Flights and hotels
Christmas holidays 2026: sun, snow or a city abroad
Christmas lunch by the pool, a reindeer sleigh in the dark or carols on Fifth Avenue. How to choose a Christmas holiday abroad, when to book and ten hotels we would pick.
Somewhere a band is playing a Christmas song with a steel drum, the turkey is being carved on a terrace above the sea, and the only snow in sight is the sugar on a mince pie. For some people that is the perfect Christmas. Others want the opposite: a sleigh ride through the dark forest, a sauna and a sky full of stars.
In 2026 Christmas Day falls on a Friday, which makes it easy to take a full week or more with only a few days off work. Below we sort the best Christmas holidays abroad into three kinds, sun, snow and city, explain how to book flights and a hotel together, and pick the hotels we would choose.
The links to the hotels and trips are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Sun, snow or city: which Christmas suits you?
Christmas in the sun suits anyone who wants to skip the cold: the Canary Islands and Madeira are close, Dubai and Cape Town are further away and warmer.
Christmas in the snow suits families and anyone who wants the full fairy tale, with Lapland, Iceland and northern Norway leading the way.
Christmas in a city suits couples and friends who want lights, markets and big hotel lobbies decked out for the season.
Why a package makes sense at Christmas
Christmas is the busiest week of the winter, and flights and rooms sell out early. Booking flights and hotel together as a package locks in both at once, gives you one booking if anything changes and, in the UK, the protection of ATOL on flight inclusive packages. Many hotels also offer Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners, so check what is included before you choose.
Royal Hideaway Corales Suites
Christmas sunshine in the south of Tenerife. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Christmas in the sun
Flight and hotel together: packages to Tenerife, Madeira, Dubai, Cape Town and Cancún
Tenerife: Royal Hideaway Corales Suites
Corales Suites sits on the coast in the south of Tenerife, with sunset pools and plenty of space for families.
The Canaries are the easiest place for Christmas sun from Europe, with mild weather and a short flight.
Book your stay: See rooms at Royal Hideaway Corales Suites
The Cliff Bay
Gardens and sea views above Funchal. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Madeira: The Cliff Bay
The Cliff Bay sits on a cliff above the ocean in Funchal. Madeira dresses up for Christmas, and the season builds towards the famous New Year fireworks over the bay.
Pick it if you want Christmas lights and mild weather rather than a beach party.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Cliff Bay
Dubai: Jumeirah Al Naseem
Al Naseem sits on the beach next to the Burj Al Arab, with several outdoor pools.
Dubai is warm and sunny in December, and the big hotels put on festive brunches and Christmas dinners.
Book your stay: See rooms at Jumeirah Al Naseem
The Silo Hotel
Table Mountain from The Silo in Cape Town. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Cape Town: The Silo Hotel
The Silo sits on top of a converted grain silo at the V&A Waterfront, with views of Table Mountain.
December is summer in Cape Town, so Christmas means beaches, vineyards and long evenings outdoors.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Silo Hotel
Cancún: NIZUC Resort and Spa
NIZUC lies on its own stretch of Caribbean coast just outside Cancún, with pools facing the sea.
A long flight, but a Christmas of turquoise water and warm nights.
Book your stay: See rooms at NIZUC Resort and Spa
Santa Claus Holiday Village
Christmas on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Christmas in the snow
If you want a white Christmas, go north. Finnish Lapland has Santa Claus Village, huskies and reindeer, while Iceland adds hot springs and the chance of northern lights. Read more in our guide to Lapland holidays.
Flight and hotel together: See Rovaniemi flight and hotel packages
Lapland: Santa Claus Holiday Village
These cabins are inside Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, a short walk from Santa’s office.
For families, it does not get more Christmas than this.
Book your stay: See rooms at Santa Claus Holiday Village
Iceland: Hotel Borg
Hotel Borg is an Art Deco classic on the main square in Reykjavík, close to the Christmas lights of the old town.
Spend the days on the Golden Circle and the evenings looking for the aurora.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Borg
The Plaza
Christmas at The Plaza on Fifth Avenue. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Christmas in a city
Flight and hotel together: See New York flight and hotel packages
New York: The Plaza
The Plaza faces Central Park at the corner of Fifth Avenue, a few minutes from the tree at Rockefeller Center and the skating rinks in the park.
New York in December is busy and bright, and this is the hotel that has been in the Christmas films.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Plaza
Hotel Sacher
Views over the rooftops of Vienna.
Vienna: Hotel Sacher
Hotel Sacher sits behind the State Opera in Vienna, home of the famous chocolate cake.
Vienna has some of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in Europe, from Rathausplatz to Spittelberg.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Sacher
When should you book Christmas 2026?
Lapland and the Canaries: book six to twelve months ahead. Family rooms and flights go first.
City breaks: two to four months ahead, earlier for New York.
Last minute: possible for winter sun in some years, but expect less choice and higher prices.
Want to stay closer to home? See our Christmas breaks and New Year’s Eve breaks.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas holidays abroad
Where is hot at Christmas?
The Canary Islands and Madeira are the closest warm options from Europe at Christmas. For more heat, look at Dubai, Cape Town, the Caribbean, Mexico or Thailand, where December is warm and mostly dry.
When should I book a Christmas holiday abroad?
Book six to twelve months ahead for Lapland and popular winter sun resorts, and two to four months ahead for city breaks. Christmas week is the busiest of the winter, so the best rooms go early.
What day is Christmas 2026?
Christmas Eve 2026 is on a Thursday and Christmas Day is on a Friday. That makes it easy to take a long break over Christmas and New Year with fewer days off work.
Is it cheaper to book a Christmas package?
A package can be cheaper than booking flights and hotel separately, especially at Christmas when flights are in high demand. It also gives you one booking and, in the UK, ATOL protection.
Where can I have a white Christmas?
For a white Christmas, look north: Finnish Lapland, northern Norway and Iceland have the best chance of snow, along with Alpine ski resorts.