Best Winter Sun Destinations — Top 10 Warm Escapes
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The best places to find guaranteed warmth in December, January and February — ranked by real December comfort scores from four years of historical weather data. All destinations average over 22°C highs through winter.
1. Perth
Best months: All year · December rating: 10/10 · Average high: 28.7°C
Perth averages 28.7°C in December with only 6.0mm of rain — comfort score 10/10. All year is the overall best window.
2. Santiago
Best months: All year · December rating: 10/10 · Average high: 29.2°C
Santiago averages 29.2°C in December with only 2.4mm of rain — comfort score 10/10. All year is the overall best window.
3. Cape Town
Best months: All year · December rating: 10/10 · Average high: 23.4°C
Cape Town averages 23.4°C in December with only 32.2mm of rain — comfort score 10/10. All year is the overall best window.
4. Buenos Aires
Best months: All year · December rating: 10/10 · Average high: 27.0°C
Buenos Aires averages 27.0°C in December with only 73.0mm of rain — comfort score 10/10. All year is the overall best window.
5. Adelaide
Best months: All year · December rating: 10/10 · Average high: 24.7°C
Adelaide averages 24.7°C in December with only 28.2mm of rain — comfort score 10/10. All year is the overall best window.
6. Zanzibar
Best months: All year · December rating: 10/10 · Average high: 31.0°C
Zanzibar averages 31.0°C in December with only 86.4mm of rain — comfort score 10/10. All year is the overall best window.
7. Melbourne
Best months: All year · December rating: 10/10 · Average high: 23.1°C
Melbourne averages 23.1°C in December with only 81.4mm of rain — comfort score 10/10. All year is the overall best window.
8. Cartagena
Best months: All year · December rating: 10/10 · Average high: 30.7°C
Cartagena averages 30.7°C in December with only 20.4mm of rain — comfort score 10/10. All year is the overall best window.
9. Sydney
Best months: All year · December rating: 10/10 · Average high: 24.5°C
Sydney averages 24.5°C in December with only 90.5mm of rain — comfort score 10/10. All year is the overall best window.
10. Nairobi
Best months: All year · December rating: 10/10 · Average high: 24.9°C
Nairobi averages 24.9°C in December with only 56.7mm of rain — comfort score 10/10. All year is the overall best window.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the warmest destination in winter?
Destinations near the equator — Dubai, Bangkok, Maldives, Zanzibar, Bali — consistently score highest for December warmth, with highs above 30°C and comfort scores of 8-9 out of 10.
Where can I find sun in December?
The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote) offer the most accessible winter sun from the UK, with December highs of 21-23°C and very little rain. Further afield, Thailand, the UAE and the Caribbean all score 8+/10 for December comfort.
Are the Canary Islands good in December?
Yes — the Canaries are one of the most reliable winter-sun choices from Europe. December averages 21-23°C with low rainfall and around 6 hours of daily sunshine.
Last updated:
Climate data sourced from Open-Meteo (open source, open data licence). Monthly averages calculated from 2020–2023 historical data. Weather can be unpredictable — always check a live forecast before travelling.