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Plan Your Affordable December Holiday
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It’s mid-December 2025, and you’re staring at your bank account wondering if a holiday is even possible this year. The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune to get away. Some of the cheapest places to holiday right now aren’t hidden secrets-they’re just overlooked. While everyone’s chasing ski resorts or tropical islands, smart travelers are finding real deals in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and parts of North Africa where prices haven’t caught up with inflation yet.
Portugal’s Algarve is still a steal
Portugal’s Algarve region used to be a budget traveler’s dream, then it got expensive. But in December, it’s back to being one of the cheapest places in Europe to holiday. Hotel rooms that cost €150 a night in July are now €55. Even the nicer beachfront guesthouses are under €90. Why? No crowds. No summer heat. Just sunny days around 17°C, empty beaches, and restaurants slashing prices to stay open.
Take Lagos. You can rent a two-bedroom apartment with a sea view for €450 a week. Breakfast at a local café costs €3. A bus ride along the coast? €2.50. The Algarve International Airport still has cheap flights from London, Manchester, and Dublin. Ryanair and EasyJet are running daily deals under €60 return if you book by December 20.
This isn’t a summer vacation. It’s a quiet, slow-paced escape. You’ll find locals still working, markets still open, and fishermen selling fresh sardines for €5 a kilo. It’s the kind of place where you can recharge without spending a fortune.
Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast is cheaper than your local pub crawl
If you want warm weather without the price tag, look east. Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast-especially towns like Sunny Beach and Golden Sands-is the cheapest beach holiday in Europe right now. In December, you can get a full-board hotel with sea view for €25 a night. That’s less than you’d pay for a weekend dinner out in London.
Hotels here are built for summer crowds, but in winter, they’re desperate for guests. Many still run their indoor pools, spas, and buffet breakfasts. You’ll find packages that include airport transfers, meals, and evening entertainment for under €150 for five nights.
Flights from the UK are dirt cheap. Wizz Air has direct flights from London Luton and Birmingham to Varna for €45 return. From the airport, a taxi to Sunny Beach costs €15. You can eat a full meal-soup, main, dessert, and wine-for €8 at a local restaurant. A bottle of local wine? €3.50.
It’s not luxury. But it’s clean, safe, and warm enough to sit outside in a jacket. And if you want to explore, ancient ruins like Nessebar are just a 20-minute drive away-free to walk around.
Georgia’s mountain towns beat the Alps for half the price
Want snow? Want cozy cabins? Want hot springs and mountain views without the Swiss price tag? Georgia is your answer. In December, Tbilisi and the nearby town of Gudauri are packed with value.
A three-star hotel in Tbilisi with breakfast? €35 a night. A private chalet in Gudauri with a wood-burning stove and mountain view? €70 a night. Ski rentals? €15 for the day. A lift pass? €20. That’s less than half the cost of a day at a French or Austrian resort.
And the food? Unbeatable. Khinkali (dumplings) cost €1.50 each. A plate of khachapuri (cheese bread) is €4. A glass of local wine? €2. You can eat like a king for €10 a day.
Flights from London to Tbilisi are around €80 return with Wizz Air or Turkish Airlines. The city is safe, English is widely spoken, and the trains to the mountains run on time. It’s not just cheap-it’s a real experience you won’t find anywhere else in Europe.
Tunisia’s coastal resorts are open for business
North Africa isn’t just for summer. Tunisia’s coastal resorts like Sousse and Hammamet are still running winter deals. You can get an all-inclusive hotel with private beach access for €40 a night. That includes three meals, snacks, drinks (including local wine and beer), and evening shows.
Why so cheap? Tourism dropped after 2015, and they’ve been rebuilding slowly. Now, they’re offering deals to fill rooms. Many hotels have heated pools and indoor entertainment-perfect for December. Temperatures hover around 16°C, so you can still sit outside without a heavy coat.
Flights from the UK to Monastir or Tunis are under €70 return with Tunisair or Ryanair. The airport transfer to the resort? €10. A taxi to the medina for souvenirs? €5. Fresh dates? €1 a kilo. A bottle of olive oil? €4.
It’s not the Caribbean. But if you want sun, sea, and no crowds, Tunisia is the most affordable place in the Mediterranean right now.
Poland’s Baltic coast is underrated and underbooked
Poland’s Baltic coast-especially Sopot and Gdynia-isn’t on most people’s radar for winter holidays. That’s exactly why it’s cheap. In December, you can rent a seaside apartment for €300 a week. A double room in a hotel? €40 a night.
The beaches are empty. The boardwalks are quiet. But the thermal spas are still open. Many hotels offer spa packages with saunas, hot tubs, and massages for under €50. The food is hearty: pierogi, bigos, and smoked fish are everywhere. A meal with beer? €10.
Flights from London and Manchester to Gdansk are under €50 return. From there, a train to Sopot takes 20 minutes and costs €2. The city has Christmas markets, but they’re not packed. You can wander without jostling for space.
It’s cold-around 2°C-but dry. And if you want snow, you can take a day trip to the nearby hills. It’s not glamorous. But it’s peaceful, safe, and ridiculously affordable.
Why these places are cheap right now
There’s a pattern here. All these destinations share three things:
- Low demand in winter-no school holidays, no peak season
- High supply of accommodation-hotels built for summer are desperate for guests
- Strong local economies-prices are set in local currency, not inflated by tourism
Meanwhile, places like Spain, Italy, and France are still pricing for peak season. Their hotels haven’t dropped rates enough to compete. But in Bulgaria, Georgia, and Tunisia, they’re trying to survive. That’s your advantage.
What to avoid if you want real savings
Don’t fall for fake deals. Some websites advertise "€29 holidays"-but they’re for a single night in a hostel 50km from anywhere. Or they charge €100 for a flight and then add €80 for baggage, meals, and transfers. Always check the total price before booking.
Also avoid places that only have "last minute" deals. If it’s been on sale for weeks, it’s not a deal-it’s the normal price. Look for hotels that have clearly lowered their rates for December. That’s the real savings.
How to book smart
Book directly with the hotel when possible. Many places in Bulgaria and Georgia have websites in English and take credit cards. You’ll save 15-20% compared to booking through third-party sites.
Use Skyscanner to find flights. Set alerts for your home airport to any destination in Eastern Europe or North Africa. Filter by "cheapest month"-you’ll see December as the lowest.
Travel midweek. Flying out on a Tuesday or Wednesday saves you €30-€50. Stay for six nights instead of seven-you’ll often get the seventh night free.
What to pack
It’s not tropical. Bring layers. A good waterproof jacket, thermal base layers, and a warm hat. You’ll need them in Georgia and Poland. But in Tunisia and Portugal, you can get by with a light coat and a scarf.
Don’t forget a power adapter. Most of these countries use Type F or C plugs. And carry some local cash. Small vendors, buses, and markets don’t take cards.
Bottom line
You don’t need to go far or spend big to have a real holiday. Right now, the cheapest places to holiday are the ones that don’t look like postcards. Portugal’s quiet beaches. Bulgaria’s winter resorts. Georgia’s snowy mountains. Tunisia’s sun-soaked coast. Poland’s calm shores.
They’re not glamorous. But they’re real. And they’re yours for less than €500 round-trip, including flights, food, and a place to sleep. That’s not a vacation. That’s a reset.
Is it safe to travel to these cheap destinations in December?
Yes. Portugal, Bulgaria, Georgia, Tunisia, and Poland are all safe for tourists in December. Crime rates are low, especially in tourist areas. The main risks are weather-related-cold in Georgia and Poland, occasional rain in Portugal. Use common sense: don’t walk alone at night in unfamiliar areas, keep valuables secure, and book accommodations with good reviews. Local police and tourist offices are usually helpful and speak basic English.
Can I find all-inclusive deals in these places?
Absolutely. Tunisia and Bulgaria are the best for all-inclusive packages in December. Many hotels offer full board with meals, drinks, and evening entertainment for under €50 a night. Portugal and Georgia have fewer all-inclusive options, but you’ll find plenty of guesthouses with free breakfast and lunch deals. In Poland, some spa hotels include meals in winter rates. Always check what’s included before booking-some "all-inclusive" only cover soft drinks, not alcohol.
Are flights really this cheap in December?
Yes. Airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet are running winter promotions to fill empty seats. Flights to Tbilisi, Varna, Monastir, and Gdansk are often under €70 return from major UK airports. The key is booking early-deals disappear fast. Set price alerts on Skyscanner or Google Flights. Avoid weekends. Flying midweek saves you €30-€50.
What’s the weather like in these places in December?
It varies. Portugal’s Algarve: mild, 15-18°C, mostly sunny. Bulgaria’s coast: cool, 5-10°C, occasional rain. Georgia’s mountains: cold, -2 to 5°C, snow common. Tunisia: warm for winter, 14-18°C, sunny. Poland’s coast: cold, -1 to 4°C, dry. Pack accordingly. You won’t need swimwear in Georgia or Poland, but you can still sit outside in Tunisia and Portugal with a light jacket.
How much should I budget per day?
For a budget traveler: €30-€40 a day covers everything in Bulgaria, Tunisia, and Georgia. That includes accommodation, meals, transport, and small activities. In Portugal and Poland, expect €45-€60 a day. You’ll spend more on accommodation but less on food. Avoid tourist traps. Eat where locals eat. Use public buses. Skip the guided tours. You can have a full week away for under €300, flights included.