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SINGAPORE, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Most December holidays begin with a feeling. Some travellers want a few quiet days by the sea, others want a weekend built around food and culture, while many simply need somewhere easy to reach after a long year. New accommodation search data from digital travel platform Agoda suggests Malaysians are keeping their favourite destinations in mind while adding a few less familiar options to the shortlist.
Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Malacca remain the six most-searched domestic destinations for December stays. Alongside them, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu are gaining interest, Sibu has entered the domestic top 20, and Johor Bahru and Port Dickson are moving higher as convenient getaways.
Fabian Teja, Country Director for Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda, said: “Malaysia’s established holiday hotspots continue to lead, but travellers are also considering lesser-known places for their year-end breaks. That gives secondary destinations a real chance to attract more visitors when they offer something distinctive, good value and a trip that is straightforward to plan. Malaysians are open to going somewhere new, but they still need a strong reason to choose it. Agoda helps travellers compare accommodation, flights and activities across more destinations. For Malaysia’s tourism industry, turning that curiosity into visits will depend on how clearly each place can show what makes it worth the trip.”
Island time or a coastal city break?
Langkawi remains a natural choice for travellers who want the full island holiday, complete with resort stays, beach days and excursions out on the water. It retained third place among Malaysia’s most-searched domestic destinations, with searches growing by 58% from 2025.
Kuantan offers a more flexible way to head to the coast. Travellers can combine time by the sea with local food and the conveniences of a city, without planning the entire trip around an island itinerary. While Kuantan ranked 13th overall, searches grew by 111%. Its rise points to greater interest in coastal trips that can move easily between beach time, food stops and unhurried days with fewer fixed plans.
Travellers heading to the east coast in December should check current weather conditions and transport schedules before confirming their itinerary.
A familiar heritage weekend or culture at a slower pace?
Malacca remains an easy favourite for a food-filled weekend among historic streets, museums, cafés and familiar local stops. The city held sixth place, with year-on-year searches increasing by 82%.
Kuala Terengganu offers a quieter interpretation of a cultural getaway. Its traditional crafts, east coast flavours and coastal setting lend themselves to travellers who want to explore without filling every hour of the trip. Searches for Kuala Terengganu grew by 114%, lifting the city from 18th to 14th place. This was the largest climb among destinations appearing in the top 20 in both years.
The comparison shows how Malaysians can now choose between two very different versions of a culture-led holiday: the familiar energy of Malacca or the slower rhythm of Kuala Terengganu.
Looking beyond East Malaysia’s usual gateways
Kota Kinabalu and Kuching remain firmly on Malaysians’ year-end travel map, holding fourth and fifth place respectively. Both offer an established mix of food, culture and experiences beyond the city centre.
Sibu provides another way to experience Sarawak. Days can unfold around markets, local dining and the riverfront, making it suited to travellers who prefer discovering a place through its everyday character rather than a long sightseeing checklist.
The town was part of Agoda’s domestic top 20 in 19th place, with searches growing by 78% year on year. Its arrival suggests that some travellers are beginning to look beyond East Malaysia’s best-known city breaks when planning their December trips.
When the easiest holiday is the most appealing
Not every year-end break needs a flight or weeks of planning. Johor Bahru and Port Dickson both moved up Agoda’s rankings as Malaysians searched for trips that are easier to arrange.
Johor Bahru climbed to seventh place, offering travellers a packed weekend of food, shopping and family attractions. Port Dickson rose to eighth, providing a quick coastal reset within easy reach of the Klang Valley.
Their growing popularity reflects a practical side of December travel. After a busy year, sometimes the best holiday is simply one that is easy to reach, easy to plan and different enough from home.
Malaysia’s familiar favourites continue to lead, but travellers now have more ways to create the holiday they want. Whether it is Langkawi or Kuantan, Malacca or Kuala Terengganu, the choice is becoming less about following the usual list and more about finding the right kind of break.
With over 130,000 flight routes, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda helps travellers combine their bookings in one platform. Travellers can discover deals on Agoda’s mobile app and Agoda.com.
