The 7 Best Winter Sun Destinations in Europe

Winter in the UK is notoriously grim. With cold weather, dark mornings and streetlights on by the late afternoon, it’s no wonder so many Brits crave some sunshine in the winter months. Between November and February, hopping on a short flight from the UK to visit a European country for some much-needed Vitamin D (and maybe even some Vitamin Sea!) can make you feel 100 times better and ready to tackle whatever else winter throws at you. Here are some of the best winter sun destinations in Europe.

1. Lanzarote, Spain

While all of the other Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura) boast warm winters, Lanzarote stands out. This is because it is the easternmost of the Canaries, meaning it is closer to Africa’s west coast and more sheltered from the wintry gales that come rolling off the Atlantic Ocean. Temperatures rarely dip below 20℃ during the day, making it warm enough to sit by the pool in your hotel or wander down to the beach in shorts and a t-shirt.

Remember to pack some sun cream, too – even when it’s cloudy, the UV rays from the sun can still cause you to burn!

Flight time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Average temperature: 17 – 20℃ / 62 – 68℉

2. Paphos, Cyprus

Situated on the southwestern coast of Cyprus, Paphos is almost as popular in winter as it is in the summer. While the winter temperatures don’t reach the balmy heights of the mid-40s like they can in the summer months, Paphos still makes for a wonderful winter sun destination in Europe. There’s plenty to do in this Cypriot city, which is steeped in rich cultural history, but it also offers more common tourist favourite pastimes and boasts an array of contemporary shops, restaurants and bars.

Try starting out your day with a morning dip in the Mediterranean Sea – it’ll be a tad nicer than attempting the same back home in the North Sea!

Flight time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Average temperature: 16 – 19℃ / 60 – 66℉

3. The Azores, Portugal

Located in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Azores could not possibly be a good winter sun destination. Approximately 1,400km (870 miles) west of Lisbon, and 1,930km (1,200 miles) east of Canada, the Azores are a beautiful set of volcanic islands, and are sometimes referred to as a “warm Iceland.” A must-visit for nature lovers, the Azores boast some of the best whale-watching tours in the world – and you can still expect to see some of these in the winter season, such as orcas (killer whales), blue whales, sperm whales and countless species of dolphins.

Temperatures rarely dip below 12℃ during the evening, so although you might need to pack a jumper if you’re planning on being out at night, you’ll still be more than warm enough during the day in just a t-shirt.

Flight time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Average temperature: 16 – 19℃ / 60 – 66℉

4. Crete, Greece

Crete is another popular winter sun destination in Europe. The most southerly of all the Greek islands, Crete offers a warm climate year-round, and the months from November to February are no exception. With over 300 sunny days per year, Crete is ideal for a winter sun break. Temperatures have been known to creep into the 20s even in the heart of winter, making Crete the perfect winter sun destination.

Whether you wish to indulge your passion for Ancient Greek history or try out some authentic Greek food like souvlaki, olives and halloumi while sipping on a chilled glass of wine at a beachfront restaurant, Crete has it all.

Flight time: 4 hours

Average temperature: 15 – 19℃ / 59 – 66℉

 5. Sicily, Italy

Italy’s diverse climate makes this a surprise inclusion on the list – the Alps which border northern Italy are often favoured as sinter skiing holiday destinations in the snow. However, the most southern regions of Italy – such as Sicily – are the complete opposite. Italians and other tourists flock to this island for some much-needed winter sunshine.

The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily offers traditional Italian culture alongside some of the best winter weather in Europe. While evening temperatures can certainly be cool, daytime temperatures rarely dip below the mid-teens, so you should be fine without a jacket during the day. 

Flight time: 3 hours

Average temperature: 16 – 17℃ / 60 – 62℉

6. Valletta, Malta

Another Mediterranean island, Malta makes this list as a perfect winter sun destination. Valletta is the smallest capital city in the European Union, and the most southerly capital in Europe, making it a unique place in its own right, as well as ideal for a break from the gloomy winters of the UK.

With daytime temperatures sitting at around 17℃, Valletta has both a harbour and beach access, as well as winding streets and signature Maltese palazzos, many of which date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. So whether it’s history you’re into, or simply just a good dose of sunshine, Valletta is easily one of the best winter sun destinations in Europe.

Flight time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Average temperature: 13 – 17℃ / 55 – 62℉

7. Ksamil, Albania

We may have saved the best until last here – Ksamil is a small village in southern Albania, which has been dubbed the “European Maldives”. While the central and mountainous regions of the Balkan country can get bitterly cold in the winter, Ksamil is blessed with a Mediterranean climate, year-round. Just a four-hour drive from Tirana, the country’s capital, Ksamil is a must-visit for those craving some sunshine this winter.

You can also fly to Crete instead, and opt to take one of the five daily ferries over to Ksamil, making this an ideal destination for some winter sunshine.

Flight time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Average temperature: 13 – 17℃ / 55 – 62℉