Best Destinations in December
Search the best places to visit from the UAE this December to find your next vacation. A winter break provides a great opportunity to discover a new city, relax in a luxurious resort or end the year in an interesting location.
If you are wondering where to travel in December, consider some of these cheap flight deals from United Arab Emirates.
Top cheap flights from Dubai in December
Some of the best places to visit in December when flying from Dubai International Airport include:
- Find flights from Dubai to Oman from Dh480
- Book cheap flights from Dubai to Kuwait from Dh580
- One of the best places to visit in December from UAE is Bahrain, with flights from Dubai starting at Dh604
- Flights from Dubai to Kochi in India are popular in December and start at Dh619
- December flights from Dubai to Beruit, Lebanon from Dh643
Top Cheap Flights from Abu Dhabi in December
Some of the best places to visit in December when flying from Abu Dhabi International Airport include:
- Book December flights from Abu Dhabi to Kochi from Dh731
- Fly from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai with flights starting at Dh744
- Find December flights from Abu Dhabi to Bahrain from Dh741
- Fly to Istanbul from Abu Dhabi in December from Dh885
- Fly from Abu Dhabi to Cairo, Egypt in December with flights starting at Dh934
Best Places to Visit in December
Find your cheap flights with Skyscanner when you search for the best places to visit in December. Fly from Abu Dhabi, Dubai or other UAE airports this December for a cheap winter vacation break. If you don’t know the destination you want to fly to, then simply use the Skyscanner Everywhere Search function to find the best deals available.
Fly from UAE: Best Places to Travel in December
Consider some of these top destinations when searching for December flights
December in Manila, Philippines
The capital of the Philippines, Manila is an exciting bayside city on the island of Luzon. A blend of cultural influences and a colorful history contribute to making this one of the most fascinating destinations in Asia. Book your flights in December to discover Manila. Top things to do include visiting Fort Santiago museum, Manila Ocean Park, Rizal Park and the National Museum of the Philippines.
December Vacation in Kochi, India
On the south west coast of India, Kochi is a dynamic city that has grown from an important spice port into one of the most important cities in the region. Spend time in the beach at one of the local resorts or explore the inland rivers and tea plantations of the Kochi delta. Enjoy shopping for exotic spices or enjoying vibrant, colorful dishes in some of the city’s top restaurants.
December in London, United Kingdom
Have an exciting winter break when you fly from UAE to London. One of the best places to visit in December, you’ll find a world-class food scene, luxury shopping options, shows in the West End theater district and famous landmarks like Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the London Eye.
Fly to Cairo, Egypt in December
Thousands of years of history, a tradition of hospitality and some truly spectacular attractions characterize Cairo on the banks of the river Nile. Visit Giza this December to marvel at the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. Khan el-Khalili is a sprawling bazaar selling souvenirs and crafts while the beatiful Cairo Citadel building is the site of a landmark medieval Islamic fortress.
Travel Inspiration: Best Places to Travel in December
New York, US
Why it is one of the best places to fly in December: New York is the perfect Christmas destination – skating at The Rockefeller Center, Christmas shopping at New York’s department stores, and snowy walks through Central Park all make the ‘Big Apple’ as Xmassy as a snow globe.
Cost to fly from the UAE to New York: From around *Dh1,748 per person
Best time to book flights to the US: 12 weeks in advance, save 8.9% ( Read more about Best Times To Book)
What to do there
You can’t visit New York in December and not go skating at The Rink at Rockefeller Center under the lights of its famous Christmas tree. It’s one of the most famous modern images of Christmas and as such, draws crowds of over 500,000 people a day. You book in 90 minute slots between 8.30am to 10.30pm ($17 (Dh62) for adults and $12 (Dh44) for children, plus $8 (Dh29) for skate rental) Generally, time slots earlier in the day are less busy. For something a little warmer, head indoors to one of the city’s many department stores, all of which compete with each other to put on the best all-singing, all-dancing festive displays. You’ll usually find the best at Barneys, Macy’s and Bloomingdales.
Where to stay
Single rooms at The Bowery House in Manhattan start at around Dh417, and there’s a great rooftop garden (take a thick coat up there in winter!), stylish decor and nice art created by local artists on the walls.
Read more: The best attractions and things to do in New York in every season
Book a cheap flight to New York
Budapest, Hungary
Why it is one of the best places to fly in December: You won’t find many places with better Christmas markets than Hungary’s capital in December
Cost to fly from the UAE to Budapest: From around *Dh694 per person
What to do
December is the perfect month for a city break in historical Budapest. You’ll find the wonderful Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market with the best local handicrafts and delicious Christmas foods such as the cinnamon chimney cake. There’s also traditional folklore-themed shows, children’s craft workshops and singing. It opens at the beginning of November and runs through all of December. There’s also a Christmas market at St Stephen’s Basilica. Read more about them here. The Hungarian State Opera is one of the best opera houses in the world, and every December it puts on performances of the Nutcracker ballet. Taking in the show is one of the most popular Christmas activities in the city. Book your tickets here.
Read more: Top 15 things to see and do in Budapest
Where to stay
Unlike some other European capitals, Budapest has a great selection of smart and affordable hotels. Check out the four-star Carlton Hotel Budapest which is in easy walking distance of Buda Castle and the Budapest Castle Hill Funicular. Rooms start at around Dh233 per night. For something a little more luxurious, consider the Intercontinental Budapest, a five-star chain hotel on the banks of the Danube and close to the Vörösmarty Square. Rooms cost from around Dh709 per night.
Search cheap flights to Budapest
Phuket, Thailand
Why it is one of the best places to fly in December: Winter sun! We know the UAE weather is nice in December but you can’t beat a winter vacation on a beach away from home
Cost to fly from the UAE to Thailand: From around *Dh1,126 per person
Best time to book flights to Thailand: 7 weeks in advance, save 7.7%
What to do there
There’s plenty of places to choose from if you want to visit Thailand in December but one of the best is the island of Phuket. You don’t have to spend time in Patong Beach (home of the infamous GoGo bars) if you want a quieter sort of vacation. Instead, head to the beautiful Hat Mar Khao Beach which is in a national park and therefore much less developed than some other Phuket beaches. If you want to read up on Phuket before you go, check out our guide to the Top 8 things to do in Phuket.
Read more: Top 10 things to do and see in Thailand
Where to stay
Treat yourself to a stay at the Banyan Tree Phuket which hosts yoga, kayak, cycling and trekking activities. Prices start at around Dh1,180 per night. For a cheaper option, consider the four-star Cassia Phuket where rooms cost from Dh236.
Check December flights to Thailand
Germany
Why it is one of the best places to fly in December: Fabulous Christmas markets, world-class museums and fairytale castles that are especially beautiful in the glittering snow.
Cost to fly from the UAE to Germany: From around *Dh763 per person
Best time to book tickets to Germany: 13 weeks in advance, save 20.7%
What to do there
Germany is hands down one of the best places in Europe to visit over the winter period; it’s choosing where in Germany to go that’s the hard part. Cologne, Germany’s cultural city, pulls out all the stops at the festive season and hosts one of the biggest and best markets at the foot of the huge Gothic Cologne Cathedral. There are hundreds of stalls selling traditional German crafts, foods and drinks. Cologne has some excellent museums and galleries, notably the Museum Ludwig which has an extensive Picasso collection, and the Imhoff-Schokoladenmuseum chocolate museum. Munich is another German city with a lot to see and do all year round. Go shopping at the independent boutiques in the Schwabing area, take a day trip to the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein Castle, which was said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, or marvel at the modern art at the Museum Brandhorst.
Where to stay
For a no-frills hotel with a great location, consider the four-star Hotel An Der Philharmonie which is close to lots of Cologne attractions such as the Cologne Philharmonic Hall and the Museum Ludwig. Rooms cost from around Dh343 per night. If you want to treat yourself, book into the Design Hotel Stadt Rosenheim, a very stylish hotel with a neo-classical architecture and sleek, modern interior. Each room is themed and the designers don’t disappoint. Rooms cost from around Dh876 per night.
Russia
Why it is one of the best places to fly in December: If you love the snow, Russia is a great place to go in December. Also, crowds will be smaller and prices cheaper
Cost to fly from the UAE to Russia: From around *Dh992 per person
What to do there
The days are shorter in December but there’s plenty to keep you busy indoors, and the colder weather means you’ll avoid the tourist crowds in popular cities like Moscow. Here, you’ll get a much better view of Lenin’s Mausoleum and the iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral, which sits to the east of one Moscow’s other most recognizable buildings – The Kremlin. Fewer tourists should also mean you have a better chance of getting a ticket to a show at the Bolshoi Theater. If you want to escape the cold, visit the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the State Historical Museum.
Where to stay
If you want to be in the midst of things, stay at the five-star Hotel Metropol Moscow, one of the largest and most historical in the city. It was built between 1899 and 1907 and each of the 365 rooms is decorated and furnished differently. It’s not cheap, with rooms starting at around Dh938 per night, but the setting is unbeatable.
Book a December vacation to Russia
*Published October 2018. Prices correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
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