Sort out your parking before the holiday too. With our tool you can compare all available car parks at the airport and book your spot before they sell out over the holidays.
Where to fly in December for a beach holiday in Europe
By December, Europe has few places left where you can swim. Most Mediterranean resorts switch to winter mode and the sea cools below the pleasant swimming range. The only reliable exception remains the Canary Islands.
More winter ideas can be found in our overview of where to go for a winter beach holiday.
The Canary Islands - the last warmth in Europe
The Canary Islands lie in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa and enjoy a stable climate all year round. In December the daytime temperature is 20 to 23 °C and the water is 20 to 21 °C, which is actually warmer than in February. On the southern coasts of Tenerife and Gran Canaria you can sunbathe almost every day. The flight from Prague takes about five hours and direct flights run all winter.
Each island has its own character. Tenerife offers the Teide volcano and whale watching, Gran Canaria the dunes of Maspalomas, and Fuerteventura endless beaches. Lanzarote impresses with its volcanic landscape and the architecture of artist César Manrique. Christmas here is unconventional, with decorated palm trees and dinner on a terrace by the sea.
Madeira and the New Year's Eve fireworks
In December Madeira sits at around 19 to 20 °C, with the sea at a similar temperature. It's more for hardy swimmers if you want to spend the whole day in the water, but the island has a different highlight. The New Year's Eve fireworks over the bay in Funchal are among the most spectacular in Europe and have even made it into the Guinness World Records in the past. Hotels with a view of the bay therefore need to be booked many months ahead.
Southern Europe is now mainly for walks
December temperatures in southern Spain, Greece and Turkey hover around 15 to 18 °C, and the days can still be sunny. It's pleasant weather for strolling around towns, going on excursions and sitting outside. The sea, however, cools to 16 to 18 °C and only the hardy will manage a swim. These destinations are better suited to a sightseeing weekend than a beach holiday.
Where to go in December for warmth with a shorter flight
If you want real summer weather without a half-day flight, head for North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The flight takes four to seven hours and temperatures in these places stay above 23 °C. Dress in layers for the journey – you leave frosty Prague and land in summer. Plan ahead what to wear on the plane so you feel comfortable both when you take off and after you land.
Egypt - affordable warmth in December
Egypt is the most affordable warm destination of the whole winter. In Hurghada and Marsa Alam the daytime temperature is 23 to 26 °C and the sea is 23 to 25 °C. You can explore the coral reefs of the Red Sea with a snorkel straight from the beach, and all-inclusive packages are very cheap. In Marsa Alam you can also head out to see the dolphins that live in the local lagoons. Evenings can get cooler, though, so don't forget a sweatshirt.
Dubai and the United Arab Emirates in peak season
December marks the start of the high season in the United Arab Emirates. During the day it's 25 to 28 °C and the sea is around 24 °C, ideal weather for both the beach and sightseeing. Dubai offers the view from the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, desert trips and a New Year's Eve fireworks show that is among the most watched in the world. Accommodation prices rise sharply around Christmas and New Year's Eve, though. To save money, choose early December, when the weather is just as pleasant and hotels are cheaper.
Oman is a quieter alternative
In December Oman has temperatures similar to Dubai, 25 to 28 °C during the day and the sea around 25 °C. Instead of skyscrapers you'll find mountains, canyons with pools and desert camps under a starry sky. The beaches are quieter and the atmosphere more authentic, so for families and couples looking for calm, Oman is a great, less commercial option. In the capital, Muscat, visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the traditional souk with frankincense and silver jewellery.
Cape Verde - exotic and close by
The Cape Verde islands lie in the Atlantic west of Africa, and a direct flight takes around six hours. In December it's 25 to 27 °C and the sea is about 24 °C. The steady trade winds make the islands a paradise for kitesurfers. Package prices outside the Christmas dates are very favourable. Besides beaches, the island of Sal offers salt lakes in the crater of an extinct volcano, where the high salt concentration lets you float on the surface.
Heading for the sun in the Middle East or Africa? Choose a supervised car park with transfer to and from the terminal in our comparison tool. Your car stays safe until you come back.
Where to go on a December beach holiday to faraway exotic places
For a longer holiday, December offers ideal conditions in the tropics. In many areas the rainy season is just ending and the main season is starting. Be prepared, though, for a flight with a connection that can take ten hours or more. Get ready for the long journey in advance with our tips on what air travel involves.
Thailand at the start of the dry season
In December Thailand's main tourist season begins. On the Andaman Sea coast, that is Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta, it's around 30 °C and the sea is 28 °C. The rain is retreating and the sea calms down, so conditions are ideal for swimming and boat trips to the surrounding islands. Krabi will impress you with limestone cliffs rising straight out of the sea, while Koh Lanta has calm beaches that suit families. Around Christmas, though, accommodation prices rise sharply.
Maldives
The dry season begins in the Maldives in December. Temperatures are 30 to 32 °C and the sea is 27 to 28 °C. The clear water offers excellent visibility for snorkelling and diving among coral reefs, turtles and rays. Most island resorts are reached by fast boat, while more distant ones can be reached by seaplane, which shows you the atolls from a bird's-eye view.
Zanzibar and Mauritius
On Zanzibar the short rainy season ends around the turn of November and December. In December it can reach 32 °C here and the sea is around 28 °C. Don't miss a walk through the narrow lanes of Stone Town, the historic centre listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On Mauritius December is summer, with temperatures around 29 to 30 °C and a sea of 26 to 27 °C. Expect higher humidity, though, and the start of the tropical storm period.
Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka the rainy season ends in December on the south and west coasts. In the resorts around Bentota and Galle temperatures are about 30 °C and the sea is up to 27 °C. You can easily combine a swim with a trip to the tea plantations or a safari to see elephants. On the east coast of the island it still rains in December, so it's better to choose resorts in the south and west.
Dominican Republic and Mexico
In the Caribbean the hurricane season ends at the end of November, and December is one of the most pleasant months of the year. In the Dominican Republic and on the Mexican Yucatán peninsula you'll find 27 to 30 °C and the sea is around 27 °C. White beaches lined with palms are complemented by Mayan monuments and the underground pools of the cenotes. Direct charter flights run from Prague to Punta Cana in winter, and the trip takes about ten hours.
Where the sea is warmest in December
Looking for as much warmth as possible? Or would you happily give up a few degrees in exchange for a shorter flight? The table below may help you decide.
| Criterion | Destination | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Warmest sea | Thailand, Maldives, Sri Lanka | 27 to 28 °C |
| Warmest air | Maldives, Zanzibar | up to 32 °C |
| Warmth with a short flight | Egypt, Dubai, Oman | 23 to 28 °C |
| Swimming in Europe | Canary Islands | sea 20 to 21 °C |
If December doesn't suit you, similar warmth awaits in these destinations after New Year too. For inspiration, see our articles on where to go to the beach in January and where to find warmth in February.
Christmas dates sell out faster than any other time of the year. Check in our comparison tool where a parking space is still free near the airport, and secure it early.
Practical tips before you travel
- Book well in advance. Around Christmas and New Year's Eve is peak season, and both flight and accommodation prices rise. The Czech Christmas school holidays in the 2026/2027 school year run from 23 December to 3 January, and it is exactly these days that flight tickets sell out first.
- Allow extra time at the airport. Before the holidays queues are usually longer than normal, whether at check-in or at the security check. Arrive with a bigger time buffer, and in winter there may also be problems on the roads.
- Arrange travel insurance. Medical costs outside Europe can easily run into the hundreds of thousands of Czech crowns, so don't skimp on insurance even for a short holiday.
- Think about getting to the airport as carefully as you think about the flight. If you're weighing free versus paid airport parking in Prague, our comparison will show which option makes sense for a longer stay. The benefits of airport parking with transfer show up especially in winter, when you don't have to drag your bags across a snowy car park.
Enjoy the sea while grey days grip the Czech Republic
For a short flight and pleasant spring-like temperatures in December, the Canary Islands are ideal – the only European destination where you can swim. For real warmth with a shorter flight, head for Egypt, Dubai, Oman or Cape Verde. For a long holiday with the warmest sea, go to Thailand, the Maldives, Sri Lanka or the Caribbean.
Choose according to your budget and the length of flight you're willing to take. Whatever you pick, book your flights and parking early. You'll find the offers neatly laid out on the Prague airport parking page.
Giving a beach holiday as a Christmas present? Add a calm trip to the airport to it too. In our comparison tool you can book parking for the whole holiday, so the lucky recipient won't need to worry about a thing.
