Top 5 Warm European Cities for December Getaways

Looking to escape the winter chill? Here are 5 European cities that offer warm weather in December:

1. Tenerife, Canary Islands (70°F / 21°C)
2. Lanzarote, Canary Islands (72°F / 22°C)
3. Limassol, Cyprus (64°F / 18°C)
4. Madeira, Portugal (68°F / 20°C)
5. Malaga, Spain (62°F / 17°C)

These destinations provide:

• Mild temperatures
• Plenty of sunshine
• Beaches and outdoor activities
• Cultural attractions
• Festive holiday atmosphere

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Quick Comparison

City	Avg. High Temp	Daily Sunshine	Key Features
Tenerife	70°F / 21°C	6-7 hours	Beaches, Mount Teide, whale watching
Lanzarote	72°F / 22°C	6-7 hours	Volcanic landscapes, surfing
Limassol	64°F / 18°C	5-6 hours	Beaches, historic sites, cosmopolitan vibe
Madeira	68°F / 20°C	5-6 hours	Hiking trails, New Year's fireworks
Malaga	62°F / 17°C	5-6 hours	Christmas lights, museums, Roman ruins

Perfect for avoiding crowds and scoring deals, these warm spots offer a mix of beaches, outdoor adventures, and cultural experiences - all without the summer heat.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Tenerife is a winter sun paradise. With December temps around 21°C (70°F), it's no surprise this Canary Island tops our list.

Why Tenerife in December?

• Warm weather (21°C average high)
• 6 hours of daily sunshine
• Only 5 rainy days on average
• Sea temps of 20.8°C (69.4°F)

Plus, you'll find fewer crowds and a festive atmosphere.

Things to Do:

1. Beach Time

With water at 20.8°C, swimming's still an option. Try Playa de las Teresitas or Torviscas for some winter rays.

2. Mount Teide Hike

Spain's highest peak offers amazing views without summer's heat. But pack layers - it gets cold up there!

3. Whale Watching

Calmer December seas are perfect for spotting marine life. Book a tour from Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje.

4. Christmas Markets

Get festive at local markets. Don't miss the Regional Crafts Fair in early December with over 100 artisans.

5. Storytelling Festival

Check out this unique event in Los Silos (mid-November to early December). Tickets start at just 2€.

Where to Stay:

Hotel	Location	Features
Bahia del Duque	Costa Adeje	Beachfront, Michelin-starred restaurant
Hotel San Roque	Garachico	Adults-only, access to local wineries
The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama	Guía de Isora	Large kids' club, two-Michelin star restaurant

Pro Tip: For the warmest, driest weather, stick to the south (Costa Adeje to Los Cristianos). Perfect for beach lovers!

2. Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Lanzarote's a December gem. Warm weather, cool attractions, and NO summer crowds. Here's why it's worth your time:

Weather:

• Highs: 22°C (72°F)
• Lows: 14°C (57°F)
• Sunshine: 6 hours daily
• Rain: 29mm over 4 days
• Sea temp: 20°C (68°F)

What to Do:

1. Hit the Beach

Papagayo or Playa Chica are your go-to spots. Water's warm enough for a dip at 19-20°C.

2. Volcanic Vibes

Timanfaya National Park's a must-see. Bring a jacket for chilly evenings.

3. Local Flavor

Catch the Quemao Class surf comp or Lanzarote Film Festival. For foodies, there's the Saborea Lanzarote Wine and Gastronomic Festival.

Where to Crash:

Hotel	Vibe	Cool Factor	Price/Night
Cesar Lanzarote	Cliff-top luxury	Biophilic design, cliff-top pool	£280+
Finca Malvasia	Rural retreat	Volcanic stone digs, wine tours	£176+
Hektor	Hipster haven	Rustic-cool, vegan eats	£106+

Pro Tip: Want something different? Try a heritage boutique hotel in the island's heart.

Lanzarote in December? It's a no-brainer. Warm, chill, and full of surprises.

3. Limassol, Cyprus

Limassol's a December gem you might've missed. Here's the scoop:

Weather:

Metric	Value
Daytime Highs	18°C (64°F)
Nighttime Lows	10°C (50°F)
Sunshine	9 hours daily
Rainfall	74mm over 12 days
Sea Temp	20°C (68°F)

What to Do:

Hit the beaches. Dasoudi for sunbathing, Lady's Mile for locals, Governor's for quiet.

Got a history itch? Limassol Castle and the Medieval Museum of Cyprus are your go-tos. Don't miss Kourion's Roman ruins and ancient amphitheater.

Nature fan? Akrotiri Salt Lake's your spot. Winter brings flamingos and other migratory birds.

Where to Stay:

Hotel Type	Starting Price/Night
Budget	$47
Mid-range	$150
Luxury	$250+

Heads up: Book early. Even in low season, Limassol's 339 properties can fill up fast.

Quick Tips:

• Pack for two seasons: T-shirts for day, jackets for night.
• Bring a rain jacket. 40% chance of rain in December.
• Catch the Christmas markets and New Year's fireworks.

Why Limassol in December? It's warm, historic, and WAY less crowded than summer. Perfect for a chill winter escape.

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4. Madeira, Portugal

Madeira's not your typical winter getaway. It's warm when everywhere else is freezing. Here's the scoop:

Weather:

Metric	Value
Daytime Highs	20°C (68°F)
Nighttime Lows	14°C (57°F)
Sunshine	5 hours daily
Rainfall	81mm over 16 days
Sea Temp	20°C (68°F)

What to Do:

Funchal's the place to be. Christmas markets, New Year's fireworks - it's all happening here. Want beaches? Try Machico or Porto Moniz's natural pools.

Winter's prime time for whale watching. And don't miss the levadas - hiking trails with killer views.

Where to Stay:

Hotel	Starting Price/Night	Features
Quinta da Bela Vista	$145	Sea views, gardens
Pestana CR7	$150	Rooftop infinity pool
Belmond Reid's Palace	$406	Cliff-top location, spa

Quick Tips:

Stay south for more sun. Pack layers - it's warm by day, cool at night. And remember: it's mild, not tropical.

Madeira in December? It's warm, fun, and crowd-free. Perfect for a chill winter break with a bit of everything.

5. Malaga, Spain

Malaga's a gem for December travelers. Mild weather meets festive cheer. Here's the scoop:

Weather:

Metric	Value
Daytime Highs	17°C (62°F)
Nighttime Lows	8°C (47°F)
Sunshine	5-6 hours daily
Rainfall	2.4 inches over 6 days
Sea Temp	16°C (61°F)

Too cold for a swim? Maybe. But La Malagueta Beach is perfect for a stroll.

What to Do:

1. Christmas Lights Show

From November 24 to January 6, Malaga lights up. Calle Larios is the star - a giant canopy of lights you can't miss.

2. Culture Fix

Hit the Picasso Museum. Or check out the Automobile and Fashion Museum. It's got 100 restored cars and 300 haute couture pieces. Pretty cool, right?

3. Step Back in Time

Roman theatre, medieval Alcazaba, Castillo de Gibralfaro - take your pick. Want a view? Hike to Mirador de Gibralfaro.

Where to Stay:

Hotel	Starting Price/Night	Features
Petit Palace Plaza	$133	Central location
Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro	$143	Panoramic views
Room Mate Larios	$178	Rooftop terrace
Gran Hotel Miramar	$389	Beachfront luxury

Quick Tips:

• Need a break? Book a spa day at Hammam Al Andalus.
• Sweet tooth? Try turrón and mantecados at Lepanto or Casa Mira.
• Hungry? Cafe Central's got great coffee and churros.

Malaga in December? It's culture, history, and holiday vibes without the summer crowds. Perfect for a warmer European escape.

Weather Comparison

Here's how the weather stacks up in our top 5 warm European cities for December:

City	Avg. Temp (°F)	Sunshine (hrs/day)	Rainfall (inches)
Tenerife	60-70	6-7	1.0
Lanzarote	64-71	6-7	0.8
Limassol	50-66	5-6	2.4
Madeira	59-68	5-6	3.5
Malaga	46-63	5-6	2.4

Tenerife and Lanzarote top the chart with the warmest temps and most sunshine. Beach day, anyone?

Limassol and Madeira sit comfortably in the middle, while Malaga brings up the rear. But don't write off Malaga - its daytime highs can still hit a pleasant 63°F.

Rain? Tenerife and Lanzarote stay pretty dry, while Madeira sees the most precipitation. But we're not talking monsoons here.

For sea temps, Tenerife's 68°F water edges out Malaga's 64°F. Both are swimmable if you're feeling brave!

Keep in mind: these are averages. You might luck out with warmer days. Pack some layers and you'll be ready for whatever these cities dish out.

Wrap-up

Here's a quick look at our top 5 warm European cities for December getaways:

City	Avg. High Temp (°F)	Key Features
Tenerife	70	Mount Teide, beaches, art galleries
Lanzarote	72	Volcanic landscapes, Timanfaya National Park
Limassol	66	Limassol Castle, beaches, cosmopolitan vibe
Madeira	68	Hiking trails, urban tobogganing
Malaga	63	Rich history, cultural sites

Tenerife and Lanzarote top the list with the warmest temps and 6 hours of daily sunshine. Perfect for beach days and outdoor activities.

Limassol and Madeira offer a nice balance of warmth and things to do. Limassol blends history with modern attractions, while Madeira has unique experiences like urban tobogganing.

Malaga's the coolest, but it's still great for mild winter weather and city exploration.

Quick tips:

• Layer up for cool evenings
• Pack a raincoat or umbrella
• Mid-December has the mildest weather

These spots are ideal for escaping harsh winters. You'll find fewer crowds and better prices than in summer. Whether you want beaches, adventures, or culture, these warm European cities have you covered for a cozy December trip.

FAQs

Where in Europe is it warmest in December?

Want warm European weather in December? Head to Madeira or the Canary Islands. They're your best bet for reliable sunshine. Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, and Malta can be warm too, but it's not a sure thing.

What is the warmest city in Europe in winter?

Seville takes the cake. With winter temps between 16-21°C (61-70°F), it's perfect for sightseeing without sweating buckets.

Where in Europe is it warmest in winter?

A few spots are in the running:

Destination	Country	Average Winter Temp (°C)
Madeira	Portugal	18-20
Tenerife	Spain	21-22
Malta	Malta	16-18
Algarve	Portugal	16-18
Seville	Spain	16-21

Where is the warmest place in Europe in winter?

The Canary Islands, especially Tenerife and Gran Canaria, often win this contest. With highs around 22°C (71°F), they're perfect for a warm escape.

On the mainland, southern Spain and Portugal are your best bets for mild winters. Cyprus is another top choice, boasting over 340 sunny days a year.