There is a certain point each winter where those of us who live in colder or drearier countries simply cannot wait for spring. Perhaps the days are too short or maybe there is just little sun at all but either way, between the cold and the vitamin D deficiency, we are well and truly sick of the winter. Unfortunately, there is no way to make this time go faster but you can head off to sunnier climes to help you get through it! Winter sun is an essential tradition for many or simply something that others have always wanted to enjoy and with our amazing selection of villas in some of the sunniest and most beautiful parts of Europe, we’re here to help make that happen! If you’re in search of a winter sun getaway in Europe this year then check out our guide to some of the best destinations and then browse our vacation rentals in each one to get planning that perfect break to help you get through those long winter months...
Average November temperatures – 18 (average low) to 23°C (average high).
Average December temperatures – 16 to 21°C.
Average January temperatures – 15 to 20°C.
One of the most popular destinations in the Canary Islands, Tenerife is an ideal spot for an off-season getaway in spring or autumn for pretty hot temperatures and smaller tourist crowds but is also a location where travellers can reasonably and reliably expect mild and warm winter weather. While you won’t get the sizzling temperatures that attract tourists by their hoards during the summer, you will get plenty of sun and you won’t need a sweater or jacket during the day though you may need an additional layer come evening. There are also microclimates across the island so conditions do vary slightly depending on where you are. To the north, there is a little bit more rainfall and the temperatures are usually a little bit lower. The southern coast, meanwhile, is the best option for winter sun and is generally the most popular area among tourists.
Those used to colder climes, in particular, will find that the winter weather of the southern coast of Tenerife is certainly refreshing and likely warm enough to swim, enjoy water sports, and make the most of everything that this island has to offer. In particular, surfing and windsurfing area great in Tenerife year round but big swells are pretty consistently guaranteed between October and February. Fans of both will be pretty well catered to if they find a vacation rental in Tenerife at this time of the year. Plus, due to the waters remaining relatively warm around the island, it is along migratory routes for whales and dolphins, making winter an ideal time to go on boat rides and tours with the assurance that you’ll likely see both.
Those looking for a little bit of sun but also ideal, mild conditions for hiking, meanwhile, will find that the mountains of the north of the island are perfect and a stunning place to explore at this time of the year. It does get quite blustery, though, so be sure to bring a windproof jacket for windy walks or evenings by the sea. Finally, in addition to the incredible natural beauty that you can dive into at this time of the year, the smaller tourist crowds of the winter season in Tenerife make it a wonderful time to explore the little towns and villages, cultural pursuits, historic sights, and more of the island, while feeling like you have it almost to yourself!
Average November temperatures – 10 to 17°C.
Average December temperatures – 7 to 13°C.
Average January temperatures – 5 to 12°C.
As with Tenerife, Sicily has a bit of variation when it comes to temperatures and rainfall throughout the island. The coastal areas to the south are warmer and drier and the mountainous areas are cooler and can even see snow. Fog and rain are not uncommon and Sicily does not boast the same kind of more guaranteed serious winter sun that some other destinations in Europe can offer. However, despite this, the island does have a Mediterranean climate and sea temperatures of around 21°C in November and 18°C in December, making it still possible to enjoy the beaches and a dip when the sun is out during your stay.
What those who visit Sicily in winter can be certain of, however, is much smaller tourist crowds, lower prices, and plenty of space to enjoy the incredible beauty of the island without competing for it. As long as you have a car, too, it is easy to change your plans and go where the conditions are the most favourable on any given day throughout your trip. If you’re able to be flexible, then a winter sun break in Sicily can be pretty magical and special. Visitors can readily swap between days on powdery white beaches plucked from daydreams, insanely picturesque archaeological sites, pretty villages and towns, restaurants serving the unique culinary treats of the region, and those wineries that remain open through the winter. Like Tenerife, Sicily also boasts some extraordinary hiking trails and routes that, again, weather permitting on any given day, are best enjoyed in the milder temperatures of this time of the year.
Come in December and you can enjoy all of the above and the Christmas cheer and all sorts of unique and incredible Sicilian festive traditions. There are traditional celebrations to observe, Christmas markets to attend, foods to try, drinks to imbibe, lights and decorations to admire, and much more besides in every town and village that you encounter. Towards the new year, festivals, international musical performances, fireworks displays, and more all are organised to celebrate and in January ski season is well under way in the island’s resorts. So, while it cannot quite offer tropical weather conditions, a holiday in Sicily over winter can ensure that you can enjoy a Mediterranean climate, some sun, maybe some days at the beach, comfortable explorations of the stunning landscape of the island, tourist attractions without the usual crowds, and all sorts of wonderful local customs and traditions over the Holiday Season!
Average November temperatures – 13 to 21°C.
Average December temperatures – 10 to 17°C.
Average January temperatures – 8 to 16°C.
Once again, a bit closer to the kind of weather conditions many might hope for from a winter sun getaway, a vacation in Crete is usually a bit more reliably warm and sunny. However, if you are unlucky, it is possible to run into bad spells of weather and, as with all of our other destinations, there is variation across the island and different microclimates that one may encounter. Generally, though the conditions are far better than those further north in Europe could expect at this time of the year and while the water may be too cold for some, days at the beach, sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying the coast without the massive tourist crowds of summer are possible. In fact, for those who don’t particularly like roasting weather or competing with others for space, it is probably the idea time of the year to visit. Plus, like Sicily, Crete is the kind of destination where you could conceivably visit the snowy mountainous areas and spend time on the beach in the one day – a rather special kind of winter sun experience!
During the winter, when the scorching heat of summer is far away, Crete becomes even more beautiful, turning lush and lovely. Those looking to see it at its most scenic, to hike, to explore the towns and cities, and to do so when the weather is mild enough to dash about comfortably, will find that this is the ideal time of the year to visit. However, it is worth keeping in mind that Crete is not typically a winter destination and many of the island’s resort towns and more touristy destinations essentially close down during these months. Towns such as Sitia, Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion, Rethymnon, and Chania all have other industries and life outside of the tourism sector and, therefore, are good options when travelling off-season. Winter is also a great time to visit the island’s wonderful museums and hot spots like Knossos, Balos or Elafonisi, as you will be able to have them almost entirely to yourself. So, if you want to see the wonderful natural beauty of Crete and dive into it without sharing it with endless others, a winter getaway on the island is a perfect plan.
Average November temperatures – 11 to 19°C.
Average December temperatures – 8 to 16°C.
Average January temperatures – 7 to 15°C.
Mallorca is, without a doubt, another holiday destination that is inextricably connected to sizzling summer sun, long days on perfect sandy beaches working on a tan, and longer nights partying away. However, those who do find a villa in Mallorca during the winter months will discover its lesser-known charms and magic looks and amazing towns while having a great deal more breathing room to do so. Visits to the beaches are still totally possible but you will be unlikely to spend the whole day laying out in the sun. Instead, you can enjoy refreshing dips before quickly returning to dry off and brisk walks to take in the beauty of your surroundings without the permanent sea of other visitors that cover much of the coast during the summer.
Hiking, once again, is ideal at this time of the year in Mallorca and the mist-shrouded greenery inland and rugged elegance of the coastline are both well worth exploring at length. The towns, too, and the capital of Palma, in particular, are brilliant places to wander in the winter months, without the tourist crowds or the unpleasantness of sweating under the intensity of the summer sun. Still lively enough but certainly devoid of the queues that can plague the place during the peak tourism months, the towns of the island are actually at their most appealing during winter. Particularly when it comes to the nightlife. Those looking for the massive festivals and intense parties will be less well catered to but if you still want to find great food and cocktails and maybe even go for a bit of a dance then you’ll find a calmer, more relaxed Mallorca awaits to charm your socks off.
Europe, generally, does not offer the kind of winter sun that beats down but, instead, a softer, milder thing. This curation of some of what we consider to be the best winter sun destinations in the region gives travellers the chance to enjoy warmer weather during the colder months of the year, occasional days on the beach, mild enough temperatures to truly get out and explore the beauty of these places without sweating or worrying about heat stroke, and a liberation from the tourist crowds that make many of them somewhat less desirable to tourists after peace and quiet – all excellent reasons to seek them out this winter!