Even in the current climate, there are budget-friendly destinations for budget-savvy travellers out there and winter is a great time to bag a bargain when popular summer destinations become a lot cheaper and quieter during the winter months, but still offer a milder and sunnier climate than the UK.
Personally, I am a big fan of a winter sunshine break to boost the Vitamin D and sunshine serotonin and offer a much-needed break from the grey skies of the UK. Here are 5 destinations that should be on everyone's list.
1. The Canary Islands
With over 3000 hours of sunshine a year you are guarnteed decent weather with the Canary Islands averaging 20–22°C in January, along with golden sand beaches, clear water and plenty of nature, history and culture to explore, along with a variety of islands to choose from with plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation, with the cheapest time of the year to visit Dec-Feb. It's also the perfect place to recharge your batteries, with it's laid-back vibe and plenty of nature on your doorstep there is a reason why this is always a popular winter sunshine destination.
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| Malaga, Spain |
2. Malaga, Spain
With it's mild, sunny winters that average 17-20°C and over 300 days of sunshine and is a perfect place to explore with the whole family, from museums, botanical gardens, the historical old town and stunning walks and coastal trails and all you really need to pack is a light jacket for the evenings otherwise you can leave your layers and winter clothes at home. This easy-to-reach destination where you can fly with Air France to Malaga, should be on everyones winter sunshine list.
3. Madeira, Portugal
This Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean is known for its warm, subtropical climate and lush scenery and with average winter temperatures of 18-20°C this is the perfect spot for soaking up some winter sunshine and taking on one of the many hiking trails on the island. It's also a budget-friendly time to visit as both flight and accommodation are cheaper in the off-peak season.
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| Stunning Dubrovnik in the Winter sunshine |
4. Dubrovnik, Croatia
While not the warmest of the destinations mentioned it still offers sun, mild winters with temps avergaing 11-15°C. December and January are particuarlly a good time to visit with fewer crowds and vibrant winter festivals and of course cheaper prices which make it a very appealing city to visit, along with all the history and culture waitning to explore in this stunning coastal city. You can see more inspiration for visiting Dubrovnik in Winter here.
5. Cadiz, Spain
Often overlooked but Cadiz is one of the oldest cities in Europe and well worth a visit and with average Jan temps being around 16-20°C, winter is a great time to visit this underrated destination. Winter is also the perfect time to visit to avoid large crowds and explore the city's ancient streets without the intense summer heat. Cadiz is also only a short train ride from Seville so you can tick or two fantastic cities in one trip.
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| Cafe culture in Cadiz, Spain. |
There is nothing more rejuvinating than a warm break away during winter. I enjoyed a fantastic New Years in Barcelona a couple of years ago, for the 10 days I was there it was sunny and averaged around 14-16 degrees and was just what I needed, such a mood booster. You can see even more ideas for Winter sunshine destinations in a previous blog post here.
