December is one of the busiest travel months of the year, following the summer. For the holidays, people are flying back home or to faraway places. Others are preparing for the ski season ahead of time. And workaholics who yearn to travel are taking advantage of their time off to squeeze in one last trip before the year ends. So, what are the best places to visit in December in the world? We will divide our article into two parts: Best places in Asia and Europe. If you are ready, start your travel with the guide of Pickvisa!
Best places to visit in December in Asia
December is a fantastic time to visit Asia because many major cities celebrate the holidays with vibrant festivals and elaborate decorations. Even better, the weather in the region will be most pleasant during December.
From cutting-edge Singapore to tranquil Hanoi, lifestyle Bangkok, and electrifying Hong Kong, the best places to visit in December in Asia's top destinations each have their distinct beauty and attract.
The following are some of the best places to visit in Asia in December.
Singapore
Let's start with the best places to visit in December with Singapore. In Singapore, a cosmopolitan oasis with a strong emphasis on green spaces and gardens, nature blends seamlessly with urban life.
Singapore is a mix of cultures with Malaysian, Indian, British, and Chinese influences visible in the city's food, architecture, and even its unofficial language, Singlish, a mix of English, Chinese, and Malay.
With its stunning cityscape of modern buildings and impressive skyscrapers surrounded by lush greenery, it is one of Southeast Asia's best places to visit.
Gardens by the Bay, a 250-acre nature park, is Singapore's most popular tourist attraction. There are exciting attractions and breathtaking sights. The 4-D ride within its blooming Floral Fantasy garden and the iconic Supertree Grove with towering tree structures that light up at night combine nature and technology.
Thailand
Bangkok's exciting metropolis, rich history, and delectable culinary treasures have earned it the title of one of Asia's top destinations for places to visit in December. Bangkok is a city of contrasts, with skyscrapers and ancient temples coexisting with gilded palaces and floating marketplaces on the lake.
Stop by the Grand Palace for a dose of history, an opulent complex of buildings where the Kings of Siam and Thailand have resided since 1782.
Admire the grounds' gold statues, intricate murals, and gilded pillars before entering the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred statue and the country's ultimate protector.
Bangkok, like the rest of Southeast Asia, is hot all year. It's one of the best places to visit in Asia in December because the rainy season (from May to November) is over, and the weather is cooler than usual.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong, where clear skies, cool weather and low humidity are usual during this time of year, is one of the best places to visit in December in Asia.
Take advantage of the beautiful weather and ride the funicular tram to the summit of Victoria Peak. Enjoy a 360-degree view of the city from the top, gazing in awe at the beautiful hills, the sparkling harbour and the skyline filled with skyscrapers below.
There are plenty of amazing restaurants to discover in one of the world's best culinary destinations. Sichuan, Cantonese, Japanese, and French restaurants and several Michelin-starred establishments are all available in Hong Kong's foodie scene.
Hanoi
In the Vietnam capital of Hanoi, where Vietnamese culture meets French tradition, East meets West. Because of that, we can add Hanoi to the warm places to visit in December list of Pickvisa. As you navigate the Old Quarter's lively labyrinthine streets, you'll feel as if you've stepped back in time.
The Opera House, built by the French in 1901 and influenced by the beautiful opera houses of Paris, is a brilliant example of architecture.
The Temple of Literature, which pays tribute to Vietnam's academics and eventually became the country's first university, is one of the few examples of Vietnamese architecture that survived the war.
The Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes the Mausoleum, where communist dictator Ho Chi Minh was laid to rest, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which commemorates his life, is another of Hanoi's most popular attractions.
Best places to visit in December in Europe
As opposed to Asia, it is hard to find warm places to visit in December in Europe. So, snow & cold are all about Europe's winter. Enchantment is guaranteed when twinkling Christmas decorations are combined with snowflakes, fairytale castles, and lantern-lit cobblestone streets. Europe in December is unlike any other tourist destination, offering a visual feast and an enormous selection of fascinating excursions.
Have you ever wanted to ride in a sleigh, snow ski down some of the world's most majestic mountains, or shop until your heart's content at seasonal markets? If you follow our guides to the best places to visit in December in Europe!
If seeing Santa is at the top of your December wish list, you can pay a visit to his 'official residence. The best European places to visit in December offer city delights under a blanket of snow, a plethora of cosy places to dine on cinnamon pastries, a plethora of festivals, and a healthy dose of the Christmas cheer that makes this month extra special for travel.
Finland
Visiting Santa is at the top of the Christmas spirit wish list of things to do in Europe in December. With its Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, is hailed as the official home of the jolly gift-giver. You can visit the Santa Claus Main Post Office and meet the man himself, but Rovaniemi has plenty of other winter activities to offer.
Visit Santa's reindeer, hike in the Arctic Circle Hiking Area in the footsteps of elves, and stock up on sparkly Christmas treasures from local workshops. But that's not all; the town itself is a hive of activity, with shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as Finnish cultural attractions. For fascinating insights, visit the Arktikum museum and science centre, as well as the Korundi House of Culture.
Naturally, no trip to Finland is complete without a sauna experience, which is the ideal way to end a chilly day of sightseeing. Those things make Finland one of the best places to visit in December.
Czech Republic
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Prague's skyline of enchanting spires dazzles the eye and captivates the imagination, even when covered in snow – not that it needs any help. This city rivals the most beautiful in the world, with majestic Prague Castle, the Gothic marvel of Charles Bridge, and cobblestone streets that twist and turn into endless adventures. It's also one of the best Christmas market destinations in Europe in December.
The Prague Astronomical Clock and the magical Tn Cathedral are located in Old Town Square, serving as the perfect backdrop for photos with the giant Christmas tree and charming markets housed in wooden huts.
Shop for local crafts while eating hot, sugar-coated pastries, then head over to Wenceslas Square for more, surrounded by modern shops, glitzy hotels, and bars. Before seeing the annual performance of The Nutcracker at the National Theatre, get your skates on at the ice rink at Ovocn Trh Square.
Denmark
Copenhagen is one of the best places to visit in December in Europe if you want to truly immerse yourself in the cosy Danish concept of hygge. Warming up in picturesque cafes with hot mulled wine, mini pancakes, and good conversation is what hygge is all about. That is after you've filled your shopping bags at the Nyhavn Christmas market and the Kongens Nytorv market's elaborate decorations.
During the winter, Frederiksberg Gardens is transformed into a festive outdoor skating rink, complete with enchanting lighting. However, when it comes to lights, the illumination of Tivoli Gardens really stands out.
To cope with coasters, virtual tours, and live bands, the ever-popular adventure park truly "decks the halls" with fairy-lit trees, magnificent decor, and market stalls.
Then it's back to one of those cozy cafes for some hygge.
Germany
During the winter, Frederiksberg Gardens is transformed into a festive outdoor skating rink, complete with enchanting lighting. However, when it comes to lights, the illumination of Tivoli Gardens really stands out.
Then it's back to one of those cozy cafes for some hygge.
Spend a long weekend in Berlin, taking advantage of the winter sports available. Although ice skating rinks can be found throughout the city, toboggan runs, particularly on the slopes of Teufelsberg, one of Berlin's highest hills, are where the action is.
If you want to relax in a luxurious spa, go ahead and do so, but there's no reason to stop. Berlin is known for being a party town as well as a centre for the performing arts, and the December events calendar is always jam-packed with fun.
Austria
Vienna is one of the magical places to visit in December if you want to combine skiing in Europe with lavish Christmas celebrations. Great ski resorts, such as Semmering and St. Corona, are only an hour or so from the city. It's time to enjoy the 'City of Music' at its best once you've dusted off the snow. Be wary of slipping into an enchantment you'll never want to wake up from, from world-class classical concerts to art exhibits, ice rinks, and bustling markets.
Advent Magic transforms City Hall Square into a winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights and decorations, as well as Christmas workshops, a carousel, the aroma of delicious Christmas treats, too many stores to choose from, and an ice skating trail.
The romantic atmosphere at the market in front of the majestic Schonbrunn Palace is enhanced by concerts and conventional handicrafts. Prepare for everything from Advent concerts to musical galas, choirs, and brass bands if you want to fill your December trip with music.
For all information related to the visa process or other things that will help you to travel to the aforementioned places, you can visit our Pickvisa site!