The Best Winter Sun Destinations from the UK

Best winter sun destinations at a glance

Best short-haul winter sun destinations

Short-haul winter sun means flights of up to about five hours and little or no jet lag. It's the easiest way to break up a British winter, even for a long weekend.

Canary Islands

The Canaries top almost every winter sun list for good reason. Highs stay in the low twenties all winter, rain is rare in the south, and there's no time difference with the UK. Each island has its own character: Tenerife and Gran Canaria have the most choice, Fuerteventura has the longest beaches and Lanzarote has the most striking scenery.

If you'd like somewhere a little calmer than the big resorts, our guide to Lanzarote holidays covers Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and the island's volcanic interior.

The sea is the one thing to be aware of. It's around 19 to 20°C in midwinter, which is bracing for most people, so a heated pool makes a real difference. Carnival season brings colourful parades to Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, usually in February or early March.

Madeira

Madeira is milder than the Canaries, at around 19 to 22°C through the winter, with lush scenery and some of Europe's best walking. It's a good fit for active couples and anyone who'd rather explore than sunbathe. The New Year fireworks over Funchal are a big draw too.

The island's levadas, old irrigation channels that wind along the mountainsides, make for some of the most unusual walks in Europe, from gentle strolls to cliff-edge hikes. Many hotels in Funchal have heated pools, and the island's seafront lido is open all year.

Cyprus

Cyprus is a shoulder-season choice. November and March can be lovely, with highs of around 20 to 22°C, but December to February is cooler, at around 17°C. It's a good option for an early or late winter break that combines sunshine with history.

Paphos has some of the island's best ancient sites, including Roman mosaics and the Tombs of the Kings, both part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing. Winter is a quiet, good-value time to see them without the summer heat.

Morocco

Agadir on the Atlantic coast offers reliable winter sun at around 21°C in midwinter and 25°C in November, with a long beach and good-value hotels. Combine it with a few nights in Marrakech for a holiday that's as much about culture as the beach.

During Ramadan, which is expected to fall in February and March in 2027, daytime life slows down, some restaurants close until sunset and Morocco's clocks change. Resort hotels carry on as normal, but it's worth knowing before you go.

Egypt

Egypt's Red Sea resorts are the warmest short-haul option, with highs of around 22°C in midwinter and up to 28°C in November. The diving and snorkelling are excellent, all-inclusive hotels are widely available and the flight is about five hours. Check GOV.UK for visa requirements before you book.

Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh are the biggest resorts. El Gouna is smarter and quieter, and Marsa Alam, further south, has some of the best reefs. Add a day trip or a few nights in Luxor to see the temples and tombs of the Valley of the Kings.

Best long-haul winter sun destinations

Long-haul flights take most of a day, but they open up destinations with proper heat and long, dry seasons. For most, a trip of ten days or more makes the journey worthwhile.

Dubai

Dubai is the closest long-haul option at about seven hours, and winter is the best time to visit, with highs of around 24 to 30°C. It suits couples and families who want beaches, big hotels, shopping and day trips in one place.

Neighbouring Abu Dhabi, around an hour and a half away by road, is quieter, with its own beaches, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the theme parks on Yas Island. Some visitors split their week between the two.

Thailand

Thailand's Andaman coast, including Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta, is at its best from December to March, with calm seas and highs above 30°C. Add a few days in Bangkok or Chiang Mai for food, temples and markets.

Thailand has two coasts with different weather patterns. The Gulf islands, including Koh Samui, can be wet from October to December but are lovely from January onwards, so if you're travelling before Christmas, the Andaman coast is the safer choice.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's south and west coasts are dry and sunny from December to March. It's a brilliant twin-centre holiday, with beaches near Galle or Bentota alongside tea country, wildlife safaris and ancient cities.

Most first-time visitors combine a week touring the Cultural Triangle, Kandy and the hill country with a week on the beach. Distances are short on the map but roads are slow, so allow plenty of time between stops.

The Caribbean

The Caribbean's dry season runs from December to April, with highs of around 29 to 30°C and warm seas. Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia are especially popular with British travellers, and the islands are only four or five hours behind the UK.

Each island has its own character. Barbados is easy and sociable, with direct flights and plenty of restaurants. Antigua is known for its many beaches, St Lucia for its dramatic volcanic peaks and Jamaica for its music and big all-inclusive resorts.

The Maldives

The Maldives is warm all year, but the drier months from December to April bring the calmest seas and clearest water. It's the classic choice for honeymoons and special occasions.

Resorts sit on their own islands, so your transfer, by speedboat or seaplane, is part of the cost and can add a few hours to the journey. Most stays are full board or all-inclusive, as there's nowhere else to eat.

Mexico

Mexico's Caribbean coast, around Cancún and the Riviera Maya, is dry and warm from December to April. Beaches, cenotes and Mayan ruins such as Tulum and Chichén Itzá make it more varied than many beach destinations.

Seaweed known as sargassum can wash up on parts of this coast, mainly from spring into summer, so winter is usually the best time for clear beaches. Some beaches are affected far more than others, so it's worth checking recent reports for your resort.

Our long-haul holiday deals are updated every morning, so it's worth checking which of these has the best offers when you're ready to book.

Best winter sun holidays by traveller type

Best for families

The Canary Islands are hard to beat for families, thanks to the short flight, no time difference and plenty of hotels with kids' clubs. Egypt and Cape Verde are good alternatives for older children. You can browse current family holiday deals to see what's available for half term and Easter.

Best for couples

The Maldives, Caribbean and Sri Lanka are made for couples, with quiet resorts and plenty of adults-only hotels. For a shorter trip, Madeira and Marrakech combine sunshine with good food and plenty to explore.

If you're celebrating something special, it's worth looking at adults-only resorts, which are common in the Caribbean, Mexico and the Canaries and guarantee a quieter atmosphere around the pool.

Best for a budget

The Canaries and Egypt usually offer the best value, especially outside school holidays. Travelling midweek and from regional airports can help keep costs down.

Half board can also be good value in the Canaries, where there are plenty of cheap and cheerful places to eat out on the nights you want a change.

Best for all-inclusive

Egypt, Cape Verde, Mexico and the Caribbean all have a strong choice of all-inclusive resorts. It's worth comparing all-inclusive holiday deals with room-only prices, as eating out can be expensive in some of these destinations.

November to March: where to go each month

Our guides to where is hot in January and where is hot in February go into more detail on the coldest months. If you're looking a little further ahead, our guide to where is hot in April covers spring sun and Easter.

How to plan a winter sun holiday

• Book peak dates early. Christmas, New Year and February half term are the busiest weeks for winter sun, and the best-value hotels go first.
• Check the season. The Caribbean's hurricane season runs from June to November, and parts of Asia have wet seasons that vary by coast, so check the forecast pattern for the exact place you're going.
• Check your passport. Many countries require your passport to be valid for several months after you travel, and some require a visa. GOV.UK has up-to-date entry requirements for every country.
• Get travel insurance as soon as you book, so you're covered if you need to cancel.

Winter flights often leave early in the morning, so it's worth booking your airport parking ahead of time rather than leaving it until the last minute.