October 28, 2025, 4:10 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
When winter arrives in Germany in December, it mainly means unpacking hats, scarves, and gloves. The sun is rarely seen, and the weather is predominantly damp, cold, and gray. But it doesn’t have to be that way: TRAVELBOOK presents travel destinations where it’s still warm in December.
As long as the winter magic with snowfall and sunshine is absent and the days remain dark, cold, and wet, one quickly wishes for a warm getaway. Here are seven travel destinations worldwide where you can simply skip winter. Sometimes you don’t even have to fly far—one destination where it’s warm in December is even in Europe.
Overview
1. Phuket, Thailand
When it’s winter in Germany, the best time of the year begins in southern Thailand. This is a perfect travel destination where it’s warm in December: On Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Lanta, December is the dry season with temperatures around 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Pure sunshine, turquoise sea, and calm waves—perfect for beach vacations, diving trips, or island hopping. It’s also the ideal time for a side trip to Bangkok: warm but not too humid—ideal for sightseeing and street food tours. Only in the Gulf of Thailand, such as on Koh Samui, might there still be brief rain showers.
2. Tenerife
If you like it sunny but not tropically hot, Tenerife is the place to be. The largest Canary Island offers mild temperatures between 72 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit as a warm travel destination in December, just a few flight hours from Germany. A pleasantly steady Atlantic breeze keeps the air fresh on the Spanish island—perfect for those who like the sun but can’t handle the heat. Especially in the south around Costa Adeje or Playa de las Américas, the sun shines daily. Besides the beach and sea, a trip to Teide National Park is worthwhile, where you can hike through lava landscapes or even spot neighboring islands on a clear day.
3. Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
The Yucatán Peninsula in southeastern Mexico is one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the Caribbean region in December and is really warm. The dry season begins here, and the sun shines almost daily. The sea is calm, and with temperatures around 82 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s ideal for swimming. The Riviera Maya on the east coast is particularly popular, with places like Tulum, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Isla Mujeres, where white sandy beaches and turquoise sea await. Besides sun and beach, a trip inland to the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá or a swim in the cenotes, the underground limestone lagoons, is worthwhile. The best part: The humidity is pleasant—perfect for those seeking Caribbean flair without tropical heat.
4. Cape Verde
Off the west coast of Africa lie the Cape Verde islands. In December, the weather is ideal for travel and swimming: around 79 degrees Fahrenheit, plenty of sunshine, and little rain. The islands of Sal and Boa Vista are particularly popular for beach vacations, kitesurfing, and relaxation, while Santo Antão offers spectacular hiking trails through green valleys. The islands are of volcanic origin and could hardly be more different—from golden beaches to mountain ranges that rise impressively above the Atlantic. Besides beach vacations, a boat tour or a visit to local markets, where fish and tropical fruits are offered, is worthwhile. Those seeking sun but not crowded tourist spots will find the perfect winter destination here.
Also interesting: 7 Travel Destinations in Europe Where You Can Escape the Cold in Winter
5. South Africa
A warm travel destination where it’s midsummer in December is South Africa. Here, you have the best conditions for sun, safari, and beach. Especially around Cape Town, the travel weather is perfect now: dry, sunny, and pleasantly warm. The city at Table Mountain is the heart of South Africa—cosmopolitan, vibrant, and surrounded by spectacular nature. And anyone visiting Cape Town should definitely make a side trip to the penguins at Boulders Beach. The legendary Garden Route is also worth mentioning—a varied road trip along the coast. It’s also the season in Kruger National Park: Although the green season with short showers begins, many animals are now giving birth. Those looking for miles of beaches will find them on the east coast around Durban, with tropical temperatures and warm water.
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6. Egypt
A classic for the sun in December is Egypt. At the Red Sea, temperatures are around 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the water is pleasantly warm, and it practically never rains. Whether Hurghada, Marsa Alam, or Sharm El Sheikh—everywhere, coral reefs, beaches, and lots of sunshine await. Culture fans also get their money’s worth: In Luxor and Aswan, you can explore ancient Egypt at mild temperatures without sweating in the heat. Those who want to combine both can stroll through millennia-old temples in the morning and snorkel in the Red Sea in the afternoon. A Nile cruise is also ideal now.
7. Dominican Republic
If you’re looking for a warm travel destination in December with Caribbean flair, the Dominican Republic is the place to be. After the hurricane season, the dry season begins now: Here, sun, palms, and 86 degrees Fahrenheit await—perfect conditions for a beach vacation. The region around Punta Cana is particularly popular with its endless beaches and turquoise sea. Those who prefer it quieter travel to the Samaná Peninsula, where palm bays and waterfalls await explorers. A trip inland is also worthwhile—for example, to the capital, Santo Domingo, where colonial architecture and lively street markets show the real island life. In the evening, Latin American music beckons on the beach—a tropical vacation feeling guaranteed.