The 10 Best Honeymoon Destinations in December

For winter weddings, you'll need one of the best honeymoon destinations in December to look forward to. This is by no means the cheapest time to travel, but it certainly is the most magical. Many of the world's top honeymoon spots and even US honeymoon spots are decked out in festivity, and if snow isn't your thing then that's okay too, there are sunny islands filled with all-inclusive resorts to warm up any winter woes.

Couples seeking a romantic getaway in December have the choice of a traditional Christmas vacation or a tropical one. Perhaps skiing and hot tubs are your idea of romance versus surfing and sampling delicious street food? Whatever your budget or preference, we've just the place to make precious memories. If you're searching for the top honeymoon destinations by month, these winter honeymoon destinations are best for December.

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London, United Kingdom

London is one of the most festive cities in the world in December. Temperatures are relatively mild compared with Northeastern states, so you can ice skate without covering your face. The city comes alive with fairy lights on every street, plus Christmas shows, markets and even a giant Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Should snow sprinkle, iconic monuments like St. Paul's Cathedral and Big Ben make you feel like you're in a snow globe.

Things to Do: Festive afternoon tea at The Goring or Café Royal (a favorite of Princess Diana's) is a treat, Christmas shopping at Harrods and a West End show make for the perfect day. The big museums such as the V&A, The National Gallery and the Tate Modern are all free to enter. Save those pounds to splash out on Britain's most famous chef, Gordon Ramsay's London outposts, including Restaurant 1890 and Lucky Cat atop Bishopsgate, boasting 360 views over the city.

Places to Stay: Honeymoon-worthy stays include The Connaught, Rosewood London, The Lanesborough (they have a resident feline, cat lovers) and the historic Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge. However, if you're limited on your honeymoon budget HYDE London City and The Hoxton Holborn are sexy without breaking the bank and offer Dis-loyalty discounts.

Bali, Indonesia

Escape the cold and zoom over to Indonesia. Bali is a honeymoon dream, filled with natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, white sand beaches and jungle vistas. You'll need to rent a car to get to the very best of what the island has to offer. It's also an affordable honeymoon destination all year round, and temperatures in December are in the 70s and 80s.

Things to Do: There are so many scenic corners that cameras will do backflips. The best thing to do is to enlist a professional, so book GetYourGuide's full-day Instagram highlights tour (your driver is also your social media photographer), and when you've settled on one spot, then spend another day with a Flytographer. We recommend the Tegalalang Rice Terrace—best in the morning to avoid crowds. Finally, meet long-haired macaques at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, but don't look them in the eye or bring snacks.

Places to Stay: The Ritz-Carlton Bali is an all-suite and villa beachfront resort ideal for honeymooners, AYANA Resort Bali has pretty much everything so you won't need to leave and the Hanging Gardens of Bali have gone viral for very good reason.

The Caribbean

When it's cold and you don't want to fuss with logistics, perhaps a Caribbean cruise is the perfect relaxing honeymoon. The region's conditions are fantastic in December, with most island temperatures in the 70s and 80s and a low chance of rain. Being on a cruise removes the stress of peak season room prices and all logistics. We recommend Virgin Voyages, a brilliant all-inclusive adult-only cruise where pretty much everything is included (trust us, other ships nickel and dime!). The Caribbean sailings depart from Miami, meaning a cheap and easy flight to MIA from many US airports.

Things to Do: If you're on a Caribbean cruise chances are you won't want to do much except frolic on the beaches of Barbados, the Bahamas and Puerto Rico. Don't miss the party in the Beach Club at Bimini and sign up for a shore excursion to swim with the adorable pigs of Rose Island.

Places to Stay: It's best to arrive a night before any Caribbean cruise in case of unexpected delay or cancellation. In Miami (for Port Miami), save money by flexing those Marriott Bonvoy points in JW Marriott Miami or W Miami.

Park City, USA

Park City, Utah, is a winter wonderland in December and one of America's top honeymoon destinations for ski enthusiasts. Arriving at the beginning of ski season means you'll take advantage of deals, although this still doesn't make Park City a bargain. It is, however, affordable for most US travelers to at least reach, since the closest airport, Salt Lake City, is well connected by most major airlines.

Things to Do: The priority in Park City is skiing and there's a slope for all abilities. Deer Valley Resort is the most luxurious and a favorite for couples, while Park City Mountain and Woodward Park City are also scenic choices. Besides skiing, the region accommodates a slew of other winter activities, spanning snowmobiling in the Uinta Mountains and snow-tubing in Woodward Park City. Line your stomachs at top-rated restaurants, Snowed Inn Sleigh Company and Riverhorse on Main and pick up some Christmas presents in the Main Street Historic District.

Places to Stay: Stein Eriksen Lodge is a plush mountain lodge with direct access to the slopes and The St Regis Deer Valley is another exquisite five-star stay. However, there are more affordable rooms at Marriott's MountainSide and Sheraton Park City.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

While the crowds descend on its neighboring Germany for Christmas, consider Amsterdam for your honeymoon in December. The city comes alive with Christmas lights strewn across canals and squares and the festive markets are heaving with one-of-a-kind crafts. Of course, this is where it's at for nightlife and thanks to mild winter temperatures bar-hopping is a breeze. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is well-connected with direct flights to most major US cities.

Things to Do: Multiple Christmas markets pop up every weekend across the city, Christmas Village being the most popular. History buffs will fall in love with the robust list of museums in town, including Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. Cuddle up for Flytographer snaps at The Jordaan neighborhood and cap things off with a visit to Heineken's oldest brewery.

Places to Stay: The historic Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam and the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam are swanky options for honeymooners, but The Hoxton Amsterdam offers a more affordable stay with chic social spaces and central location.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Denmark is the most southerly of Nordic countries with the mildest winter weather, ideal for those who don't want to brave Arctic blasts up in Finland and Norway. As one of the best places for a honeymoon in December, Copenhagen hovers over 30 degrees this time of year: cold enough to add snow to the equation but warm enough to properly enjoy the outdoors. Countries in Scandinavia are well-known for their festivity and this is no exception.

Things to Do: One of the world's oldest amusement parks, Tivoli Gardens is a holiday movie IRL come December when its rides are lined with twinkling lights and cabin stalls are snow-covered. Fact: this is the place that inspired Walt Disney's resorts. The fairy tales don't end there: as the land of Hans Christian Andersen, creator of The Little Mermaid, you and your beau will find happily ever after corners all over the city. How about the majestic Rosenborg Castle or the colorful Nyhavn canalside for a winter kiss? Warm up back in town at Ark, the first vegan restaurant to receive a Green Michelin Star in the Nordics.

Places to Stay: Guests of the Nimb Hotel get direct access (and if lucky, room views) over the magical Tivoli Gardens and the 25hours Hotel Indre By is a stunner of a 19th-century building, formerly a porcelain factory.

The Pacific Coast, Costa Rica

December is one of the best months for a honeymoon in Costa Rica. Conditions vary depending on your altitude and proximity to the sea, but visitors can expect temperatures to be around 80°F, sunny and dry (the rainy season will have ended in November). Costa Rica is a generally affordable honeymoon destination, with USD stretching well for accommodation, dining and activities. This might be a good time to hit The Pacific Coast for couples seeking surfing against a backdrop of lush rainforest.

Things to Do: There is variety along the stretch of The Pacific Coast. Go trekking and meet capuchin monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park in the South. Kick back in the tiny resort town of Jaco on the way up, a haven for surfers with beautiful dark volcanic-sand beaches. Then finish with a luxurious all-inclusive resort up in the mountains of Guanacaste, slurping fresh seafood and horseback riding down to shore. Tip: you'll need to rent a car to explore the region as the buses can be unreliable.

Places to Stay: Mix things up along the way with Airbnb and VRBO properties from jungle villas to beachside apartments, and then culminate the trip with one of Guanacaste's most romantic resorts, like Mother Earth Luxury Boutique Hotel, JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa and Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica

Vienna, Austria

Another alternative to Germany for a honeymoon destination in December is its southeast neighbor, Austria. Vienna, the capital city, is full of palatial architecture and fresh cream cakes year-round, but at Christmas especially, things glitter in silver. There are plenty of Christmas markets and ice rinks and date night at the opera is a truly magical experience. Remember to pack a warm coat and hat for temperatures of around 30 degrees.

Things to Do: Time will fly away as you explore the incredible historical monuments and museums such as Schönbrunn Palace, Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Museum of Natural History Vienna and The Beethoven Museum. Share a Sacher-Torte at its birthplace in Hotel Sacher or eat your cake while circling town in a horse-drawn carriage. Vienna has exceptional animal welfare regulations and Riding Dinner Vienna treats its staff horses (and guests!) like royalty.

Places to Stay: Elegant stays include The Ritz-Carlton Vienna, Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna and Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel. Couples seeking new-opening deals should keep an eye on Miiro Hotels who have two new Vienna properties scheduled for 2025.

Cape Town, South Africa

December in the Southern Hemisphere is summer and Cape Town is at its hottest. Expect a delicious average of 70 degrees. Days are long, skies are clear and beaches are perfect for a dip. The South African city is an affordable honeymoon spot in December, and it bursts with culture and spectacular mountains and acts as a nice jumping-off point for safari honeymoons.

Things to Do: Hike (or take a cable car) up to the top of Table Mountain, road trip over to Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and discover the Robben Island Museum, once a prison to political activists including Nelson Mandela. Get out of town with Viator and go wine tasting in the Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch regions or go on safari in search of the big five.

Places to Stay: Five-star stays fit for a honeymoon include One&Only Cape Town, Taj Cape Town and Tintswalo Atlantic (which happens to be the only luxury hotel in Table Mountain National Park).

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is on many bucket lists, but did you know December is actually off-peak for tourism in Japan? The high season coincides with cherry blossom, New Year, Lunar New Year and other Asian-region holidays, and though Christmas is celebrated in Japan, it's not considered a holiday. This means better deals for US tourists, and don't worry, there's still plenty of festive cheer. The city is decked in lights, festive menus and treats. With temperatures in the 40s and 50s, you can roam the temples and streets without the frostbite.

Things to Do: Visit the famed Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Jingu Shrine, then join the scramble at the Shibuya Crossing, the world's busiest pedestrian crossing. Geek out at Akihabara, the center of Japanese otaku and anime culture, and treat your new spouse to an expensive Christmas gift in Ginza. Naturally, you'll be filling your bellies with as many Japanese delicacies as possible, including sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, tempura and katsu curry. For a special night, try Washoku for traditional cuisine with a contemporary twist.

Places to Stay: The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, a Luxury Collection Hotel has the best views of the city, including the Imperial Palace. The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, Autograph Collection and the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa are both conveniently located by Shinagawa and connected to a private Japanese garden, ideal for winter strolls.