Take a look at these 9 popular winter sun destinations and see what makes each one a great choice for a holiday during the colder months. You can also find more options and their average temperatures in the table below.
1. Playa Blanca, Lanzarote
Average maximum temperatures (shade) Jan - Mar: 20°C
Great value winter sunshine
As this has been my best-selling winter sun destination for the last few years, I've listed it at the top of the page!
In our winter months, temperatures are similar to those in June in London - it's warm enough for outdoor cafés and seaside walks, yet cool enough to explore the interior without the summer heat. The lower humidity means that you can enjoy experiences that may be too hot in summer, and many people love the softer, more golden light that you get at this time of year.
Lanzarote is a volcanic island, and the best place to truly experience this is the Mars-like landscape of Timanfaya National Park, which is open all year round. Here, the ground is so hot beneath your feet that food is cooked using natural geothermal heat. For something really special, enjoy a meal at Restaurante El Diablo with its spectacular views over the volcano.
And at night, the lack of light pollution means the skies come alive with stars, making them perfect for stargazing.
Great Value: H10 Lanzarote Princess
Adults' choice: Barcelo Teguise Beach
2. Diani Beach, Kenya
Average maximum temperatures (shade) Jan - Mar: 32°C
Exceptional time of year for watching wildlife
It may seem a bit of a hassle getting here - there are no direct flights from the UK - but a stay along this coast can give you much more than just lounging on the beach.
You can visit local markets, go snorkelling & scuba diving amongst the coral reefs, and take boat tours to see dolphins.
However, what really makes a holiday special is the opportunity to encounter wildlife. Close by is the Shimba Hills National Reserve, home to wildlife such as elephants, sable antelopes, giraffes, and the lovely Sheldrick Falls. Or stay a bit longer and visit Tsavo East for more wildlife - you'll stay at the wonderful Ashnil Aruba Lodge for 2 nights during your stay, and that includes transfers, game drives and all meals.
(website link: Ashnil Aruba Lodge)
Hotel choice: Pinewood Beach Resort
Something Special: Chale Island Beach Resort
3. Funchal, Madeira
Average maximum temperatures (shade) Jan - Mar: 15°C
Spring-like temperatures, perfect for walking and visiting gardens
Madeira enjoys a mild, “eternal spring” climate, even in winter, which makes it perfect for exploring its lush landscapes, dramatic coastlines, volcanic rock pools, vibrant gardens, and glorious Atlantic views.
It's known for being an excellent destination for walking - levadas are old water channels that have now become serene walking trails, winding through lush terrain and past waterfalls.
And there are numerous gardens; perhaps the best known is in Monte, a village above Funchal, where you'll find the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and its vast collection of exotic plants.
Most hotels are located close to the capital, Funchal, and many are old manor houses that have been converted into premium accommodation called quintas. However, venture a little further out, and there are some spectacular options!
Great value: Pestana Grand Premium Ocean Resort
Something Special: Quinta Jardins do Lago
4. Marrakesh, Morocco
Average maximum temperatures (shade) Jan - Mar: 20°C
The medina, souks, gardens, snake charmers, excellent restaurants, and hammams
Marrakech might not be the most obvious choice for a winter sun holiday, but the temperatures are spring-like, with little rain, and it's a lovely time of year to see the sights.
The big highlight is wandering around Djemma el Fna, especially as the sun goes down, when the square comes alive with multiple food stalls, snake charmers, street performers, and musicians. The adjacent Medina is a maze of narrow alleys where you can buy almost anything, especially spices, arts and crafts, jewellery, leather, pottery, woodworks, and souvenirs.
For a different experience, several hammams (Turkish Baths) around Djemma el Fna cater to tourists, offering scrubs and massages.
Morocco is also known for its gardens, and just outside the centre are the excellent Majorelle Gardens, featuring vibrant colours. When we visited, we took a taxi there, but waiting for us outside to go back to the centre were horse and carriage rides.
Great value: Riad Tiwaline
Something Special: Les Jardins de la Koutoubia
5. Altea, Costa Blanca
Average maximum temperatures (shade) Jan - Mar: 16°C
Charming Old Town and short flight time
The beautiful coastal town of Altea is situated just north of Alicante and boasts cobbled old streets, whitewashed houses, and an iconic blue-domed church. It's less touristy in the winter months and has a more authentic Spanish feel.
It's too cold to swim in the sea, and you'll need a jacket for the evenings, but it's perfect on a sunny day for lovely walks along the promenade, which is dotted with palm trees, restaurants, and little pebble beaches.
There are still several great restaurants to choose from in winter, especially in the old town area.
Hotel choice: Cap Negret
6. Antigua
Average maximum temperatures (shade) Jan - Mar: 28°C
Genuine warmth, ideal time to visit
Known for its endless beautiful white sandy beaches, Antigua is a relaxed Caribbean island with a mix of laid-back rum shacks, fine dining, and lively steel-band or reggae nights.
An 8.5-hour direct flight away, you'll enjoy calm seas and typically excellent weather with temperatures in the high 20s and low rainfall.
It's easy to get around - as well as hotel tours, I hired a car for a few days to explore the island - heading first to Stingray City for the chance to snorkel with stingrays, and a bonus along the way as we passed the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground!
Another highlight is English Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard, where a fascinating museum features exhibits on Admiral Nelson, who was stationed here in the late 18th century.
Family choice: St. James's Club & Villas
Luxury choice: Galley Bay
7. El Gouna, Red Sea, Egypt
Average maximum temperatures (shade) Jan - Mar: 22°C
The 'Venice of the Red Sea' with lagoons, canals, and small islands linked by bridges
If you want almost perfect weather with warm sunny days and hardly any rain in a quieter area, then El Gouna is hard to beat. Here, you'll find excellent hotels, sandy beaches, a marina, and numerous cafes and restaurants.
And of course, there are some great snorkelling and diving opportunities as well as spa facilities, an 18-hole golf course, desert safaris, and excellent stargazing.
Just 4 hours from Luxor, you can easily combine a stay here with a 7-night Nile cruise or perhaps a few days in Cairo to see the Pyramids and Tutankhamen's treasures in the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Family choice: Mövenpick El Gouna
Luxury choice: Sheraton Miramar
8. Paphos, Cyprus
Average maximum temperatures (shade) Jan - Mar: 16°C
Perfect for exploring the Tombs of the Kings and the Troodos Mountains
Paphos in winter offers a mild Mediterranean climate, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 16°C to 20°C and cooler evenings. While the sea is too chilly for most swimmers, the sunshine makes it perfect for strolling along the seafront, exploring ruins such as the Tombs of the Kings, and enjoying cafés without the summer heat.
This is the best season for sightseeing and nature. The Akamas Peninsula walks are far more enjoyable without the heat and the crowds, and day trips to the Troodos Mountains even offer snow and skiing for a complete contrast!
The atmosphere is generally quieter and more relaxed, with a more authentic local feel. Restaurants that stay open cater mainly to Cypriots, making evenings feel cosy. And of course, with hotel prices much lower, you can stay in a charming hotel with plenty of facilities.
Adults' only choice: Athena Royal Beach
Luxury choice: Elysium Paphos
9. Maldives
class="winter-sun-temperature">Average maximum temperatures (shade) Jan - Mar: 31°C
The ultimate beach and relaxation holiday
The Maldives is a tropical paradise, and our winter is the ideal time to visit, when you can expect lots of sunshine, especially in the first few months of the year.
While there are dozens of islands to choose from to cater to most budgets, you'll still enjoy white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and coral reefs, perfect for snorkelling and diving.
It's a very laid-back holiday, but there are some excellent twin-centre options - Dubai and Sri Lanka being the two most popular to combine with a stay in the Maldives.
Overall choice: Kuramathi Island Resort
Luxury Choice: Coco Bodu Hithi
Here's a list of some popular winter sun destinations in order of temperature. I wouldn't take the figures too literally - they represent average maximums over January to March, and are not applicable when not in direct sunlight. So some of these places, especially when the sun is shining, might at times feel much warmer than the table might suggest.
How hot does it have to be for sunbathing by the pool or on the beach? We are all different, but as a general rule of thumb for my own holidays, I find that 24 °C is the minimum temperature to be comfortable when the sun's not shining or if I'm hiding under a parasol for shade. But when the sun's out, then anything from 18 °C upwards is fine for me.
What we can say is that everywhere on this list will be (hopefully!) sunnier and much warmer than the UK.
| London | 8 |
| Funchal, Madeira | 15 |
| Nerja, Costa Del Sol | 15 |
| Malta | 15 |
| Paphos, Cyprus | 16 |
| Altea, Costa Blanca | 16 |
| Costa Adeje, Tenerife | 19 |
| Playa Blanca, Lanzarote | 20 |
| Maspalomas, Gran Canaria | 20 |
| Corralejo , Fuerteventura | 20 |
| Marrakesh | 20 |
| Sharm el Sheikh | 22 |
| El Gouna / Hurghada | 22 |
| Dubai | 26 |
| Muscat, Oman | 27 |
| Antigua | 28 |
| St. Lucia | 28 |
| Barbados | 29 |
| Maldives | 31 |
| Bentota, Sri Lanka | 31 |
| Goa, India | 32 |
| Diani Beach, Kenya | 32 |
The other thing to mention is that none of these places are in the 'rainy' season, so all would make an excellent choice for a winter sun holiday.
And with some of these, you can create an extended, tailor-made trip where the beach becomes a relaxing destination at the end. For example, in Kenya, you could do a 5-night safari, including the Masai Mara, and then spend a few nights relaxing by the sea.
