Dagestan in December 2025 – Is it worth going on vacation? Weather in Derbent and Makhachkala, reviews, air temperature, how to dress, what to take with you, prices for air tickets and hotels, excursions and tours. What to do and what to see in Dagestan during December, on New Year’s Eve, where you can go – in the Eurotraveler review.
Out of nothing to do or for the sake of extreme sports – perhaps these are the two main reasons why people go traveling in December. Unless, of course, we are talking about tropical countries with sun-baked beaches and sea. Or cities that are uniquely and directly associated with Western Christmas.
But, as you know, the first one actually doesn’t exist in Russia—the Black Sea doesn’t count. As, in general, the second one – the tradition of festive festivities and markets dedicated to the end of the year, for obvious reasons, has no chance of catching on.
But you can always challenge nature and yourself. Having gone to regions that are completely useless in terms of ski holidays. But on the other hand, they give the opportunity to receive a lot of adrenaline and impressionsthat are guaranteed to be remembered for a lifetime.
Going on a trip to Dagestan in December, you will almost certainly get both the first and the second. Just keep in mind that this more about adventuresthan about a relaxing holiday.
Although, perhaps, the adventures are relatively carefree – today jeep tours with “everything ready” are carried around the region with all their might… Well, or almost everything, it depends on how much you are willing to spend.
However, let’s go in order. And we’ll find out how difficult is it prepare mentally and physically for a winter trip to Dagestan.
We will study the weather conditions, as well as the issue of equipment, current prices and opportunities for active pastime.
Weather in Dagestan in December
It’s not just bad most of the time, in fact, it’s what determines whether you’ll see the main natural attractions of Dagestan or whether you’ll have to limit yourself to coastal cities. In which winter, of course, is not so piercingly cold, but, alas, it is chilly and clearly does not have a sunny disposition.
If you come to Makhachkala or Derbent in December, you will hardly have to complain about sub-zero temperatures. But the chance of catching clear weather is minimal, cloudy or even stormy days They’re coming here one after another.
The air temperature on the coast of Dagestan in December usually ranges from +4-12 °C. It’s cooler in Makhachkala. In the south, in Derbent, it is warmer.
At night temperatures can drop to 0 °C. But if short-term frosts happen here, they occur at the end of the month, on New Year’s Eve.
At the same time, it is often cloudy, damp and very chilly. The volume of precipitation seems to be small – up to 30-40 mm per month. But most of the time, the weather behaves as if it clearly misses the sunny summer days.
And this is not even sadness – deep sadness, which manifests itself in the form of a large number of sunless days and a foggy haze hanging in the atmosphere. Sometimes this mood breaks through in the reviews of tourists who ventured to visit Dagestan in December.
But then it gives way to a clear rise – landscapes in the republic even in winter are a sight to behold!
- Prices for daily rental apartments in Makhachkala
Will the weather interfere?
take a walk around Derbent, take a closer look at the legendary Naryn-Kala and Juma Mosque? We are more than sure that no. And if you wish, you can get to the giant of the Soviet era, the Lun ekranoplane, without any problems.
Nothing can stop you from climbing the Sarykum dune near Makhachkala. And even do it in almost complete solitude – in December they visit Dagestan very rare tourists.
But it’s safer to get to the Sulak Canyon and other mountain beauties of the republic in winter with a local guide. After all, you can even see both the road and the sights themselves behind a veil of thick fog on other days it is simply impossible.
However, fortune favors those who love risk. And therefore it is not surprising that the author of this report on an express tour to December Dagestan was truly rewarded for his perseverance non-ordinary species. Although, he was probably mentally prepared for the fact that he would be unlucky with the weather.
After all, in the mountainous part of Dagestan
Even at the beginning of winter, severe frosts are possible and sometimes it lies non-melting snow cover. It is still possible to drive on most roads, but their configuration, as well as icing, force you to approach driving as carefully as possible.
Keep this point in mind if you are planning to travel to Dagestan by car in December. Or intend to get around there in a rented vehicle.
In the mountains, snowfalls are possible, sometimes heavy, low clouds, as well as other delights characteristic of this time of year in most of Russia. Again, the duration of daylight hours is also minimal — in Makhachkala in December it barely exceeds 9 hours.
The sun rises early, around 7 am – if you are able to identify this event. And it sets below the horizon before 17.30.
Again, in the mountains the former may occur later and the latter much earlier. It all depends on the specific location and its topography.
What to take with you
Warm clothing at this time of year and in this region is good and right. Moreover, the emphasis, as usual, should be placed not on thickness and length, but on multi-layer and light weight.
Because there will be a lot of walking and going up and down the slopes in Dagestan in December. And naturally, it is much more convenient to do this in something that does not restrict movement.
But at the same time, light in weight, wind and waterproof – you will definitely praise yourself for your foresight when you ascend to the “Dagestan Machu Picchu”.
Special pay attention to the shoes — it must not only be waterproof and warm, but also have a sole that can cling to frozen ground. However, as mentioned above, for those who will not travel further than the cities on the Caspian Sea coast, the latter is not particularly relevant.
It is also worth thinking about what you will sleep in in your hotel room. Because it’s far away Not everywhere here has central heatingand it didn’t promise anyone to work properly.
- What other things should you take with you to Dagestan?
Prices 2025
The destination is obviously not considered popular – in this month of the year. You yourself can draw this conclusion, you just have to study the prices for air tickets – flights from Moscow to Makhachkala and back in December 2025 (excluding pre-New Year dates) cost a total of 17-20 thousand rubles per passenger and his, however, modest luggage.
But today rooms in hotels and guest houses are quite expensive – even in winter in Derbent you will spend from 5-6 thousand rubles per day for two. But an apartment, well renovated, spacious and in the center, can be rented cheaper – thousands for 3-4 per day. And for a company of up to 4-6 people
We would also recommend staying in apartments in Makhachkala. Because in this case you are guaranteed to spend less in the Dagestan capital. And the choice of options today is very large…
It is worth counting on in December significant discount and when ordering excursions. As well as tours around Dagestan – a similar format for getting to know the republic in winter is perhaps the most preferable.
Because driving on mountainous, sometimes icy or snow-covered roads better with a localknowing “what, where and how”.
Such pleasure is not expensive, but not cheap either. In 2025, participation in a full-scale 3-day trip to Dagestan will cost 25-30 thousand rubles per person or more.
Things to do
For example, you can take a walk around Makhachkala and go to the Sarykum dune. On a relatively fine day, try your luck and visit the Sulak Canyon and the Chirkey Reservoir, hoping that they will be clearly visible from the viewpoints.
Even in winter there are no obstacles for visits to Derbentinspection of its atmospheric fortress Naryn-Kala. And also trips to the “Caspian Monster”, which is bored on the coast, the rather rusty, but still impressive in its power, ekranoplane “Lun”.
Citizens confident in their driving skills go to more inaccessible locations in Dagestan in winter. Trying to get to ghost village of Gamsutlto photograph almost cosmic landscapes in “troll tongues” in Old Goor, visit Gunib.
At this time of year you can visit Khunzakh plateautake a look at the Tsolotlinsky canyon and see the Matlas waterfall. It is quite possible that at this moment it already represents a natural ice wall.
- What you can visit in Dagestan in winter
- Where would be good to go in Russia in December?
- Is it worth vacationing in Kaliningrad in December?
- What’s the weather like on New Year’s Eve in Kazan?
© Eurotraveler
