1
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates- Temperature
- 16–26°C
- Crowds
- Very High
- Prices
- $$$$$
+The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale and festive events.
–Race weekend prices and busy hotels.
December
Best destinations for culture and history in December
For history and culture in December, Abu Dhabi comes out first, with average highs around 26°C and very high crowds.
Destinations known for history, architecture and culture, ranked by how good the month is there. Each card shows the real average temperature, crowd level and price level for December, and links to the full December guide for that destination.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
#1 on this list: Abu Dhabi
2Bangkok
Thailand- Temperature
- 23–32°C
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- $$$$
+Dry, sunny and comfortable by Bangkok standards, with excellent conditions for exploring.
–Christmas and New Year push crowds and hotel rates higher.
3Zanzibar
Tanzania- Temperature
- 24–32°C
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- $$$$
+Beach holidays, festive atmosphere and New Year's celebrations
–Higher prices and busy resorts around the holidays
4Chiang Mai
Thailand- Temperature
- 17–29°C
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- $$$$
+Cool, dry weather and a festive mood.
–High season crowds and prices.
5Oaxaca
Mexico- Temperature
- 11–29°C
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Prices
- $$$
+Dry weather and Christmas traditions.
–Busy around Christmas and New Year.
6Budapest
Hungary- Temperature
- -1–4°C
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- €€€€
+Christmas markets, lights and thermal baths.
–Festive demand raises prices.
7Hanoi
Vietnam- Temperature
- 14–21°C
- Crowds
- Low–Moderate
- Prices
- $$$
+The joint-lowest rainfall and fewest rainy days of the year.
–Cloud, mist and cool evenings can surprise travelers expecting tropical heat.
8Madrid
Spain- Temperature
- 4–10°C
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- €€
+Festive energy + low daytime heat
–Cold nights + holiday crowds
9Jaipur
India- Temperature
- 10–25°C
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- $$$$
+Cool weather and lively markets.
–High season crowds.
10Lima
Peru- Temperature
- 19–24°C
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Prices
- $$$
+Sun and festive atmosphere.
–High season starts.
11Edinburgh
United Kingdom- Temperature
- 2–7°C
- Crowds
- Moderate–High
- Prices
- €€€€
+Festive atmosphere, building to Hogmanay’s street party
–Cold, dark, with the year’s highest prices around New Year
12Florence
Italy- Temperature
- 3–10°C
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- €€
+Festive atmosphere + the Piazza Santa Croce market
–Cold, with holiday-week crowds
13Marrakech
Morocco- Temperature
- 7–20°C
- Crowds
- Moderate–High
- Prices
- $$$
+Comfortable daytime sightseeing
–Cold nights and date-sensitive demand
14Melbourne
Australia- Temperature
- 14–24°C
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Prices
- $$$$
+Warm days and Christmas.
–Busy around holidays.
15Kraków
Poland- Temperature
- -3–3°C
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Prices
- €€€€
+Exceptional festive atmosphere
–Cold and busy
Temperatures are monthly averages. Crowd and price levels are my own judgement. Want to narrow it down? Filter all destinations for December.
FAQ
Best destinations for culture and history in December
What are the best culture and history destinations in December?
Abu Dhabi, Bangkok and Zanzibar come out best in December. Destinations known for history, architecture and culture, ranked by how good the month is there.
Which of these is warmest in December?
Bangkok, with average highs around 32°C in December.
Which of these is quietest in December?
Hanoi, where crowds in December are low–moderate.
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