Top Ten Winter Sun Destinations
If you’re looking for winter sun it can be tricky to know where to go, and when! I’ve got a round-up of the best winter sun destinations below, including all you need to know about temperatures, average rainfall, and what’s going on in the resorts! If you’re looking for winter sun, read on…
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are undoubtedly one of the top winter sun destinations. That’s why prices remain pretty steady for these resorts year-round. They’re renowned for having great temperatures and plenty of sunshine all year round, with little rainfall. But which island is best for a winter getaway?
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest of all the Canary Islands. The resorts to the south tend to have better weather than up in the North, where it can be a little more unsettled. Temperatures in the south average around a high of 20 °C, with an average low of 16°C. It’s perfect t-shirt weather, although you’ll probably need a jacket once the sun goes down!
If you’re sticking to the main tourist resorts then you’ll find pretty much everything remains open during the winter months, including the waterparks. While it’s possible to have a beach holiday, it’s also a great time to explore more of the island. Get out on some of the hiking trails found around the resort outskirts. Head out for a dolphin or whale watching trip, or visit Mount Teide. Although it does get pretty snowy up there, so plan before you leave the UK if you’re thinking of doing that!
Fuerteventura
The second largest of the Canary Islands, this is also a great bet for some winter sun. Its name means ‘strong winds’ which as you can imagine means it can get pretty windy! The average high temperature in winter is around 22°C. So very warm during the day, with very little rainfall right through the winter months.
Again most of the resorts are still very lively, and attractions are open during the winter. Some festivals take place during the winter months like the Festival of Music, the International Kite Festival, and a carnival in February. So time your trip with one of these events for something a little different. And of course, the winds and warm temperatures make Fuerteventura a great surfing destination!
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is just 93 miles from the coast of Africa. It experiences warm temperatures year-round, with temperatures in the winter months reaching highs of 26°C, but never dropping below 20°C!
Again, there are carnivals and music festivals taking place throughout the winter months. The resorts are lively with plenty going on, so you’ll never struggle to find somewhere to eat or grab a drink. Gran Canaria is another island that has something for everyone. Warm beach holidays in the southern resorts, a city break in the capital, and walking trails in the north of the island.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is the closest island to the coast of Africa so has warm temperatures year-round. In winter the average is around 20°C, with an average of 6-8 hours of sunshine a day. Again, there’s very little rain during the winter months, making it perfect for a sunny getaway.
Lanzarote is the fourth smallest of the Canaries. It’s perfect for exploring if you want to get out and about during the winter months. It’s so easy to hire a car and visit some of the smaller resorts or head to the Timanfaya National Park to see the volcanic landscape there. If you do fancy a beach break, then the sea temperatures are the steadiest of all the islands. This makes it perfect for sea swimming year-round.
Malta
Malta is really taking off as a winter sun destination. Jet2 have recently announced they are expanding its flight programme during the winter. The island is sunny year-round and has lovely mild temperatures in winter. Temperatures reach an average of between 17°C and 20°C, so you will need a jacket. But they also have some of the highest average sunshine hours in Europe.
There is so much history to explore in Malta’s UNESCO-listed, capital city Valletta. With Malta getting some extremely high temperatures in summer, winter is the perfect time to get out there and explore. Take in some of the gorgeous buildings, visit the Christmas lights, or head out on a trip to the nearby island of Gozo. There are plenty of restaurants and bars still open during the winter months. And of course, the larger hotels will have a full programme of activities to keep the kids happy!
Turkey
Obviously, Turkey is a big country so there are huge differences in the weather during winter. The best areas to head to for some winter sunshine are the areas around Antalya, Alanya or Side. It’s usually sunny and fairly warm during the day with average temperatures of around 15°C. However, it can get very chilly in the evenings. Be sure to pack a jumper and jacket if you’re likely to venture outside after dark.
Turkey makes a fantastic budget option for a winter getaway. The major bonus with Turkey is that many of the larger hotels have facilities such as indoor pools, gyms, kids’ clubs, bowling alleys and much more. So, if the weather isn’t playing ball to get outside and enjoy those waterslides, there’s still plenty to keep you entertained. As most of the hotels are available on an all-inclusive basis, you’re guaranteed to have everything available onsite. If you did want to get out and about, you’ll find restaurants and bars open in the larger resorts, however, smaller resorts may be a bit quieter.
Morocco
Morocco is warm and mild during the winter months and is much quieter with fewer crowds. The average daytime temperature is around 20°C, with an average of 8 hours of sunshine. However, the temperatures can drop very low overnight, an average of 7°C so be prepared for this! Take plenty of layers!!!
Winter in Morocco is the perfect time for exploring the markets and some of the coastal cities. Head to Marrakech for exploring markets and museums, plus views of the Atlas Mountains. Head to Rabat for plenty of history, or Essaouira for a laidback seaside holiday. Winter is also a great time to explore the Sahara Desert or the Atlas Mountains as temperatures are much lower. Morocco is perfect for a more action-packed family break.
The Balearics
The Balearic Islands are another great option for a winter getaway. With warm sunny days, averaging around 16°C, and only short flights to get there, many families choose the Balearic Islands for a quick getaway.
Ibiza
The average daytime temperature in Ibiza is around 15°C. However, on a super sunny day this can climb to around 25°C. The wettest month in Ibiza is October, but rain doesn’t fall very often. If you are unlucky enough to be caught in a shower, they tend to blow over pretty quickly.
Ibiza is definitely the most lively of the Balearic Islands, but heading there in winter is much quieter than the height of summer, with a more family feel. There are also some quieter resorts which are still open during the winter, providing opportunities for sea swimming and snorkelling. There is also plenty of history to be explored on the island. The cooler winter temperatures make it the perfect time for exploring. Some restaurants and bars will close down over the winter months, however, there will still be plenty of choice available. Stick to the larger resorts for the most choice.
Majorca
Majorca generally averages around 7 hours of daily sun in winter. It is one of the warmest places in Spain, with temperatures averaging between 15°C and 19°C. Temperatures can drop quite low at night, especially on clear nights so you will need to pack a coat and jumper if you’re out and about at night.
Winter is a great time to visit the capital city of Palma, which has plenty open for tourists. Magaluf is still very popular in winter with plenty of the bars and clubs still open. Alcudia and Palma Nova are the best resorts for families during the winter months, with beautiful beaches. Again, some businesses may close down in the winter months, but there will still be plenty of options for visitors. There are also several markets which are fun to explore across the island.
Menorca
Menorca is the quietest of all the Balearic Islands but is still a great destination for a winter break. Temperatures average between 14°C and 20°C, with plenty of sunshine and blue skies. Again, it can get very cold during the evenings, so pack layers, jumpers and jackets to make sure you’re prepared. Menorca can also get the odd winter storm, which makes for some great surfing opportunities once the worst of the weather has passed.
Whilst many hotels do close in Menorca during the winter months, there are still some great options available. Menorca is a good destination if you’re looking for a quieter break. Although it also has less flights available so can be a little trickier to get to. Winter is the ideal time to explore some of Menorca’s archaeological sites, take advantage of some of the hiking trails, and visit the many museums around the island.
Cyprus
Cyprus in winter is very mild, with the average temperatures ranging from 18°C to 23°C. Weather can be changeable so it’s worth packing layers, and making sure you have a jacket just in case! However, temperatures never drop too low with averages of around 12-14°C at night.
Cyprus can get very hot in summer (temperatures frequently top 35°C), so the winter months make it the perfect time to explore more of the island. It’s a great time to visit the Troodos mountains. Take advantage of some gorgeous coastal walks. Or explore more of the towns such as Paphos and Nicosia. Of course, the warm sunny days mean you can spend the time relaxing by the pool or visiting one of the many beaches. Some of the hotels and restaurants in the more touristy resorts do close down for the winter. Stick to resorts like Paphos, Limassol, Nicosia and Larnaca and there’ll still be plenty going on.
The Algarve
Winter weather in the Algarve can be mild but also a little unpredictable. So make sure you’re prepared with jumpers and coats! The average maximum temperature during the day is around 18°C, so definitely warm enough for wandering around in a t-shirt. Although it can get chilly in the evenings so layer up!
A great thing about the Algarve in winter is that it doesn’t ‘shut down’ like some destinations. There are plenty of bars, cafes, restaurants and shops to choose from. As the temperatures are much cooler than in the summer months, it’s the perfect time to do some exploring. There are some gorgeous walking trails in the Algarve, and the beaches are super quiet. If you’re a golfer, the Algarve has a huge variety of courses available.
Cape Verde
Whilst a little further away than the other options on the list, Cape Verde is definitely the warmest option with temperatures averaging between 25 and 28°C. There’s an average of 8 hours of sunshine, in the winter months! Definitely warm enough to kick back and relax, without having to travel long haul! The water temperature also stays at around 26°C meaning sea swimming and snorkelling is definitely on the to-do list.
Cape Verde is a quieter destination than some of the others on the list, which means you won’t be faced with large crowds. However, there are still plenty of options for shopping, eating and grabbing a glass of vino or two. Cape Verde is made up of a series of islands, each one with its own charms and things to see. Sal and Boa Vista are the most touristy islands with lots of shops and beautiful beaches. Santiago is the largest island and is where Cape Verde’s capital city is located, so there is tons of history. As the weather is pretty steady year-round, the islands don’t have an off-season, so there will be plenty going on for everyone.
Costa Blanca
Temperatures in the Costa Blanca are quite a bit cooler than in the summer months, so it’s the perfect destination if you’re not a fan of the heat. Despite this, temperatures usually average around 20°C so it’s possible to still enjoy some warm sunny weather.
The Costa Blanca, with the major resorts of Benidorm and Alicante, has long been a favourite winter destination. With short flight times and regular flights, it offers more flexibility than some other destinations. This gives you the option to hop away for a quick 3-, 4- or 5-night break. As it’s such a popular winter destination most of the resorts will still be very busy, with lots open. Yes, some bars and restaurants will close for winter, but there is still plenty of choice. Winter is also a perfect time to explore some of the markets in the region to do a spot of shopping. There are festivals taking place such as the Benidorm Carnival. Or visit some of the smaller towns in the area such as Altea.
Madeira
Temperatures in Madeira usually average around 19°C during the day, dropping to around 13°C at night. So it’s very mild compared to the UK. Like anywhere there can be some days when the weather is more changeable, so it’s good to go prepared. It can also be a little chilly at night, so layers and a jacket will be your friend! On the mountain peaks, it’s also possible to see snow during the winter months. You could be sunbathing by the pool, looking up at the snowy mountains!
Madeira is still lively in the winter months, however more with locals than tourists. It’s a great time to visit if you like your holidays less crowded, with a chance to live a bit more like a local. It’s also a much cheaper time of year for flights out of the UK! Most of the activities around the resorts such as dolphin and whale watching still run throughout the winter months so there’ll be plenty to keep you occupied. Water temperatures are still warm, and it’s a great time to do a spot of surfing. Madeira isn’t so much of a beach destination at any time of the year. There are some sandy beaches which are mostly made from imported sand, most of the beaches in Madeira are rocky. However, there are some gorgeous coastal walks and spots to do a bit of surfing.
Top Ten Winter Sun Destinations Round-Up
So if you want (almost) guaranteed sunshine, a variety of resorts and plenty to do for all ages, then you absolutely can’t go wrong with the Canary Islands. If you’re looking for something a bit different, with lots to see then consider booking a winter getaway to Morocco. And if you’re looking for the most budget-friendly option, then Turkey is absolutely your best bet. I recently found a February half-term holiday, for 2 adults and 1 child, for under £1000! That’s the total cost too!
If you would like any help or advice on booking your next winter getaway, then just get in touch, and I’ll be happy to help!
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