This December Head to These Breathtaking Destinations: 11 Best Places to Visit in December in India (2019)

Nainital is a popular hill station situated in a valley in the state of Uttarakhand. It is surrounded by mountains and one of it’s main attractions is the mango shaped lake after which the place is named. Some of the popular tourist spots in the place are Naina Peak, Tiffin Top, Snow View Point, Gurney House, Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Naina Devi Temple, Cave Garden, Sat Tal, Hanumangarhi, Mall Road, Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo, Nainital, Himalaya Darshana and Echo Zone, St. John’s Church, Kilbury and Thandi Road.

There is the Tibetan market for all your shopping needs. You can find shops selling everything from clothes, bags, shoes to souvenirs and even fresh fruit and veggies. Nainital doesn’t have an airport. The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, from where you can hire a cab or board a bus to Nainital.

Manali is a tiny resort town in Himachal Pradesh, famous for it’s scenic beauty and great weather. It’s close to the state capital Shimla. Some of the popular tourist attractions in Manali are the Hidimba Devi Temple, the Manu Temple, Manali Sanctuary and the Mall Road.

Manali is great for hikers and adventure sports junkies as there are many hiking trails around the place, a popular one being Beas Kund Trek. There is also river rafting, paragliding, mountain biking, zorbing and skiing during the winter months. The place also has some great eateries serving everything from local cuisine to continental food. You can reach Manali by taking an Air-India flight to Bhuntar Airport which is the nearest one. There is no direct railroad to Manali. You can travel there from Shimla by car.

North Sikkim is a hiker’s and mountain lover’s paradise. The high altitudes guarantee that the temperatures are always on the lower side. You will find snow here almost throughout the year. The population here is very sparse. Therefore you will not find many places to stay or even many restaurants. What you will find thought are breathtakingly beautiful valleys, crystal clear lakes and cascading waterfalls.

So if you are drawn by these kinds of things then you should definitely give the place a visit. Popular attractions in North Sikkim are Yumthang Valley, Nathula and Tsomgo. You can travel to North Sikkim by taking a shared jeep, bus and or a taxi from Bagdogra, which is the nearest airport, or from Gangtok or Darjeeling.

Goa is one of the most popular beach destinations in India, attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world. Goa is a small state on the Konkan coast and is frequented for it’s beautiful beaches, nightlife and bohemian vibe. Goa was inhabited by Portuguese merchants in the past and is steeped in colonial history.

With a large Christian population, there is no dearth of churches and cathedrals in the state, the most famous ones being the Bom Jesus Basilica, where the remains of St. Francis Xavier are still preserved and the Se Cathedral. Goa has an international airport with scheduled domestic and international flights. One can also travel to Goa by road. There are buses leaving from Mumbai and Mangalore.

If you can’t decide between hills and the beach, then Varkala is the place for you. This beach town in Kerala has breathtakingly beautiful natural beaches adjacent to cliffs. Varkala also has many estuaries, backwaters and lakes. The place also has many places of worship like the Janardana Swami Temple, Sarkara Devi Temple, The Sree Saraswathi Temple and the Kaduvayil Juma Masjid.

Located nearby at Anjengo are the remains of the old English fort once inhabited by the British East India Company. Varkala can be reached by train with trains coming in from most major cities, by bus, by boat through Varkala Tunnel and also by helicopters landing at Varkala Helipad. The nearest airport is at Trivandrum.

Pondicherry is the capital of Puducherry which is a union territory in the Southern part of the country. This beautiful beach town used to be the headquarters French East India Company in the past and it’s past history is still very much evident in the culture and the atmosphere of the place. If you like walking or biking around in shady tree lined lanes with quaint architecture, pretty little cafes and boutiques or relaxing by the beach then Pondicherry is the place for you to be.

Pondicherry, though a quiet town, also has some great night life. If you are done with partying then find some quiet contemplation in the meditation and yoga centers scattered around the place. Pondicherry can be reached by bus from Chennai or Bangalore. There are trains also from most major cities. Pondicherry airport has direct flights to Bangalore and Hyderabad, and chartered flights to Chennai.

The city of Jaipur is also known as the Pink City. This historic capital of the state of Rajasthan is the place to head to if you want to experience old world charm and grandeur. The city is filled with palatial buildings known as "Havelis" some of which have been turned into hotels, therefore letting you experience a piece of royal luxury.

Must visit places in Jaipur are City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Amer Fort, Nahargarh Fort and Jantar Mantar, which is an astrological landmark accommodating a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II, and completed in 1734. Jaipur is a shopper’s haven with a dozen famous markets including Nehru Bazaar, Hawa Mahal Market, Bapu Bazaar and Tripoli Market selling beautiful hand-loom pieces, clothes, local shoes known as jootis, jewelry, bags and souvenirs. There are domestic and international flights to Jaipur and also trains. You can also travel to Jaipur by road from Delhi via highway.

If you want to visit a place right out of the history books then head to Hampi, also known as the city of ruins. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the state of Karnataka. The place is Surrounded by 500 ancient monuments, spectacular temples, busy street markets, citadels, treasury building and enchanting remains of Vijayanagar Empire.

Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, the old city is surrounded by boulders of different sizes. Must see places include the famous Virupaksha Temple, which has exquisite carvings. There are no modern structures in the main area, giving the whole place a feeling of authenticity. You can reach Hampi by road from the nearest major cities including Bangalore.

Mysore is called the City of Palaces, and aptly so. The whole city gives out a flamboyant vibe; brimming with the history of its astounding royal heritage, and grand architecture. The city is situated in the foothills of the Chamundi Hills, in the state of Karnataka. Mysore was one of the three largest Princely States during British Empire.

The most iconic structure in the city is probably the Mysore Palace, which also houses a museum, drawing thousands of visitors every day. It’s an architectural marvel, with every corner showcasing intricate detailing and workmanship. Other places of interest in the city are the Chamundeshwari Temple, Somnathpura Temple, Mysore Zoo and Vrindavan Gardens. Mysore is well connected by train to most other places in the region. You can also reach there by taking a bus from Kempegowda Airport in Bangalore.

Are Snowy slopes the place you want to be in winters? Then head to Auli in Uttarkhand. This hill station dotted with coniferous forests and orchards is the place to be for skiing enthusiasts in winter. With slopes that are 2500-3000 meters high, adventure seekers are bound to get the adrenaline rush that they crave.

Apart from skiing, you can also visit Auli if you love a picture perfect snowy landscape, forests of pine and oak and pristine surroundings. You can reach Auli by catching a taxi or a bus from Dehradun.

If you are an adrenaline junkie looking for your next adventure then head to Rishikesh. This place is a gold mine of activities for thrill seekers. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand in the Dehradun district, this place has a lot to offer for adventure lovers.

The activities that you can participate in include river rafting, rappelling, bungee jumping, the ‘flying fox’, mountain biking, giant swing, cliff jumping, waterfall trekking, valley crossing, kayaking, zorbing, parasailing, body surfing and trekking. You can reach Rishikesh by taking a bus or car from Dehradun or Haridwar which is the nearest railway station.