Where is hot in December on a short-haul flight?

December in brief (short-haul)

Gran Canaria leads the table with 21°C by day and 17°C at night, a 21°C sea and 5 rainy days (4 h 24 min from London). La Gomera leads with 21°C by day and 18°C at night, a 21°C sea and 5 rainy days (4 h 24 min from London). Agadir leads with 21°C by day and 12°C at night, a 18°C sea and 4 rainy days (3 h 48 min from London). Tenerife leads with 21°C by day and 16°C at night, a 21°C sea and 6 rainy days (4 h 24 min from London). Fuerteventura leads with 20°C by day and 17°C at night, a 20°C sea and 3 rainy days (4 h 12 min from London).

Warm rather than hot (20-25°C): Gran Canaria 21°C, La Gomera 21°C, Agadir 21°C, Tenerife 21°C, Fuerteventura 20°C. For scale, London averages 8°C in December.

By flight time from London

• Under 3 hours: Costa de la Luz 17°C, Albufeira 16°C, Algarve 16°C, Seville 16°C, Alicante 16°C, Benidorm 16°C, Malaga 16°C, Ibiza 16°C
• 3 to 4.5 hours: Gran Canaria 21°C, La Gomera 21°C, Agadir 21°C, Tenerife 21°C, Fuerteventura 20°C, Lanzarote 20°C, Marrakech 19°C, La Palma 18°C

By region

• Europe: 74 destinations, warmest Gran Canaria (21°C)
• Africa: 4 destinations, warmest Agadir (21°C)

Canary Islands: best for warmth that lasts into the evening

Gran Canaria and La Gomera are the strongest all-round choices: both reach 21°C by day, have seas at 21°C and average 4 rainy days. La Gomera stays slightly milder at night, making it a good fit if outdoor evenings matter. Tenerife matches their daytime and sea temperatures but has 6 rainy days, so it is less compelling if avoiding rain is your priority. Fuerteventura trades a little warmth for fewer interruptions: 20°C days and 3 rainy days suit travellers who value drier weather over the warmest water. Lanzarote offers similar temperatures with a slightly shorter flight. La Palma is harder to choose for daytime warmth alone at 18°C, although its 21°C sea keeps it competitive for swimmers comfortable with cooler water.

Morocco and Tunisia: save flight time, but pack for cooler nights

Agadir suits travellers who want the warmest daytime weather without spending as long in the air. Its 21°C high matches the leading Canary Islands, with 4 rainy days and a flight of 3 h 48 min. The compromise comes after sunset and in the water: nights fall to 12°C and the sea is 18°C. Marrakech is better for time outdoors on land than a swimming holiday, with 19°C days but distinctly cold 5°C nights; bring a proper warm layer. Sousse cuts the flight to 3 h 6 min, but its 18°C days, 9°C nights and 6 rainy days make it a mild-weather choice rather than a convincing alternative for warmth.

Shorter flights and Madeira: know what you are giving up

Costa de la Luz and Albufeira suit travellers who would rather shorten the journey than chase the highest temperature. Both are 2 h 54 min from London, with 16°C days, 10°C nights and 8 rainy days. That is milder than London's 8°C, but better suited to spending time outdoors in layers than planning a beach holiday. Albufeira's sea is slightly warmer, though neither is a strong choice for comfortable swimming. Madeira offers 18°C days, milder 15°C nights and a 20°C sea, but its 11 rainy days are the main drawback. Choose it if gentle temperatures matter more than minimising rain, and leave your outdoor plans flexible.