The best winter sun destinations are the ones that deliver genuinely warm, dry days when the UK is at its greyest. The trick is matching the place to the time you have: a short flight to the Canary Islands or Cape Verde gets you into the sun quickly, while Thailand, the Caribbean and Dubai reward a longer trip. Here are seven places that reliably deliver, what each does best, and how to choose between them.
1. The Canary Islands: the easy, reliable choice
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura have mild, sunny winters and are a short flight from most UK airports, which is why they top almost every list of the best winter sun destinations. The south of each island is the sunniest side, with the biggest resorts and the most reliable weather, while the north can be cloudier. They suit families, couples and first timers alike, and the choice of accommodation runs from self catering apartments to large all inclusive hotels. Our guide to the best holiday destinations in February covers the Canaries in more detail for a half term trip.
2. Cape Verde: warmer water and a beach first break
Sal and Boa Vista have reliably sunny weather through the winter, steady trade winds that keep the heat comfortable, and a resort scene built around all inclusive beach holidays. The flight is a little longer than to the Canaries, but the sea and air feel noticeably warmer. It’s a good pick if you want to lie on a beach and do very little, though it offers less in the way of culture or sightseeing than some of the other options here.
3. Egypt’s Red Sea coast: sunshine with good value
Winter is the comfortable season on the Red Sea, when Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam are pleasantly warm rather than scorching. All inclusive resorts are the norm, the snorkelling and diving are excellent, and the destination tends to offer strong value for what you get. As with any destination, it’s worth reading the current Egypt travel advice, since regional guidance can differ between the resort areas and the rest of the country. Our guide to FCDO travel advice for Turkey, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Greece explains how to read it.
4. Dubai: beach and city in one trip
Winter is Dubai’s most comfortable season, with warm days that suit the beach, the desert and the city’s many attractions without the intense heat of summer. It works well for travellers who want sightseeing and shopping alongside sunbathing, though it sits at the higher end for price. FCDO advice for the UAE has changed more than once because of regional tension, so check the current UAE travel advice before you book and again before you fly.
5. Thailand: long haul sun in the dry season
The Andaman coast, including Phuket and Krabi, is in its dry season over the winter months, with hot days, calm seas and plenty of sunshine. It’s one of the best winter sun destinations if you have time for a longer trip, because the flight is long and the experience, from beaches to food to island hopping, rewards a couple of weeks rather than a few days. It also tends to be good value once you’ve arrived, particularly outside the Christmas period.
6. The Caribbean: classic long haul winter sun
Islands such as Barbados and Antigua are at their best in winter, when it’s the dry season and the hurricane season is over. They deliver the postcard version of winter sun: warm sea, white sand and relaxed resorts. It’s among the pricier choices and the flight is long, so it works best as a longer trip, and our guide to how to find cheap flights is worth reading before you book long haul fares.
7. Morocco: sunny days with cooler evenings
Agadir on the Atlantic coast and Marrakech inland both have sunny winter days, with the coast generally the better bet for beach time. Evenings cool down noticeably, especially inland, so it feels more like a spring break than a heatwave, but it’s a short flight and combines sunshine with culture, markets and food in a way few other winter destinations do. It suits travellers who want sightseeing as much as sunbathing.
How to choose between the best winter sun destinations
The biggest decision is short haul versus long haul. Short haul places like the Canaries, Cape Verde, Egypt and Morocco mean less time travelling and a lower cost, which suits a week away or a half term break. Long haul destinations like Thailand and the Caribbean give you hotter, more reliable weather and a bigger sense of escape, but they need more time and money to make the flight worthwhile. After that, think about the kind of holiday you want: all inclusive resorts for easy relaxing, or room only stays with the freedom to explore.
When to book and how to avoid the Christmas premium
Christmas, New Year and half term weeks carry the highest prices for almost every one of the best winter sun destinations. The same weather is often available in early December, in January and in the weeks after half term for noticeably less, so shifting your dates even slightly can make a big difference. Our guides to the best holiday destinations in December and January show how the options change month by month, and our comparison of the best budget airlines helps with short haul fares.
What to pack for winter sun
Even in warm destinations, evenings can feel cooler than you expect, so pack a light layer alongside your summer clothes. Sun protection matters more than people think in winter, because the sun is still strong and you’re likely to be outdoors for long stretches. Reef safe sunscreen is worth choosing for the Red Sea and the Caribbean, where many resorts encourage it to protect the coral.
Before you book: safety advice and insurance
Check the FCDO travel advice for your chosen destination before you book, and again before you travel, because it affects whether your travel insurance stays valid. Our guide on how to check FCDO travel advice explains how to read the advice levels, and good insurance matters on any trip where you’re far from home.
Choosing the best winter sun destinations for your trip
If you want the easiest option, choose the Canary Islands. For warmer water without a huge flight, pick Cape Verde, and for value, Egypt’s Red Sea coast is hard to beat. If you want city and beach together, consider Dubai, and if you have time for a long trip, Thailand and the Caribbean deliver the most reliable heat. Morocco is the choice when you want culture alongside the sun. Whichever of the best winter sun destinations you pick, book outside the busiest weeks and read the travel advice before you pay.
