Cheapest Holiday Destinations in December
Five winter-sun escapes to compare, plus practical advice on early-December prices, festive demand, weather and the real cost of a trip.
A December holiday can be either a clever escape before Christmas or one of the most expensive weeks of the year. The difference is often the departure date, not the destination. If you want sunshine without paying festive premiums, compare early and mid-December departures separately from Christmas and New Year. Then look carefully at what a winter hotel actually offers.
This guide compares five places worth checking from the UK: Fuerteventura and Tenerife for the best chance of pleasant outdoor weather, Cyprus for history and a quieter Mediterranean break, Marrakech for colourful winter sightseeing, and Madeira for scenery and seasonal atmosphere. These are good-value candidates, not an independently verified price ranking. Live fares and hotel prices determine what is cheapest for your dates.
The December decision: which week are you travelling?
Before the school break: compare the first two full weeks, particularly departures that return before the Christmas travel rush. Across Christmas and New Year: expect stronger demand for popular sunshine routes, family hotels and convenient flight times. For example, Lambeth's published 2026 school calendar runs to 18 December, with Christmas holidays from 21 December to 1 January; other schools can differ. Check the published example and your own school's dates before relying on any price assumption.
Explore holidays departing on your dates
TripsByDate shows advertised package holidays across its wider inventory. The changing options below are not necessarily Christmas-week departures or packages to these five destinations. Use them as starting points, then compare your own dates and check the final price, availability and festive arrangements with the provider.
EDI • 7 nights
AI · Thomas Cook
BHX • 7 nightsB&B · On the Beach
LTN • 7 nightsAI · On the Beach
MAN • 8 nightslastminute.comFive December destinations worth comparing
One useful distinction: comfortable sunshine, swimming weather and a low-priced package are three different things. Climate figures are historical averages, not forecasts, and don't prove current holiday prices.
1. Fuerteventura: spacious beaches and flexible resort stays
Fuerteventura is the one to investigate if your ideal December trip is long beach walks, outdoor cafés and a slower pace. Corralejo has a broad choice of restaurants and access to its famous dunes. Caleta de Fuste is convenient for a relatively short airport transfer; Costa Calma and Jandía offer a different, often quieter resort feel. Choosing the right base saves unnecessary taxi journeys.
Weather reality: Spain's official AEMET normals give Fuerteventura Airport a 22.0°C average daily maximum in December, with around 26mm average rainfall. That does not mean every beach day reaches 22°C or that the sea will feel warm. The island can be windy, making sheltered accommodation and a heated pool more important than a promotional photograph suggests. See AEMET's official climate figures.
Where value can hide: compare a seven-night self-catering apartment near shops and cafés against all-inclusive. If you plan to explore or eat locally, meals included in a distant hotel may not be a saving. Compare the total after baggage, transfers and Christmas supplements.
2. Tenerife: the broader all-round winter-sun choice
Tenerife is useful for travellers who want choice beyond the beach: a range of year-round hotels, cafés, excursions and activities. For a resort-focused trip, compare Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas. For hiking and local towns, factor in a different climate and possibly a hire car. Northern Tenerife and Mount Teide should not be treated as having the same weather as the south coast.
Evidence, not a sunshine promise: AEMET records an average December daytime maximum of 22.8°C at Tenerife South Airport, with 30mm of average monthly rain. December is mild by UK standards but not a guaranteed hot beach holiday. Official Tenerife South climate normals.
Smart comparison: a budget apartment with a genuinely heated pool and walkable restaurants could be better value than a cheaper-looking all-inclusive requiring taxis. If you are travelling with children, confirm the children's pool heating and winter club schedule in writing. Tenerife is especially worth comparing with Fuerteventura on the same departures, not only by average advertised prices.
3. Cyprus: culture, coast and quieter winter days
Cyprus can reward visitors who want Roman ruins, harbour walks, traditional food and a change of scenery rather than a week devoted to sunbathing. Paphos works well for archaeological sites and coastal attractions; Larnaca can be convenient for a shorter stay. Accommodation away from the main resorts may be tempting, but a car could erase the saving.
The honest drawback: December is part of the Mediterranean winter. Rain, shorter days and cooler water make it less dependable for swimming than the Canaries. Check that the specific hotel's restaurants, spa and pool operate during your dates. For attraction ideas, use the official Cyprus tourism website, and check current UK travel advice before booking.
Value angle: a three- to five-night history-and-food escape may offer a more satisfying experience than paying for beach facilities you cannot comfortably use. Compare Paphos and Larnaca flight times as well as prices: a late arrival can eat into a short break.
4. Marrakech: festive-season contrast without pretending it's a beach resort
Marrakech offers medina streets, gardens, architecture, hammams, markets and rooftop dining. Its appeal in December is the experience rather than guaranteed warmth. A sunny afternoon can be pleasant for exploring, while the temperature can fall sharply after sunset. Look for a riad or hotel with reliable heating, not just an attractive courtyard pool.
Where to stay: a centrally located medina riad puts you close to sights but may involve walking with bags through pedestrian lanes. A larger hotel outside the centre can bring extra taxi costs, although it may offer more facilities. Ask whether airport transfers can drop you at the door or a nearby meeting point.
A useful budgeting check: confirm whether breakfast, airport transfers and any local accommodation charges are included. Plan a realistic allowance for taxis, meals and attraction admissions. Morocco is outside Europe and has different entry rules, so always check FCDO Morocco advice. The Moroccan tourism office provides ideas for cultural activities.
5. Madeira: a scenic December trip with an unusual festive attraction
Madeira is strongest for visitors who like coastal viewpoints, botanical gardens, local food and walks rather than guaranteed swimming. Funchal is a useful base for restaurants and winter events; staying far from town can increase your need for a hire car or taxis. The destination has a particularly strong festive identity around Funchal's Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The weather catch: the coast can feel mild while mountain trails are wet, windy or cloud-covered. Don't commit every day to a single outdoor activity. The official Madeira weather guidance explains the island's varied microclimates. If you plan levada walks, check official trail opening status and reservation rules before setting off.
Value tip: decide whether the trip is about peaceful scenery or the festivities. Staying centrally during major events can reduce transport hassle but may be in higher demand. Compare dates either side of Christmas and New Year's Eve independently rather than assuming the whole month is uniformly priced.
December weather versus holiday experience
- Most promising for winter resort sunshine: southern Tenerife or Fuerteventura, while allowing for breeze, showers and cool water.
- Best for a culture-led short break: Marrakech or Cyprus, with sensible expectations about cool evenings and rain.
- Best for scenery and seasonal atmosphere: Madeira, provided you're happy to adjust outdoor plans to conditions.
- Best for a swimming-focused family: whichever hotel can confirm a suitably heated pool and open family facilities. The cheapest destination alone won't answer this.
Compare December holidays by departure date
Look at early December and the festive weeks separately, then choose the trip that fits your budget.
Browse holidays by dateSix genuinely useful ways to spend less in December
1. Compare a stay that ends before the school holiday
Instead of only searching for seven nights, test a four-, five- and seven-night stay, all returning before your local school break. A shorter trip is not always better value per night, but it may offer a lower total cost and more useful flight times. Families should follow their own school's attendance rules rather than planning unauthorised absences.
2. Compare an ordinary week with Christmas week, not just two departure days
Make two separate comparisons: an early-December break and the Christmas/New Year dates you actually want. Late December can carry a premium for demand, festive meals or special events. For a New Year trip, check whether a hotel adds a compulsory gala dinner or supplement that was missing from the first displayed rate.
3. Calculate the cost of the whole trip
Compare package quotations on the same basis: number of travellers, room occupancy, bag allowance, meals and transfers. Then add airport parking or trains in the UK, local transport, accommodation taxes and winter facility charges where relevant. A £70 cheaper flight can disappear once you add a suitcase and a lengthy taxi transfer.
4. Check whether you are paying for unavailable facilities
Ask about heated pools, winter entertainment, children's clubs, restaurants and spa opening hours. This is especially important at seasonal Mediterranean hotels. A year-round destination does not guarantee that every individual hotel service operates all year.
5. Treat airport flexibility as a calculation, not a slogan
Compare departures from nearby UK airports, but add the train fare, petrol, parking and overnight accommodation if an early flight requires it. A cheaper package from a distant airport may cost more overall. Compare arrival times too: losing the first evening matters on a four-night escape.
6. Check the booking protection before paying
If you buy a flight-inclusive package, understand the protection it offers. The UK Civil Aviation Authority explains ATOL; read the provider's booking terms and confirm the final price. TripsByDate helps you discover advertised offers, not book or guarantee those offers directly.
What should you pack for a December sun holiday?
Take swimwear, sunglasses and sunscreen, but add a jumper or light jacket, closed-toe shoes and a layer suitable for breezy evenings. For Madeira or a sightseeing-heavy Cyprus trip, include rain protection. For Marrakech, take something warmer for nights. Check your baggage allowance before packing extra bulky clothes.
When is December cheapest for holidays?
There is no universally cheapest December week. Early December is often worth testing first because it falls outside many UK school Christmas holidays, but individual routes can sell out and destination-specific events can change demand. In 2026, for example, some English councils publish school holidays beginning Monday 21 December; exact dates vary. Christmas and New Year breaks may be worth their premium to you, but compare their total costs explicitly.
For a wider seasonal perspective, see Cheapest Months to Go on Holiday and Best Months for Winter Sun. For more December destination ideas, read Where to Go on Holiday in December and Warmest Places in Europe in December.
December holiday FAQs
Is early December cheaper than Christmas?
It can be, because many families are still in school and demand patterns differ. But there is no guaranteed saving: compare live quotes for identical airports, traveller numbers and board basis.
Where is warmest of these five in December?
For a resort-style break, the southern Canaries are a sensible starting point. AEMET's historical December average daily highs are 22.8°C at Tenerife South Airport and 22.0°C at Fuerteventura Airport, but actual conditions vary.
Is Cyprus hot in December?
Don't book it expecting reliable summer heat. It can be pleasant for coastal exploring and historic sites, but rain and cooler evenings are real possibilities.
Is Marrakech suitable for a December weekend?
Yes, if you want food, culture and markets rather than a beach break. Plan for cooler evenings and check the heating and location of your accommodation.
Are Canary Islands hotel pools heated in winter?
Some are, but never assume. Confirm whether your exact hotel pool is heated during your stay, whether there are restrictions and whether the pool is suitable for children.
Should I book a package or flights and hotel separately?
Price both for your exact dates, include all extras and consider the booking protection and cancellation terms. Packages can offer good value, but not invariably.
Related holidays-by-month guides
Cheapest Holiday Destinations in December · Where to Go on Holiday in December · Warmest Places in Europe in December · Best Months for Winter Sun · Cheapest Months to Go on Holiday · Best Months to Visit Portugal.
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