The best winter-sun destinations in Europe
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The Thai islands or Bali may be more synonymous with scorching-hot beaches in January, but there are alternatives for when you just want a quick blast of vitamin D to see you through to March. From golden islands that sizzle well into autumn and beyond, to European city break destinations bathed in elusive December sunshine, these winter-sun destinations in Europe mean escaping the blustery UK days is easily achievable. For some further-flung ideas, see our pick of the best winter-sun destinations.
Getty ImagesCyprus
Best for: nature lovers
December temperature range: 10-19°CIt’s easy to forget that Cyprus is only about 130 miles off the coast of Lebanon. And, unsurprisingly, its winter temperatures run closer to those of the Levant than much of continental Europe, which means T-shirt weather during the off-season. Winter is also a great time to go hiking in Cyprus’s dense forests, where you can stumble across fascinating Byzantine monasteries.
Where to stay: The seaside city of Paphos is a brilliant base for exploring the island and is home to many of the best hotels in Cyprus, including Almyra design hotel. In the north are some of the island’s prettiest beaches, where loggerhead and green turtles come to nest, along with the beachside Anassa hotel (closed 28 November to 31 March), located a short boat ride away from the Blue Lagoon.
Getty ImagesCanary Islands
Best for: dyed-in-the-wool sun seekers
December temperature range: 11-21°CIn summer, the breeze that hits Lanzarote and Fuerteventura is a blessed relief from the intense heat and a major draw for windsurfers. In winter, said breeze brings with it a bit of a chill, so you’re better off heading to the other Canary Islands: Tenerife or Gran Canaria. The former has made great strides in repositioning itself as a cultural hub with an art gallery designed by Swiss firm Herzog and de Meuron and Santiago Calatrava’s concert hall in Santa Cruz. And the latter has plenty of charm beyond the overdeveloped tourist spots. The capital, Las Palmas, has a lively food scene and the landscape, particularly around the village of Artenara, is manna for hikers. Flights to both islands from London are under four and a half hours.
Where to stay: In Las Palmas, Bed and Chic is a cool 12-room hotel reminiscent of the Ace Hotel look, but without the pretension. On Tenerife, Hotel San Roque, is a pretty 18th-century manor house where dining and lounging take place around the turquoise courtyard pool.
Getty ImagesMadeira
Best for: thrill-seekers (but still good for pensioners, too)
December temperature range: 15-20°CThe long-time destination of choice for Britain’s blue-rinse brigade, staid old Madeira has been busy reinventing itself as a place for adrenaline-fueled adventure. And why not? The island is an outdoor Eden in miniature, with black-sand beaches, tumbling canyons, and epic rock faces. Which means great mountain biking and wonderful views for those who dare to go paragliding. The network of levadas (water-irrigation channels carved into the volcanic island) makes for thrilling trail running. It is also, as far as we know, the only place to offer year-round urban tobogganing in wicker sledges, which are steered downhill at great speed.
Where to stay: The island's most famous hotel is Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel – a pink cliffside palace with a Michelin-star and stunning ocean pool. If you're travelling in a group, Okulus sleeps eight, and thanks to its curated interiors, is easily the coolest villa in Madiera.
Getty ImagesThe Algarve, Portugal
Best for: getting away from it all
December temperature range: 9-18°CContinental Europe’s most south-western region has its own sunny microclimate that makes it consistently warmer than the rest of Portugal. You won’t be in a bikini in winter, but the pleasant T-shirt temperatures mean that an increasing number of hotels and restaurants stay open year-round, and cities such as Albufeira retain a buzz. Away from the package tourist haunts, there are dramatic red-cliff coastlines and Moorish villages dotted among the hills to explore.
Where to stay: Enjoy a tranquil escape to Casas da Quinta de Cima, where a series of nine little cottages sit on a serene farm estate in rural eastern Algarve. For something more grand, reserve a room at Bel Vista, a turn-of-the-century villa hotel with a swimming pool framed by slender palm trees, a L’Occitance Spa and a one-star Michelin restaurant by Chef João Oliveira. See our pick of the best hotels in the Algarve for more options.
Getty ImagesAthens, Greece
Best for: culture seekers
December temperature range: 9-15°CPerhaps surprisingly, the Greek capital stays much warmer than many places on the country’s salty-aired coastline once winter rolls in. All the better for those who want a slice of sunshine without being marooned on a beach somewhere. Athens is a classic city-break destination, but an influx of artists, chefs and hoteliers over the past few years means the quirky neighbourhoods and must-visit restaurants are now as much a draw as the big-hitting sites. Spend days exploring the many museums, libraries and galleries – we particularly like the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, which is home to the National Library of Greece, the Greek National Opera and a 42-acre park.
Where to stay: For a room with a view, some suites at xenodocheio Milos have huge terraces overlooking the old Parliament. If you're here for some sun and food, Ergon House is more than just a restaurant with rooms – the ground floor is a perpetually buzzy deli, roastery, bakery and dining room. See our pick of the best hotels in Athens for more.
Getty ImagesThe Greek Islands
Best for: open-water swimmers
December temperature range: depending on which island you're on, temperatures range from 12-17°CThe gorgeous Aegean is surely the loveliest of Europe’s seas, and the water of many of the Cyclades, such as Paros, Santorini and Milos, is still tolerable in winter, making it a year-round destination for swimmers. In places like Santorini, visiting in the off-season means you can explore the picturesque vistas without the crowds, while Rhodes is known to have clear blue skies and warm temperatures well into winter.
Where to stay: Many Greek Island hotels close their doors between the end of October and the start of May, but there are a handful that continue to welcome guests. On Santorini, Opsis Cave Houses are one of the properties in Oia that still welcomes guests. Best of all, the views are entirely uninterrupted across the glittering blue sea.
Getty ImagesThe Azores
Best for: eco-conscious adventurers
December temperature range: 13-18°CYou might think that including the Azores is stretching the definition of Europe to breaking point, but the Atlantic archipelago is actually about five hours from London. And, in any case, they’re not your typical isolated island group. For starters, it’s never that hot here, even in summer. People don’t visit to laze on the beach Maldives-style. They come because it’s a natural nirvana, rich in wildlife, full of rugged, dramatic craters and caverns, hot springs and lush forests. All of which are being sustainably managed: only 5 per cent of the land is developed, and the islands are dotted with marine conservation parks.
Where to stay: Stay at Santa Barbara Eco-Beach or the similarly green-minded Sete Cidades Lake Lodge, both on São Miguel. See our Azores hotels guide for more.
Getty ImagesMalta
Best for: design buffs and hotel obsessives
December temperature range: 11-17°CIts frankly ridiculous 300 days of sunshine a year would be the standout selling point for most islands of Malta’s size, but the understated Mediterranean gem is also a history-soaked gastronomic hub, packed with first-class hotels and surrounded by some of the world’s best diving sites. Visit in winter for a weekend exploring striking Valletta, the ancient capital that’s had a bit of a revival of late, converting some of its gorgeous townhouses into excellent design hotels. The restaurant scene is thriving, too. Head to Panorama at the British Hotel in Valletta or Barracuda near the Sliema coast for a taste of traditional Mediterranean food.
Where to stay: Domus Zamittello in Valetta is a restored baroque masterpiece by the bombed-out opera house, with painted coffered ceilings. Iniala Harbour House offers a front-row seat to the Grand Harbour across its four smartly renovated townhouses.
Getty ImagesSicily
Best for: adventurous foodies
December temperature range: 11-17°CItaly’s southernmost island is closer to Tunis than Rome and has winter weather to match. Visiting at this time of year allows you to get up close to Sicily’s incredible historic spaces, such as the Temple of Concordia in Agrigento, which is reliably overrun in high season. With a distinct food culture, Sicily has gastronomic delights beyond summer’s glut of glorious fruit and veg – visit in February to experience the sea urchin season in full swing.
Where to stay: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo is Sicily's grand dame hotel, with opulent marble bathrooms and a pianist that cajoles couples to dance on the elegant balcony overlooking Amalfi-style Taormina. We also love Agriturismo trailblazer Monaci Delle Terre Nere, one of the region's smartest and most stylish country hotels. For more, see our pick of the best hotels in Sicily.
Getty ImagesAntalya
Best for: stop-and-flop and families
December temperature range: 10-16°CStraddling two continents, Turkey’s enormous landmass is diverse enough to justify its nickname: the land of four seasons. For winter sun, the best part of the country to visit is, predictably, the south coast, particularly the area around Antalya. There’s a long stretch of fairly upmarket hotels to the west of the city, many of which are family-friendly entertainment retreats in their own right, with golf courses and adventure playgrounds beside the beach. On Turkey’s wilder southwest coast, there’s the pretty city of Bodrum and lovely Didyma with its astonishing ruined temple.
Where to stay: For an authentic low-season experience, check into one of the pansiyon guesthouses dotted across the city. Owners will enthusiastically share their recommendations for a city that dies down considerably compared to summer. For something more private, check into Kalkan's Villa Pairidaeza – where the sunsets need to be seen to be believed.
Getty ImagesSeville, Spain
Best for: Sun-soaked city exploration
December temperature range: 8-17°CYear-round direct flight routes and mild temperatures make Seville the perfect choice for travellers searching for some mid-winter vitamin D. Ditch the Michelin-man coats in favour of light jackets and utilise the sunny conditions for pictures of the magnificent Plaza de España, al fresco lunches along the winding alleyways that siphon off Plaza Pumarejo, and afternoon drinks under blue skies atop Hotel Doña María. Head to Seville between the last week of November and the end of December to pick up handmade crafts and sweet treats from the Christmas markets.
Where to stay: The hottest stay in the sunny city right now is Nobu Hotel and Restaurant Sevilla, having opened its doors in spring 2023. Set in the Plaza de San Francisco, the 25-room property is ideally located for experiencing all the city offers over a long weekend. Admire the cathedral and surrounding rooftops from the terrace, and sample fresh seafood sashimi dishes in the sleek signature restaurant.
Getty ImagesThe French Riviera
Best for: Low-season glitz
December temperature range: 6-16°CGranted, you won’t be donning swimwear on Plage des Ponchettes or spotting A-listers in Nice's beach clubs come December. However, with up to nine hours of sunshine a day, the winter months are ideal for exploring Nice and the surrounding French Riviera towns – without the crowds that flock here each summer. Check out the Christmas village at Place Massena in Nice, spot the pop-up nativity scenes around the city, or pop to glitzy Monaco for a lavish lunch and glide around the ice rink.
Where to stay: Anantara Plaza Nice is a luxe urban oasis centrally located for sightseeing and sunny lunches along the promenade. There’s a glamorous rooftop terrace for sea views and destination restaurants ideal for those occasional rainy nights.