Warmest Places in Europe in December
Where to find genuine winter warmth, which resorts suit a beach break, and what to check before spending money on a Christmas escape.
A December holiday in the sunshine sounds simple until you start comparing places. Some destinations have genuinely comfortable afternoons outdoors; others are mild enough for walking and café terraces but not especially good for a beach holiday. The difference matters even more when you are paying Christmas-season prices.
Quick answer: southern Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are strong choices for a warmer December resort holiday. Madeira has a gentler climate, attractive scenery and a wonderful festive atmosphere. Cyprus and Malta are worth considering for culture, coastal walks and winter sightseeing, but they are considerably less dependable for warm beach days.
What counts as Europe? The Canaries and Madeira are geographically Atlantic islands off the African coast, but belong to Spain and Portugal. Cyprus lies in the eastern Mediterranean. As with other UK holiday guides, we include popular destinations in European countries rather than claiming this is an exhaustive meteorological ranking of the European continent.
December temperatures: what the official records actually say
The most useful basis for comparing these destinations is a historical average daily maximum at an identified weather station. Averages are neither forecasts nor promises, and a sheltered hotel terrace can feel warmer than an exposed beach at exactly the same air temperature.
- Tenerife South Airport: 22.8°C. Spain's AEMET December normal for 1981–2010; approximately 195 sunshine hours in the month.
- Fuerteventura Airport: 22.0°C. On the same AEMET normals basis, with roughly 186 sunshine hours.
- Lanzarote Airport: 21.8°C. AEMET also records roughly 196 December sunshine hours.
- Funchal, Madeira: 20.7°C. Portuguese weather agency IPMA's 1981–2010 normal for this coastal city.
- Cyprus and Malta: both can offer pleasant sunny spells, but coastal winter conditions are more changeable than many glossy beach photographs suggest. Their temperature ranges in the graphic are not directly comparable meteorological station normals.
You can inspect the source tables yourself: AEMET Tenerife South, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and IPMA Funchal climate normals.
Read the infographic carefully: a label such as “20–24°C” might describe an approximate range of daytime conditions, not the measured monthly average maximum. The official figures above are better for comparisons. None predicts what will happen during your particular week.
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.
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BOH • 7 nightsB&B · First Choice1. Tenerife: best for a straightforward winter-sun resort holiday
Tenerife is an especially practical December choice because the south has well-established, year-round resorts. You can plan a holiday around a hotel pool, promenades, beaches, boat trips and restaurants without depending on one specific attraction being open. But the island is not uniformly warm: northern and higher locations experience very different conditions.
Where to stay: Costa Adeje offers plenty of hotels, restaurants and accessible seafront walks. Los Cristianos can work well for a compact, walkable base. Playa de las Américas is an option for a livelier stay. If you are paying extra for a sea view, ask whether the room receives afternoon sun and how sheltered its balcony is.
What makes the biggest difference? A heated hotel pool, shelter from wind, convenient restaurants and a sensible transfer are often more valuable than a claimed one-degree advantage over another island. Some sea swimming is possible, but the Atlantic is not a heated pool and conditions can change.
A less obvious tip: Teide and other elevated areas can be significantly colder than the coast. Pack warmer clothing if you intend to take a mountain excursion, even if your accommodation forecast looks pleasantly warm. For seasonal context, see Best Months to Visit Spain.
2. Lanzarote: best for volcanic landscapes and a relaxed resort base
Lanzarote combines a mild December climate with scenery that looks nothing like a typical Mediterranean island. The volcanic landscapes are a good reason to travel even if you get a cloudier or windier day. It works particularly well when you want to alternate resort time with short sightseeing trips.
Where to stay: Playa Blanca suits travellers seeking a southern resort and waterfront restaurants. Puerto del Carmen has a wide accommodation choice and a convenient base for going out. Costa Teguise may be attractive for families and watersports, but check exposure to wind when comparing properties.
Useful planning idea: plan a day for Timanfaya and nearby volcanic scenery rather than building a full holiday around sunbathing. Check attraction arrangements and opening hours directly through Lanzarote's official tourism website. A hire car can be useful for exploring but is not essential for every resort stay.
Trade-off: Lanzarote can feel breezy. A hotel with a sheltered pool area and warm indoor space may be a better December choice than the property with the most impressive beachfront photographs.
3. Fuerteventura: best for spacious beaches and an unhurried escape
Fuerteventura is an attractive choice if long sandy beaches and a quieter pace matter more than constant entertainment. December days can be pleasant for walking the shore, exploring small towns and enjoying a resort terrace, but some coastlines are very exposed.
Where to stay: Corralejo offers restaurants, shops and access to extensive dune and beach scenery. Caleta de Fuste is worth comparing for a relatively compact resort stay. The Jandía area can suit visitors looking for a beach-focused holiday, although distances and transfers deserve attention.
The practical catch: wide open beaches can feel noticeably cooler in wind, and swimming conditions vary with surf and currents. Do not assume a photograph of calm turquoise water describes the beach conditions you will encounter. Check beach flags and lifeguard information, especially if travelling with children.
Best for: people who enjoy space, coastal walks, cycling or quiet resort time. If your ideal December holiday is a busy nightlife destination, carefully research the particular town rather than choosing Fuerteventura only for its climate averages.
4. Madeira: best for winter scenery, walking and festive atmosphere
Madeira is the destination here that most rewards travellers who are willing to swap a conventional beach holiday for gardens, villages, viewpoints, local food and coastal scenery. Funchal's historical December average high of 20.7°C is attractive for winter, but the island's mountainous terrain creates strong local weather differences.
Where to stay: Funchal is convenient for restaurants, urban exploring and the festive programme. A southern coastal hotel may suit visitors prioritising mild outdoor time. Properties inland or high above the coast may have magnificent views but cooler and more exposed weather.
Something many visitors miss: Madeira's officially classified hiking routes require an advance reservation, and fees may apply. Trails can be closed or restricted because of conditions. Check the official trail status and booking instructions before arranging transport or paying for a tour.
Christmas appeal: Madeira has a distinctive festive programme and Funchal's New Year celebrations are a major attraction. Check the official Visit Madeira site for the specific year's programme rather than assuming every event runs on the same date. See also Best Months to Visit Portugal.
5. Cyprus: best for archaeological sites and quieter coastal towns
Cyprus can still deliver sunny December afternoons, but do not choose it expecting the same resort weather as August or September. The eastern Mediterranean has a proper winter season with more unsettled spells. Many travellers find the cooler air excellent for visiting historic sites, walking and eating outdoors when the weather allows.
Where to stay: Paphos makes sense for archaeology, coastal walks and restaurants. Limassol can be useful for an urban-and-coast mixture. Check the neighbourhood and hotel carefully; an attractive summer resort may have reduced facilities in winter.
Before booking: ask whether pools are heated, whether beach facilities and nearby restaurants are operating, and what happens on a rainy day. For seasonal guidance use official Visit Cyprus climate information. For British passport and entry rules consult the UK government's Cyprus advice.
My advice: pick Cyprus for an interesting mild-weather holiday that may include beach time, rather than booking it as a dependable December swimming break. October is substantially better if a warm Mediterranean beach is the main goal; compare Warmest Places in Europe in October.
6. Malta: best for history, food and a compact winter city break
Malta has a different appeal again. You can base yourself within reach of Valletta, the Three Cities, Mdina and coastal viewpoints, giving you plenty to do when the weather is not beach-ready. December offers a gentler sightseeing pace than the height of summer, though rain and wind can affect harbour activities.
Where to stay: Valletta puts you close to historic streets and attractions, while Sliema provides an alternative base with transport and waterfront access. For a shorter trip, prioritise location over whether the hotel advertisement mentions a beach.
A useful three-day approach: spend one day exploring Valletta and its harbour, another visiting Mdina or the Three Cities, and leave the third flexible for Gozo, museums or coastal walks depending on the weather. Check ferry services rather than assuming crossings will always operate as planned.
Expectation check: Malta's mild winter weather is excellent compared with many northern European cities, but it is not a reliable hot-beach destination. For attraction ideas consult official Visit Malta. Read Where to Go on Holiday in December for wider seasonal choices beyond Europe.
Which December destination should you actually choose?
- For the best chance of warm resort days: start with southern Tenerife or a suitable resort in Lanzarote or Fuerteventura.
- For long beaches and space: consider Fuerteventura, while paying particular attention to wind and swimming conditions.
- For scenery and an active holiday: Madeira is hard to beat, but plan around changeable mountain weather and hiking access rules.
- For history with milder temperatures: Malta and Cyprus have much more to offer than their winter beach photographs imply.
- For families: compare heated pools, children's facilities, walking distances and flight convenience ahead of a small temperature difference.
One reason this list is helpful is also a limitation: none of these options offers tropical heat in December. If genuinely hot weather is non-negotiable, you may need to consider destinations beyond the European-country holiday market, such as Cape Verde or Dubai. Those are different geographic and travel propositions, not European destinations.
Early December versus Christmas week: two very different trips
Early December may offer more flexibility and a calmer resort atmosphere than the festive peak. But quieter also sometimes means reduced facilities, fewer departures or less demand for specific accommodation; compare the live options rather than assuming every early-December holiday is cheap.
Christmas and New Year can bring a festive atmosphere and particularly high demand for suitable family accommodation, direct flights and larger rooms. A hotel's Christmas gala dinner, seasonal entertainment and compulsory supplements may affect the total cost. Check precisely what is included before judging a package price.
The most useful comparison: try adjacent departure dates and more than one UK airport. Then compare nights away, arrival time, baggage, board basis, transfer distance and any festive supplements. A less convenient flight may save money but cost a large proportion of a short holiday. Read Cheapest Months to Go on Holiday for more ideas, and Best Months for Winter Sun for the wider winter season.
Seven December booking checks that can save disappointment
- Ask about pool temperature, not merely whether a pool exists. Heated may mean a particular pool, certain dates or a temperature that is still too cool for your family.
- Check the hotel's winter facilities. Some summer-only bars, restaurants or kids' facilities may not operate throughout December.
- Choose shelter as carefully as sunshine. Wind exposure matters on Atlantic islands, especially for families and anyone planning long beach days.
- Allow for shorter daylight. Put excursions earlier in the day and leave beach or pool time for the warmest hours.
- Pack layers and sensible footwear. A light jumper, waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes can be more useful than a second beach outfit.
- Check festive dates and charges. Christmas and New Year programmes may require reservations or come with supplements; events can also change.
- Check travel advice and insurance. Review the relevant Spain, Portugal and Malta guidance, as applicable, before departure.
An overlooked family tip: when comparing two ostensibly similar packages, look at the usable hours at the destination. A direct daytime flight, short transfer and hotel with reliable indoor or heated-pool facilities can be worth more than a marginally cheaper trip with a late arrival and long journey.
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Compare departure dates, airports and live package holidays. Find a trip with the right mix of December warmth, convenience and total cost.
Explore holidays by dateFrequently asked questions about December sunshine
What is the warmest place in Europe in December?
Among popular holiday destinations in European countries, the Canary Islands are strong options for mild-to-warm December weather. AEMET's historical average daytime maximum is 22.8°C at Tenerife South Airport, 22.0°C at Fuerteventura Airport and 21.8°C at Lanzarote Airport. This is not an exhaustive ranking of every European weather station or a guarantee for individual resorts.
Is Tenerife warm enough for a December beach holiday?
Often, yes, for outdoor relaxation and some sunbathing, particularly in sheltered southern resorts. It is not reliably hot every day, and sea swimming comfort depends on wind, surf and personal preference. A heated pool is worthwhile if swimming is essential.
Is Madeira warmer than Lanzarote in December?
The cited climate normals put Funchal at a 20.7°C average December maximum and Lanzarote Airport at 21.8°C. But the locations have very different terrain and weather patterns; Madeira is particularly attractive for scenery and activities, not because it outranks the Canaries for beach warmth.
Can you swim in December in Cyprus or Malta?
Some hardy swimmers do, but these are not dependable warm-water destinations in December. Plan for sightseeing, food and historic towns, and regard beach time as a bonus. Always follow local sea and weather warnings.
Is early December cheaper than Christmas week?
It can be, because festive travel dates may attract more demand. Actual package prices depend on the airport, duration, hotel, inventory and specific dates. Compare like-for-like trips including baggage, board basis and seasonal supplements rather than assuming an entire month is cheap or expensive.
Where is best for a family winter-sun holiday?
A well-located year-round Canary Islands resort is a practical starting point. Check heated pools, family room layouts, children's facilities, short transfers and the quality of nearby amenities before booking. Our family holiday timing guide has more detailed planning advice.
Which places are warm in Europe at Christmas without flying long-haul?
Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are useful options if you want noticeably milder conditions than the UK without a long-haul journey. Madeira is excellent for a more festive, scenic escape. None can promise continuous hot beach weather.
More winter-sun guides
Warmest Places in Europe in November · Warmest Places in Europe in January · Where to Go on Holiday in December · Best Months for Winter Sun
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