Christmas on the beach and New Year’s Eve with a view of the sea: for many people that is the nicest way to end the year. To make it work, you need to plan early. Over the holidays, flights and hotels are in higher demand than at almost any other time of year.
Booking early pays off
The time between Christmas and New Year falls in the school holidays of every German state. At the same time many families from all over Europe head for the sun. The cheap places are therefore often gone by summer. If you only start looking in November, you will usually still find something, but you pay much more and have less choice.
A tip for the flexible: departures on Christmas Eve itself or on Christmas Day are sometimes cheaper than the days before. In Germany the main celebration is on the evening of 24 December, and many people want to be at home then.
Short and mild: the Canary Islands and Madeira
In the Canary Islands Christmas is celebrated the Spanish way. On Christmas Eve many families go to midnight mass, and the squares are festively lit. On New Year’s Eve people eat one grape for each of the twelve strokes of midnight. It is said to bring luck for every month of the new year.
Madeira is famous for its New Year fireworks. At midnight the sky around Funchal bay lights up from many places at once. Cruise ships anchor off the coast especially for it. Weeks beforehand, the town is already decorated with lights.
Warm and festive: the Red Sea and Dubai
On the Red Sea it is pleasantly warm over the holidays. The large hotels celebrate Christmas and New Year with buffets and music. Egypt’s Coptic Christians, by the way, celebrate Christmas on 7 January, which is a public holiday there.
In Dubai, New Year’s Eve is all about the fireworks at the Burj Khalifa. Tens of thousands of people crowd around the world’s tallest building. If you want a good spot, get there in the afternoon or book a restaurant with a view of the tower.
Tropical: the Caribbean and Thailand
In the Caribbean the dry season begins in December. Christmas is celebrated with music, dancing and big family meals. In the Dominican Republic, fairy lights on the houses are part of it.
In Thailand Christmas is not a public holiday, but New Year’s Eve is celebrated everywhere, with fireworks and beach parties. On the Andaman Sea around Krabi and Phuket the weather around the turn of the year is especially good.
Keeping it relaxed
- Take presents unwrapped. Wrapped presents sometimes have to be opened at security.
- Reserve restaurant tables. Good restaurants are booked up quickly for the festive evenings.
- Mind local holidays. In some countries shops and excursions are limited on public holidays.
- Allow plenty of time at the airport. Around Christmas airports are busy and queues are long.
If you are flexible, travel just after New Year. Prices then drop quickly, and the weather at almost all these destinations is just as good.
flug-123.de editorial team, updated 10 November 2026. We review our guides regularly. Rules can change. If in doubt, the details in your booking apply.
