Can’t wait until summer?
Luckily, you don’t have to go far to enjoy the sun.
Southern Europe can offer plenty of sunshine, bright skies, and comfortable (but not tropical) temperatures. Additionally, booking travel during off-peak months can lead to incredibly affordable rates for accommodation and car rentals, as well as empty beaches and local landmarks.
Below, we’ve picked our favorite spots in Europe that’ll still provide you with sunshine during low season.
Paphos, Cyprus
Average winter temperature: 18°C
Best for: Beach hopping and sightseeing.
Cyprus has long been a favorite summer destination for Brits – a million of us travel there every year (in normal times) – but don’t let that put you off. Filled with ancient cities and postcard-perfect beaches, the coastal city of Paphos offers a healthy mix of both. An air of romance fills the city, thanks in large part to its association with the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite, whose legendary birthplace is the Old Town of Kouklia.
To stay: Sit back and relax at the stylish and modern Annabelle Hotel in Paphos (annabelle.com, around £122 per night); It is located a short distance from Paphos port and is surrounded by six acres of tropical gardens.
Valletta, Malta
Average winter temperature: 17°CBest for: History buffs and (almost) year-round sunshine.
Malta, the Mediterranean’s most understated jewel (and still on our green list), has plenty to do: 300 days of sunshine a year, prehistoric temples and crystalline waters that are seductive even in the depths of winter. The golden city of Valletta is on the Unesco World Heritage List and has also won the title of European Capital of Culture 2018, a must-visit destination with its museums, castles and historic churches.
To stay: For something a little spectacular, the five-star Xara Palace hotel is housed in a stunningly restored 17th-century palace hidden within the walls of the medieval fortified city of Mdina (xarapalace.com.mt, around £245/night).
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Average winter temperature: 21°CBest for: They are both enthusiastic adventurers and sun worshipers.
For truly quiet evenings towards the end of winter, the Canary Islands are a safe bet, boasting otherworldly landscapes and year-round subtropical temperatures; Don’t forget to take your one piece with you. Lanzarote, a Unesco Geopark since 2015, consists of more than 300 (largely inactive) volcanic cones, blackened lava fields and palm-fringed valleys; all of which can be explored via the island’s numerous hiking and cycling trails.
To stay: Sun worshipers, meanwhile, should check into the five-star Meliá Salinas (melia.com, £185/night), which has access to a large lagoon-like outdoor pool, tropical gardens, tennis courts and white-sand beaches. Costa is from Teguise.
Seville, Spain
Average winter temperature: 18°C
Best for: A quieter city break for couples.
With mild temperatures year-round, the sunny city of Seville is Spain’s best-kept secret. Smaller and more romantic than its busier counterparts in Barcelona and Valencia, the capital of Spain’s Andalusia region is home to the Alcázar castle complex, built during the Moorish Almohad dynasty, and the highly Instagrammable Plaza de España (pictured above).
To stay: Housed in a beautiful 17th-century building in the heart of Seville’s Old Town, within walking distance of the cathedral and the Museum of Fine Arts, Palacio Bucarelli offers bright contemporary rooms with a traditional touch, a courtyard, rooftop terrace and refreshing plunge pool . to cool off (palaciobucarelli.com, from around £132 per night).
Karpathos, Greece
Average winter temperature: 17°C
Best for: Slowing down in a picturesque setting.
Although the Greek islands remain largely dormant during the winter months (many hotels and restaurants close up shop between November and April) this is also the best time to visit to avoid the crowds. Skip the tourist-centric Cyclades and head east towards the Dodecanese Islands, located just off the coast of Turkey. The second largest of this group, Karpathos is the least commercialized, meaning it offers a truly original look at the Greek way of life. The villages here are full of whitewashed sugar cube houses and the sea is always sparkling clear.
To stay: La Scala Luxury Villas is a small family run business that aims to provide you with the luxuries the island has to offer. Each villa is named after an eccentric Greek musician, located on the shores of the sparkling Greek sea (lascalavillas.gr, around £221 per night).
Lagos, Portugal
Average winter temperature: 17°C
Best for: People watching and lazy beach days.
Descending to the Algarve at the scent of summer is a long-held British pastime, but the Portuguese coastal city of Lagos is arguably even more appealing in the winter months, when the crowds disperse. Head to the beach to see the famous rock formations and golden beaches gracing your Instagram feed, or plant yourself in the old town with a pastéis de nata in hand, sit and watch the world go by.
To stay: Head to Lagos’s historic old town and book a charming room at Casa Mão (casa-mae.com, around £340/night) for vintage rooms in the 19th-century mansion, seasonal farm-to-table Portuguese menu and all the sunny surfer vibes. .
Sicily, Italy
Average winter temperature: 18°C
Best for: Foodies and wine lovers.
Cutting a lonely figure off the coast of Italy, the largest island in the Mediterranean is a treasure trove of flavour. Historic sites such as Agrigento’s temple of Concordia and the columns of Selinunte are filled with far fewer tourists during the winter months, and the beaches are almost empty. Foodies will discover a paradise outside the regular tourist haunts; Noto is home to Café Sicilia and the famous almond granite with brioche, and in Taormina you can find the best seafood on the island.
To stay: Built in the late 19th century, Grand Hotel Ortigia lets you breathe in more than 100 years of history during your stay. Every guest who books directly on the website is greeted with a free snack on the hotel’s panoramic terrace surrounded by breathtaking views (grandhotelortigia.it, around £196 per night).
You can read our Sicily food guide Here.
Crete, Greece
Average winter temperature: 17°C
Best for: Crystal waters and hiking trails.
While you’re perfectly positioned to collapse on the couch with a good book, Crete is ready to explore. With hidden beaches, bijou villages and rugged canyons, there is something for every type of traveler. Adventure seekers should head to Samariá Gorge to hike the six-hour trail, while beach lovers should head south; With its pink sands and deep blue waters, the Elafonisi lagoon is a fascinating sight.
To stay: Wellness seekers should head out for pampering and relaxation at the Domes of Elounda (domesresorts.com, from around £575 per night), known for its sparkling views of the legendary island of Spinalonga.
Azores, Portugal
Average winter temperature: 18°C
Best for: Thrill seekers looking for something a little different.
This remote archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic may seem far away, but the five-hour flight is just over an hour longer than from Turkey or Greece. Dramatic landscapes characterize these nine islands – there are lake-filled calderas on São Miguel and a towering mountain on Pico – but there is also a wealth of activities to interest those who visit. The Azores’ whale watching is a world-class activity, including diving, hiking, sailing and canyoning. It’s also largely sustainable, with only five percent of the land here cultivated and marine parks aplenty.
To stay: Enjoy a stay in a comfortable suite or villa at White Exclusive, perched atop a cliff on the island of São Miguel and offering unparalleled views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean (whiteazores.com, from around £200 per night).
Fethiye, Türkiye
Average winter temperature: 18°CBest for: Admiring the crystal blue waters without the crowds
The hike isn’t as hot as it is in August, so why not travel part of the 335-mile (540km) Lycian Way and take in some of Turkey’s deep blue seas without the crowds? The road between Fethiye and Antalya winds around countless historical monuments and jaw-dropping cliff faces, including the ruins of Levissi, the ancient city of Patara, and the (mostly) submerged city of Simena. Accommodation: Enjoy a nautical club stay at the Yacht Classic Hotel (yachtclassichotel.com rates from around £95 per night) overlooking the beautiful Turkish coast.