Escape the British Winter: Your Guide to December Sun
As frost blankets the UK and daylight hours shrink, a familiar longing for warmth and sunshine takes hold. While Britain shivers under grey skies, the southern hemisphere basks in beautiful summer weather, offering the perfect antidote to seasonal gloom. This guide reveals the top destinations for a spectacular winter sun escape this December.
Top Winter Sun Destinations for UK Travellers
From European favourites to long-haul paradises, numerous locations offer reliable warmth when Britain is at its coldest. Sydney and Cape Town enjoy mid-20s temperatures, while Thailand emerges from its monsoon season, creating ideal visiting conditions. For guaranteed heat, Oman provides year-round sunshine, and European gems like Cyprus and the Canary Islands deliver pleasantly warm weather perfect for exploring nature and history.
European Sunshine Havens
Gran Canaria, Spain boasts an average December temperature of 18°C with six hours of daily sunshine. The largest Canary Island offers diverse activities from exploring the historic Vegueta district in Las Palmas to hiking the mountainous Caldera de los Marteles. Popular resort towns like Puerto Rico and Maspalomas, known for vast sand dunes, provide ample beach options including Las Canteras and Amadores. The Lopesan resort in Costa Meloneras offers luxury accommodation starting from £307 per night.
Lanzarote, Spain reaches average highs of 22°C in December, showcasing over 300 volcanic cones and golden coastlines. Beyond the less tourist-heavy port city of Arrecife, visitors can explore Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca resorts or witness dramatic volcanic landscapes at Timanfaya National Park. The family-friendly Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park in Playa Blanca features an aquapark and starts from £211 nightly.
Tenerife, Spain, the largest Canary Island, caters to both party-seekers and families with average December temperatures of 18°C. Santa Cruz, home to over 200,000 people, serves as the main hub, while natural wonders dominate elsewhere. Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak at 3,715 metres, offers breathtaking volcanic landscapes within its national park. Budget-conscious travellers can find rooms at Hotel Laguna Nivaria from £133 per night.
Limassol, Cyprus maintains 15°C averages in December, boasting a gorgeous marina and historic sites like Limassol Castle and the 2,000-year-old ruins at Amathus. Beach enthusiasts can enjoy Lady's Mile, Dasoudi Beach, and Governor's Beach. The 500-room City of Dreams Mediterranean hotel offers stays from £366 nightly.
Paphos, Cyprus provides similar temperatures for beach lounging and exploring ancient ruins like the Kato Pafos Archaeological Park with its Roman Acropolis and villa mosaics. The Elysium hotel offers five-star luxury with a comprehensive spa from £192 per night.
Madeira, Portugal offers 16°C averages in December from its volcanic Atlantic location. The capital Funchal features winding streets and the stunning Monte Palace Tropical Gardens, while the island's dramatic cliffs and golden beaches invite hiking and paragliding. Casas de Levada provides unique accommodation from £213 nightly.
Gibraltar maintains 15°C averages, blending British and Spanish influences. The iconic Rock offers cable car journeys with spectacular Strait views and encounters with Europe's only wild monkeys, the Barbary macaques. History enthusiasts can explore the Moorish Castle and Great Siege Tunnels. The unique Sunborn Gibraltar, a floating yacht hotel, offers rooms from £214 nightly.
Long-Haul Winter Sun Paradises
Cancun, Mexico delights with 25°C averages in December, offering more than just party scenes in its Hotel Zone. The Riviera Maya features stunning beaches like Playa del Carmen, while adventure seekers can swim with whale sharks and scuba dive the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The beach-front Chablé Maroma provides luxury from £879 per night.
Muscat, Oman enjoys 23°C temperatures and nine daily sunshine hours in December. Nestled between the Gulf of Oman and Hajar Mountains, the capital blends modern and traditional Omani style. Key attractions include the Grand Mosque and Al Alam Palace, with the Mandarin Oriental offering mountain and sea views from £388 nightly.
Sydney, Australia provides 21°C averages with eight sunshine hours during its summer December. Iconic landmarks like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge dominate, while neighbourhoods like Surry Hills and The Rocks offer scenic walks. The boutique Ovolo Woolloomooloo hotel near the Opera House starts from £207 nightly.
Bangkok, Thailand emerges from monsoon season with 15°C averages, attracting visitors to its bustling markets, street food stalls, and spiritual landmarks like the Grand Palace. The luxurious Peninsula hotel offers river views and spa facilities from £362 per night.
Cape Town, South Africa shines with 22°C temperatures and eleven daily sunshine hours, perfect for beaches like Camps Bay. The V&A Waterfront district offers diverse dining and cultural attractions, while Robben Island provides powerful historical insights. The Winchester Boutique Hotel features stunning Table Mountain views from £569 nightly.
Hurghada, Egypt on the Red Sea coast maintains 21.5°C averages, offering exceptional diving opportunities and desert excursions to Bedouin villages. The adults-only Meraki Resort provides affordable luxury with three pools from £174 per night.
Planning Your Perfect Winter Escape
With numerous destinations offering reliable sunshine and warm temperatures during the UK's coldest months, escaping the winter blues has never been more appealing. Whether seeking European convenience or long-haul adventure, these carefully selected locations provide the perfect setting for creating warm winter memories far from Britain's chilly embrace.
