4 Best Places to Visit in December

Introduction

December is one of the most unique months to travel. The best places to visit in December are reflected by that. Some people want festive Christmas markets, cold air, and cosy cities. Others just want to escape winter altogether. The good news is that December works brilliantly for both, as long as you choose the right destination.

We’ve travelled in December in very different ways. From Christmas markets and snowy landscapes in Europe to sunshine and quiet days further south, December can feel magical or exhausting depending on where you go.

Crowds, prices, and weather can all spike in December, especially around the holidays. But December also offers something other months don’t: atmosphere. Whether that’s Christmas-decorated cities, snow-covered mountains, or warm evenings far from winter, December travel is less about ticking boxes and more about leaning into a mood.

If you’re wondering where to travel in December, the key question is simple: do you want winter, or do you want to get away from it? The destinations below are places we’ve personally visited and found to be genuinely good places to visit in December, each for very different reasons.

Woman overlooking snowy hills and forests in the Black Forest with Alpine views — Tina in the Black Forest

How to choose where to travel in December

December is not a month for compromise destinations. It’s a month where you either go full in the season or sidestep it completely.

If you enjoy winter, December is perfect for Christmas markets and mountain regions. Places like Strasbourg, the Black Forest, Rome in winter, or the Alps offer very different December experiences, from Christmas markets to skiing. These are some of the best places to visit in December if you enjoy cold air, seasonal food, and a slower rhythm.

If you don’t love winter, December is also a great time to head south. Morocco is a perfect example. While Europe cools down, Morocco remains sunny, with comfortable temperatures and a complete change of scenery. For many travellers, this makes it one of the best places to travel in December without going too far.

December travel also comes with fixed dates for many people. School holidays, company shutdowns, and end-of-year breaks often dictate when you can go. That makes choosing the right destination even more important. A good December trip isn’t about doing everything; it’s about choosing a place that fits the reality of the month.

If you’re searching for where to travel in December, decide first what kind of experience you want. Festive, snowy, cultural, or warm and calm. Once that’s clear, the right destination usually becomes obvious.

Woman standing in front of the Trevi Fountain with baroque sculptures in Rome — The Trevi Fountain

Weather in December: what to realistically expect

December weather varies wildly depending on where you go, which is why it’s such a decisive month.

In much of Europe, December is cold. Expect temperatures between -5 and 8°C (23–46°F), depending on the region. Days are short, evenings are long, and the weather can be grey. That said, this is exactly what makes December special in certain places. Cities like Strasbourg or regions like the Black Forest fully lean into the season with lights, markets, and winter food.

In mountain regions like the Alps, December marks the start of ski season. Snow conditions vary from year to year, but December usually brings cold temperatures and an early-winter atmosphere that makes mountain travel feel special. It’s not always peak skiing yet, but it’s one of the most atmospheric times to be there.

Southern Europe is cooler but still very workable. Rome in December is mild compared to summer, with temperatures around 10–15°C (50–59°F). It’s a great time for sightseeing, with fewer crowds and less heat.

Then there’s Morocco, which flips everything around. December brings dry, sunny days and comfortable temperatures, usually around 18–22°C (64–72°F). It’s one of the reasons Morocco consistently ranks among the best places to go in December for travellers who want warmth without tropical humidity.

Festive courtyard decorated for Christmas in Strasbourg old town at night — Festive Court des Corbeaux decorated for Christmas in Strasbourg

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Best places to visit in December (based on our travels)

Morocco

December is one of the best times to visit Morocco. Days are warm but not hot, evenings are cool, and travelling around the country feels easy and comfortable.

We travelled in Morocco in November, but December offers the same. We found it ideal for city visits, road trips, and time outdoors. You can walk for hours without overheating, enjoy long meals outside, and move between regions without the weather getting in the way.

Desert camp lounge setup with chairs and lanterns in the Moroccan Sahara — Desert camp lounge

If you’re looking for the best places to travel in December for sunshine, culture, and variety, Morocco is hard to beat.

Traveler sitting in a blue alley doorway in Chefchaouen, the blue city of Morocco — Blue alley doorway in Chefchaouen

Read: All our articles on Morocco

Strasbourg (France)

Strasbourg is one of the most festive places to visit in December. The city fully embraces the Christmas season, and the atmosphere is unlike anywhere else.

Temperatures are cold, often close to freezing, but that’s part of the experience. Lights, markets, and cosy food dominate the city.

Group of friends in a decorated street near Place Kléber during Strasbourg Christmas market — Rue des Maroquin

We lived and visited Strasbourg in December and loved how immersive it felt. It’s not about sightseeing at speed, it’s about wandering, stopping often, and enjoying the Christmas capital. If you’re after good places to visit in December for festive vibes, Strasbourg delivers.

Christkindelsmärik entrance with lights and stalls in central Strasbourg at night — Christkindelsmärik entrance

Read: All our articles on France

Black Forest (Germany)

December works beautifully in the Black Forest if you enjoy winter landscapes and quieter travel.

Expect cold temperatures, occasional snow, and very short days. It’s a destination that suits slow mornings, forest walks, and cosy evenings.

Martinstor medieval city gate and tram tracks in Freiburg old town, Germany

We travelled through the Black Forest in December and appreciated the calm and snowy landscapes. It’s not flashy, but it feels grounded and peaceful, which is exactly what December travel can be about.

Woman sitting on a bench by a frozen lake in the Black Forest on a winter day — Tina sitting on a bench

Read: All our articles on Germany

Rome

Rome in December is a completely different experience compared to summer. Cooler temperatures and fewer tourists make the city far easier to explore.

With daytime temperatures around 10–15°C (50–59°F), walking around Rome is comfortable, even for full days. Attractions are less crowded, and the city feels more local.

Couple on Ponte Sant’Angelo with Castel Sant’Angelo in the background in Rome — Ponte Sant’Angelo

We visited Rome in December and found it to be one of the best places to go in December for culture without chaos.

Couple overlooking the Roman Forum and Colosseum ruins from Palatine Hill in Rome — The Roman Forum

Read: All our articles on Italy

The Alps

December marks the start of winter in the Alps. Snow conditions vary, but the atmosphere is already there.

We spent time in the Alps in December and loved the early-season feel. It’s quieter than peak winter; villages were already fully on, and the focus is on winter activities, even if skiing isn’t always in full swing yet.

Couple taking a selfie on a sunny ski slope with snow-covered Alpine peaks — Selfie in the Alps

For travellers looking for good places to visit in December with snow, mountains, and winter energy, the Alps make a lot of sense.

Indoor spa pool with mountain village and snowy Alps visible through large windows — Indoor spa pool

Is December a good month to travel?

Yes, if you choose with intention.

December isn’t a month for neutral destinations. It’s a month that asks you to pick a side: winter or warmth. Once you do that, December can be incredibly rewarding.

If you lean into winter, December offers an atmosphere you won’t find at any other time of year. If you escape it, destinations like Morocco feel even better because of the contrast.

So, if you’re wondering where to travel in December, don’t treat it like a difficult month. Treat it like a decisive one. Choose one of these best places to visit in December and let the season work for you, not against you.

About the authors

We are Alex and Tina, a French-Serbian couple who met in China back in 2014. We spent three incredible years there before making France our home. Our shared passion for travel has been the heartbeat of our relationship for over 12 years, taking us across 44 countries and counting.

We launched TheDailyPackers in 2019 as a way to document our adventures. In 2026, we reached a major milestone by officially turning our blog into our full-time job. While we are still growing toward financial independence through this platform, every article we write is fueled by our mission to make your voyages easier through in-depth guides, honest advice, and the lessons we’ve learned from our own mistakes.

Our journey has not been without its storms. In 2023, our world changed forever when our first son, Poppy, was stillborn on November 25th. It was, and remains, the hardest chapter of our lives. In 2025, we were blessed with our second little boy, Milo. He has since joined our traveling tribe, and you’ll be seeing him—and the reality of traveling with a little one-on the blog more and more.

We hope to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity and resilience. Thank you for being part of our story.