Where to go in December: sea, weather and winter breaks

Contents

City weather in December

2015–2024 averages. Values refer to the listed cities.
City	Country or territory	Daytime high	Nighttime low	Precipitation	Days with at least 1 mm	Daylight
Singapore	Singapore	28.9 °C	25.0 °C	330.7 mm	28.0	12.0 h
New York City	United States	7.4 °C	2.8 °C	160.3 mm	10.8	9.3 h
London	United Kingdom	8.6 °C	3.9 °C	76.9 mm	14.5	7.9 h
Paris	France	8.0 °C	2.5 °C	69.8 mm	13.0	8.3 h
Berlin	Germany	4.7 °C	0.3 °C	50.5 mm	12.6	7.8 h
Chicago	United States	3.7 °C	-0.8 °C	57.2 mm	7.6	9.2 h
Hong Kong	Hong Kong	21.2 °C	14.1 °C	26.2 mm	3.1	10.8 h
Sydney	Australia	24.8 °C	19.2 °C	70.3 mm	10.4	14.4 h
Washington	United States	8.3 °C	-0.1 °C	95.4 mm	8.6	9.5 h
Amsterdam	The Netherlands	7.2 °C	3.9 °C	79.2 mm	15.7	7.8 h
Tokyo	Japan	12.3 °C	3.8 °C	60.3 mm	6.5	9.8 h
Istanbul	Turkey	11.4 °C	6.8 °C	76.3 mm	12.3	9.3 h
Vienna	Austria	4.5 °C	-1.6 °C	47.5 mm	9.6	8.4 h
Bangkok	Thailand	30.7 °C	20.2 °C	10.4 mm	2.3	11.3 h
Budapest	Hungary	4.1 °C	-1.8 °C	47.6 mm	8.6	8.5 h
San Francisco	United States	13.9 °C	6.9 °C	111.4 mm	10.2	9.6 h
Stockholm	Sweden	1.0 °C	-2.6 °C	53.3 mm	12.5	6.2 h
Helsinki	Finland	1.8 °C	-0.8 °C	65.8 mm	15.6	6.0 h
Madrid	Spain	11.4 °C	1.8 °C	42.9 mm	6.4	9.3 h
Delhi	India	23.5 °C	8.5 °C	6.9 mm	0.8	10.4 h
Munich	Germany	4.4 °C	-1.7 °C	74.8 mm	14.1	8.4 h
Copenhagen	Denmark	5.0 °C	2.3 °C	63.5 mm	14.3	7.2 h
Mexico City	Mexico	19.8 °C	5.4 °C	5.5 mm	1.4	11.0 h
Dubai	United Arab Emirates	26.2 °C	20.8 °C	10.0 mm	1.6	10.6 h
Lisbon	Portugal	16.3 °C	12.8 °C	64.7 mm	9.3	9.5 h
Saint Petersburg	Russia	-3.6 °C	-7.9 °C	60.9 mm	15.2	6.1 h
Melbourne	Australia	24.0 °C	13.4 °C	66.7 mm	9.3	14.7 h
Barcelona	Spain	14.5 °C	6.0 °C	32.2 mm	3.9	9.2 h
Venice	Italy	9.3 °C	5.3 °C	73.6 mm	7.3	8.8 h
Oslo	Norway	-2.4 °C	-6.7 °C	85.1 mm	15.3	6.1 h
Cape Town	South Africa	20.4 °C	17.2 °C	16.0 mm	4.2	14.4 h
Dublin	Ireland	8.9 °C	5.6 °C	124.6 mm	20.1	7.6 h
Buenos Aires	Argentina	26.6 °C	20.1 °C	86.0 mm	8.5	14.4 h
Seattle	United States	6.7 °C	1.9 °C	201.7 mm	20.8	8.5 h
Vancouver	Canada	5.9 °C	2.8 °C	203.9 mm	22.2	8.3 h
Hamburg	Germany	5.2 °C	1.3 °C	75.8 mm	16.0	7.6 h
Rome	Italy	13.6 °C	5.3 °C	79.2 mm	10.5	9.2 h
Moscow	Russia	-4.9 °C	-10.3 °C	63.8 mm	14.3	7.1 h
Manchester	United Kingdom	7.3 °C	3.4 °C	115.4 mm	20.1	7.6 h
Jakarta	Indonesia	29.6 °C	25.9 °C	234.7 mm	29.1	12.5 h
Las Vegas	United States	15.4 °C	3.2 °C	11.9 mm	2.2	9.7 h
Milan	Italy	8.7 °C	1.9 °C	61.5 mm	7.1	8.8 h
Los Angeles	United States	18.7 °C	8.7 °C	77.9 mm	5.4	9.9 h
Ottawa	Canada	-1.6 °C	-9.5 °C	76.1 mm	12.7	8.8 h
Boston	United States	4.4 °C	-2.8 °C	127.5 mm	11.0	9.1 h
Quebec City	Canada	-4.8 °C	-12.9 °C	104.0 mm	14.9	8.6 h
Ho Chi Minh City	Vietnam	30.7 °C	21.8 °C	47.8 mm	6.9	11.5 h
Lyon	France	7.3 °C	0.5 °C	85.6 mm	13.2	8.8 h
Hanoi	Vietnam	21.1 °C	11.7 °C	21.0 mm	4.0	10.9 h
Prague	Czechia	3.8 °C	-1.6 °C	44.7 mm	10.5	8.2 h
Guangzhou	China	22.0 °C	10.2 °C	22.1 mm	3.5	10.7 h
Cologne	Germany	6.6 °C	1.6 °C	78.6 mm	15.5	8.0 h
Macau	Macao	20.2 °C	17.8 °C	28.9 mm	2.7	10.8 h
Beijing	China	2.8 °C	-8.3 °C	2.5 mm	0.6	9.4 h
Glasgow	United Kingdom	5.8 °C	2.4 °C	148.9 mm	22.2	7.1 h
Montreal	Canada	-1.3 °C	-9.3 °C	87.1 mm	14.1	8.8 h
Nairobi	Kenya	26.9 °C	15.2 °C	54.3 mm	14.0	12.2 h
Toronto	Canada	3.5 °C	-0.3 °C	56.8 mm	16.0	9.0 h
Kyoto	Japan	9.3 °C	1.7 °C	96.3 mm	17.2	9.9 h
Seoul	South Korea	3.3 °C	-3.9 °C	29.6 mm	4.8	9.6 h
Brussels	Belgium	7.3 °C	2.6 °C	75.0 mm	14.5	8.0 h
Tallinn	Estonia	0.9 °C	-2.1 °C	57.8 mm	14.8	6.2 h
Krakow	Poland	3.1 °C	-2.5 °C	45.1 mm	12.1	8.2 h
Naples	Italy	13.3 °C	6.1 °C	53.1 mm	8.6	9.3 h
Addis Ababa	Ethiopia	22.9 °C	6.8 °C	10.2 mm	2.9	11.6 h
Shanghai	China	11.2 °C	3.5 °C	48.8 mm	7.5	10.2 h
Athens	Greece	14.7 °C	9.0 °C	77.4 mm	8.5	9.6 h
Rio de Janeiro	Brazil	27.6 °C	22.6 °C	283.3 mm	21.5	13.5 h
Zurich	Switzerland	4.6 °C	-1.0 °C	110.4 mm	15.0	8.5 h
Geneva	Switzerland	5.2 °C	-0.9 °C	127.0 mm	13.8	8.7 h
Kuala Lumpur	Malaysia	28.7 °C	22.4 °C	338.1 mm	26.7	11.9 h
Warsaw	Poland	2.3 °C	-2.3 °C	48.9 mm	12.2	7.8 h
Hiroshima	Japan	9.2 °C	0.7 °C	71.4 mm	10.2	9.9 h
Canberra	Australia	26.0 °C	11.8 °C	70.6 mm	10.6	14.5 h
Chiang Mai	Thailand	24.6 °C	14.8 °C	16.1 mm	2.6	11.0 h
Mumbai	India	30.7 °C	17.7 °C	14.4 mm	1.3	11.0 h
Tel Aviv	Israel	19.1 °C	10.2 °C	138.0 mm	10.7	10.1 h
Ljubljana	Slovenia	4.7 °C	-1.9 °C	100.8 mm	9.0	8.7 h
Dresden	Germany	3.9 °C	-0.8 °C	52.8 mm	13.2	8.0 h
Frankfurt	Germany	5.6 °C	0.3 °C	60.4 mm	12.7	8.2 h
Gothenburg	Sweden	4.2 °C	1.7 °C	98.4 mm	18.5	6.7 h
Baku	Azerbaijan	9.7 °C	7.0 °C	31.1 mm	6.9	9.4 h
Perth	Australia	25.6 °C	18.6 °C	9.2 mm	2.2	14.2 h
Calgary	Canada	-3.4 °C	-11.3 °C	29.1 mm	7.7	8.0 h
Kyiv	Ukraine	-0.0 °C	-5.2 °C	60.5 mm	13.2	8.1 h
Bucharest	Romania	6.5 °C	-0.9 °C	43.3 mm	7.9	8.9 h
Turku	Finland	-0.0 °C	-3.4 °C	68.5 mm	14.8	5.9 h
Florence	Italy	8.4 °C	1.8 °C	65.0 mm	10.7	9.0 h
Porto	Portugal	14.8 °C	9.9 °C	122.7 mm	14.4	9.3 h
Seville	Spain	17.1 °C	6.5 °C	52.5 mm	6.4	9.6 h
Bergen	Norway	1.5 °C	-1.8 °C	349.2 mm	23.4	5.9 h
Abu Dhabi	United Arab Emirates	25.5 °C	21.1 °C	12.0 mm	1.4	10.7 h
Malaga	Spain	16.5 °C	13.2 °C	46.3 mm	5.9	9.7 h
Antalya	Turkey	14.6 °C	6.4 °C	150.2 mm	12.4	9.7 h
Hurghada	Egypt	23.2 °C	17.7 °C	0.2 mm	0.0	10.5 h
Funchal	Portugal	19.2 °C	17.4 °C	51.1 mm	9.7	10.0 h
Sharm El Sheikh	Egypt	23.9 °C	16.8 °C	1.1 mm	0.2	10.4 h
Larnaca	Cyprus	18.2 °C	14.7 °C	83.6 mm	11.5	9.9 h
Paphos	Cyprus	16.3 °C	11.7 °C	97.6 mm	13.0	9.9 h
Puerto de la Cruz	Spain	20.4 °C	18.0 °C	31.5 mm	5.6	10.4 h

Countries and territories

Singapore — 1 destinations
United States — 8 destinations
United Kingdom — 3 destinations
France — 2 destinations
Germany — 6 destinations
Hong Kong — 1 destinations
Australia — 4 destinations
The Netherlands — 1 destinations
Japan — 3 destinations
Turkey — 2 destinations
Austria — 1 destinations
Thailand — 2 destinations
Hungary — 1 destinations
Sweden — 2 destinations
Finland — 2 destinations
Spain — 5 destinations
India — 2 destinations
Denmark — 1 destinations
Mexico — 1 destinations
United Arab Emirates — 2 destinations
Portugal — 3 destinations
Russia — 2 destinations
Italy — 5 destinations
Norway — 2 destinations
South Africa — 1 destinations
Ireland — 1 destinations
Argentina — 1 destinations
Canada — 6 destinations
Indonesia — 1 destinations
Vietnam — 2 destinations
Czechia — 1 destinations
China — 3 destinations
Macao — 1 destinations
Kenya — 1 destinations
South Korea — 1 destinations
Belgium — 1 destinations
Estonia — 1 destinations
Poland — 2 destinations
Ethiopia — 1 destinations
Greece — 1 destinations
Brazil — 1 destinations
Switzerland — 2 destinations
Malaysia — 1 destinations
Israel — 1 destinations
Slovenia — 1 destinations
Azerbaijan — 1 destinations
Ukraine — 1 destinations
Romania — 1 destinations
Egypt — 2 destinations
Cyprus — 2 destinations

Cities with daytime temperatures closest to 21 °C

2015–2024 averages. Values refer to the listed cities.
City	Country or territory	Daytime high	Nighttime low	Precipitation	Days with at least 1 mm	Daylight
Hanoi	Vietnam	21.1 °C	11.7 °C	21.0 mm	4.0	10.9 h
Hong Kong	Hong Kong	21.2 °C	14.1 °C	26.2 mm	3.1	10.8 h
Cape Town	South Africa	20.4 °C	17.2 °C	16.0 mm	4.2	14.4 h
Puerto de la Cruz	Spain	20.4 °C	18.0 °C	31.5 mm	5.6	10.4 h
Macau	Macao	20.2 °C	17.8 °C	28.9 mm	2.7	10.8 h
Guangzhou	China	22.0 °C	10.2 °C	22.1 mm	3.5	10.7 h
Mexico City	Mexico	19.8 °C	5.4 °C	5.5 mm	1.4	11.0 h
Funchal	Portugal	19.2 °C	17.4 °C	51.1 mm	9.7	10.0 h

Trip ideas in December

For a December sea holiday, compare Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For a mild winter with city walks, consider Funchal, Lisbon, Málaga, Antalya and Paphos. Choose your pace: a few days by the water, museum visits, island gardens or a relaxed hotel stay.

Portugal in December

Mainland cities suit museums, local food and winter walks. Madeira adds Funchal’s festive evenings to gardens and ocean views.

Spain in December

Madrid, Barcelona and Málaga suit culture and festive streets. The Canaries offer a milder island winter, while the southern coast has waterfront walks.

Turkey in December

Istanbul suits museums and city food, Antalya the coast and relaxed hotel days. Cappadocia and mountain regions call for full winter clothing.

Cyprus in December: cities, culture and winter walks

December in Paphos lends itself to short coastal walks and ancient sites. Use daylight for the outdoor monuments and return to town after your walk.

Egypt in December: Red Sea resorts and swimming

Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh offer a base on the Red Sea. When choosing a beach, consider shelter from the wind and access to the water; bring a warm layer for evening walks.

The UAE in December: Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the sea

In Dubai, alternate the beach with the Creek and modern city architecture. Abu Dhabi combines the Corniche, museums and Saadiyat beaches; allow time for transport between districts.

Funchal in December

December in Funchal brings garden walks and festive evenings beside the Atlantic. Spend daylight hours among greenery or on the promenade, then return to the decorated centre after dark. For New Year, a place within walking distance of dinner and the fireworks makes the evening easier to enjoy.

Lisbon in December

December in Lisbon is about architecture, museums and unhurried lunches. Keep an indoor alternative for a rainy day and avoid overloading the schedule with long cross-city walks.

Málaga in December

December suits a short Málaga break with museums, walks and festive evenings. Spend daylight hours beside the sea or on the fortress routes, then return to the decorated centre after sunset. Bring a warm layer for a longer evening out, even when the afternoon invites a sunny outdoor seat.

Antalya in December

December in Antalya suits short Kaleiçi walks, sea views and time in a warm hotel. Build each day around one longer outing, adding a museum, café or pool. For a New Year stay, choose where you want to spend the evenings and find accommodation nearby.

Paphos in December

A December trip suits visitors who put history and a relaxed city break first. Swimming depends on your comfort with cool water and calm sea conditions.

Hurghada in December

December in Hurghada suits walks by the sea and reef trips. It is about 23 °C during the day and cooler in the evening, so take a light jacket for dinner on the promenade.

Sharm el Sheikh in December

In December, Sharm el Sheikh is about 25 °C by day, and the sea is about 25 °C. Plan time in the bays, a museum visit and trips to natural areas on separate days.

Dubai in December

December works well for a trip that alternates city walks with time by the sea. Explore the districts outdoors during the day and bring a light jacket for after sunset. For a first visit, give Old Dubai, the modern centre and the coast separate blocks: travelling between them can take a substantial part of the day.

Abu Dhabi in December

December suits a trip that combines the waterfront, a museum and time by the sea. Give the Corniche, Saadiyat and the Grand Mosque separate visits. Bring a light layer for evenings by the water, and allow time to travel between districts.

Where to swim in December

For the winter sea, compare Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh on the Red Sea with Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Average water temperatures are around 24°C in Hurghada and Abu Dhabi, and around 25°C in Sharm el Sheikh and Dubai. Evenings are cooler than daytime: pack dry clothes and a jumper for after the beach. On a city break, leave separate daylight hours for the sea.

Choosing a mild winter destination

Funchal in December suits gardens, ocean views and city walks. Málaga combines museums, historic streets and café stops. In Antalya, explore Kaleiçi and the coast in shorter stages. December is rainy there, making a museum visit or a long lunch a useful part of each day.

For a winter trip, a warm room and a short route to your favourite activities are particularly welcome. Head out to the sea in the morning, return for a rest and go out again for dinner. A heated indoor pool suits anyone who enjoys swimming. For families, it adds an activity between walks and cultural visits.

Early December or the holidays?

Early December works well for a short city break with museums, old neighbourhoods and unhurried evenings. Mid-month can leave more time for a festive centre. If New Year is the main reason for your trip, stay near your evening plans. It will be easy to return after a daytime walk and rest before a long night out.

In Funchal, combine a festive visit with gardens and sea views during the day. In Málaga, walk along the water before heading to Calle Larios and the surrounding streets after sunset. Antalya suits a relaxed hotel stay with outings to Kaleiçi. Choose and reserve a restaurant ahead of time for a festive dinner.

Planning a December itinerary

Keep daylight hours for longer walks and excursions. A museum or café fits between outdoor stretches, particularly during rain. The city guides include local sunset and twilight times. Use them to choose a comfortable return from the shore or a viewpoint.

Pack several layers, a warm evening jacket and comfortable closed shoes. Wind protection is useful on the promenade, and standing to enjoy festive lights can call for warmer clothes. For quieter nights, consider a courtyard-facing room a few streets away from busy squares.

Compare destinations

Funchal or Lisbon in December: compare the trip

Compare Funchal and Lisbon in December for city sights, walkable routes and the pace of a short break.

Funchal or Málaga in December: compare the trip

Compare Funchal and Málaga in December for city sights, walkable routes and the pace of a short break.

Antalya or Paphos in December: compare the trip

Compare Antalya and Paphos in December for city sights, walkable routes and the pace of a short break.

Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh in December: which to choose?

Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh in December: choose between two Red Sea bases by the beach, district and plans beyond the hotel. For a winter trip, consider access to the water and what you want to do after the beach.

Dubai or Abu Dhabi in December: which to choose?

Dubai or Abu Dhabi in December: Dubai combines older districts with modern city life, while Abu Dhabi offers the Corniche, museums and separate days on Saadiyat. Compare the sea and the distances between stops on your route.

Trip ideas

Three cities for a three-day December break

In December, a short break works well when built around compact city routes and places to visit on a cool or wet day. Lisbon, Málaga and Paphos offer different combinations of old districts, museums and coast.

Where to go for winter sun: four sea breaks in December

Compare a stay in Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in December. They offer different ways to spend a week: a beach base on the Red Sea, walks through a large city, or museums combined with time on the waterfront.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I go for a warm sea in December?

Compare Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where the sea averages around 24–25°C. Look for a beach with convenient access and a sheltered place to relax. A hotel with a heated pool is useful if you want to swim every day.

Where should I go for New Year in December?

Funchal suits an island trip with a New Year evening; Málaga offers a festive centre and museums. Stay close to your evening route, choose a restaurant ahead of time and leave room to rest before the night out.

Where can I go walking in December without summer heat?

Funchal, Málaga and Antalya suit winter walks along the coast and through town. Use daylight for longer routes and take a warm, wind-resistant layer for the evening. Museums and cafés offer pleasant stops during rain.

Where to travel in December: weather by city

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