- Where Is Hot in Europe in December? At a Glance
- The Warmest Countries in Europe for December Travel
- Hot Places in Europe in December
- Best Warm Destinations in Europe in December: Where to Go
- More Hot Places in Europe in December: Mediterranean Picks
- Bonus: Sicily for December Warmth and Food Culture
- Planning Your December Trip to Europe
- Setting Realistic Expectations
- Short on Time? Start Here
The hottest places in Europe in December sit closer to Africa than you might expect. The Canary Islands, Malta, Cyprus, Madeira, and the southern coasts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece hold temperatures between 15°C and 21°C (59°F–70°F) while the rest of the continent goes gray.
Short on Time? Start Here
Before scrolling the full guide, use these shortcuts to look at stays, day-by-day ideas, and the itineraries or essentials that help map out your trip.
This guide covers the best warm places to visit in Europe in December. You will find the island destinations with the most reliable sunshine to the mainland cities that are surprisingly pleasant in winter.
These are the spots worth your time: honest about the weather, realistic about what “warm” actually means in December, and useful for planning a real trip.
Where Is Hot in Europe in December? At a Glance
The warmest places in Europe in December cluster around the Mediterranean and the Atlantic islands, with the Canary Islands consistently topping the list. Here’s how the top destinations compare:
Average temperatures & rainfall days — December
Tenerife, Spain
Lanzarote, Spain
Madeira, Portugal
Malaga, Spain
Cyprus
Malta
Crete, Greece
Sicily, Italy
Tip: Temperature variations between December, January, and February stay narrow—usually within 1–2°C. If your dates are flexible, early December tends to be the cheapest time.
Average High Temperatures: Dec, Jan & Feb
Warmest places in Europe — winter highs at a glance
Canary Islands
Madeira
Cyprus
Malaga
The Warmest Countries in Europe for December Travel
A handful of countries genuinely have mild weather in December, not just “less cold than London” but actually comfortable for outdoor activity. Here’s where to look.
Hot Places in Europe in December
Where to find warm weather — and what to actually expect
Canary Islands, Spain
The warmest place in Europe during winter. Tenerife and Lanzarote top out around 21°C with only 3–4 days of rain in December. Lanzarote benefits from a microclimate that keeps clouds from settling — more sun than any neighboring island. Fuerteventura delivers on beaches; Lanzarote delivers on volcanic landscapes and year-round sun.
Malaga & Marbella
Andalusia in December is genuinely pleasant — 16–17°C, comfortable for coastal walks, outdoor dining, and sightseeing without the summer crush. Spain’s best mainland option for winter sun.
Madeira & the Algarve
Madeira averages 18–19°C in December with famously consistent climate — never too hot, never cold enough to matter. Funchal’s Christmas markets and New Year’s fireworks (regularly ranked among the world’s largest) add a festive edge. The Algarve stays mild and largely uncrowded. Plan around roughly 9 rainy days in Madeira and you’ll be fine.
Malta
Daytime highs of 16–18°C, rarely dropping below 14°C. Compact enough to cover serious ground in a few days. Valletta’s limestone buildings glow in winter light. Mdina — the silent medieval city — is best without summer crowds. December brings festive markets and nativity displays that give the island a quieter, more local energy.
Cyprus & Southern Greece
Cyprus delivers consistent December sunshine along the coast — 17–19°C — with real archaeological depth. The Paphos UNESCO Roman mosaic complex is worth the trip without 38°C heat. Greece’s southern islands run slightly cooler (15–17°C) but offer thin crowds, lower prices, and a more authentic atmosphere than peak season allows.
| Destination | Dec High | Rain Days | Crowds | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canary Islands | 21°C / 70°F | 3–4 | Moderate | Sun seekers |
| Madeira | 19°C / 66°F | ~9 | Low | Active travel, NYE |
| Cyprus | 17–19°C / 63°F | 7 | Low | History, beaches |
| Malaga | 17°C / 63°F | 6 | Low | City breaks |
| Malta | 16–18°C / 61°F | 11 | Very low | Culture, history |
| Greek Islands | 15–17°C / 59°F | 9 | Very low | Value, authenticity |
Best Warm Destinations in Europe in December: Where to Go
Tenerife, Canary Islands
Spain — Atlantic Ocean
The most consistent winter sun destination in Europe. The southern coast — Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos — gets the most reliable sunshine, with only around 4 rainy days all month. Warm enough to eat outside in December without planning around the weather.
Madeira, Portugal
Portugal — Atlantic Ocean
Ideal for travelers who want warmth plus actual activities. The levada trail system threads through subtropical forest and cliff-edge paths — the Rabaçal to 25 Fontes waterfall walk is the standout. Funchal delivers Christmas markets, wine lodge visits, cable car rides, and a botanical garden worth two hours of your time. When rain falls, museums and wine tasting fill the gaps.
Seville, Spain
Andalusia, Southern Spain
Warm enough for outdoor café seating, comfortable for long walks through the Santa Cruz quarter, and genuinely pleasant for visiting the Alcázar palace and Seville Cathedral without sweating or freezing. Tapas hopping works especially well in winter when terraces stay open and the city feels like itself again. Accommodation rates drop noticeably compared to spring and fall.
Lisbon, Portugal
Western Portugal
Cool enough to make Alfama’s steep streets manageable, warm enough to walk the Tagus riverfront in a light jacket. Tram 28 runs without summer queues. Belém’s pasteis de nata taste better eaten outside at a riverside café with actual space to sit. Rain comes in short bursts rather than all-day downpours — pack a compact waterproof and plan museum visits around weather, not around it.
More Hot Places in Europe in December: Mediterranean Picks
Mediterranean Picks for December
Malta, Cyprus, Athens, and the Costa del Sol — what each one actually offers
Malta
Central Mediterranean
One of the more underrated warm places in Europe in December. Valletta is walkable and compact. The Three Cities, Mdina, and the fishing village of Marsaxlokk are all easy day trips. English is spoken everywhere, which makes navigation straightforward for solo travelers. December brings festive markets and nativity displays that give the island a quieter, more local energy than peak season.
Cyprus
Eastern Mediterranean
Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca all stay pleasant in December. Cyprus divides neatly into two experiences: coastal walks and beach towns on one side, mountain villages and wine country on the other. The Akamas Peninsula trails and Troodos Mountains villages are both accessible in December without summer’s heat turning a hike into an ordeal.
Athens, Greece
Southern Greece
Comfortable for climbing to the Acropolis without arriving at the top in a full sweat. The Plaka neighborhood is genuinely pleasant for wandering, and the National Archaeological Museum is much easier to navigate when it’s not packed. Day trips to Cape Sounion — where the Temple of Poseidon overlooks the Aegean — are manageable and crowd-free. Outdoor tavernas in the Psiri district stay open with heat lamps.
Malaga & the Costa del Sol
Andalusia, Southern Spain
Genuinely warm by any reasonable standard. The Picasso Museum and Alcazaba fortress are enjoyable without cruise ship crowds. Atarazanas Market sells regional produce and seafood to mostly local shoppers in December. Towns along the Costa del Sol — Marbella, Nerja — offer beach walks and seafood lunches at chiringuitos that stay open through winter.
Bonus: Sicily for December Warmth and Food Culture
Sicily is usually sitting at 15–17°C in December and has one of the stronger cases for a less-obvious warm European destination. The Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, Taormina’s Greek Theater, and the Baroque towns of the southeast (Noto, Ragusa) are all significantly more enjoyable without July’s heat. December also marks the start of citrus season—blood oranges appear in markets and everything tastes better.
The southeast corner near Syracuse and the western coast near Trapani hold the warmest temperatures on the island. Mediterranean waters around 16°C rule out swimming, but the coastline is worth walking.
Planning Your December Trip to Europe
What to Pack
December in southern Europe is not tropical. Tenerife hits 21°C during the day; evenings drop to 14–15°C. Pack t-shirts, long sleeves, and a light jacket or cardigan. Comfortable walking shoes are essential—most of these destinations involve historic city centers on foot. Sandals for beach days, closed-toe shoes for evenings.
Sunscreen and sunglasses matter even in December and Mediterranean winter sun reflects strongly off water. A compact umbrella handles the occasional rain.
For the Canary Islands or anywhere with a hotel pool, pack a swimsuit. Mid-December swims are possible if you’re not precious about water temperature.
When to Book
Book 2–3 months out for the best balance of availability and price. Late November bookings often find limited hotel inventory in popular spots like Malta and Madeira. The two weeks before Christmas see sharp price increases—the first two weeks of December offer similar weather at better rates.
Monitor flights from September onward; last-minute deals are rare during peak winter travel.
Setting Realistic Expectations
The hot places in Europe in December are mild rather than tropical. You won’t find guaranteed beach weather or all-day outdoor swimming at most destinations. What you will find: outdoor dining, comfortable walking tours, and sunshine that doesn’t exist in northern Europe until spring.
Rain is possible everywhere. Even the Algarve and Tenerife see occasional wet days. Plan indoor options—museums, food tours, wine tasting—as backup, not as your main event. The Canary Islands come closest to genuine December reliability; everywhere else requires some flexibility.
Compared to London at 8°C or Berlin at 2°C, Malaga at 17°C genuinely feels like a different season. That’s the real point of a December trip to southern Europe.
