Winter in Europe can be lovely: bundles of pillowy snow, steaming mulled wine at Christmas markets, the crunching score of ice skates on a frozen canal.
But then comes the rain. And the biting winds. That never-ending darkness. Who doesn’t miss the sun and soul-restoring doses of vitamin D?
Luckily, Europeans don’t have to go far to find some even in the darkest months. Europe’s southern reaches provide plenty of blue skies, sunshine and mild (even if not-quite-tropical tropical) temperatures. What’s more, traveling in the low season means accommodation and car rental can be gloriously cheap, while beaches and local attractions are wonderfully empty.
Here are the best and sunniest spots for a European winter vacation. Feel your toes thawing out already?
1. The Algarve, Portugal
Best for continuous sunshine
With more than 300 days of sunshine a year and 87 Blue Flag beaches, the Algarve has become an increasingly popular winter-sun destination. The season is when waterfalls roar back to life in the eucalyptus-filled Monchique Mountains, and migrating birds flock to Ria Formosa Natural Park. Even popular Quinta do Lago Beach is blissfully quiet this time of year. If you can handle sea temperatures of a chilly 57°F (14°C), this is also the season for surfing. Work up an appetite before finding dinner in the whitewashed towns of Faro, Lagos or Tavira.
Rainy-day rescue: The interior of São Lourenço church near Loulé is an azulejo-lover’s dream. The ornate blue tiles here cover almost every inch, floor to ceiling.
2. Turquoise Coast, Türkiye
Best for crystal-clear waters – without the crowds
Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast is a tourist magnet in summer (perhaps the famous shade of that water has something to do it?). Yet when the crowds have dispersed, there’s nothing but you, those views and an average of 10 hours of sunshine a day. Moderate temperatures mean hiking is nowhere near as sweaty as it would be in August – so why not tackle a bit of the 335-mile (540km) Lycian Way? The route winds between Fethiye and Antalya, passing countless ancient ruins and clifftop wonders along the way, including the remains of Levissi, ancient Patara and the (mostly) sunken city of Simena.
Rainy-day rescue: Warm up, give your legs a rest and enjoy a treatment at a hammam (Turkish bath), found in most major towns.
3. Malta
Best for green countryside, culture and history
Malta can be scorching in the summer. So the cooler days of winter, when temperatures rarely dip below 50°F (10°C), are ideal for exploring the great outdoors on this Mediterranean island nation. Rock climbing and hiking are particularly pleasant in the off season, as the rural landscape is at its greenest. Culture and history buffs should catch a winter-solstice sunrise on December 22 at Mnajdra Temple, where the sun lights up the precise edges of an ancient megalith. Come February, the Maltese Carnival brings parades and late-night parties galore.
Rainy-day rescue: If you need to seek shelter from a shower, the gilded baroque interior of St John’s Co-Cathedral in UNESCO-listed Valletta always shines.
4. Sicily, Italy
Best for fresh produce year-round
Magical Sicily is full of color in winter. Citrus trees are heavy with ripening oranges, lemons and limes. Food-market stalls in Catania and Palermo creak under the weight of fresh vegetables, fish and seasonal walnuts. And all over the island, locals are preparing for Carnevale (the most famous celebration, Carnevale Acireale, takes place in 2025 from February 16 to March 4). While the weather can change at the drop of a blood orange, 8 hours of sunshine a day and average highs reaching double those in London make it worth taking your chances.
Rainy-day rescue: Villa Romana del Casale is home to the most significant collection of Roman floor mosaics in the world – and a wooden roof protects them (and you) from the elements.
5. Cyprus
Best for the warmest Mediterranean winter
With more than 340 days of sunshine a year, Cyprus is your best bet for warmth winter in Europe (albeit at the continent’s southeastern edge, in the Mediterranean). While snow glitters on the peaks of the Troödos Mountains, coastal areas, particularly in the east, stay warmer and drier. Stay in Larnaka to spot flamingos dancing around their winter home on the nearby salt lake before heading west to explore historic treasures such as the 3rd-century-BCE Tombs of the Kings and Ancient Kourion.
Rainy-day rescue: Spend a wet afternoon among the ancient artifacts of the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia, or find a cozy taverna for a leisurely Cypriot-style lunch.
6. Seville, Spain
Best for Mudejar style – and sunshine
If you fancy a fair-weather winter city break, look no further than Seville. Temperatures can rise to 63°F (17°C), with at least 6 hours of sunshine a day (though packing an umbrella is always wise). Top sights like the Plaza de Espana and the Real Alcázar feature indoor areas and outdoor delights, allowing you to bask in the sunshine and hide from a passing shower. Finish a day of sunny sightseeing with a sunset stroll through the modern Metropol Parasol, known locally as Las Setas (“the Mushrooms”).
Rainy-day rescue: Take a tour of Seville’s stunning Cathedral, or stamp, tap and shimmy through the Flamenco Dance Museum, where you can also arrange a lesson or watch pros perform.
7. Canary Islands, Spain
Best for waves and dunes, hidden coves and kites
Want sand dunes and hidden coves? Volcanic national parks and forested mountains? How about colorful villages, tempting restaurants and water sports galore? It’s all here, all year. Tenerife and Gran Canaria are generally the warmest of the Canary Islands in winter, with highs around 71°F (22°C). Lanzarote and Fuerteventura can be a little windy – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re heading there to surf or take part in the latter’s annual kite festival. Lesser-known La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro will feel even more off-the-radar than usual in winter, though they will have (you guessed it) plenty of sun.
Rainy-day rescue: Let the weather slow you down: book an appointment at one of the islands’ many spas for a massage, followed by a trip to a local vineyard or bar to taste local wines.
8. Madeira, Portugal
Best for experiencing “eternal spring”
Mild winters are standard in Madeira, a Portuguese archipelago some 309 miles (498 km) north of the Canary Islands. Temperatures rarely drop below 57°F (14°C) here – which is why the climate is always described as “eternal spring.” Beaches are rocky but the sea is warm, so pack your swimsuit – or stay above the waves by joining a dolphin- and whale-spotting tour. If you prefer dry land, Madeira’s rugged interior is ideal for hiking. Follow a trail along a levada – an ancient network of channels that distributed water around the island for over a century, which are these days sources of hydropower.
Rainy-day rescue: Relax with afternoon tea while watching the rain fall. Historic, deluxe Belmond Reid’s Palace in Funchal has welcomed Winston Churchill, Roger Moore (aka James Bond) and countless other grandees over the decades.
9. Balearic Islands, Spain
Best for epic beaches and peerless sunsets
Adored by summer vacationers, these Spanish islands are just as lovable come winter. Ibiza’s pumping beats and party crowds will have left – but the epic sunsets and beaches remain. Culture-packed Mallorca, meanwhile, is quieter and cheaper. Lesser-visited Menorca lures nature fans with decent walking weather for tackling the Camí de Cavalls coastal path, while tiny Formentera beckons to those who want total seclusion.
Rainy-day rescue: If you’re going to get wet, you may as well go diving. Relatively mild sea temperatures allow for diving around the Balearics’ caverns and shipwrecks year-round.
10. Crete, Greece
Best for having deserted resort towns all to yourself
In the winter low season, you can only reach Crete via Athens – and although most resort towns will be all but deserted, basing yourself in the cities of Heraklion or Hania will give you a sense of low-season life. Numerous restaurants and bars remain open in both, and they’re equally good spots for snagging a low-priced car rental to explore the island. On sunny days, you might find you have the pink-tinged sands of Elafonisi or the Palace of Knossos all to yourself. Temperatures can reach highs of 61°F (16°C) in January, but the nights are much colder, so pack layers. Still chilly? An evening with a bottle of local raki should warm you up.
Rainy-day rescue: Uncover five millennia of history at Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the best museums in all of Greece.
