Best places for winter sun in Europe

Kirsten Henton

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With winter come short, dark days in the UK, so it's no great surprise that many look beyond the UK's borders in search of some reviving winter sun in Europe.

• Best winter sun destinations in Europe
• Hottest places in Europe for winter sun
• Best European cities for winter sun
• December winter sun in Europe
• January winter sun in Europe
• February winter sun in Europe
• Methodology & sources
• FAQs

While sourcing seriously hot conditions at this time of year inevitably requires a longer journey and, often, more expense, there are plenty of places closer to home that promise a burst of winter sun with mild temperatures.

Here, we've pulled together a collection of the best winter sun destinations in Europe that may not fizz with super high heat but offer longer days with ample opportunities to bask in warming rays.

Best winter sun destinations in Europe

Between December and February, the UK sees an average of one to two hours of sunshine daily. We wanted to find those places within easy reach of the UK that offer just a touch more to see away the seasonal blues.

By analysing the percentage of daylight hours with bright sunshine, number of hours of sunshine and maximum daily temperatures, we collated a selection of much-loved European holiday destinations that cling to the sun throughout these winter months.

More about winter sun in Europe

To the shock of no one, the Canary Islands, the southernmost destination on our list (albeit technically not geographically part of Europe), top the ranks with islands seeing an average of seven hours of sunshine per day.

Meanwhile eternally sunny Spain and countries in the eastern and southern Mediterranean, such as Cyprus, Turkey (yes, another geographical anomaly) and Malta, occupy nearly all of the top 20 spots. These places see an average of five to six hours of sunshine per day, comparable with the UK in springtime.

Towards the end, we see far more inclusions from the likes of Portugal, Greece and Italy, giving you lots of choices depending on just how much winter sun you need to top up your reserves.

• Canary Islands
• Cyprus
• Spain (mainland)
• Balearic Islands
• Portugal
• Malta
• Turkey
• Greece
• France
• Gibraltar
• Italy

Canary Islands

The Spanish-governed, geographically African archipelago of the Canary Islands, some 465 miles further south than the subsequent southerly European destinations in our list, naturally sit at the top.

Renowned for their sunshine all year round, the islands also vary greatly. From the mountainous centres of Tenerife (albeit in fifth position), home to Spain's highest peak Mount Teide, and Lanzarote where some of the finest wine can be found, to the wild, low-lying desert-like shores of Fuerteventura and the dunes of Gran Canaria, much of their beauty is in their diversity.

Although no great secret to holidaymakers, you can still find your own slice of whichever island you choose to visit. Whether you opt for an all-inclusive escape, villa holiday or a DIY exploration, the Canaries make for a reliable option when it comes to winter sun, which is why the top three spots are filled with three of the eight official islands.

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Cyprus

With an average of six hours of sunshine per day, Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean, is deeply tempting in winter. It has a little bit of everything from hiking routes with incredible sea views to scenic town centres and UNESCO ruins.

It's also where you can get stuck into plates of mezze, an endless stream of meat, seafood, salads and sides topped off with the very best crisp, locally-produced Xynisteri wine.

And with sea temperatures between an average of 19°C and 16°C, it's just a degree or two warmer than waters in the Atlantic and even the western Mediterranean, which might just make it swimmable, for some.

Throw in home comforts such as driving on the left, British plug sockets and English spoken at every turn, all legacies of former British rule, and it's a no-brainer.

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Spain (mainland)

The weather is just one of the many reasons Spain is the favourite destination with UK holidaymakers and that motivation doesn't really change in winter, especially along the southern coast.

While northern dwelling Costa Dorada and Costa Brava are a little cooler, the likes of the Costa Blanca, Costa de la Luz and Costa del Sol blaze in mild, sunny conditions; the former is slightly warmer and sunnier than the latter two, as they can be affected by weather in the Atlantic Ocean.

When it comes to cities, beautiful Seville is warmer than the elevated city of Granada, which sits at around 700 metres above sea level. So, if you're planning to find some winter sun in Spain, where you choose to go will very much depend on what you want to do.

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Balearic Islands

The Balearics are popular all year round thanks to their abundance of outdoor activities and good conditions. However, much like the northern Costas of Spain, they are situated further north in the Mediterranean so things rarely get hot, although you will see some warming sunshine.

Of the islands, Majorca is a dream for history and laid-back resorts outwith Palma, Menorca is the place for hiking and Ibiza, all chilled and sleepy in winter, is likely to be the warmest of the lot given that it's the most southerly in the Spanish archipelago.

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Portugal

Portugal may be one of Europe's most incredible countries but, unlike its Iberian neighbour, it isn't blessed with the warmest weather in the winter. This is largely due to its location at the eastern edge of the Atlantic Ocean, which ushers in weather that often brings cloud, sometimes rain and cooler conditions to its lively shores.

That said, the Algarve in the south is comparable to Spain's Costa de la Luz and you'll find some sunshine along the coast. Surprisingly to some, Madeira isn't always as sunny as you might expect either.

Located some 300 miles north of the Canaries, from time to time Madeira falls victim to unsettled Atlantic conditions but it also sees spells of pleasant, sunny weather. Overall, Portugal is a feasible option for winter sun but not if you're hoping to do any serious beach and sunbathing time.

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Malta

The most southerly country in Europe, Malta is comparable to the southern Costas of Spain in winter. An archipelago much-loved by city breakers, beachgoers and those cruising into its historic port of Valletta, Malta has so much to sing about in winter as much as summer.

In fact, for some, winter is the very best time to visit with warming sunshine and mild temperatures but none of the soaring heat that quickly builds from spring onwards.

From its fascinating medieval to modern history, the walled port city of Valletta is a treasure trove of sights while pretty Marsaxlokk in the south is the place for harbour-front seafood, ancient Mdina and neighbouring Rabat are the go-tos for scenic snaps without the crowds and St Julian's where you'll find all the late-night action you could wish for.

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Turkey

Another entry that you might argue isn't technically in Europe but given its coast's proximity to the Greek islands, and that many perceive Turkey to be a European-esque holiday destination on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, it feels only right to include it.

Especially when you consider that some resort cities along the Turkish Riviera offer some reasonably sunny conditions with an average of five hours of sunshine per day between December and February.

The trick here is to stay low, as the higher you go, such as inland towards the Anatolian Plateau, the cooler things get. If you choose to find some winter sun in Turkey, stick to the resorts by the sea, where you can hike, bike, visit UNESCO remains and tuck into the country's famous cuisine.

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Greece

Greece, a natural option in summer, is a bit more complicated when it comes to visiting in winter. Firstly, there are no direct flights to any of the islands, so you would need to arrange your own transfer. Second, it's important to know your north from your south. Corfu, an understandable hit, is a smidge cooler than Rhodes, for example, which is much further south.

Athens promises a city break with a smattering of sunshine and given the wide variety of things to see and do, you won't struggle to be entertained during the cooler winter months.

If you choose to go to Greece for some winter sun, you can generally expect around five hours of sunshine and mild but not especially warm temperatures; ideal for hiking, getting stuck into attractions and historic sites (that are open) and enjoying the multitude of good places to eat and drink.

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France

By France, we really mean the south of France, as many regions to the north are either dusted with snow for skiers or enduring conditions similar to the UK. Things are markedly different along the French Riviera, however, where winter sun can most certainly be found in the likes of ever-elegant Nice.

While it may not be the warmest place on the list, it's graced with enough sunshine to warrant a winter sun break for a touch of sophisticated shopping, yacht-spotting and eye-wateringly expensive cafés.

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Gibraltar

The rocky peninsula of Gibraltar is a favourite with many holidaymakers for its familiar British ways all enjoyed under Spanish skies.

In winter, Gibraltar sees around five hours of sunshine and conditions similar to the Costas that it backs onto. A winter sun escape here includes the chance to explore the island's WWII history at the tunnels, soar past macaques to the Skywalk on the cable car and go dolphin-spotting from the Bay of Gibraltar.

There's always the option to cross the border and make the most of activities under the sun in southern Spain, too.

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Italy

Italy is always a good idea, even in winter. Although it's not the warmest or sunniest country to feature in our rankings, some of its southern destinations boast a few welcome hours of sunshine and mild temperatures.

The ancient capital of Rome is a living museum and winter is a fabulous time to get among its ruins, into its museums and under blankets on its terraces.

Meanwhile, the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia (notably in the south) and Sicily (Palermo offering the most sunshine given its southerly location) are good options for the country's fabled food, dramatic sea views, archaeological ruins without the crowds and hiking opportunities.

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Hottest destinations in Europe for winter sun

For many, the temperature is just as important as the amount of sunshine, so we've sorted our findings to show which destinations are most likely to offer a little heat, too.

Although the term 'hot' might be a stretch, these are the warmest places in Europe where you can expect to find winter sun accompanied by the highest temperatures. Interestingly, as you will see below, the number of hours of sunshine does not always equate to the hottest places.

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Best European cities for winter sun

Winter can be one of the best times to explore a city. On the plus side, there are fewer people and temperatures are cooler (as well as less frayed), while on the negative side, some places, including restaurants and attractions, operate restricted opening hours or are even closed during this period.

You could, of course, base yourself in a city to get the best of both the urban and the surrounding countryside, enjoying the perks of staying and dining while getting out and about on foot or by bike. Whatever takes you for some winter sun to one of Europe's exciting cities, these are the places most likely to offer you sunshine between December and February.

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December winter sun in Europe

Whether you're after some winter sun before, during or after Christmas, December is a great time to get away and soak up the residual warmth of the year. It may be the first official month of winter but it's also the last chance to enjoy higher temperatures in the likes of the Canary Islands, southern Spain and Malta.

There's also a delicious mix of cities and resorts to choose from, so if you're looking for where's hot in December, we might not be able to offer exactly that but we can certainly suggest where to go for some end-of-year sun and balmy conditions.

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January winter sun in Europe

What better way to start the year than with a seasonal escape for some winter sunshine? And the emphasis is on sunshine as if you're looking for where's hot in January in Europe, this is the wrong list for you.

It is a good time to visit the Canaries with reliably sunny conditions in which you can make the most of city sights, boat trips, natural parks and hiking and biking trails but it's also the coolest time for most places across the continent.

Even southern Spain can see the mercury drop to an average of around 15°C and it's a similar picture in Cyprus and Turkey, too.

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February winter sun in Europe

Winter's last official month sees a noticeable upturn in temperatures in the Canaries, which helps if you're trying to find where's hot in February. Although things don't exactly sizzle across Europe, there is a steady improvement in the figures but every destination should be approached with jackets at the ready.

Of course, Valentine's Day is often a good excuse to escape in February and cities such as Valencia, Barcelona and Lisbon might well give you the brief hit of vitamin D you need along with a little romance.

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Methodology & sources

We began by listing popular holiday destinations across Europe including a selection of islands, regions and cities. We extracted long-term weather averages for December, January and February and calculated the three-monthly averages for the following key weather parameters:

• Sunshine percentage - Percentage of daylight hours with bright sunshine
• Daily sunshine - Average daily hours of sunshine
• Max temperature - Average maximum daytime temperature
• Days with rainfall - Average number of days with some rainfall

The list of destinations was narrowed based on the amount of sunshine you can expect and average maximum daytime temperatures over all three months.

Winter sun destinations were also eliminated based on their accessibility (due to a lack of flights or holiday availability) or if the destination has reduced amenities open during the winter months.

The Canary Islands and coastal resorts of Turkey were included in the research as, although technically not in Europe, they are considered "European" by many holiday providers and airlines.

The final list of destinations was sorted in ascending order by "Sunshine percentage", "Daily sunshine hours" and "Max temperature". The hottest places in Europe for winter sun were sorted first by "Max temperature".

The monthly lists were sorted by the individual month's weather averages rather than the three-month average.

The long-term weather averages, based on 30 years of meteorological observations, were computed by the Climatic Research Unit of the University of East Anglia in a high-resolution global gridded dataset (CRU CL v. 2.0).

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FAQs

Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton is Weather2Travel.com's editor. Kirsten writes, commissions and edits our travel features, liaising with our contributors and ensuring copy is spick-and-span. A member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, Kirsten also freelances writing articles on travel, history and the outdoors for titles such as Scotland Magazine and BBC Travel.

Posted on Wednesday 18th December 2024

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