Grey skies, short days and 2°C in Prague: by December I am always looking at winter sun destinations. The good news is that warm sunshine is closer than you think. From four-hour flights to the Canary Islands to Caribbean beaches and Indian Ocean islands, this guide ranks the best winter sun destinations for December, January and February 2026–27, with typical temperatures, flight times from Europe, entry rules and who each one suits.
- Closest warm sun from Europe: the Canary Islands (about 21°C, 4–5 hours from much of Europe).
- Hot beaches: the Caribbean, the Maldives and Cartagena in Colombia (28–31°C, dry season).
- Best value: Egypt's Red Sea coast and Morocco.
- Watch out for: cyclone season in Mauritius (January–March) and the rainy season in the Seychelles (showers, but still hot).
- Not sure? Take our free Country Finder quiz.
Winter sun destinations compared
| Destination | Typical high (Dec–Feb) | Flight from Central Europe | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canary Islands (Spain) | 20–22°C | 4.5–5.5 hrs | Easy short break, hiking |
| Madeira (Portugal) | 19–20°C | 4–4.5 hrs | Walking, gardens, New Year fireworks |
| Morocco (Agadir, Marrakech) | 18–21°C | 4–5 hrs | Culture, souks, value |
| Egypt (Red Sea) | 22–24°C | 4–5 hrs | Diving, value, all-inclusives |
| Oman (Muscat) | 25–26°C | 6–7 hrs | Desert, mountains, calm luxury |
| Cabo Verde | 25–26°C | 6–7 hrs | Beaches, kitesurfing |
| Maldives | 29–31°C | 10–12 hrs (1 stop) | Honeymoons, snorkelling |
| Caribbean (Barbados, Jamaica…) | 28–30°C | 9–11 hrs | Beaches, rum, music |
| Colombia (Cartagena) | 30–31°C | 12+ hrs (1 stop) | Colourful old town, islands |
| Seychelles / Mauritius | 29–31°C | 10–12 hrs (1 stop) | Iconic beaches, nature |
Temperatures are typical daytime highs; nights are cooler, especially in Morocco, the Canaries and Madeira. Flight times are approximate from cities such as Prague, Vienna or Frankfurt.
Short-haul winter sun destinations (under 5 hours)
Canary Islands
Canary IslandsThe Canary Islands are Europe's most reliable winter sun destination: they sit off the coast of Africa, so even in January Tenerife and Gran Canaria see around 21°C. The south coasts are sunniest. Hike Teide National Park, a UNESCO site with Spain's highest peak, or relax on Lanzarote's volcanic beaches. The islands are part of Spain, so normal Schengen rules apply; read our ETIAS 2026 guide if you travel from outside the EU.
Madeira
MadeiraMadeira is a little cooler than the Canaries, but its cliff walks along the levadas, flower markets and famous New Year's Eve fireworks in Funchal make it a lovely December escape.
Morocco
MoroccoMorocco offers winter sun plus culture. Marrakech has sunny days around 18–20°C (but cold nights), while Agadir on the Atlantic is warmer and built for beach holidays. It is one of the best-value winter sun destinations close to Europe.
Egypt's Red Sea coast
Egypt's Red Sea coastHurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh are warm (22–24°C) all winter, with excellent diving and great-value resorts. Combine the beach with a trip to Luxor's temples. Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival or an e-visa; check before you fly.
Mid-haul: Oman and Cabo Verde
Oman is at its best in winter, with warm 25°C days in Muscat, cool desert nights in the Wahiba Sands and green wadis to swim in. It is calm, safe and less crowded than Dubai.
Cabo Verde, off West Africa, is the closest place to Europe with reliably beach-warm winter weather (about 25°C). Sal and Boa Vista have long sandy beaches and steady winds for kitesurfing.
Long-haul winter sun destinations for real heat
🏝️ The Caribbean
December to April is the dry season, which makes the Caribbean one of the classic winter sun destinations. Barbados has calm west-coast beaches and rum shops, Jamaica brings reggae and waterfalls, Grenada is the quiet “Spice Isle”, the Dominican Republic offers great-value all-inclusives and humpback whales in Samaná Bay (January–March), and The Bahamas is ideal for island-hopping, though a little cooler (about 25°C) in January.
Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena, ColombiaHot, dry and colourful, Cartagena's walled old town (a UNESCO site) is at its best from December to March. Add a boat trip to the Rosario Islands. Read our Colombia travel guide.
🌊 The Maldives
The dry northeast monsoon from December to April brings calm seas and clear water to the Maldives. Local-island guesthouses now make it far more affordable than the luxury-resort image suggests.
🐢 Seychelles and Mauritius
Both are hot in winter, but it is their rainy season. The Seychelles gets short, heavy showers between sunny spells, while Mauritius has a cyclone risk from about January to March. Read our Seychelles vs Mauritius comparison to choose.
Tips for booking winter sun
Christmas, New Year and February half-term are the most expensive weeks. Early December and late January are cheapest.
Winter is summer in the southern hemisphere, with cyclone or monsoon risk in some places.
The Seychelles needs a paid Travel Authorisation; others need e-visas. Our country guides list the rules.
The winter sun near the equator burns fast, even on cloudy days.
Use our currency converter to compare prices.
Check flight distances with our distance calculator.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Where is hot in Europe in winter?
The Canary Islands are the warmest part of Europe in winter, with daytime highs around 20–22°C. Madeira and southern Cyprus are next.
What are the best winter sun destinations close to Europe?
The Canary Islands, Madeira, Morocco and Egypt's Red Sea coast are all 4–5 hours from much of Europe and warm in winter.
Where is hot in January?
The Caribbean, the Maldives, Cartagena in Colombia, the Seychelles and Mauritius are all around 28–31°C in January.
What are the cheapest winter sun destinations?
Egypt and Morocco usually offer the best value, followed by the Dominican Republic for all-inclusive holidays.
Is December a good time to visit the Maldives?
Yes. December starts the dry season, with calm seas and sunshine, but it is also the most expensive time around Christmas.
Are the Canary Islands warm enough to swim in winter?
Many people do. The sea is around 19°C in winter, which feels cool but is swimmable on sunny days.
☀️ Find your perfect winter escape
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