Top 14 Best Places To Visit In December

December transforms the world into two distinct experiences: winter wonderlands draped in snow and warm escapes bathed in tropical sun. From New York City's holiday magic to Lapland's northern lights, from Vienna's Christmas markets to Maldives' crystal waters, this month offers unparalleled variety.

Keep reading as we uncover the best places to visit in December that will make your holiday season unforgettable.

1. New York City, USA: Holiday Magic in Motion

December turns New York into the world's largest holiday stage. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree towers 75 feet above ice skaters below, while Fifth Avenue windows display elaborate scenes that stop traffic.

I stood in Times Square on New Year's Eve Eve, watching steam rise from manholes while snow began to fall. The city never looked more alive than in that moment—a million lights reflecting off wet pavement.

Skip the crowded tree lighting ceremony. Instead, visit the tree early morning or late evening when crowds thin and the magic feels more intimate.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 15-31
  
• Getting there: JFK/LaGuardia/Newark airports
  
• Entry fees: Free attractions, Broadway shows from $50
  
• Suggested stay: 4-5 days
  
• Must-see spots: Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, 9/11 Memorial
  

2. Lapland, Finland: Arctic Dreams Made Real

Lapland delivers what childhood dreams promise: reindeer pulling sleds across frozen lakes, northern lights dancing above snow-covered forests, and silence so complete it rings in your ears.

The aurora borealis appears roughly 200 nights per year here. December offers nearly 20 hours of darkness—prime viewing time for nature's greatest light show.

Book aurora tours for multiple nights. Weather changes quickly in the Arctic, and patience rewards those who wait.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December-February
  
• Getting there: Fly to Rovaniemi Airport
  
• Entry fees: Free nature viewing, tours from 75 euros
  
• Suggested stay: 5-7 days
  
• Must-see spots: Rovaniemi, Saariselkä, Levi, Santa Claus Village
  

3. Vienna, Austria: Imperial Christmas Elegance

Vienna's Christmas markets transform the city into a living advent calendar. Schönbrunn Palace glows with thousands of lights while the aroma of glühwein and roasted almonds fills cobblestone streets.

The Wiener Christkindlmärkte dates back to 1298, making it one of Europe's oldest Christmas markets. Each wooden stall tells a story of Austrian craftsmanship.

Visit markets after 4 PM when locals arrive and the atmosphere becomes authentically Viennese rather than tourist-focused.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 1-24
  
• Getting there: Vienna International Airport
  
• Entry fees: Free market entry, museums from 12 euros
  
• Suggested stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-see spots: Schönbrunn Palace, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Melk Abbey
  

4. Prague, Czech Republic: Gothic Christmas Fairy Tale

Prague's Christmas markets nestle between Gothic spires and baroque facades, creating scenes that belong on postcards. The Old Town Square market has operated for over 600 years—a testament to Czech holiday tradition.

Mulled wine flows from wooden stands while traditional Czech puppets dance in shop windows. The astronomical clock chimes every hour, reminding visitors that time moves differently here.

Climb Petřín Hill at sunset for panoramic views of the golden city dusted with snow.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 1-January 6
  
• Getting there: Václav Havel Airport Prague
  
• Entry fees: Free market entry, castle from 10 euros
  
• Suggested stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-see spots: Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Jewish Quarter
  

5. Leavenworth, Washington, USA: Bavarian Christmas in America

Leavenworth recreates a Bavarian village in the Cascade Mountains, complete with half-timbered buildings and German Christmas traditions transported to the Pacific Northwest.

More than half a million lights illuminate this small town throughout December. The Christmas Lighting Festival draws visitors from across the region who come for authentic German lebkuchen and the illusion of European Christmas without crossing oceans.

Arrive on weekdays to avoid crowds and experience Leavenworth as locals do—quiet, magical, and genuinely charming.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December weekends
  
• Getting there: Drive from Seattle (2.5 hours)
  
• Entry fees: Free lighting displays, parking fees apply
  
• Suggested stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-see spots: Front Street, Waterfront Park, Icicle Brewing, Nutcracker Museum
  

6. Aspen Snowmass, Colorado, USA: Powder Paradise

Aspen Snowmass offers four mountains of pristine powder skiing and a town where Victorian architecture meets modern luxury. December brings reliable snowfall and fewer crowds than peak January season.

The Maroon Bells, often called the most photographed peaks in North America, provide a backdrop that makes every run feel cinematic.

Locals ski Buttermilk on powder days—it gets less traffic than Aspen Mountain but offers equally spectacular terrain.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 20-January 5
  
• Getting there: Fly to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport
  
• Entry fees: Lift tickets from $150
  
• Suggested stay: 5-7 days
  
• Must-see spots: Maroon Bells, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Snowmass Village
  

7. Kyoto, Japan: Temples in Winter Silence

December strips Kyoto to its essential beauty. Temple gardens reveal their architectural bones while early snow dusts pagoda roofs and creates perfect conditions for contemplation.

I walked through Kiyomizu-dera at dawn one December morning, footsteps echoing on wooden floors while incense smoke curled in frozen air. The city spread below looked timeless—a living meditation on impermanence.

Visit temples before 8 AM when crowds haven't arrived and monks begin their morning prayers.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: March-May, October-November (December is quieter)
  
• Getting there: Kansai International Airport to Kyoto (1 hour)
  
• Entry fees: Temple fees from 300 yen
  
• Suggested stay: 4-5 days
  
• Must-see spots: Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Golden Pavilion
  

8. Maldives: Turquoise December Dreams

The Maldives enters its dry season in December, bringing crystal-clear skies and calm seas perfect for diving. Water temperatures hold steady at 28°C while northeast monsoons create ideal sailing conditions.

Each resort occupies its own island, creating privacy impossible to find elsewhere. Overwater bungalows provide direct access to coral reefs teeming with tropical fish.

Book seaplane transfers during daylight hours—the aerial views of scattered coral atolls are worth the extra cost.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December-April
  
• Getting there: Malé International Airport
  
• Entry fees: Resort fees from $300/night
  
• Suggested stay: 5-8 days
  
• Must-see spots: Malé, Baa Atoll, Ari Atoll, South Malé Atoll
  

9. Costa Rica: Green Season Transitions

December marks Costa Rica's transition from wet to dry season, offering lush landscapes with improving weather. Wildlife viewing peaks as animals gather around water sources while tourist crowds remain manageable.

Morning mist rises from rainforest canopies while scarlet macaws call from cecropia trees. The country's biodiversity concentrates in relatively small areas—making wildlife encounters almost guaranteed.

Visit Manuel Antonio National Park on weekday mornings for the best chance of spotting sloths and monkeys.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December-April
  
• Getting there: San José International Airport
  
• Entry fees: National parks from $15
  
• Suggested stay: 7-10 days
  
• Must-see spots: Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Arenal Volcano, Tortuguero
  

10. Tenerife, Spain: Canary Island Winter Escape

Tenerife maintains spring-like temperatures throughout December while northern Europe freezes. Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak, provides dramatic backdrop to black sand beaches and banana plantations.

The island's microclimates create endless variety—desert landscapes transition to subtropical forests within short drives. December brings clear skies perfect for stargazing from Teide National Park.

Locals recommend the northern coastline for authentic Canarian culture away from resort developments.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December-March
  
• Getting there: Tenerife South Airport
  
• Entry fees: Free beaches, Teide cable car from 13 euros
  
• Suggested stay: 5-7 days
  
• Must-see spots: Mount Teide, Los Gigantes, La Laguna, Masca Valley
  

11. Malta: Mediterranean December Charm

Malta enjoys mild December weather perfect for exploring ancient temples and limestone cities without summer's crushing heat. Valletta's baroque architecture glows golden in winter light while harbor views remain spectacular.

This tiny nation holds 7,000 years of history within 122 square miles. December allows comfortable walking through medieval streets and prehistoric sites normally too hot for extended exploration.

Take the ferry to Gozo for uncrowded beaches and the mysterious Ġgantija temples.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: June-August (December is quieter)
  
• Getting there: Malta International Airport
  
• Entry fees: Most sites under 10 euros
  
• Suggested stay: 4-5 days
  
• Must-see spots: Valletta, Mdina, Blue Lagoon, Ġgantija Temples
  

12. Bahamas: Caribbean December Perfection

The Bahamas enters peak season in December with perfect weather—temperatures in the mid-80s, minimal rainfall, and gentle trade winds. Crystal-clear waters reveal coral reefs and tropical fish just steps from powder-soft beaches.

Nassau's colonial architecture provides cultural depth beyond resort experiences, while outer islands offer complete escape from crowds.

Swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay requires no special skills—these gentle creatures gather in shallow water and ignore human visitors.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December-April
  
• Getting there: Lynden Pindling International Airport
  
• Entry fees: Free beaches, excursions from $50
  
• Suggested stay: 5-7 days
  
• Must-see spots: Paradise Island, Exuma Cays, Harbour Island, Blue Holes
  

13. Key West, Florida, USA: Tropical December Refuge

Key West offers tropical temperatures when mainland USA turns cold. December brings perfect conditions—low humidity, gentle breezes, and spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

The southernmost point in the continental United States feels more Caribbean than American. Hemingway's house, complete with six-toed cats, reminds visitors that creative spirits have long sought inspiration here.

Watch sunset from Mallory Square, but arrive early—this daily celebration draws crowds who applaud nature's nightly performance.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December-April
  
• Getting there: Key West International Airport
  
• Entry fees: Free beaches, Hemingway House $15
  
• Suggested stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-see spots: Mallory Square, Hemingway House, Dry Tortugas, Duval Street
  

14. Phuket, Thailand: Southeast Asian Paradise

Phuket's high season begins in December with perfect weather—clear skies, calm seas, and temperatures ideal for beach and cultural activities. The Andaman Sea transforms from monsoon gray to brilliant turquoise.

Thai culture blends Buddhist traditions with beach relaxation, creating experiences impossible to find elsewhere. Temple visits provide spiritual depth while beach massages offer physical renewal.

Visit local markets early morning for authentic Thai breakfast—khao tom and fresh fruit cost less than resort coffee.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December-March
  
• Getting there: Phuket International Airport
  
• Entry fees: Free beaches, temples by donation
  
• Suggested stay: 5-8 days
  
• Must-see spots: Patong Beach, Big Buddha, Phi Phi Islands, Old Phuket Town
  

Your December Adventure Awaits

December offers the year's greatest variety of travel experiences. Whether you crave northern lights over Finnish wilderness or warm sand between your toes in the Maldives, this month delivers magic.

Pack light for tropical destinations or bundle up for winter wonderlands. The best places to visit in December reward those who embrace seasonal extremes.

Your perfect December destination exists somewhere on this list. The only question remaining is which adventure calls loudest to your wandering heart.