The Best Places to Travel in December (For Beer Lovers and Beyond)

December is peak travel season. According to Airbnb, the number of hotel bookings tripled, and that of continental markets rose by more than 30% during the period from November to December every year, with Lapland one of the top winter destinations of the Northern Hemisphere. Not only is there this giant option, but if you want to enjoy some midnight magic in a cobblestone square and get away with a warm beer, you have a choice in December: you can go back to the drawing board or go to the beach with a local brew to escape. The following is what to do, and why.

Best Places to Travel in December for Christmas Markets and Craft Beer

But when it comes to traveling in December, obviously, the Christmas markets of Europe are the top choice. And a couple are also beer markets.

The Christmas markets of Grafton Street can mix with some of the world’s very best in terms of pub culture in Dublin, Ireland. Visitors can forgo all but the Irish and able drinks in traditional Irish pubs for seasonal stouts and ales, as well as live trad music throughout the season at Temple Bar, last modified in December. The compactness of the Dublin city centre means walking is a convenient way of getting from market to market, the Guinness Storehouse to the smaller craft brewers, such as Brewdog Outpost.

Before landing in Ireland on holiday, it’s important to sort out connectivity. US roaming can be expensive in Ireland, and a local SIM card will entail shopping around and having an unlocked phone in order to use it. An alternative is an eSIM,  such as the one offered through [https://esim.holafly.com/esim-ireland/], which activates before departure and avoids the search for a SIM kiosk at Dublin Airport.

The gold standard Christmas markets are from Vienna in Austria, and the market at Rathausplatz goes back to the 13th century, which is quite a long time ago! There’s also a young and expanding craft beer movement in Vienna, with breweries such as Bevog and Brauwerk attracting the notice of the European beer critics.

Best Places to Travel in December for Snow and Winter Sports

Lapland, Finland, is a place to visit in December! The December temperatures are around 14°F (-10°C), icy in Rovaniemi, with good snow and chances of Northern Lights displayed also at night.

Aspen, Colorado, and Park City, Utah, are both on the list of the best ski destinations in the United States this December, with most ski resorts up and running before Thanksgiving and fully open by mid-December. 

Best Places to Travel in December for Warm Weather

Not everyone wants snow. December is dry season across much of the Caribbean, making it one of the most reliable windows for sun and one of the best places to escape winter for warm, predictable weather. Except for the hurricane belt, Aruba experiences rain totals of less than 20 inches on average each year, and highs in December reach about 86°F (30°C).

Cape Town, South Africa, is the opposite of this. Cape Town, South Africa, is the exact opposite of this. It’s the season of the Southern Hemisphere summer in December, long days, beach weather, and the Cape Winelands (and a robust local craft beer circuit, in neighborhoods like Woodstock, is geared into high gear). 

Best Places to Travel in December for City Lights and Holiday Energy

New York City has the annual holiday presentation down pat: Rockefeller Center tree, Bryant Park ice skating, and the Saks Fifth Avenue light show. For a beer lover’s holiday getaway, the festive bars of the city and seasonal beers make the season even better. December is a busy time for hotels, with the rates going up, so it’s best to book early here, in more ways than one.

Tokyo, Japan, has its own lighting-up season from late November to December, and among the most lit-up areas in Asia, Roppongi Hills and Marunouchi are the most popular places for photos. 

How to Choose Where to Travel in December

It’s quickly narrowed down by three questions:

• Snow or sun? This strips half of the list of its elements instantly.
• Budget flexibility? December is peak time in the U.S. and Western Europe, but the Caribbean and Southeast Asia remain relatively inexpensive, unless it’s during the Christmas week.
• Crowd tolerance? The period from 20 December to 2 January is very busy in Christmas markets and ski resorts. During the first two weeks of December, it’s not the busiest time. 

December Travel FAQ

Planning a December getaway? These quick answers will help you make the most of your winter trip across Europe.

When is it a Good Time to visit Europe in December?

Yes, for Christmas markets or for ambiance, but if the daylight hours are getting shorter now (with as few as 8 hours of daylight in Northern Europe it will be getting to be Christmas time, and you’ll need cold-weather gear to see around you outside.

Where is the Best Location to go in December at the Lowest Price?

Typically, Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand) or parts of Central America provide the best deals as they aren’t included in the high-price days of the Western Christmas season.

Should I Buy a Local SIM Card on My Trips Abroad During December?

Not necessarily. These days, most travellers prefer to install an eSIM before they leave, which can be used as soon as they land on the ground and does not require going on the plane and performing a SIM swap.