December is one of the most magical times of the year! With Christmas and the New Year around the corner, there are so many great places to travel to in December around the world.
Whether you want a snowy Christmas, or a wild beach New Year's celebration, there are great options for everyone. Here are some of our favorite cities and countries to visit during the holiday season.
Best Places to Travel to in December #1: Germany
When it comes to Christmas time, Germany is hands down one of our favorites! This country is known for having the most extravagant Christmas markets. Each year the main squares fill with lights and kiosks serving mulled wine, hearty German food, and much more.
The biggest cities such as Berlin and Munich are much more well known for this, but even the smaller cities have their own Christmas Markets. They happen all month, so what better time to head to Germany than the month of December (other than Oktoberfest of course).
Germany has some of the best Christmas markets in the world.
If you plan on visiting Germany in December we highly recommend basing yourself in a large city, and visiting the nearby towns so that you can experience the various versions of Christmas markets that there are.
All Your Travels
in One Book
Transform your travel memories into a unique book, with personalized pages, country by country.
Best Places to Travel to in December #2: New York City, USA
Speaking of Christmas, New York has one of the most magical atmospheres at this time of year. There's just something about the being in Manhattan in December that sparks a sense of Joy.
The streets are dripping with lights, and storefronts have on their best window displays. The city (and other areas around it) even have competitions for who can decorate their houses best!
We have a full article about the best places to check out for Christmas lights in and near New York on our article below.
Head to Rockefeller for the famously lit Christmas tree, go iceskating in Central Park, or visit the Christmas village in Bryant Park.
We promise you won't get bored in New York this time of year. Also, ever since Covid, there have been a great amount of restaurants getting creative with their outdoor seating featuring cozy cabins, and heated globes to eat and drink in.
Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!
Another plus of also visiting in December? You may get a chance of witnessing some snow!
New York is one of the most magical places to travel to in December.
Best Places to Travel to in December #3: London, UK
Another one of our favorite places for Christmas markets and beautiful lights is London. The UK capital has a great mix of what both New York and Germany have to offer, making it another one of our the best places to travel to in December.
How To Travel Cheaper and Better in 15 minutes!
How much more would you travel, if it costed you less resources?
With our Free eBook, you will learn how to save money and time on your future trips. Plus, you'll see the exact system we use.
Grab your copy for free when you sign up for our newsletter 👇
Head to London and you will find various Christmas themed markets like Germany featuring food from around the world. Stroll down the beautifully lit streets, and admire the fantastically decorated storefronts like New York. We think London is definitely one of the places to travel to in December that you'll fall in love with.
London is a great place to Travel to in December for it's Christmas Markets.
Best Places to Travel to in December #4: Brazil
Looking for a bit of a different vibe? Well one of the best places to travel to in December for beach lovers is Brazil.
This country seriously knows how to party, and the holiday time is no exception. While the other countries we have mentioned have amazing wintery Christmas vibes, our favorite part about Brazil in December is New Years Eve.
Brazil is an amazing place to travel for the new year.
New Years Eve is one of the biggest parties of the year in Brazil! People flock to the beach and dress in white for good luck for the year ahead. So if you're looking for an exciting party destination to ring in the next year than Brazil may just be the place for you.
Stay Up To Date📫
We have a non-spammy weekly newsletter, where we give travel tips, and exclusive content and discounts.
Deciding to head to Rio de Janeiro or have a short stop there? Well we have a great article below highlighting the top spots to check out in this fun-filled city.
Best Places to Travel to in December #5: New Zealand
Another great summer destination is New Zealand. December is one of the best months to visit this island country, as the temperatures are really warming up. Now is the time to explore the beautiful nature that New Zealand has to offer.
Transform your photos
One click is all it takes to make your photos look stunning. Get our latest package of Lightroom presets, Into The Wild.
We love December particularly because there are warmer and sunnier days, but it is before the height of the tourism season.
So grab your sense of adventure, a swimsuit, and some hiking boots, because New Zealand is definitely one of the best places to travel to in December.
December is one of our favorite months to travel. Although places can get a bit more crowded, the vibe is joyful and merry for the holiday season. Whether you're experiencing the wonderful winter atmosphere in New York, or escaping to the heat in Brazil, there is something for everyone in this month.
With holiday breaks from work and school, December can definitely be a chaotic month to travel, and definitely a bit more expensive. So make sure that you book in advance and put money away so that you can splurge a little during your travels.
Will You Buy Us A Coffee? ☕
As coffee lovers, we always enjoy the energy of caffeine. It helps us get the best free travel guides out there for you! 😄
Every month has pros and cons for visiting certain places. That's why we've worked hard to decipher which are the best places to travel to in December, as well as each other month around the year. Check out the other articles we have so you can be best prepared and make the most of your vacation time!
Need help with planning your next trip? Well, now with Scratch Your Mapa Travel Planning you don't have to worry. Spend less and explore more, while letting us do all the work! Want to learn more? Simply click here to get started..
You'll also love:
Like this article? Please share it with your family and friends, so that we can continue to keep creating free travel guides for you! It takes just a second, and would mean the world to us. Thanks for being here!
