crowds.
Bangkok, thailand
The city runs drier and less humid than in may–october. Riverside hotels catch breezes. Street food thrives at night markets, while mornings suit temple visits at wat pho and the grand palace. Connect to krabi or koh samui if you want a two-centre break.
Cape town, south africa
Summer lands with long, golden evenings. Hike table mountain early, then settle at camps bay. The v&a waterfront bundles food halls, galleries and boat trips. Robben island tours sell out, so reserve ahead. A hire car unlocks the winelands in an hour.
Gibraltar
Milder rather than hot, but plenty bright. Walk the rock for sweeping views and macaques. Caves, siege tunnels and the old town fill a weekend. Combine with a hop over the border to andalusia if you want warmer inland afternoons.
Sydney, australia
Summer starts in earnest. Bondi, manly and bronte bring classic beach days with warm surf. Ferries string together harbour icons. Inner-city neighbourhoods add café culture and galleries. Prices rise closer to new year, so shift dates earlier if you can.
Smart ways to slash the bill
- Pick early december over the christmas peak to save 20–40 per cent on flights and rooms.
- Use secondary airports for canaries and cyprus; first flights of the day often cost less.
- Mix cash and points: short-haul redemptions can halve costs when cash fares jump.
- Book refundable rates, then re-check weekly; many hotels drop prices closer to arrival.
- Travel light; short-haul baggage fees can exceed the fare on busy dates.
Need-to-know extras for december travel
Sea temperatures matter if you plan long swims. The canaries hover around 20c, cyprus sits 18–19c, madeira a touch lower, and egypt stays near 24c. Tropical waters in mexico and thailand sit around 27–28c. Choose sheltered coves on breezier days in the atlantic.
Sun strength still bites. Uv levels in oman, mexico, south africa and thailand run high in december, so pack reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a long-sleeve top for midday hours. Hydration helps on arrival days after long flights.
Build a buffer day if you travel long-haul. You’ll shake off jet lag, catch a sunrise, and avoid missing prepaid excursions. For multi-centre trips, keep transfers simple: bangkok pairs cleanly with krabi or koh samui; cancun links with tulum or valladolid by bus or hire car.
Insurance should cover medical costs, cancellations and missed connections. Check activity clauses if you plan diving, paragliding or high-altitude hikes. For car hire in cyprus, madeira and cape town, pre-book excess cover to avoid desk mark-ups.
£49 to Gran Canaria is wild—are those fares hand-luggage only, or can you actually check a bag without doubling the price? I’m definately eyeing early December; any tricks for dodging the wind in Lanzarote evenings?
30c beaches in December sounds lovely, but is that the average for Cancun or cherry-picked days? Also, are those “sun hours” measured the same way across regions?