Sun-kissed Christmas: 7 must-visit warm holiday destinations other than Dubai

We’re officially just weeks away from the Christmas holidays, which means two types of people are emerging: the ones who are already panic-wrapping presents and the ones who are quietly Googling “warm places to escape to immediately.”

If you fall into the second camp (or you simply break out in hives at the thought of cold winds and soggy jumpers), you’re in the right place. While much of the world is bracing for snowstorms and seasonal gloom, there are blissfully sunny corners of the globe where December means beaches, beverages, and zero frostbite risk. Think turquoise water instead of slush, palm trees instead of pine, and festive menus featuring grilled seafood rather than gravy.

Whether you’re dreaming of a luxury over-water villa, a cultural escape with spice and soul, or a quick getaway that doesn’t require 14 hours in the air, these warm-weather Christmas destinations are ready to rescue your holiday spirit.

If your ideal Christmas is more “jungle bells” than jingle bells, Bali is your place. December is warm, buzzing with energy, and full of that effortlessly cool Bali charm. You can start your day at a beach club, wander through Ubud’s rice terraces in the afternoon, then end up in a candlelit restaurant eating something delicious and organic because, well, it’s Bali. Christmas here isn’t traditional — it’s more boho chic. Expect beachfront fireworks, festive markets with handmade treasures, yoga sessions under palm trees, and sunsets that make your camera cry. It’s warm, soulful, and endlessly inspiring.

Flight time from Dubai: 9 hours.

Best for: Nature and culture lovers.

If you want a Christmas where your biggest responsibility is deciding between snorkelling with neon fish or getting a massage that erases the last six months of stress, the Maldives is basically paradise with WiFi. December transforms the islands into the world’s most beautiful screensaver — clear turquoise water, perfect sunshine, and tiny resorts where everyone is way too relaxed to judge you for having dessert at breakfast. Christmas here is delightfully extra: Santa arrives by jet ski, the resorts decorate coral “trees”, and the ocean literally sparkles at night. It’s peaceful, indulgent, and dangerously easy to get used to.

Flight time from Dubai: 4.5 hours.

Best for: Luxury.

Mauritius is one of those places where every direction looks like the front of a travel brochure. Think green mountains, sparkling lagoons, and beaches that make you wish you lived outdoors permanently. December is sunny and lush, with just enough tropical drama to keep things exciting. Your days can be as active or lazy as you want: hiking, dolphin encounters, snorkelling, or simply lying horizontal on a beach lounger while deciding which fancy restaurant you’ll hit for dinner. Christmas here feels polished but warm — festive concerts, beach barbecues, and fireworks that reflect over the water like nature showing off.

Flight time from Dubai: 6.5 hours.

Best for: Luxury and families.

If you want warmth without the hassle of long flights, Oman is the UAE’s gift to you. Muscat offers calm beaches and culture, Salalah gives you lush tropical vibes, and the desert offers stargazing that will make you forget cities exist. December weather is perfect — warm enough to swim, cool enough to explore, and lovely enough to remind you why winter doesn’t have to feel like punishment. Christmas here is lowkey but magical: moonlit dhow cruises, mountain hikes, beach sunsets, and desert nights filled with lantern light. It’s close, it’s beautiful, and it’s exactly what you need if you want to escape without really going far.

Flight time from Dubai: 1 hour to Muscat / 2 hours to Salalah.

Best for: Budget and quick trips.

Seychelles is the kind of place that makes you question whether you’ve been living your life correctly. The landscapes are almost rude in how beautiful they are — huge granite boulders, emerald forests, and beaches so perfect you’ll assume someone photoshopped them. December is warm, breezy, and the water looks like someone spilled liquid sapphire everywhere. Days are spent snorkelling with fish that look like they escaped from a children’s colouring book, hiking through jungles, or doing absolutely nothing on powder-soft sand. It’s Christmas for people who want calm, colour, and a serious dose of tropical magic.

Flight time from Dubai: 4.5 hours.

Best for: Nature and luxury.

Thailand is where you go when you want Christmas to be fun, warm, and mildly chaotic in the best way. December is peak gorgeous weather, so whether you’re after Phuket’s beaches, Krabi’s cliffs, or Koh Samui’s palm-fringed calm, everything feels like a tropical gift. You can spend Christmas island-hopping, eating your way through night markets, getting foot massages for the price of a latte, or dancing at a beach bar with strangers who suddenly feel like best friends. Thailand doesn’t judge — want quiet? Great. Want fireworks and fire dancers? Also great.

Flight time from Dubai: 6 hours.

Best for: Budget and variety.

Zanzibar feels like the world decided to mix every good thing together—African soul, Arab heritage, tropical beaches, and spices that will make you rethink your entire kitchen cupboard. December is warm, lively, and just the right level of festive. Spend your mornings getting lost in Stone Town’s narrow alleys (and pretending you’re in a movie), then head to the beaches, which look like they were created purely for dramatic holiday photos. A sunset dhow ride here feels like pressing pause on real life. Christmas is relaxed, fragrant, and genuinely joyful — like a beach holiday with personality.

Flight time from Dubai: 5.5 hours.

Best for: Budget and culture.