Top 10 Warm Winter Sun Destinations

Last updated: October 2026

The best winter sun destinations offer daytime temperatures of 20°C or more between November and March, without the heat and crowds of summer. Some are a short flight from Europe, others are long-haul escapes where winter is the dry season and the beaches are at their finest.

Whether you want a lazy week by the pool, a walking holiday in a mild climate, or a tropical island with turquoise water, there is a warm place waiting. Here are the top 10 warm winter sun destinations, ordered roughly from short-haul to long-haul for European travellers.

A quick note on temperatures: the figures below are typical daytime averages. Weather varies year to year, so check a long-range forecast before you book.

Quick answer: Where is warm in winter? Our top 10 are Canary Islands, Madeira, Dubai, Red Sea, Morocco, Cape Verde, Thailand, Southern Vietnam, Barbados and the Caribbean and Yucatán Peninsula. The Canary Islands are the warmest short-haul option from Europe at around 20 to 23°C, while Thailand, southern Vietnam and the Caribbean offer 28°C and above for a true tropical beach holiday.

Top 10 Warm Winter Sun Destinations at a Glance

1. Canary Islands, Spain

The Canary Islands are Europe’s most reliable winter sun destination, with daytime temperatures of around 20 to 23°C right through winter. They sit off the coast of West Africa, about four hours’ flight from the UK.

Each island has a different character. Tenerife has Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, and resorts in the sunny south. Gran Canaria has sand dunes at Maspalomas and a lively capital in Las Palmas. Lanzarote is volcanic and quieter, shaped by the artist César Manrique, while Fuerteventura has the longest beaches. The official Canary Islands tourism site has guides to each island.

Best for: guaranteed mild weather on a short flight.

2. Madeira, Portugal

Madeira is called the “island of eternal spring” because temperatures rarely drop below 18°C in winter. It is greener and more dramatic than the Canaries, with steep cliffs, banana plantations and terraced valleys.

Walkers love the levadas, old irrigation channels with flat paths that wind along the mountainsides. Funchal, the capital, hosts a famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display over the bay. Visit Madeira lists walking routes and events.

Best for: walkers and travellers who prefer scenery over beaches.

3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is at its best in winter, with sunny days of around 24 to 27°C and pleasant evenings. In summer it can be too hot to be outside, so November to March is peak season.

Mix beach days on Jumeirah with city sights like the Burj Khalifa observation deck, the old souks of Deira and a desert safari with dinner under the stars. Visit Dubai has an events calendar, including the winter shopping festival.

Best for: luxury, shopping and guaranteed sunshine.

4. Red Sea, Egypt

Egypt’s Red Sea resorts of Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam offer warm, dry winters of around 22 to 25°C. The sea stays warm enough to swim, and the coral reefs are some of the best in the world for snorkelling and diving.

Hurghada makes a good base for a day trip to Luxor, home to the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple. All-inclusive packages are often excellent value.

Best for: snorkelling, diving and value for money.

5. Morocco

Southern Morocco is a short flight from Europe and has warm winter days of around 20°C. Agadir is the main beach resort, with a long sandy bay and over 300 days of sunshine a year.

Marrakech is cooler at night but sunny by day and perfect for exploring the souks, gardens and palaces. From there you can head into the desert. Read our guide to a Desert Camp in Morocco for a night under Saharan stars.

Best for: combining culture and sunshine.

6. Cape Verde

Cape Verde is an island nation off West Africa with steady temperatures of 24 to 26°C in winter and very little rain. It is about six hours from the UK, with direct flights to Sal and Boa Vista.

Sal and Boa Vista have long white beaches and are great for kitesurfing and windsurfing thanks to the constant breeze. Santo Antão is the island for hiking, with green valleys and mountain villages.

Best for: beach lovers and watersports fans.

7. Thailand

Thailand’s peak season runs from November to March, when the Andaman coast is dry, sunny and around 30°C. Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta are at their best in these months.

Combine beach time with Bangkok’s temples and street food, or head north to Chiang Mai, where winter evenings are cool and pleasant. If you want to split your trip between the mainland and the coast, our guide to the best Thai islands for beaches, diving and island hopping compares Koh Samui, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe and more. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has up-to-date entry information.

Best for: tropical beaches combined with culture.

8. Southern Vietnam

Southern Vietnam enters its dry season in winter, with sunny days of around 30°C. Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand has calm seas and long beaches from November to April.

Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta are easy to add on. Phu Quoc is the island most winter visitors choose, so read what to do on Phu Quoc, from night markets to island boat trips. Vietnam’s weather changes a lot from north to south, so check the best time to visit each region of Vietnam before you book.

Best for: great food, beaches and value.

9. Barbados and the Caribbean

The Caribbean’s dry season runs from December to April, with temperatures of 27 to 30°C and warm, clear water. Barbados is one of the easiest islands to reach from the UK, with direct flights and a mix of calm west coast beaches and wilder Atlantic shores.

Other great winter choices include Antigua, St Lucia and Grenada. Winter is also outside hurricane season, which runs from June to November.

Best for: classic white sand beaches and turquoise water.

10. Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is warm and dry in winter, with temperatures of around 28°C. Cancún and Playa del Carmen have big resorts, while Tulum offers beach hotels beside clifftop Maya ruins.

Go inland to swim in cenotes, natural freshwater sinkholes, and visit Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Seaweed (sargassum) can affect beaches in some seasons, so check recent reports.

Best for: beaches with history and adventure.

How to Choose Your Winter Sun Destination

Decide how far you are willing to fly. For a week away, short-haul options like the Canaries, Madeira and Morocco make the most sense. For two weeks or more, long-haul destinations become worthwhile.

Think about how hot you want it. Around 20°C is ideal for walking and sightseeing. 28°C and above is better for pure beach holidays.

Check the sea temperature too. The Canaries and Madeira are warm on land but the sea is around 18 to 20°C in winter. If swimming matters, the Red Sea, Caribbean or Southeast Asia are better.

Book early for Christmas and February half-term. Prices rise sharply during school holidays. Travelling in January or early March usually offers the best value.

Find Your Sunshine

For short trips, head to the Canaries or Madeira. For a real tropical escape, go long-haul to Thailand, Vietnam or the Caribbean. Whatever you choose, a week of warmth in the middle of winter is one of the best things you can do for your mood.

Prefer to embrace the cold? Our snowy European winter breaks, from Alpine villages to Lapland are the cosy alternative, and where to see the Northern Lights in Norway, Finland and Iceland covers the best aurora trips.

Featured image: Photo by Ittemaldiviano on Unsplash