Where’s hot in December?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but with the shops heaving with customers, a long list of presents to buy and family dinners to organise, December can also be the most hectic month on the calendar. If you’re longing to escape to sandy shores and feel a warm sea breeze in your hair, why wait any longer? Make this Christmas one you and your family will cherish with a much-needed villa break to Tenerife or Fuerteventura.

Tenerife

This beautiful Canary Island easily makes our where’s hot in December guide thanks to its balmy year-round climate. Even in the depths of winter, enjoy temperatures of 21°C while lazing by your private heated pool in your luxury Villa Del Conde, complete with epic views of the surrounding mountains and coastline, pool table and BBQ area – and all just a five minute drive from the shopping, restaurants and beaches of Costa Adeje.

If you’re on holiday with children, Costa Adeje has plenty to keep them entertained, including family-friendly beaches that are suitable for watersports and swimming. Playa Fanabe and Playa del Duque are popular Blue-Flag beaches that offer soft white sand, sun loungers and nearby cafes and restaurants. Hop in a Tuk Tuk for just a few Euros to take a whistle-stop tour of the resort, covering beautiful churches and landmarks, bustling markets and beaches. Don’t forget Siam Park too – a Thai-themed water park offering wave machines, water slides, a Thai floating market and rides for the whole family.     

To explore a little more of the island, get in the car in the early morning and drive to Hell’s Canyon (Barranco del Infierno), which offers stunning views and a variety of animals, birds and flowers. Take a three-hour hike around the walking trails on offer, and book ahead, as only 300 visitors are permitted at any one time to protect the area. Guided tours are also available. Of course, no visit to Tenerife is complete without visiting Mount Teide National Park. A cable car can take you right to the summit if you’d rather not walk. Or, if you prefer to hike, the reward is well-worth it as you take in the epic views of Gran Canaria and Tenerife. The world’s largest solar observatory (Teide Observatory), is also positioned on Mount Teide, and is great for stargazing on an evening tour.  

Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is another beautiful Canary island that easily tops our where’s hot in December list. Enjoy quality time with your family and have a Christmas break to remember in Villa Caleta Heights, complete with its own private heated pool, sunbathing area, outdoor shower and brick BBQ. When you want to hit the beach, it is only a short stroll away.

Fuerteventura boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands, especially on the north-eastern shores. Take in the buzzing atmosphere as locals come to participate in watersports and spend time in the shoreline tavernas. If you like surfing, the beaches near the Correlajo Dunes are very popular, as well as the ‘North Track’ heading towards El Cotillo, where you’ll be sure to have plenty of breeze to ride a good wave.

When you want a slower pace, drive to the island’s small interior villages, where you’ll find stone houses, stunning mountain views and palm trees and gardens aplenty. Visit Betancuria, which was Fuerteventura’s capital until 1834. Points of interest include the Parque Rural de Betancuria, the Betancuria Archaeological Museum and the Santa Maria Church that was once pillaged by pirates.

Food lovers are welcomed in Fuerteventura. As well as plenty of food markets, tavernas offering fresh seafood and vineyards to discover, the island is also famous for its cheese – goat’s cheese in particular (Majorero). Drive outside of the main resorts to farmsteads like Tindaya, which is where the locals buy theirs. We’d also recommend Canarian palm honey if you feel like something sweeter.

Take a look at more of our beautiful December holiday villas, as well as other properties to share with your family in Tenerife and Fuerteventura.