Key Takeaways
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With Christmas and New Year approaching, many people start planning a trip to spend the festive season with family or friends or get away for a few days.
Some destinations are warm enough for beach holidays in December, while others have cooler weather, Christmas markets and festive events to mark the season.
This guide gathers some of the best places to visit outside India in December based on weather and experiences.
Tropical Island Destinations to Visit in December
Phu Quoc, Krabi and Hikkaduwa are good picks for a December beach holiday, with warm weather, sandy shores and boat trips along the coast.
1. Phu Quoc, Vietnam
- Weather and temperature: Warm, mostly sunny days, with average daytime temperatures around 30°C.
December is a good time for beach visits and boat trips in Phu Quoc. For a first visit, stay around Duong Dong or Long Beach on the west coast.
Long Beach is suited to swimming and sunset views, while Duong Dong has restaurants and the Phu Quoc Night Market, where you can try grilled seafood and local dishes.
Plan your southern outings separately. Visit Sao Beach or Khem Beach for a day by the sea, or head to An Thoi for the Hon Thom cable car and Aquatopia Water Park. Boat trips from An Thoi to the smaller islands of May Rut and Gam Ghi are another option, especially for snorkelling.
2. Krabi, Thailand
- Weather and temperature: Daytime temperatures reach around 30°C, with nights near 23-24°C. December is part of Krabi’s dry season, though occasional showers and rough seas are still possible.
Krabi pairs beach time and island-hopping with inland sights such as hilltop temples, forest pools and natural hot springs. Use Ao Nang as your base for hotels, restaurants and boat trips.
From Ao Nang Beach, take a longtail boat to Railay and Phra Nang beaches for limestone cliffs, sandy shores and rock climbing.
For island-hopping, choose from boat tours to the Four Islands, Hong Islands or Phi Phi Islands, allowing a separate day for each trip. The Four Islands is a good option for nearby beaches, while the Hong Islands are best known for Koh Hong’s enclosed lagoon.
For a longer outing, head to the Phi Phi Islands, which include Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon. Depending on the route and sea conditions, some tours also include snorkelling stops.
For mainland attractions, visit Tiger Cave Temple near Krabi Town or arrange a separate drive or guided tour south to the Emerald Pool and Klong Thom Hot Springs. You can also book a mangrove-kayaking trip at Ao Thalane.
3. Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
- Weather and temperature: Average daytime highs around 30°C, with pleasant evening lows around 22°C to 24°C. December brings drier weather to Hikkaduwa, but rain can still occur on several days.
Hikkaduwa is worth visiting in December for its beaches, surfing and snorkelling opportunities. Hikkaduwa Beach has restaurants along the shore and a shallow coral reef that you can see by snorkelling or on a glass-bottom boat ride, while Narigama Beach has surf schools and beachfront cafes to relax.
For a break from the beach, take a short drive south to Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site with old ramparts, historic buildings, small shops and cafes. You can walk around the fort and return to Hikkaduwa in the evening.
Cultural & Festive Trips Outside India in December
Whether through temples and long-held customs, or giant lantern festivals and high-energy New Year countdowns, here are some cities that celebrate the season like nowhere else.
4. Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Weather and temperature: Warm, sunny days averaging 31°C, with evening lows reaching around 20°C.
Angkor’s ancient temples are the main reason to visit Siem Reap, and December’s dry weather makes sightseeing much easier. Start before sunrise at Angkor Wat, then continue to Angkor Thom for Bayon’s towers carved with stone faces and Ta Prohm, where tree roots spread across the old walls.
The temples are spread across a large archaeological park, so set aside at least 3 days if you want to visit the major sites without rushing.
Beyond the main Angkor temples, visit Banteay Srei for its finely detailed pink sandstone carvings. For a change of scenery, head to Phnom Kulen for its waterfall, or take a boat trip across Tonlé Sap to Kampong Phluk, where traditional stilt houses line the water.
In the evenings, visit Pub Street and the Angkor Night Market, watch the Phare Cambodian Circus, book a Khmer cooking class or attend an Apsara dance dinner.
5. Hong Kong
- Weather and temperature: Cool, mostly dry weather, with daytime highs around 20°C and nights near 16°C.
Hong Kong is a great place to visit in December, with cooler weather that makes sightseeing comfortable, while Christmas decorations and seasonal events add to the December atmosphere. During Hong Kong WinterFest, Central becomes a hub for festive displays, Christmas trees and seasonal decorations.
Taking the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour is one of the best ways to see Hong Kong’s skyline from the water. From the pier, walk along the waterfront and stay for the nightly Symphony of Lights at 8:00 PM.
You can spend a full day on Lantau Island, taking the Ngong Ping 360 cable car for views of the hills and sea before visiting the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.
Families can spend a separate day at Hong Kong Disneyland for its Christmas-themed shows, festive character appearances and holiday activities. You can also add a day trip to Macau, where you can see its Portuguese-style old town, historic buildings and famous casinos.
6. Dubai
- Weather and temperature: Sunny days with average daytime highs of 26-27°C and nighttime lows around 16°C.
With comfortable daytime temperatures, it is easy to plan days around outdoor sights, waterfront areas and desert activities. Keep the historic creek area for one outing. Visit Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, cross Dubai Creek on a traditional abra and browse the Gold and Spice Souks in Deira.
On another outing, head to Downtown Dubai, where you can visit the Burj Khalifa observation deck, spend time at Dubai Mall and watch the evening fountain show beside the mall.
A desert safari is a top adventure in Dubai and is best planned as a separate evening excursion, with dune bashing, sunset views and dinner at a desert camp.
December also brings winter attractions such as Global Village, with international pavilions, food stalls and live shows and Dubai Miracle Garden, which has large floral displays. The Dubai Shopping Festival adds citywide retail events and entertainment.
If you’re visiting for New Year’s Eve, plan your viewing spot and return transport early, as Downtown gets extremely crowded.
7. Kyoto, Japan
- Weather and temperature: Cold and dry with mostly sunny skies; average daytime highs of 11-12°C and overnight lows of 3-4°C.
Kyoto is the cultural heartland of Japan, with centuries-old temples, Shinto shrines, traditional wooden streets and tea houses. On New Year’s Eve, Buddhist temples also observe Joya no Kane, a bell-ringing ceremony to welcome the new year.
For sightseeing, begin in eastern Kyoto at Kiyomizu-dera, a hillside Buddhist temple. From there, walk down the historic streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, then continue towards Gion, a traditional district whose Hanamikoji Street has wooden buildings and tea houses.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is a separate Shinto shrine farther south, recognised by its long trails of red torii gates. In the city’s northwest, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) is another temple, while Arashiyama Bamboo Grove lies farther west.
For local shopping, To-ji Temple holds its monthly Kobo-san market on the 21st, with stalls selling antiques, crafts and food.
The Sagano Scenic Railway near Arashiyama has winter illuminations on selected dates but closes from 30 December to the end of February and on most Wednesdays. Check the schedule before visiting.
8. San Fernando, Philippines
- Weather and temperature: Start of the dry season, with daytime highs around 31°C and nighttime temperatures around 23°C.
December is when San Fernando’s lantern-making tradition takes centre stage. The annual Giant Lantern Festival, locally called Ligligan Parul, brings together giant electric Christmas lanterns made by competing barangays. Their intricate patterns change in time with the music, making the evening competition the main reason to visit.
During the day, visit the Giant Lantern and Tourist Information Centre on the former Paskuhan Village site to learn about San Fernando’s lantern-making tradition through its exhibits and museum. The historic Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando is another place worth visiting.
Families can head to Sky Ranch Pampanga, an outdoor amusement park beside SM City Pampanga, for rides and a ride on the 65-metre Pampanga Eye Ferris wheel.
9. Tbilisi, Georgia
- Weather and temperature: Daytime highs average 7-9°C, while nighttime lows drop from about 1°C to -2°C. Snow is possible.
In December, Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi lights up for the New Year celebrations. The city’s seasonal New Year Village has food stalls, handmade crafts, concerts and performances, though its location and programme change each year.
For sightseeing, focus on Old Tbilisi, where the domed sulphur bathhouses of Abanotubani provide a warm break from the cold.
From Abanotubani, walk through the Old Town towards the Bridge of Peace, which crosses the Mtkvari River to Rike Park. The cable car departs from the park and climbs to Narikala Fortress, with views across the river and the city’s rooftops.
Georgian food is another part of the winter experience. Try khinkali, dumplings filled with meat and broth, and khachapuri, cheese-filled bread.
Pair your meal with Georgian wine, traditionally made in clay vessels called qvevri, or try chacha, a strong grape-based spirit. Around New Year, look for gozinaki, a traditional sweet made with honey and walnuts.
Classic Christmas Destinations and Snow
If you picture a December holiday with a traditional Christmas feel, Rovaniemi and Vienna are two European destinations you can add to your list.
10. Rovaniemi, Finland
- Weather and temperature: Average daytime highs reach around -5°C, while nighttime lows fall to roughly -11°C. Snow cover is common in December, with only about 2.5 hours of daylight around the winter solstice. Colder spells are possible.
Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland is a classic Christmas destination, with Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle and winter excursions through snow-covered forests.
At the village, you can meet Santa, cross the Arctic Circle and send a postcard from the Main Post Office with its special postmark.
SantaPark, an underground Christmas attraction, is only a short drive away and includes elf-led activities, live Christmas shows and an ice gallery. For outdoor adventures, book a husky-sledge ride, a reindeer sleigh ride, or a snowmobile safari through the forests.
After dark, join a guided Northern Lights tour away from city lights. You could also stay in a glass cabin, but aurora sightings are never guaranteed, as cloud cover and solar activity affect visibility.
The Arktikum museum provides an indoor break, with exhibits on Arctic nature, regional history and Sámi culture. A Finnish sauna or an organised ice-floating session in a thermal suit is also a popular winter experience in Finland.
11. Vienna, Austria
- Weather and temperature: Cold, with average daytime highs around 4°C and nighttime lows around 0°C. Snow is possible, but a snow-covered city is not guaranteed.
Vienna’s December appeal lies in its Christmas markets, classical music and grand palaces decorated for the festive season. At Rathausplatz, stalls selling Christmas gifts, crafts and seasonal food fill the square in front of City Hall.
Other major markets include those at Schönbrunn and Belvedere palaces, Stephansplatz and Maria-Theresien-Platz, while Karlsplatz focuses on arts and crafts and Spittelberg has stalls along its narrow historic streets.
Graben and Kohlmarkt are two famous pedestrian shopping streets in Vienna’s historic centre, lined with grand buildings, high-end boutiques and traditional coffee houses. A Wiener Melange and a slice of Sachertorte at a traditional Viennese café are well worth the time.
On New Year’s Eve, Vienna’s Silvesterpfad (New Year’s Eve trail) brings live music, food stalls and public waltz sessions to the city centre.
Conclusion
December may be the busiest time of the year, but it is also the perfect opportunity to trade your daily routine for a change of scenery abroad.
Phu Quoc, Krabi and Hikkaduwa are great choices for beach days, while Siem Reap and Kyoto are ideal for ancient temples and rich traditions.
Timing is everything if you want to catch seasonal magic, such as Hong Kong’s Christmas displays, San Fernando’s Giant Lantern Festival or Tbilisi’s New Year celebrations.
December also brings the best weather for desert safaris in Dubai, festive Christmas markets and classical concerts in Vienna, and a fairytale, snow-covered holiday in Rovaniemi.
Since the holiday season is highly popular, hotels, flights, and major activities book up quickly and cost more. Check visa requirements and event dates as early as possible.
If you need assistance planning your December holiday and arranging a trip that fits your dates and budget, contact Dimaak Tours.
FAQs About Places to Visit Outside India in December
1. Which are the best places to visit outside India in December for warm weather?
Dubai, Phu Quoc in Vietnam, Krabi in Thailand, Hikkaduwa in Sri Lanka and San Fernando in the Philippines are good choices for warm weather. Daytime temperatures reach around 26-31°C, making outdoor sightseeing and beach activities comfortable.
2. Which places outside India are best for a December beach holiday?
Phu Quoc, Krabi and Hikkaduwa are top destinations for a beach holiday in December. Phu Quoc has sandy beaches, boat trips and snorkelling around its southern islands. Krabi is known for island-hopping and limestone coastlines, while Hikkaduwa has surf beaches and coral reefs.
3. Which are the best places to visit outside India for Christmas markets and snow?
Vienna is a good choice for Christmas markets, seasonal concerts and festive city streets. For a snow-covered Christmas, Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland is a great option, with Santa Claus Village and many Arctic activities. Snowfall in Vienna is possible but not guaranteed.
