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Christmas holidays 2026-27

Winter sun or real snow, a few hours from the UK

In December it is still around 21 °C in the Canaries, and the snow is waiting in Lapland. Our ideas for families leaving from the UK, from Tenerife to Santa's village.

Most schools in England · 19 Dec → 6 Jan

Photo: Eugen Sacalî / Unsplash

Where to go

Where to go at Christmas with the family

Where UK families head in December: guaranteed sun with little or no time difference, real snow in Lapland, or Christmas markets a short flight away.

White houses and palm trees on the seafront in the Canary IslandsMost booked

Spain

21 °C≈ 4 h 30Time difference: 0 h

Beaches in December, the Teide cable car in Tenerife and the dunes of Gran Canaria: winter sun on UK time.

Photo: Eugen Sacalî / Unsplash

Spain: practical info
Entry requirementsSpain is in the Schengen area. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area. No visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days (all Schengen countries counted together). EES: on your first visit you may have your fingerprints and photo taken at the border, free of charge (children 11 and under: photo only). ETIAS (20 euros) is not in force yet: the EU will announce its start date, expected from autumn 2026. At the border you may be asked for a return ticket, proof of accommodation, travel insurance and enough money for your stay.
Spain: entry requirements (FCDO) · EU Entry/Exit System (GOV.UK) · ETIAS (EU official website)
Emergency numbers112 for ambulance, fire and police, including mountain rescue (source: FCDO).
PlugsEuropean two-pin plugs (types C and F), 230 V: bring a UK-to-Europe adapter.MoneyEuro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted. Change money only at banks or official exchange offices: FCDO warns of counterfeit notes from street changers.Time differenceCanary Islands: same time as the UK all year round. Mainland Spain and the Balearics: 1 hour ahead all year.DrivingDrive on the right. A UK photocard licence is enough (no international driving permit). Children under 1.35 m must use an approved child seat in the back; any handheld phone use is banned, even when parked at the roadside.TippingService is not always added to the bill; rounding up or leaving a few euros is appreciated.
HealthA free UK GHIC (or a valid EHIC) gives access to medically necessary state healthcare, but it does not replace travel insurance (repatriation, private clinics, changes to your trip). In some resorts hotels call private doctors who do not accept the GHIC. Supervise children closely at pools and on beaches, where currents can be strong. Check recommended vaccines at least 8 weeks before you leave.
Spain: health (FCDO) · Spain (TravelHealthPro) · Apply for a free GHIC (NHS)
Where to stay with childrenTenerife south (Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos), Gran Canaria south (Maspalomas), Lanzarote (Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen), Fuerteventura (Corralejo).

Mobile data there: one eSIM per person, installed before you leave. See the price for Spain

Checked on 5 Oct 2026Has something changed? Let us know

Snow-covered forest in Finnish Lapland at dusk

Finland

−8 °C≈ 3 h 30Time difference: +2 h

Husky and reindeer rides, Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, and with luck the northern lights.

Photo: Joakim Honkasalo / Unsplash

Finland: practical info
Entry requirementsFinland is in the Schengen area. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area. No visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days (all Schengen countries counted together). EES: on your first visit you may have your fingerprints and photo taken at the border, free of charge (children 11 and under: photo only). ETIAS (20 euros) is not in force yet: the EU will announce its start date, expected from autumn 2026. Border officers may ask for proof of accommodation, a return ticket and enough money for your stay.
Finland: entry requirements (FCDO) · EU Entry/Exit System (GOV.UK) · ETIAS (EU official website)
Emergency numbers112 for ambulance, fire and police (source: FCDO).
PlugsEuropean two-pin plugs (types C and F), 230 V: bring a UK-to-Europe adapter.MoneyEuro (EUR). Cards, including contactless, are accepted almost everywhere.Time difference2 hours ahead of the UK all year round.DrivingDrive on the right with your UK licence. Hire companies may ask for a year of driving experience, a minimum age or an international driving permit: check when you book.TippingNot expected: service is included. Rounding up is fine.
HealthA free UK GHIC (or a valid EHIC) gives access to medically necessary state healthcare, but it does not replace travel insurance (repatriation, private clinics, changes to your trip). Check recommended vaccines at least 8 weeks before you leave.
Finland: health (FCDO) · Finland (TravelHealthPro) · Apply for a free GHIC (NHS)
Where to stay with childrenRovaniemi (near Santa Claus Village or the centre), Levi, Ylläs, Saariselkä: log cabins with a sauna are a classic for families.

Mobile data there: one eSIM per person, installed before you leave. See the price for Finland

Checked on 5 Oct 2026Has something changed? Let us know

Prague Castle above the Vltava river at dusk

Czechia

3 °C≈ 2 hTime difference: +1 h

Christmas markets on Old Town and Wenceslas squares, Prague Castle and the zoo: an easy break between Christmas and New Year.

Photo: Alexandra Tran / Unsplash

Czechia: practical info
Entry requirementsCzechia is in the Schengen area. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area. No visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days (all Schengen countries counted together). EES: on your first visit you may have your fingerprints and photo taken at the border, free of charge (children 11 and under: photo only). ETIAS (20 euros) is not in force yet: the EU will announce its start date, expected from autumn 2026. Carrying ID is a legal requirement: keep your passport on you.
Czechia: entry requirements (FCDO) · EU Entry/Exit System (GOV.UK) · ETIAS (EU official website)
Emergency numbers112 for ambulance, fire and police (source: FCDO).
PlugsEuropean plugs (types C and E), 230 V: bring a UK-to-Europe adapter.MoneyCzech koruna (CZK), not the euro. Prague city police advise changing money only at banks or exchange offices, never in the street (counterfeit notes).Time difference1 hour ahead of the UK all year round.DrivingDrive on the right with a UK photocard licence. Zero tolerance for alcohol at the wheel: any trace can mean a heavy fine. Use a major taxi company and check rates before getting in.TippingAround 10% in restaurants is customary when you are happy with the service.
HealthA free UK GHIC (or a valid EHIC) gives access to medically necessary state healthcare, but it does not replace travel insurance (repatriation, private clinics, changes to your trip). Check recommended vaccines at least 8 weeks before you leave.
Czechia: health (FCDO) · Czechia (TravelHealthPro) · Apply for a free GHIC (NHS)
Where to stay with childrenOld Town and Malá Strana to walk everywhere; Vinohrady for quieter family apartments close to the metro.

Mobile data there: one eSIM per person, installed before you leave. See the price for Czechia

Checked on 5 Oct 2026Has something changed? Let us know

St Mary's Basilica and a Christmas tree in Krakow, framed by an arch

Poland

2 °C≈ 2 h 30Time difference: +1 h

The Christmas market on the Main Square, Wawel Castle and the underground chapels of the Wieliczka salt mine.

Photo: Jeffrey Zhang / Unsplash

Poland: practical info
Entry requirementsPoland is in the Schengen area. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area. No visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days (all Schengen countries counted together). EES: on your first visit you may have your fingerprints and photo taken at the border, free of charge (children 11 and under: photo only). ETIAS (20 euros) is not in force yet: the EU will announce its start date, expected from autumn 2026. Always carry ID (a printed copy of your passport photo page is accepted).
Poland: entry requirements (FCDO) · EU Entry/Exit System (GOV.UK) · ETIAS (EU official website)
Emergency numbers112 (all services) · Ambulance 999 · Fire 998 · Police 997 (source: FCDO).
PlugsEuropean plugs (types C and E), 230 V: bring a UK-to-Europe adapter.MoneyPolish zloty (PLN), not the euro. Check your bill in bars and only use official taxis showing the company name and a rate card.Time difference1 hour ahead of the UK all year round.DrivingDrive on the right; a UK photocard licence is valid for up to 6 months. Always carry your licence, ID, registration and insurance documents. Walkers and cyclists must wear a reflective item at night outside built-up areas.TippingAround 10% in restaurants is usual when service is good.
HealthA free UK GHIC (or a valid EHIC) gives access to medically necessary state healthcare, but it does not replace travel insurance (repatriation, private clinics, changes to your trip). Check recommended vaccines at least 8 weeks before you leave.
Poland: health (FCDO) · Poland (TravelHealthPro) · Apply for a free GHIC (NHS)
Where to stay with childrenOld Town (Stare Miasto) and Kazimierz to do everything on foot; Zakopane for a few days in the snow.

Mobile data there: one eSIM per person, installed before you leave. See the price for Poland

Checked on 5 Oct 2026Has something changed? Let us know

Aerial view of a resort on the Red Sea

Egypt

24 °C≈ 5 h 30Time difference: +2 h

First snorkelling on the Red Sea reefs from Hurghada, then a day in Cairo for the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Photo: Bahaa Mourad / Unsplash

Egypt: practical info

FCDO advises against all or all but essential travel to some areas (North Sinai, the Libyan border, parts of the Western Desert); the Red Sea resorts are not among them. Regional tensions may disrupt flights. In Red Sea resorts, FCDO reports assaults including on minors: do not leave children unaccompanied. Egypt: warnings (FCDO)

Entry requirementsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival, with one blank page. A visa is normally needed: e-visa in advance (valid up to 3 months) or visa on arrival at airport kiosks for 30 US dollars, cash only (valid 30 days). At Cairo airport, a digital visa on arrival by card costs 36 US dollars. No visa for stays under 15 days in the Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts if you fly into Sharm el-Sheikh.
Egypt: entry requirements (FCDO) · Official Egypt e-visa portal · Egyptian Consulate General in London
Emergency numbersAmbulance 123 · Police 122 · Tourist police 126 · Fire 180 (source: FCDO).
PlugsEuropean two-pin plugs (types C and F), 220 V: bring a UK-to-Europe adapter.MoneyEgyptian pound (EGP). You can bring in or take out up to 5,000 EGP; declare foreign currency over 10,000 US dollars on arrival. Keep US dollars in cash for the visa on arrival.Time differenceUsually 2 hours ahead of the UK. Exceptions, because Egypt changes its clocks on other dates: 3 hours ahead from 25 to 29 October 2026; 1 hour ahead from 28 March to 29 April 2027 and from 29 to 31 October 2027.DrivingDrive on the right. You need both your UK licence and the 1949 international driving permit, which you cannot buy outside the UK: get it before you go.TippingTipping (baksheesh) is expected for most small services; around 10 to 15% in restaurants.
HealthNo GHIC here: take travel insurance. Check recommended vaccines at least 8 weeks before you go (dengue is a risk). Some medicines are controlled: carry a letter from your GP. Hotel doctors have been known to overcharge.
Egypt: health (FCDO) · Egypt (TravelHealthPro)
Where to stay with childrenHurghada and El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sharm el-Sheikh (Naama Bay), Giza for a view of the pyramids.

Mobile data there: one eSIM per person, installed before you leave. See the price for Egypt

Checked on 5 Oct 2026Has something changed? Let us know

The Burj Al Arab seen from the beach in Dubai

UAE

25 °C≈ 7 hTime difference: +4 h

Pools and beaches, the Dubai Frame and the Miracle Garden: December is one of the most comfortable months in Dubai.

Photo: Darcey Beau / Unsplash

UAE: practical info

FCDO (July 2026): the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable after strikes across the region since 8 July. Expect possible flight cancellations and airspace closures at short notice, and sign up to FCDO email alerts. UAE: warnings (FCDO)

Entry requirementsPassport valid for at least 6 months on arrival, for every traveller including children. A visitor visa is issued free on arrival (no need to apply in advance), valid for up to 90 days in any 180 days. Some UK medicines are controlled: you must get approval from the UAE Ministry of Health before travelling.
UAE: entry requirements (FCDO)
Emergency numbersPolice 999 · Ambulance 998 · Fire 997 (source: FCDO).
PlugsType G, the same three-pin plug as in the UK: no adapter needed.MoneyUAE dirham (AED). Cards are accepted almost everywhere.Time difference4 hours ahead of the UK in winter, 3 hours in summer (no daylight saving in the UAE).DrivingDrive on the right. A UK photocard licence is accepted; with an old paper licence you may also need an international driving permit.TippingA service charge is sometimes included; around 10% is appreciated when it is not.
HealthNo GHIC here: travel insurance is essential. Hospitals are of a good standard but may refuse treatment without insurance or a means to pay, and you may be stopped from leaving the UAE with an unpaid medical bill.
UAE: health (FCDO) · UAE (TravelHealthPro)
Where to stay with childrenDubai (Marina and JBR, Palm Jumeirah, Downtown), Abu Dhabi (Yas Island, Saadiyat).

Mobile data there: one eSIM per person, installed before you leave. See the price for UAE

Checked on 5 Oct 2026Has something changed? Let us know

Average December temperatures (daytime highs), approximate flight times from London (direct where available), time difference with the UK in December. Each practical panel is closed by default.

Good to know

Christmas holiday dates

Dates are set by each council: here are those for most schools in England and for Edinburgh.

AreaFirst day offBack to school
Most schools in EnglandTerm ends Friday 18 December.Saturday, 19 December 2026Monday, 4 January 2027
Scotland (Edinburgh)Term ends Friday 18 December; winter holidays 21 December to 5 January.Saturday, 19 December 2026Wednesday, 6 January 2027

Source: Birmingham City Council: school term dates 2026 to 2027, checked on 5 October 2026. Dates for most state schools; academies and independent schools can set their own. Check with your council. England: Birmingham City Council (same dates in Kent and Camden; same October, Christmas, February and May dates in Leeds and Manchester, which split Easter). Scotland: City of Edinburgh Council. Find your council's dates: https://www.gov.uk/school-term-holiday-dates Academies and independent schools can set their own dates: check with your school or council.

Good to know

Before you go

Everything to sort out before you travel, in one place. Rules for each country are in the practical info for that destination.

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Passports and children
Passport rules, permission letters, new EU checks
Passport rules for EuropeFor Spain, Portugal, Greece, Finland, Czechia, Poland and the rest of the Schengen area, each passport (children's included) must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave. No visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days. Turkey asks for at least 150 days' validity on arrival; Egypt and the UAE ask for 6 months. For the United States, every traveller, babies included, needs an approved ESTA before boarding: apply only on the official website or app.
Travelling to the EU and Schengen area · Renew or apply for a passport · ESTA (official US website)
Taking your child abroadYou need the permission of everyone with parental responsibility. A letter from the other parent, with their contact details and the trip details, is usually enough. Take the birth certificate, and a marriage or divorce certificate if your surname is different from your child's.
Permission to take a child abroad
New EU border checksSince October 2025 the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) records fingerprints and a photo at the border, free of charge: allow extra time. ETIAS, a 20 euro travel authorisation, is expected from autumn 2026 but has not started: any website selling it today is a scam.
EU Entry/Exit System

Official links checked on 5 Oct 2026

Safety and health
Travel advice, GHIC, insurance, vaccines
FCDO travel adviceEntry rules, safety and health for every country. Read it the week you leave and sign up for email alerts for your destination.
Foreign travel advice
GHIC for EuropeFree card for necessary state healthcare in the EU, on the same basis as residents (free or at local rates). Every member of the family needs their own card. Apply only on the NHS website: unofficial sites may charge a fee.
Apply for a free GHIC
Travel insuranceBuy it as soon as you book, covering existing medical conditions. Without it, a broken leg in Spain can cost more than 25,000 pounds. Travelling against FCDO advice can invalidate your policy.
Foreign travel insurance
VaccinesCheck recommended vaccines at least 8 weeks before you leave, especially for Egypt.
TravelHealthPro: advice by country · Travel vaccinations (NHS)

Official links checked on 5 Oct 2026

Getting there and back
Liquids, driving, customs, pets
Liquids in hand luggageRules depend on the airport: at most, containers of 100ml maximum in one transparent bag of about 1 litre; some UK airports now allow up to 2 litres. Baby milk and baby food are allowed. Check every airport on your trip, including the return.
Hand luggage restrictions
Driving abroadWith a UK photocard licence, no international driving permit is needed in the EU. Egypt requires the 1949 permit (5.50 pounds at PayPoint shops), which you cannot get once abroad.
Driving abroad · International driving permit
Customs on the way homeArriving in Great Britain, you can bring other goods worth up to 390 pounds per person tax-free, plus separate limits for alcohol and tobacco. Above that, declare them.
Bringing goods into the UK
Travelling with your petFor the EU: microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and an animal health certificate from your vet for each trip.
Taking your pet abroad

Official links checked on 5 Oct 2026

Has something changed? Let us know.

Once you are there

Stay connected abroad, the whole family

Maps, messages home, photos: one eSIM each, installed before you leave, which starts when you land. Today's prices for each destination.

Spain10 GB · 30 days: €11.90from €3.20Finland10 GB · 30 days: €8.40from €2.10Czechia10 GB · 30 days: €8.90from €2.10Poland10 GB · 30 days: €8.30from €2.10Egypt10 GB · 30 days: €18.90from €4.70UAE10 GB · 30 days: €36.00from €4.60

Starting price of one eSIM for one person, before the group discount. Prices update live from our catalogue.

Per person · 14 days

7.5 to 11 GB

Maps, messages and social media, everyday use. Our advice: 10 GB for 30 days, to cover the 14 days without counting.

Work it out for our group
Family of 4 · 10 GB · 30 days4 eSIMs−10% discountTotal
Spain€47.60−€4.76€42.84
Finland€33.60−€3.36€30.24
Czechia€35.60−€3.56€32.04
Egypt€75.60−€7.56€68.04

Europe isn't free any more on most UK plans Since Brexit, free roaming in the EU is no longer guaranteed. Three charges £2 or £2.75 a day in Europe on plans without roaming built in, EE sells roaming packages from £2.72 a day, and Vodafone only includes Europe on some plans. O2 still includes its Europe Zone up to 25GB: check your plan before you buy. What GOV.UK says about roaming in the EU

Install before you leave

At home, on wifi, the evening before you go. The eSIM only starts when you arrive.

Child mode

Your child sees their data and asks you for more, without buying anything themselves.

−10% from 3 eSIMs

One eSIM per person, one payment, the group price shown before you pay.

Travel together, connected.

One eSIM per person, one purchase, 10% off from 3 eSIMs.

Choose my destination

Frequently asked questions

When are the Christmas school holidays 2026-27?

For most schools in England, from Saturday, 19 December 2026 to Sunday, 3 January 2027, with pupils back on Monday, 4 January 2027. Scotland and some councils have different dates: see the table above, and check with your school.

Where to go for winter sun at Christmas with kids?

The Canary Islands are about 4 hours from London, on UK time, with around 21 °C in December. The Red Sea in Egypt is a little warmer, around 24 °C, for 2 hours' time difference. Dubai is around 25 °C, but 7 hours away and 4 hours ahead.

Does my child's passport need to be valid for Spain after Brexit?

Yes, the same rules apply to children: the passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area. No visa is needed for up to 90 days in any 180 days. At the border, children 11 and under are not fingerprinted for the new EU Entry/Exit System, but may have their photo taken.

Will my phone work in Spain or Finland at Christmas?

Yes, but it may cost extra. Since Brexit, UK networks can charge for roaming in Europe: Three charges a daily fee on plans without roaming built in, and EE and Vodafone sell passes. O2 still includes Europe up to 25GB. A travel eSIM avoids the daily charge for the whole family.

How much data do we need for two weeks in Tenerife?

For everyday use (maps, messages, social media), allow around 7 to 11GB per person for 14 days. We recommend 10GB valid for 30 days: for four eSIMs that comes to €42.84 in total, group discount included.

Can we install the eSIM before we leave?

Yes, and we recommend it: install it at home on Wi-Fi the day before you fly. It only starts when you arrive and your phone connects to a local network.

The next school holidays

October half-term10 Oct → 2 Nov 2026February half-term13 Feb → 21 Feb 2027Easter holidays26 Mar → 20 Apr 2027May half-term1 May → 7 Jun 2027Summer holidays30 Jun → 2 Sept 2027

Photos: Bahaa Mourad, Mike Swigunski, Jeffrey Eisen, Dan, Mariya Oliynyk / Unsplash