Fancy swapping snow for warm sand? If you are wondering where to find sunshine at Christmas, this guide highlights ten relaxing and welcoming destinations, from Tenerife in Europe to Pattaya in Southeast Asia. Some are close to home, others are on the far side of the world. Wherever you choose to go, you can look forward to long sunny days, pleasant weather, and a festive atmosphere. Get ready to enjoy a Christmas that feels truly different under the sun.
Best Christmas Sun Destinations Overview
📍 Destination | 🌡️ Temp | ✈️ Flight from London | 🌟 Christmas Event |
Tenerife, Spain | 21–24 °C | ~4 h 15, direct | Illuminations in Santa Cruz |
Hong Kong | 18–24 °C | ~12 h 30, direct | Victoria Harbour festive light show & WinterFest |
Guadeloupe | 26–28 °C | ~8 h 45, direct | Special Christmas Dinner |
Pattaya, Thailand | 28–32 °C | ~11 h 30, direct to Bangkok + transfer | Christmas Festival on the Pedestrian Street |
Oaxaca, Mexico | 23–26 °C | ~14 h 30, one stop | Night of the Radishes |
North Queensland, Australia | 30–32 °C | ~21–23 h, one stop | A Christmas in the height of summer |
Dubai, U.A.E. | 24–27 °C | ~6 h 45, direct | Ski Dubai, light shows |
Sri Lanka | 26–30 °C | ~10 h 45, direct | Markets and Illuminations in Colombo |
Belize | 26–29 °C | ~13–14 h, one stop | Caribbean street festivals |
Zanzibar, Tanzania | 28–31 °C | ~10 h, direct | Festive atmosphere with local traditions |
* The information is provided for reference only. Please confirm the latest details before your departure.
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Escape to the sun at Christmas: 10 ideal destinations
If you want to discover the Christmas spirit across different regions, an exclusively European getaway will make you want to explore. Our selection of ten destinations not only offers traditional Christmas experiences in Europe, but also includes destinations beyond Europe for a more diverse Christmas experience.
1. Tenerife, Spain
Tenerife is the jewel of the Canary Islands. You come for the beaches, you stay for the volcanic landscapes and the variety of vibes. Mount Teide towers over the island, casting a distinctive light. Roads quickly lead from the sun-drenched coast to the cooler highlands. Villages retain colourful facades and lively squares. You’ll find easy trails, black-sand beaches and sheltered coves for a peaceful swim.
🌡️ Weather in December: Temperatures between 21 and 24°C. A steady breeze and inviting seas.
🎄 What to do at Christmas: Admire one of Spain’s most spectacular Christmas light displays in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where giant Christmas trees blend with modernist architecture to create a festive, magical atmosphere.
💡 Why go: In just one day, you can go from hiking in the volcanic desert to the warm southern beaches, enjoying a Christmas that’s both vibrant and peaceful.
📍 Unmissable: Teide National Park, Siam Park, the cliffs of Los Gigantes, the historic centre of La Laguna.
2. Hong Kong
A vibrant mix of East and West, Hong Kong blends gleaming skyscrapers with historic temples, lively street markets, and world-class dining. It is a city where traditional Cantonese culture meets international flair, creating an energy that feels both familiar and completely unique.
🌡️ December weather: Pleasant and mild, usually between 18 and 24°C. Skies are often clear, making it an ideal time for sightseeing.
🎄 What to do at Christmas: Enjoy Hong Kong’s festive season with dazzling lights along Victoria Harbour, Christmas markets, outdoor concerts, and impressive decorations in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, and major shopping malls.
💡 Why go: UK passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 180 days, English is widely spoken, and the city is easy to explore thanks to its excellent public transport. It is a perfect warm-winter break with a festive twist.
📍 Unmissable: Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Temple Street Night Market, Ngong Ping 360 and the Big Buddha.
3. Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe, with its butterfly-shaped main island, is a land of contrasts. The imposing La Soufrière volcano on the island of Basse-Terre and the long white-sand beaches on the island of Grande-Terre combine to create a wild, captivating atmosphere.
🌡️ Weather in December: Temperatures between 26 and 28°C. Sea is lovely, brief rain showers possible.
🎄 What to do at Christmas: Your Christmas dinner will feature delicious bokit, Colombo curry and fresh fish, for a unique and unforgettable Christmas dinner.
💡 Why go: Head out on a volcanic hike on Christmas morning, or spend the afternoon diving among tropical fish at world-renowned dive sites.
📍 Unmissable: La Soufrière Volcano, La Caravelle Beach, Pigeon Islets (Cousteau Reserve), Carbet Falls.
4. Pattaya, Thailand
Once a fishing village, now a major seaside resort, Pattaya buzzes late into the night and offers a wide range of activities. Hotels for every budget, street food, shopping centres and easy-to-reach beaches. Excursions can be booked in just a few minutes.
🌡️ Weather in December: Temperatures between 28 and 32 °C. Dry season, warm sea.
🎄 What to do at Christmas: Immerse yourself in the festive spirit of the pedestrianised shopping street, where you can celebrate Christmas alongside people from diverse nations and cultures. Soak up the lively festive atmosphere, with buzzing crowds and music that fills the air.
💡 Why go: Pattaya offers a diverse, affordable range for a lively Christmas, promising Christmas holidays that are both exciting and budget-friendly.
📍 Unmissable: Sanctuary of Truth, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Koh Larn, Pratumnak Viewpoint.
5. Oaxaca, Mexico
A colonial city bursting with colour, Oaxaca charms with its markets, cuisine and traditions. Cobbled lanes, ochre façades, shaded patios: the atmosphere is serene. Nearby, archaeological sites evoke the power of pre-Hispanic cultures.
🌡️ Weather in December: Daytime temperatures between 23 and 26 °C. Cooler evenings, dry air.
🎄 What to do at Christmas: Join the ‘Night of the Radish’, a one-of-a-kind experience, admire the exquisite, intricate scenes carved by local artists into giant radishes, and experience a unique Christmas event.
💡 Why go: Join the traditional candlelit ‘Posadas’ procession, savour molasses delicacies, and soak up the age-old Christmas traditions of this vibrant community.
📍 Unmissable: Historic centre, Monte Albán archaeological site, Árbol del Tule, Santo Domingo Church.
6. North Queensland, Australia
Here, Christmas arrives in the height of summer. Queensland’s north coast is the gateway to two major natural icons: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. You’ll alternate between reefs, lagoons, mangroves and palm-fringed beaches. Cairns and Port Douglas move to the rhythm of the open ocean.
🌡️ Weather in December: Temperatures between 30 and 32 °C. Tropical atmosphere, with a possible thunderstorm in the late afternoon.
🎄 What to do at Christmas: Join a festive beach barbecue, marvel at Father Christmas surfing in his swimwear, and experience a truly summery Christmas.
💡 Why go: Spend Christmas Day snorkelling on a boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef, or head out for a hike in the heart of the world’s oldest rainforest to celebrate the miracle of life amid world-famous natural wonders.
📍 Must-sees: Cairns Esplanade, cruises to the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation.
7. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Rising from the desert, Dubai boasts a futuristic skyline, huge shopping centres and urban beaches. You can hop from a museum to a souk, from a rooftop to a quiet cove. Family-friendly choices abound, and getting around is a breeze.
🌡️ December weather: Temperatures range between 24 and 27 °C. Dry air, skies often blue.
🎄 What to do at Christmas: Experience the magic of artificial snow in a shopping centre nestled in the heart of the desert and admire the contrast between the indoor ski slope and the scorching sun outside.
💡 Why go: Catch the light show at the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa. Dubai, with its iconic grandeur, turns Christmas into the ultimate celebration.
📍 Unmissable: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Palm Jumeirah, Deira and Bur Dubai souks, Dubai Marina.
8. Sri Lanka
This teardrop in the Indian Ocean is a true treasure trove of stories. From the ruins of ancient palaces to a train winding through mountain tea plantations, from national parks teeming with wildlife to surfers chasing waves, it offers infinite diversity.
🌡️ December weather: Temperatures range from 26 to 30 °C depending on the region. The west and south coasts are favourable.
🎄 What to do at Christmas: Experience a unique Christmas in Colombo, blending Asian and Western traditions. Admire the illuminations and street festivities, and visit the Christmas markets.
💡 Why go: A Christmas safari in Yala National Park on Christmas Day, in search of leopards and elephants, will be a truly unique Christmas adventure.
📍 Unmissable: Sigiriya, Galle Fort, the Hill Country train, Yala National Park.
9. Belize
A small English-speaking country in Central America, Belize brings together Caribbean, Maya and Creole influences. The coast meets a renowned barrier reef, the cayes are fringed with white-sand beaches, and the interior harbours ruins deep in the jungle. The island vibe is laid-back.
🌡️ December weather: Temperatures between 26 and 29 °C. A fairly dry season, with a few showers possible.
🎄 What to do at Christmas: Christmas here is buzzing, with Caribbean music, street parties, and a Latin American carnival atmosphere.
💡 Why go: Spend Christmas morning exploring the magnificent Mayan ruins and the afternoon snorkelling near the Caribbean Sea’s Blue Hole, this will be a day where history and nature blend perfectly.
📍 Must-sees: Great Blue Hole, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Caracol Archaeological Site.
10. Zanzibar, Tanzania
An archipelago nicknamed the Spice Islands, Zanzibar blends Swahili, Arab and Indian influences. Stone Town unfurls a labyrinth of alleyways, carved doors and inner courtyards. To the north, beaches trail ribbons of white sand beside a milky-blue sea.
🌡️ Weather in December: Temperatures between 28 and 31°C. Light showers possible, but lovely days overall.
🎄 What to do at Christmas: Attend Christmas Masses in historic churches and discover the unique atmosphere of Christmas, where different faiths coexist harmoniously within a Muslim cultural context.
💡 Why go: Savour a romantic Christmas dinner featuring delicious fresh seafood on the white sandy beaches of the north.
📍 Must-sees: Stone Town, Forodhani Gardens, Nakupenda Beach, the northern beaches, spice plantations.
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FAQ: Where to go for Christmas sun
1. Where to go for Christmas in the sun near the UK?
If you want to stay nearby, Tenerife (Canary Islands) is the easiest choice. Frequent direct flights, a mild climate, beaches and easy hikes. Ideal for a short break without much time difference.
2. Where to find the warmest sea at Christmas?
For wonderfully swimmable waters, aim for the Caribbean (Martinique, Guadeloupe), the Middle East (Dubai) and the Indian Ocean (Zanzibar). In Asia, Pattaya also offers an inviting sea and accessible beaches.
3. Which destinations are best for families?
Tenerife for parks and easy-going beaches; Martinique and Guadeloupe for simplicity (language, currency); Dubai for children’s activities (urban beaches, parks, a variety of outings). All offer suitable accommodation and easy getting around.
4. Which destinations are the most affordable?
We recommend Pattaya, Tenerife and Sri Lanka (outside the most popular destinations). These destinations offer affordable prices and a lively, festive atmosphere.
5. Where can you go snorkelling or scuba diving at Christmas?
Guadeloupe (Pigeon Island), Belize (Great Barrier Reef/Great Blue Hole), Northern Queensland (Great Barrier Reef) and Zanzibar (north coast).