Here’s all the inspiration you need for your budget holiday in December! Our guide brings together nine great ideas for a December getaway. You can stroll under glittering fairy lights while sipping vin chaud (mulled wine) in a Christmas village, or hit the snow-covered pistes and spend cosy evenings tucking into melted cheese raclette. Or how about heading for southern Europe to soak up some sun before winter sets in?

A budget-friendly break in December means enjoying shimmering Christmas decorations in city streets, vibrant street markets and the regional culinary traditions that bring life to destinations throughout France.

On budget holidays in December, Strasbourg marches to the rhythm of its Christmas markets. The Chrìstkìndelsmärik on Place Broglie lies at the heart of the festivities, and it’s almost obligatory to take a selfie under its iconic archway ablaze with light. Stalls selling handcrafted Christmas decorations and nativity scenes surround the cathedral, while the terrace in front of Palais Rohan is a pretty spot to try Alsace’s delicious gingerbread, spicy bredele biscuits and mulled wine.

To bed down close to the festivities without breaking the bank, book in at ibis Styles Strasbourg Centre Gare. A generous breakfast is included in the room price and there’s free coffee and tea available in the lobby.

The Alsace region is teeming with other, smaller Christmas markets showcasing local crafts. During budget holidays in December, you can buy decorative advent wreaths from Kaysersberg florists and visit the free Christmas-themed exhibition. Gourmets should head for Obernai’s Christmas food market to sample Alsatian flavours, and kids love the vintage wooden carousel and festive lights that swathe the streets and buildings in charming Haguenau. Our ibis hotels in Alsace make the perfect base for exploring the region.

Planning a winter trip to the Alpes-Maritimes? Stay at ibis Nice Centre Gare for a cheap city break in December. It’s easy to organise day trips into the countryside from this affordable hotel in Nice.
 

Don’t miss the breathtaking medieval village of Lucéram in December; it has been hosting a Circuit des Crèches (nativity scene tour) for nearly 30 years. Local residents display around 500 cribs outside their front doors, on window sills and in shop windows – and it’s all completely free! Kids and parents alike will fall in love with these festive displays – some life-size, some tiny, others detailed or cartoon-like in their simplicity. Lucéram is 35 minutes’ drive from Nice, or 55 minutes by bus number 615 departing Vauban bus station.

Looking for a budget travel destination in December? Affordable Paris hotels are a safe bet for soaking up the festive atmosphere. To be at the heart of the Christmas celebrations, book a room at ibis Paris Grands Boulevards Opéra 9th in the Grands Boulevards district; it’s a cosy, wallet-friendly retreat and you’ll appreciate the comfortable rooms after a day’s sightseeing in the French capital.
 

Start your explorations with the dazzling window displays at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps on Boulevard Haussmann, spot the giant Christmas tree in the foyer of Opéra Garnier and have a stroll around the neighbourhood at dusk, when the buildings and streets twinkle with seasonal lights.
 

Plan for an evening at the Lantern Festival in the Jardin d’Acclimatation, an illuminated night-time trail with a different theme every year. You can also celebrate Christmas at Paris-Vincennes Racecourse with trotting races, free entertainment and visits from Santa every Sunday in December. No matter what time of year you visit the City of Light, there are always fun things to do in Paris!

By December, the Alps and Pyrénées are coated in snow. You can zip down newly opened slopes, revel in the clean air of high-altitude resorts and spend cosy evenings enjoying hearty comfort food!

Fancy a December getaway in Haute-Savoie? Book your stay at ibis Styles Les Houches Chamonix, a well-priced, comfortable hotel with family rooms and lockers for storing your ski gear. Nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc, it’s a 3-minute walk from the Bellevue cable car, making it a convenient base for enjoying winter activities around Chamonix.

Once up in the Les Houches ski area, you’ll have stunning views of the Mont Blanc massif from the vast open pistes, while the lower runs pass through silent pine forests on your way back down to the hotel.

The centre of Chamonix is just a few minutes away by car or shuttle bus. After stocking up on Savoyard cheese and charcuterie in the local delis, pick a panoramic café terrace, settle down with a delicious hot chocolate and soak up the spectacular alpine scenery. If you plan your budget holiday in early December, the town is quieter than in peak season: you’ll get to enjoy the views without the Christmas crowds!

If you’d like to hit the slopes in the first couple of weeks in December, Albertville in Savoie is another clever choice. From the town, you can reach family-friendly resorts like Les Saisies and Arêches in the Beaufortain region, which will have plenty of snow.
 

Looking for affordable accommodation for your budget holiday in December? Book ibis Styles Albertville for its contemporary rooms and free parking – and after a day on the slopes, you can recharge your batteries in cosy Jonalu restaurant.

Keen to fit in some sightseeing between runs? Albertville is home of the Maison des Jeux Olympiques, where sports fans can relive the excitement of the 1992 Winter Olympic Games. You can also explore the little town of Conflans, perched above Albertville and tucked behind medieval walls; its main street is lined with pastel-coloured houses and craft shops with age-old wrought-iron signs.

A budget holiday in December to the Hautes-Pyrénées region and its bracing, restorative air means you can ski without the crowds that clog the slopes later in the season. Stay at ibis budget Tarbes, an affordable base close to the region’s resorts. Hautacam, Grand Tourmalet and Luz Ardiden are all accessible by car and have slopes for all levels of ability. Be sure to have a look around Tarbes itself; it’s often overlooked but has a handsome cathedral in a mix of architectural style, follies and glasshouses in the manicured Massey Garden and gourmet market halls. 
 

The world-famous pilgrimage town of Lourdes is just 15 minutes away by TER train or half an hour in the car. Visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes out of season means the esplanades linking the basilicas will be quiet, and you can climb up to the fortified castle for stunning views over the Gave de Pau Valley in relative peace.

Chasing December sunshine in Europe? Head for the Mediterranean: it’s the most reliable option for warm weather in winter.

Crete is a top European destination for December breaks in the sun. Temperatures hover around 19°C, with frequent cloudless days that lend themselves to rambles around the picturesque harbour in Heraklion.

Stay in a spacious Junior Suite at ibis Styles Heraklion Central for views over the city from your balcony; you can also use the fitness centre for free. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from the archaeological museum and 10 minutes from the landmark Venetian Fortress of Koules, putting you in pole position for exploring the sights of this ever-energetic and historic city.

Bring the world of Greek mythology to life on a visit to the vividly frescoed ruins of the Palace of Knossos, just a few minutes away by bus. If you’d prefer a seaside hike on your budget holiday in December, the road along Crete’s north coast takes you to the villages and beaches around Gouves and Hersonissos.

Málaga is one of the best affordable places to visit in December as it still has an echo of summer, with temperatures of around 20°C during the day and a bright light that highlights the murals of church façades in the city’s historic heart. Soak up Andalusian culture on a tour of the Moorish-style Alcazaba fortress or climb up to Gibralfaro Castle to walk its mighty ramparts. Picasso was born in Málaga in 1881, and you can admire his work at his namesake museum. Sightseeing done, find a traditional tapas bar and tuck into pescaíto frito anchovies fried in olive oil with a glass of Málaga’s famously sweet wine.

With restful nights guaranteed in Sweet Bed™ by ibis beds and 24-hour food options, ibis Málaga Centro Ciudad, overlooking the Guadalmedina River, is handy for exploring the city on foot or soaking up the winter sun!

On the same latitude as Málaga but on Portugal’s Atlantic coast, the Algarve enjoys plenty of sunshine in December. With temperatures around 20°C and clear skies, it offers a foretaste of spring. When staying at ibis Faro Algarve, you can get around the region easily and come back each night to an affordable, comfortable hotel.
 

The monumental Arco da Vila gateway leads into Faro’s Cidade Velha (Old Town) – an open-air museum with white-washed façades that makes a lovely spot for leisurely strolls. You can also climb the cathedral bell tower for panoramas over Ria Formosa Lagoon, and come evening, attend a soulful fado performance to immerse yourself in Portuguese heritage.