For those ready to trade snowflakes for sand grains and frosty mornings for warm sunsets, the world is brimming with destinations that promise to ward off the winter blues. Our list of best Christmas holiday destinations will help you find your perfect winter getaway, whether you’re looking for a calm beach getaway, an adventure in a sun-drenched city, or a cultural exploration in a warm climate. Put away your winter jacket and join us as we discover the world’s warmest, most alluring locations that offer a break from the cold.
Dubai, UAE
Dubai enthusiastically welcomes the holiday spirit despite being a country with a predominantly Muslim population. Christmas trees, lights, and ornaments are flamboyantly displayed in malls, hotels, and public areas. And Dubai celebrates Christmas in the same extravagant fashion as it does almost everything else. See the tree lightings at Towers Rotana, Fairmont The Palm, and The Irish Village, among others, as well as the Santa Run, where you can see the cheerful St. Nick make a run for it.
Make time to stock up on goodies at one of the city’s Christmas markets, as a trip to Dubai wouldn’t be complete without multiple shopping sprees. Get in the Christmas spirit by hitting Dubai Mall. During Christmas time, it’s an air-conditioned winter wonderland, complete with an ice skating rink and indoor ski slopes at Ski Dubai.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Similar to other parts of the world, Christmas Eve is often celebrated more than Christmas Day in Brazilian culture. Families get together for a late supper and feast on a variety of fruits and sweets along with dishes like rice, gammon and turkey. Temperatures in Rio vary between 25 and 30℃, so how about swapping out a hot chocolate for an icy caipirinha on a beach? Not bad, right?
During its annual Festival de Presépios, or “Crib Festival,” the city also happens to host the largest display of full-sized nativity scenes in the world, which can be found at Jardim de Alah between Leblon and Ipanema. For the very best display in town, bike around the Rodrigo Freitas Lagoon and appreciate views of the world’s biggest floating Christmas tree from every angle.
Istanbul, Turkey
This year, take advantage of the off-season winter months and experience a different kind of Turkey by spending Christmas in Istanbul; it’ll be one of the nicest places to visit at Christmas. The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar are some of the top attractions in Istanbul, and during this time of year, when most tourists are returning home, these hotspots are considerably quieter.
Ensure that your days of sightseeing are capped off with a restorative visit to one of the many well-known Turkish baths or hammas, such as Kiliç Ali Paşa Hamami or Cagaloglu Hamami. In Turkey, New Year’s Eve is a more significant celebration than Christmas. You’ll find vibrant parties, special dinners, and various events in clubs, restaurants, and hotels across Istanbul. Fireworks displays over the Bosphorus are a common sight on New Year’s Eve, adding to the festive mood.
Cape Town, South Africa
It’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere, so Cape Town is a great place to go if you want to escape the cold of winter during Christmas. You can visit the holiday markets without needing to wear a coat and scarf. Some popular markets include the Cape Town Christmas Market, the Constantia Gift Fair, and the Edgemead Christmas Market. Traditional Christmas dinners with a South African twist are common, featuring summer barbecues (braais), fresh seafood, and local wines. Many locals and tourists spend Christmas Day outdoors, enjoying the pleasant weather. Hiking Table Mountain, visiting the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and touring the Cape Winelands are a few outdoor pursuits. They’re not exactly Santa’s elves, but there are roughly 2,000 to 3,000 African penguins at Boulders Beach, which is a nice treat.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
December 12th, also known as the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, marks the beginning of Christmas in San Miguel de Allende. The remainder of the month is spent in a mix of solemn and joyous festivities. One day, you may see church services and nativity scenes, and the next, parades and fireworks. However, given that everything is happening in one of the most charming and picturesque cities on earth, we predict you’ll be able to savour every second of it. Most of Mexico celebrates Las Posadas, a religious holiday commemorating the Nativity story, from December 16 to December 24. A daily reenactment of the biblical journey to Bethlehem involves two people dressed as Mary and Joseph leading a procession to a different home and requesting to be allowed inside. The event usually concludes with carols, food, and pinatas.
Mauritius
In this little slice of paradise, the majority of the population is Hindu, so Christmas isn’t traditional but rather a cultural celebration of the multicultural community, celebrated by people of different faiths. In addition to Christian rituals, you’ll find a blend of traditions that reflect the island’s Indian, African, European, and Chinese heritage. The joyous spirit continues through to the New Year, with grand celebrations, including fireworks, parties, and special events across the island. It’s recommended to rent a car to see more of the island; it will only take you just over an hour to drive from the north to the south. After spending a few hours at the stunning Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, head to Grand Baie on the island’s northern point for sheltered sandy beaches and shimmering blue waters. After that, be sure to take a trip to Belle Mare’s east side to see the coral reefs.
Kerala, India
Take a step back from the madness back home and set yourself up on a sandy beach in Kerala instead – temperatures reach 32 degrees in December, so we can guarantee you’ll be toastier than your friends in front of the fire back home. Varkala, a vibrant beach set beneath opulent colourful cliffs, is one of the places to be in December, whether you want a scenic stroll or some nice photos. For accommodation, how about booking a stay on one of the famous houseboats and enjoy living the good life while cruising the sea? After all that leisure, if you fancy going out for an evening, take advantage of Kochi’s funfair, which runs through December 31. Don’t miss the grand finale on the last day of the fair, which features a wonderful traditional procession.
Sydney, Australia
As one of Australia’s most iconic cities and one of the best places to spend Christmas in the world, Sydney comes to life over the Christmas season with a variety of events, activities, and decorations that appeal to both locals and tourists. You haven’t seen Christmas lights until you’ve seen Sydney’s Christmas lights. Plus, the holiday season lasts an entire month with “Sydney Christmas.” The festival features the biggest Christmas Tree in the city at Martin Place. Other prominent areas, like the CBD, Darling Harbour, and various suburbs, are also adorned with Christmas trees, lights, and ornaments. You can also head to the Strand Arcade to wonder at the 3,500 twinkling lights or see the 85,000 twinkling LEDs at the incredible Pitt Street Mall Canopy of Light. Christmas Day in Sydney is usually a laid-back outdoor event. The warm weather encourages many families to forgo the traditional sit-down dinner in favour of a barbecue or picnic.
Taipei, Taiwan
Although Christmas is not a public holiday or widely celebrated in Taiwan, certain Christmas customs have been adopted, particularly in urban areas, due to the influence of Western culture. It’s still one of the best places to spend Christmas, as the city celebrates with magnificent lights displays, festive attractions, and events. Almost the whole of Banqiao District is transformed into what is accurately called “Christmasland” from mid-November to the weeks leading up to the New Year. Huge Christmas trees, rides, performances, and marketplaces with locally produced goods are all on the menu. Don’t miss the Boshou Light Park and a magic forest located in the Fuzhong Business district’s Christmasland area. In Taiwan, the end-of-year shopping season falls during Christmas. Particularly in Taipei, stores, malls and markets are set up with a variety of products, from unique gifts to holiday decorations at a discounted price.
