Where is hot in December 2025: 13 sunny escapes you can afford, with temps to 30C and 11 hours

As Britain shivers, parts of Europe stay mild, while Mexico, Thailand, South Africa and Australia heat up for summer. Here’s how to swap drizzle for daylight, and make your budget stretch further in peak holiday season.

What counts as winter sun in 2025

For many travellers, “winter sun” means daytime highs above 20C, reliable light, and water warm enough for a dip. In December, that splits into two clear layers: short-haul Europe, which offers 18–22C days and six-ish hours of sunshine; and long-haul favourites where the mercury hits 28–32C with eight to eleven hours of daylight.

Expect 20–30C afternoons across these destinations, with Europe’s mildest islands hovering around 18–22C and long-haul hotspots peaking near 30C.

At-a-glance: where stays warm in December

Canary islands: Spain’s easy-win sunshine

Gran Canaria

Take a city-and-sand break in Las Palmas, where a handsome old quarter meets Las Canteras beach. In the south, Maspalomas’ dunes roll into a sweep of golden shore. Inland, trails skirt ravines and the volcanic Roque Nublo for dramatic viewpoints.

Lanzarote

December suits slow rambles through Timanfaya National Park’s lava fields and a coastal day at Playa Blanca. Wind-carved cliffs at Los Hervideros put on a show when Atlantic swells arrive, while artful volcanic spaces at Jameos del Agua add culture between swims.

Tenerife

Mount Teide dominates the skyline and frames routes through pine forest and moonscape ridges. Coastal resorts in the south offer family-friendly beaches, while Santa Cruz and La Laguna deliver architecture, galleries and lazy plazas for coffee in the sun.

Canary island breezes can pick up. Pack a light layer for evenings and head south for calmer beach days.

Atlantic outlier: Madeira’s gentle warmth

Madeira’s amphitheatre-like capital, Funchal, climbs from the harbour to gardens and viewpoints, with café terraces set for 20C lunch breaks. Walkers follow levada paths through laurel forest and ridge trails between jagged peaks. Sea pools at Porto Moniz offer sheltered swims when surf is lively.

Short-haul winter winners in the Med

Limassol, Cyprus

Limassol blends a tidy marina with a characterful old town. Roman ruins at Amathus add history, while Dasoudi Beach and Governor’s Beach provide calm waters and easy swimming. Expect cool nights and bright, mild days fit for alfresco lunches.

Paphos, Cyprus

Ancient mosaics, an amphitheatre and the Tombs of the Kings sit minutes from the sea. Coral Bay offers a classic curve of sand; the Blue Lagoon rewards boat trips with clear water and sheltered coves when winds settle.

Gibraltar

The Rock delivers a cable-car view across to North Africa and close encounters with Barbary macaques. Caves and wartime tunnels add drama beneath the limestone. Compact streets make car-free days straightforward, even in shorter daylight.

Middle East and Red Sea: dry heat and bright skies

Muscat, Oman

Backed by the Hajar Mountains, Muscat mixes low-rise whitewashed neighbourhoods with an ornate Grand Mosque and a waterfront corniche in Muttrah. December brings pool-perfect afternoons and evenings mild enough for souq shopping without the sweat.

Hurghada, Egypt

On the Red Sea, conditions settle into a sweet spot: warm water, softer sun and reliable boat trips. Snorkel on reefs, kite-surf in steady breezes, or book a desert outing to Bedouin communities before a quiet sunset on Mahmya Beach.

Farther afield: big-summer energy down south

Cancún and the Riviera Maya, Mexico

Rain eases, beaches gleam, and days hover near 30C. Beyond the Hotel Zone, head for Playa Delfines, cenote swims, and Mayan heritage at Tulum and Chichén Itzá. Wildlife fans find whale-shark encounters seasonal elsewhere, but reef dives still deliver colour in December.

Bangkok, Thailand

Cooler, drier air sharpens the city’s energy. Street food sizzles around Yaowarat, while the Grand Palace and Wat Pho shine under blue skies. Many pair a few days in the capital with Andaman beaches for a two-centre holiday.

Cape Town, South Africa

December lifts Cape Town into summer mode: Clifton and Camps Bay fill with swimmers, and Table Mountain trails work best early morning before the sun peaks. The V&A Waterfront keeps families fed and busy, while colourful Bo-Kaap brings history to life.

Sydney, Australia

Surf rolls into Bondi and Manly, ferries criss-cross the harbour, and gardens stretch lazy afternoons under flowering jacarandas. Neighbourhoods like Surry Hills and Newtown pack indie dining for long, warm evenings.

Peak holiday dates carry a price premium. Midweek flights and departures before schools break up often cut costs.

Practical tips to save money and time

• Fly Tuesday or Wednesday where possible. Weekend fares tend to spike in late December.
• Consider one-bag travel. Many airlines price hold luggage steeply over Christmas.
• Book car hire early on islands. Small fleets sell out around New Year.
• Aim for south-facing coasts on the Canaries for calmer seas and warmer microclimates.
• Reserve headline sights in advance in Bangkok, Sydney and Cape Town to avoid holiday queues.

Sea temperature and wind: what to expect

Water rests around 19–21C in the Canaries and Madeira, which suits hardy swimmers and anyone with a shorty wetsuit. Cyprus dips cooler, so plan beaches for midday. Cape Town’s Atlantic coast runs brisk; warmer water lies on False Bay. Trade winds freshen Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, but sheltered coves still offer relaxed swims on calmer days.

Health, safety and seasonal quirks

Sun strength bites even in winter. Broad-spectrum sunscreen and a hat remain must-haves. In Bangkok and Cancún, stick to bottled water and favour busy street-food stalls with high turnover. In Gibraltar, avoid feeding macaques and keep bags zipped. Cape Town’s “Cape Doctor” wind can whistle; plan hikes early and check cableway status for Table Mountain.

Traveller notes for 2025

Check entry rules before booking. Thailand, Mexico and South Africa remain visa-free for most short-stay UK visitors, while Australia requires an e-visa and Oman an e-visa for many nationalities. Car-hire demand and accommodation rates tighten from about 20 December to 2 January, so flexible dates bring better value. Families often gain by travelling before schools break up or leaving on Christmas Day when seats linger.

How to choose the right December sun for you

For a quick fix with no jet lag, the Canaries and Madeira give reliable warmth, hiking, and family-friendly beaches. Culture-first travellers lean towards Cyprus, Muscat or Cape Town for museums, markets and mountain days. If you want bath-warm seas and tropical heat, Cancún and Thailand suit best. Those with longer leave can pair city and coast: Bangkok plus Krabi, Cape Town plus the Winelands, or Sydney plus the South Coast.

Match your break to your goal: 18–22C for active days and value, 28–32C for guaranteed beach time and warm seas.

One last thing: budgeting a December sun break

Use a simple rule of thirds. Spend a third on flights, a third on a well-located stay, and keep a third for food and activities. Swap resorts for city-fringe neighbourhoods, ride public transport where it’s safe and reliable, and book at least one standout day trip to anchor the week. If you’re set on 30C heat, price in school-holiday surcharges; if you’re happy with 20C and sun, Europe’s islands deliver more holiday for your money.