In December it gets dark early in Germany, and the sun rarely shows. At the same time, the best season begins at many holiday destinations. If you want to escape the cold, you can choose between short flights to the mild south and long-haul trips to the tropics.
Warm destinations at a glance
| Destination | Daytime air | Sea | Flight from Frankfurt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madeira | 20 °C | 19 °C | approx. 4 hrs |
| Canary Islands | 21 to 22 °C | 20 °C | approx. 4.5 hrs |
| Red Sea | 24 °C | 23 °C | approx. 4.5 hrs |
| Cape Verde | 26 °C | 24 °C | approx. 6 hrs |
| Dubai | 26 °C | 24 °C | approx. 6 hrs |
| Caribbean | 29 °C | 27 °C | approx. 10 hrs |
| Maldives | 30 °C | 28 °C | approx. 10 hrs with a change |
| Thailand, Andaman Sea | 31 °C | 28 °C | approx. 13 hrs with a change |
Approximate averages. Individual days can be cooler or warmer.
Short flights: the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Red Sea
The Canary Islands are the classic winter destination. On Tenerife and Gran Canaria the sun often shines even in December, and at midday a T-shirt and shorts are enough. In the evening you need a jumper. If you want guaranteed sun, choose the south of the islands.
Madeira is a little cooler and greener. The island is more for walking and enjoying than for the beach. At New Year, Funchal is famous for its big fireworks over the bay, a lovely way to end the year.
The Red Sea is the warmest of the short-haul destinations. The water is still above 22 °C and the reefs are clear. In the desert, though, mornings and evenings get chilly. Bring a fleece.
Medium haul: Dubai and Cape Verde
In Dubai the days in December are warm but not hot. The city combines beach and desert in one trip. Cape Verde, off the coast of West Africa, is a quiet beach destination with a steady wind and almost no rain. It is rarely crowded.
Long haul: the Caribbean, Maldives and Thailand
The dry season begins in the Caribbean in December. Punta Cana and the other islands are hot, the sea is warm, and hurricanes are no longer an issue. The Maldives get the northeast monsoon from December, which brings dry weather and calm seas.
On the Andaman Sea in Thailand, around Krabi and Phuket, December is one of the best months. It hardly rains, the sea is calm, and the islands are easy to reach. The Gulf of Thailand with Koh Samui, by contrast, is often still rainy at this time.
How to find the right destination
First decide how long you want to fly. For one week a long-haul trip is hardly worth it, ten to fourteen days are better. The time difference needs a few days too. Then ask yourself whether you want to swim or mainly soak up the sun. If you want to swim in the sea every day, the Red Sea or the tropics are better than the Canary Islands.
In the travel calendar on our destinations page you can choose December and limit the flight time. You then see at a glance which destinations suit you.
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.
