Best Places to Visit in December from the UAE: 14 Destinations Compared

The short answer: December from the UAE lines up with three breaks: National Day (Wednesday 2 to Thursday 3 December 2026), the school winter break (Monday 14 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027) and New Year (Friday 1 January 2027). For snow and Christmas markets within a half-day flight, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey are all under 5 hours away. For reliable sun, Thailand, the Maldives, Sri Lanka's south-west coast and southern Vietnam are in their dry season, 25–32°C. For sightseeing without summer heat, Egypt, Jordan and Oman run 15–27°C. Skip Bali, deep in its rainy season, and Malaysia's east coast, where most resorts close for the monsoon.

This guide is for UAE residents deciding where to spend December, compared by weather, flight time, visa route and rough cost. For the UAE's own dates in full, see our UAE National Day holiday guide, UAE winter break guide and New Year holiday guide.

December in the UAE: the breaks to plan around

Where to go in December: at a glance

Snow and Christmas markets

The Caucasus and Turkey sit within a half-day flight and get genuinely cold, a real change from Dubai's own mild winter.

Georgia: Tbilisi and Gudauri

Tbilisi's Old Town stays walkable in December: 8°C by day, 1°C by night. Gudauri, two hours away, typically opens its ski season in the last ten days of December and runs to around mid-April; the 2026–27 date was unconfirmed, so check Gudauri's own site. Flights take about 3h15 nonstop. Many UAE residents enter visa-free for 90 days with a multiple-entry residence permit; others need an e-visa (5 working days). Since 1 January 2026, all visitors need health and accident insurance of at least GEL 30,000 (about AED 41,000). See our places to visit in Georgia and Georgia trip from Dubai guides, or our Georgia visa service, from AED 335.

Armenia: Yerevan

Yerevan runs colder than Tbilisi, averaging 4°C by day and -5°C by night. Flights take about 3h10 to 3h30 nonstop. Nationals of 111 listed countries enter visa-free with six months or more left on their UAE residence (to 1 July 2027); others apply online for an e-visa, about AED 29 (21 days) or AED 143 (120 days). See our places to visit in Armenia, Armenia trip from Dubai and Armenia visa guides, or our Armenia visa service, from AED 150.

Azerbaijan: Baku

Baku is the mildest Caucasus capital in December: 9°C by day, 5°C by night. Flights take about 3 hours nonstop. Most UAE residents need the ASAN e-visa, about AED 84, a single 30-day entry usually issued within 3 working days. See our places to visit in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan trip from Dubai guides, or our Azerbaijan visa service, from AED 215.

Kazakhstan: Almaty and Shymbulak

Almaty is properly cold by December, 2°C by day and -6°C by night. Shymbulak, above the city, normally opens early to mid-December and runs into April or May; check shymbulak.kz for current lift prices. Flights take about 4h15 to 5h nonstop. Entry depends on your passport: some, including Emiratis, get 30 days visa-free; others need an e-visa. See our things to do in Almaty and Kazakhstan visa guides.

Turkey: Istanbul and Cappadocia

Istanbul runs cold and often wet in December, 11°C by day and 6°C by night. Cappadocia is colder still, around 5°C by day and -2°C by night, with regular morning snow and more balloon flights cancelled for weather. Flights take about 4h45 nonstop. Visa rules depend on your passport: see our places to visit in Turkey and Turkey trip from Dubai guides, or our Turkey visa service, from AED 285.

Europe: Christmas markets

Christmas markets generally open from mid-November and run through December, and Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik, held since 1570, is one of the oldest. Weather and cost vary by city: London averages 9°C by day and 3°C by night; Helsinki and Warsaw are the coldest, close to freezing by day and below it at night. Flights run from about 5 hours to Athens up to 7 to 8 hours for Paris, London or Madrid. Most UAE residents need a Schengen visa (Emiratis do not): the fee is EUR 90, charged in dirhams at roughly AED 365 to 390, and you can apply up to six months ahead; book the appointment now, since pre-Christmas is one of the busiest periods for slots. See our Schengen visa from Dubai guide, or our Schengen visa service, from AED 750, and our Europe trip from Dubai guide and Europe holiday packages page.

Sun and beaches

These five are in or entering their dry season in December, which also makes it their busiest month, so book early.

Thailand: Bangkok and Phuket

December is Thailand's driest, coolest month on the mainland: Bangkok gets about 12mm of rain all month, highs near 32°C, lows near 23°C; Phuket is similar. Koh Samui, on the Gulf side, is still finishing its wet season, which peaks from October to December. December is also Thailand's priciest month. Visa rules depend on your passport: Emirati, Indian and Filipino holders need none for 30 days; other nationalities, including Pakistani and Bangladeshi, need a Thai e-visa. See our best time to visit Thailand and Thailand visa guides, or our Thailand visa service, from AED 130.

Maldives

The Maldives' dry monsoon usually settles in by mid-December, so early month can carry leftover rain; days run near 30°C, nights 26°C, with prices climbing from mid-month for Christmas and New Year. Flights take about 4 hours nonstop. Entry is a free visa on arrival for virtually all nationalities. See our best time to visit the Maldives and Maldives visa guides.

Sri Lanka: the south-west coast

The south-west coast, Colombo, Galle and Bentota, is drying through the month, around 31°C by day and 24°C by night in Colombo, and the hill country and Cultural Triangle are dry too; the east coast is wet (see below). Flights take about 4h30 nonstop. Many nationalities get a free electronic travel authorisation, others pay a fee: see our best time to visit Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka visa guides.

Vietnam: the south

Southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc, moves into its dry season in December, around 25 to 31°C with far less rain than before it; the north, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, is cooler and dry too, around 15 to 21°C. Flights take about 7 to 7.5 hours nonstop to Ho Chi Minh City, or about 6h45 to Hanoi. Most UAE residents need a Vietnamese e-visa. See our places to visit in Vietnam and Vietnam visa guides, or our Vietnam visa service, from AED 245.

Malaysia: the west coast

December to March is the dry season in Langkawi and Penang, on the north-west coast. Kuala Lumpur stays hot, around 32°C by day and 24°C by night, but December brings frequent afternoon showers there. Flights take about 6.5 to 7.5 hours nonstop. Entry rules depend on your passport: many travel visa-free, others need an eVisa or the MDAC arrival form. See our places to visit in Malaysia and Malaysia visa guides, or our Malaysia visa service, from AED 290.

Culture in comfortable weather

These three sit well short of their summer heat in December, comfortable for sightseeing all day.

Egypt: Cairo and the Nile

Cairo averages 20°C by day and 12°C by night in December; Luxor runs warmer by day, around 24°C, but colder at night, around 9°C. Flights to Cairo take about 4 hours nonstop. See our places to visit in Egypt and Egypt visa guides, or our Egypt visa service, from AED 275. Our 9-day Egypt Nile Adventure with Felucca Cruise departs 5 December, from AED 3,838 per person when checked.

Jordan: Amman and Petra

Amman averages 15°C by day and 6°C by night in December; Petra runs similarly or colder at night. Flights take about 3h15 to 3h20 nonstop. Most nationalities get a visa on arrival (JOD 40, about AED 207); the Jordan Pass waives that fee if you buy it before you fly and stay at least two whole nights, per its official FAQ; confirm on jordanpass.jo before you book. See our places to visit in Jordan and Jordan visa guides. Our 15-day Egypt and Jordan Adventure with Felucca Cruise departs 5 December, from AED 7,621 per person when checked.

Oman: Muscat

Muscat stays genuinely warm, 27°C by day and 18°C by night. Flights take about 1h10. Most UAE residents use the GCC resident e-visa, from OMR 5 (about AED 48), or the 30-day tourist e-visa, from OMR 20 (about AED 190), and drivers also pay the UAE's AED 35 exit fee at the land border. We have no Oman package, but we handle the visa: see our Oman trip from Dubai, Oman visa and things to do in Muscat guides.

Where not to go in December

• Bali. Deep in its rainy season: about 299mm of rain in Denpasar, its third-wettest month, and also one of the busiest, priciest weeks for Christmas and New Year. See our best time to visit Bali and Bali holiday guide for better months.
• Malaysia's east coast. The same monsoon that dries the west coast floods this side: most Perhentian, Tioman and Redang resorts and ferries close from late October or November through February. A few Perhentian resorts reportedly stay open year-round; confirm with the resort.

UAE National Day packages

Our National Day packages depart on 2 December 2026, priced per person: Georgia, 6 days, from AED 2,999; Armenia, 5 days, from AED 2,799; Azerbaijan, 6 days, from AED 3,199; Uzbekistan, 7 days, from AED 3,499; Kazakhstan, 7 days, from AED 3,899; Turkey, 6 days, from AED 3,299; Europe, 10 days, from AED 5,999. Full itineraries are on the UAE National Day packages page. See also our Georgia packages hub, and the Asian and Europe holiday packages pages.

Group tours with December departures

These escorted group tours have confirmed December 2026 departures; prices are per person, from, move with the seats left, and are current when checked on 13 October 2026.

Before you book

• Book early for the two squeeze points. Seats and prices for 2 to 4 December and for 20 December to 3 January tighten well before the dates.
• Start a Schengen appointment now for a Europe trip. The run-up to Christmas is one of the busiest periods for appointments, so lodge it well in advance.
• Check passport validity first. Most destinations here, and most airlines at check-in, want at least six months left from your return date.
• Pack for the cold for the Caucasus, Turkey or Europe. A proper coat, waterproof shoes and thermal layers are worth buying before you fly.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I travel in December from the UAE?

For snow and Christmas markets within a half-day flight, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan or Turkey. For reliable sun, Thailand, the Maldives, Sri Lanka's south-west coast or southern Vietnam. For sightseeing in comfortable temperatures, Egypt, Jordan and Oman, all 15 to 27°C.

Is Georgia cold in December, and when does Gudauri's ski season start?

Tbilisi is mild for winter, averaging 8°C by day, but Gudauri, two hours away, is properly cold and usually opens its ski season in the last ten days of December, running to around mid-April. Check Gudauri's site nearer the time, since the date shifts each year.

What is the weather like in the Maldives in December?

Warm and mostly dry, around 30°C by day and 26°C at night; the dry monsoon usually settles in by mid-month, so early December can carry leftover rain, with prices rising for Christmas and New Year.

Is Thailand good to visit in December?

Yes, on the mainland. Bangkok and Phuket have their driest, coolest month, around 32°C by day and 23°C by night. Koh Samui is the exception, since its wet season is still tailing off through December.

Where should I avoid travelling to in December?

Bali, deep in its rainy season, and Malaysia's east coast islands, where most resorts and ferries close for the monsoon from around November to February.

How many days off does the UAE get in December 2026?

National Day gives two paid days off, Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026, and the school winter break runs Monday 14 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, which also covers New Year's Day on Friday 1 January 2027.

Plan your December trip with Holidayys

We book December packages to Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Europe for National Day, and longer Asia and Europe packages and group tours for the school break, Christmas and New Year. We also handle the visa alone for any destination above, Oman included. Message us on WhatsApp +971 4 589 0001 or use our contact page to discuss dates and budget.

Related guides

• UAE National Day holiday 2026
• UAE winter break 2026-27
• New Year holiday in the UAE 2027
• How to apply for a Schengen visa from Dubai
• Best time to visit Georgia
• Best time to visit the Maldives

Last checked 13 October 2026 against holidayys.com's own UAE holiday guides for the dates; Wikipedia's climate normals (1991–2020) for each city named above; and holidayys.com's own trip and best-time guides for flight times and visa routes, since no single source covered every destination. Gudauri's and Shymbulak's 2026–27 opening dates were unconfirmed, and a Cabinet transfer of National Day was not ruled out; confirm both closer to December. Visa fees, flights and tour prices change, so confirm before you book.