Are you dreading winter? Keen to escape the cold and enjoy a winter sun holiday in Europe? There are so many places you can visit which have much warmer temperates than most countries in Europe like the UK and Ireland, but where is best to go?
Whether you’re just looking to relax in the sun, go to the beach, be able to eat and drink outside or go walking, hiking and enjoy the great outdoors, you can find so many locations in Europe which are amazing to visit. Benefits of a winter European break also include cheaper prices, fewer tourists and being able to soak up local cultures and places sitting outside on terraces.
If you are wondering where is hot in Europe in November, December, January, February or March our guide will help you narrow down your choice of destinations.
These are some of the warmest destinations in Europe for tourists seeking winter sun and there are options on mainland Europe, the coasts and islands in places like the beautiful Mediterranean which are highly recommended.
1. Canary Islands, Spain
The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago located just off the coast of north west Africa, in the Atlantic Ocean. There are eight main islands including Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa.
The Canary Islands are one of the best winter sun destinations in Europe to escape the cold as this region has one of the best climates in the world with warm weather and sun pretty much all year round.
Millions of tourists visit every year especially during winter due to the almost guaranteed sunshine and there are lots of hotels, restaurants, beaches, outdoor adventures like hiking, scuba diving, surfing and windsurfing.
Tenerife is the largest island in the Spanish Canary Islands and one of the most popular islands to visit, this is also one of the warmest places in Europe in winter and very popular with families, couples, friends and solo travellers.
Tenerife average winter temperatures (high/low):
• November 23° / 18°
• December 21° / 16°
• January 20° / 15°
• February 20° / 15°
• March 21° / 15°
2. Madeira, Portugal
The beautiful Portuguese island of Madeira is spectacular with beaches, amazing views and lots of tourist attractions. This is one of the most popular places to visit in Portugal and also the place where Christiano Ronaldo was born.
Madeira is a very green and beautiful island and we recommend staying in Funchal, the capital, which has lots of cafes, restaurants, culture, stunning scenery and lots of local shops, museums and churches.
Madeira average winter temperatures (high/low):
• November 14° / 9°
• December 13° / 7°
• January 12° / 6°
• February 12° / 6°
• March 12° / 6°
3. Malta
Malta is an archipelago in the Mediterranean ocean located between Sicily and the North African coast.
Malta is such a fascinating country to visit with lots of historical tourist attractions, beaches, fortresses, temples, hotels and restaurants.
Winter temperatures in Malta are mild but there is plenty of sunshine. Winter is a great time to visit Malta as there are fewer tourists, prices are cheaper and there are lots of accommodation options.
Malta average winter temperatures (high/low):
• November 21° / 14°
• December 17° / 11°
• January 16° / 9°
• February 16° / 9°
• March 17° / 10°
4. Cyprus
Cyprus is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations with locations like Nicosia, Ayia Napa, Limassol and Paphos all attractions thousands of visitors. During winter Cyprus is a highly recommended European country due to the warm temperatures and sun.
Cyprus average winter temperatures (high/low):
• November 22.4°C / 12.6°C
• December 17°C / 8°C
• January 17°C / 8°C
• February 16.9°C / 7.6°C
• March 18.5°C / 8.7°C
5. Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve is such an amazing place to visit and is located in southern Portugal. Although during winter temperatures are cooler than summer, they are still well above the average in mainland Europe. The cooler temperatures also make travelling around this area better, there are less tourists and no intense humid heat. There are so many amazing destinations in the Algarve and accommodation for all budgets all year round. Popular places to stay include Faro, Lagos and Albueira.
Algarve average winter temperatures (high/low)
• November 20°C / 11°C
• December 17°C and 9°C
• January 16°C and 8°C
• February 17°C / 9°C
• March 19°C / 11°C
6. Sicily, Italy
Sicily is a lesser considered winter destination but it really is a fascinating place to immerse yourself in. Sicily has beautiful beaches, beautiful old architecture, pretty little villages and towns, as well as an so many ancient ruins and archeological sites. The warm waters of the Mediterranean and the sun make it a really appealing place to stay for a sunny European break. You might want to learn some basic Italian phases for tourists before departing and impress the locals on arrival.
Sicily average winter temperatures (high/low):
• November 21°C
• December 17°C
• January 16°C
• February 16°C
• March 18.6°C
7. Marbella, Spain
Marbella is a popular haunt for the rich and famous, you can often spot footballers, sports stars and musicians here enjoying the lavish surroundings and yachts. The coast line is spectacular and the weather during winter is along the warmest on our list.
Valencia average winter temperatures (high/low):
• November 20°C / 11°C
• December 17°C / 9°C
• January 17°C / 8°C
• February 18°C / 8°C
• March 19°C / 9°C
8. Sardinia, Italy
If you are looking to escape the winter blues consider taking a holiday to Sardinia. This isn’t the warmest destination to visit in winter, it even gets snow in the mountains, but temperates are still warmer than most mainland European locations, for example, in December temperatures can reach as high as 22°! Sardinia is also one of the most beautiful islands to discover with so many scenic towns and beaches.
Sardinia average winter temperatures (high/low):
• December: 15.4°C / 6.6°C
• January: 14.3°C / 5.5°C
• February: 14.8°C / 5.8°C
• March: 16.5°C / 7.1°C
9. Valencia, Spain
Valencia is often overlooked with foreigners who tend to favour visiting cities in Spain like Barcelona, Madrid and Seville. But Valencia really is worth visiting, this city has everything, history, culture, outdoor cafes and restaurants, markets, gardens, tourist attractions and beaches. Valencia is a beautiful city and it is also one of the sunniest cities in Europe during winter.
Valencia average winter temperatures (high/low):
• November 19°C / 8°C
• December 17°C / 6°C
• January 16°C / 5°C
• February 17°C / 6°C
• March 19°C / 7°C
Hopefully our list of the sunniest winter destinations in Europe has given you some ideas for where to go for your warm weather escape. Whether you are arriving from the UK, Ireland or somewhere else on mainland Europe, all the places featured on our list should be warmer with a lot more sun.
