Quick Answer: The warmest places in Europe in December are the Canary Islands (around 22°C), Cyprus and Malta with 300-plus sunny days a year, southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, the Algarve, Madeira, and Crete. The Canaries top the list for reliable beach-worthy winter sun without leaving Europe.
December in most of Europe means short days, cold rain, and a deep longing for sunlight. But the continent has a secret southern edge where winter barely shows up. While the north bundles into scarves, parts of Europe sit at a comfortable 20-plus degrees with the sea still warm enough to consider.
These are not all swimming-weather hot, to be clear. This is winter sun: mild days, blue skies, café terraces that stay open, and the freedom to leave the heavy coat at home. Here are sixteen spots where December feels more like a gentle spring, ordered by how reliably warm they actually are.
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16 Warmest Places in Europe in December for Winter Sun
1. Tenerife, Canary Islands
Tenerife is Europe’s winter sun champion. Sitting off the coast of West Africa but firmly part of Spain, it holds daytime highs around 22°C through December, warmer than many northern European towns manage in summer. The sea is swimmable for the brave.
This is the surest bet for a genuine beach holiday in December without leaving the continent. Flights are frequent and cheap, the volcanic landscape of Teide adds drama, and the south of the island is reliably the sunniest part.
2. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Gran Canaria rivals Tenerife for warmth, with December highs in the low twenties and famous dunes at Maspalomas that feel more Sahara than Spain. The island is nicknamed a continent in miniature for its range of landscapes.
Las Palmas combines a city break with a genuinely good urban beach. It is the pick if you want warmth plus a bit of nightlife and culture rather than a pure resort. December stays beach-friendly all month.
3. Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Lanzarote is the most surreal of the Canaries, all black volcanic earth, whitewashed villages, and the otherworldly Timanfaya National Park. December temperatures sit comfortably in the high teens to low twenties.
The artist César Manrique shaped the island’s distinctive look, and the result is a destination that feels designed. It is quieter than its bigger siblings, ideal for travelers who want winter warmth with a creative, low-key edge.
4. Cyprus
With more than 340 days of sunshine a year, Cyprus is about as reliable as winter sun gets. December days are mild and bright, hovering in the high teens to low twenties along the coast, and the island stays lively without the summer crowds.
The resorts around Paphos and Limassol stay open and pleasant, prices drop below peak season, and the mix of beaches, ancient ruins, and mountain villages means you are never short of something to do.
5. Malta
Malta rivals Cyprus for the title of Europe’s sunniest country, with around 300 clear days a year. December here is mild and walkable, ideal for exploring the honey-coloured streets of Valletta and the silent old capital of Mdina.
The sea is too cool for most to swim, but the light is glorious and the history is everywhere. English is widely spoken, the island is compact, and it punches well above its size for a winter trip mixing sun and culture.
6. Málaga and the Costa del Sol, Spain
On the Spanish mainland, the south coast around Málaga and Marbella feels more like early spring than winter, with daytime temperatures around 17 to 20°C. The terraces stay busy and the whole coast carries on at a relaxed off-season pace.
Málaga itself is an underrated winter city break, with galleries, an old town, and a seafront all easy to enjoy in mild weather. It is also a great base for day trips inland to Granada or Ronda when you want a change of scene.
7. The Algarve, Portugal
Portugal’s Algarve gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year and dozens of Blue Flag beaches, making it a rising star for winter sun. December brings mild, bright days, dramatic golden cliffs, and a quietness the summer hordes usually steal.
Towns like Lagos and Faro stay welcoming year-round and the seafood is excellent and cheap. It is gentler and less hot than the Canaries, but the scenery and the value make it one of the best winter escapes on the Atlantic.
8. Madeira, Portugal
Madeira is nicknamed the island of eternal spring, staying green and mild all year thanks to its position in the Atlantic. December temperatures hover in the high teens to low twenties, and the island is a paradise for hikers who want sun without the heat.
The levada walking trails are spectacular in the soft December light, and Funchal’s famous New Year fireworks are a bucket-list spectacle. It is the winter-sun pick for active travelers rather than pure beach-loungers.
9. Crete, Greece
Crete holds onto the warmth longer than mainland Greece, with December averages around 17°C and at least a few hours of sun most days. The big resorts wind down, but the cities and villages keep going.
It offers a quiet, authentic version of a Greek island in its off-season, with Venetian harbours, mountain villages, and excellent food at local prices. Too cool to swim, but lovely for walking and exploring without the summer crush.
10. Seville, Spain
Inland Andalusia stays mild in December, and Seville is the warmest of Spain’s great cities, with daytime highs often around 17°C. It is the ideal winter city break: orange trees, tapas, and the spectacular Alcázar and cathedral without the brutal summer heat.
December evenings cool down, so pack layers, but the days are bright and walkable. With the summer crowds gone, it is one of the best times of year to actually enjoy the city’s old town and patios.
11. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
Fuerteventura is the Canary Island for beach purists, with endless white-sand beaches and reliable December warmth in the low twenties. It is windier than its neighbours, which makes it a magnet for surfers and kitesurfers.
The pace is slow and the development light outside the resorts. If your idea of a winter escape is wide-open sand, warm sun, and not much else to do, this is the island that delivers it.
12. Sicily, Italy
Sicily stays mild in December, especially around Palermo and the southern coast, with daytime temperatures in the mid to high teens. It is a city-and-culture winter trip rather than a beach one, with markets, baroque towns, and extraordinary food.
Snow-capped Etna against a sunny coast is a striking December contrast. Pack a jacket for the evenings, but expect plenty of bright, terrace-friendly days exploring the island’s layered history.
13. The Costa Blanca, Spain
Around Alicante and Benidorm, the Costa Blanca enjoys one of the mildest winter microclimates on the Spanish mainland, with December highs often pushing into the high teens. The seafront promenades stay pleasant and the resorts keep ticking over.
It is a budget-friendly, easy-access option with frequent cheap flights. Alicante’s old town and castle make for good walking, and the long beaches are lovely for a winter stroll even when it is too cool to swim.
14. Athens, Greece
Athens stays surprisingly mild in December, with bright days often in the mid teens, and it is one of the best times to visit the ancient sites without the crowds or the punishing summer heat. The Acropolis with winter light and space to breathe is a different experience entirely.
Evenings are cool, so layer up, but the city’s museums, neighbourhoods, and food scene shine in the off-season. It is a culture-first winter break with enough sun to keep the terraces open.
15. The Costa de la Luz, Spain
Spain’s Atlantic-facing Costa de la Luz, around Cádiz and Tarifa, stays mild and bright in December, with long empty beaches and the warm light that gives the coast its name. It is wilder and less developed than the Mediterranean resorts.
Tarifa’s winds make it a year-round watersports hub, and historic Cádiz is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is the choice for travelers who want southern Spanish sun with a more local, untouristed feel.
16. Gibraltar
The tiny British territory of Gibraltar enjoys the same mild December climate as the southern Spanish coast it sits on, with highs around 17°C. The famous Rock, the resident Barbary macaques, and views across to Africa make it a quirky winter stop.
It pairs naturally with a Costa del Sol trip, just up the coast. English-speaking and compact, it is an easy day or two of sun, history, and that singular view where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the warmest place in Europe in December?
The Canary Islands, especially Tenerife and Gran Canaria, with daytime highs around 22°C. They are part of Spain but sit off the coast of Africa, which gives them the most reliably beach-worthy winter weather in Europe.
Can you swim in the sea in Europe in December?
In the Canary Islands, yes, if you do not mind cooler water. Elsewhere, like Malta, Cyprus, and the Algarve, the air is mild but the sea is usually too cold for comfortable swimming.
Is southern Spain warm in December?
Yes, mild rather than hot. The Costa del Sol around Málaga and Marbella sits at roughly 17 to 20°C in December, feeling like early spring with sunny terraces and far fewer crowds than summer.
Where is best for winter sun and culture in Europe?
Malta, Seville, Athens, and Sicily combine mild winter weather with rich history and city life. You get bright walkable days plus museums, old towns, and excellent food, ideal when you want more than just a beach.
Key Takeaways
- The Canary Islands are the warmest and most beach-ready December escape in Europe, around 22°C.
- Cyprus and Malta deliver the most sunshine, mild and bright with rich culture.
- Southern Spain, the Algarve, and the Canaries cover beach, city, and value.
- Madeira, Crete, Seville, and Athens are the culture-and-hiking wildcards when a beach is not the goal.
Final Thoughts
You do not have to fly to the other side of the world to find sun in December. Europe’s southern edge keeps the cold at bay all winter, from the genuinely warm Canary Islands to the mild, sun-drenched coasts of Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean islands. Pick your spot, pack lighter than feels reasonable for December, and let the rest of the continent shiver without you.