Can’t wait until summer?
Fortunately, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy the sun.
Southern Europe offers an abundance of sunshine, clear skies and comfortable (but not tropical) temperatures. Plus, booking a trip during off-peak months can result in incredibly reasonable rates on accommodation and car rental, as well as empty beaches and local attractions.
Below we have selected our favorite places in Europe where you can still enjoy the sun in the low season.
Paphos, Cyprus
Average winter temperature: 18°C
Best for: Beach hopping and sightseeing.
Cyprus has long been a favorite summer retreat for Brits – a million of us travel there every year (in normal times) – but don’t let that put you off. The coastal city of Paphos, dotted with ancient towns and picture-perfect beaches, offers a healthy mix of both. There is an air of romance in the city, largely due to its association with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, whose mythical birthplace was the old town of Kouklia.
Stay: Sit back and relax at the sleek and modern Annabelle Hotel (annabelle.com, from around £122/night) in Paphos, located a short distance from Paphos Harbor and surrounded by two hectares of tropical gardens.
Valletta, Malta
Average winter temperature: 17°CBest for: History buffs and (almost) year-round sunshine.
Malta is the Mediterranean’s most understated gem (and still on our green list) and has a lot to offer: 300 days of sunshine a year, prehistoric temples and crystal clear waters that are tempting even in winter. The golden city of Valetta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has made its mark as European Capital of Culture for 2018 – with its museums, fortresses and historic churches making it a must-visit.
Stay: For something a little more royal, the five-star Xara Palace hotel sits in a stunningly restored 17th-century palazzo, hidden within the walls of the medieval fortress city of Mdina (xarapalace.com.mt, about £245 per night).
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Average winter temperature: 21°CBest for: Both avid adventurers and sun worshipers.
For truly balmy evenings well into winter, the Canary Islands are a safe bet, with otherworldly landscapes and subtropical temperatures all year round – don’t forget to pack your bathing suit. A UNESCO Geopark since 2015, Lanzarote is made up of more than 300 (largely inactive) volcanic cones, blackened lava fields and palm-lined valleys – all of which can be discovered via the island’s plentiful hiking and cycling trails.
Stay: Sun seekers, meanwhile, should check into the five-star Meliá Salinas (melia.com, £185/night), which boasts a huge lagoon-style outdoor pool, tropical gardens, tennis courts and access to Costa Teguise’s white-sand beaches.
Seville, Spain
Average winter temperature: 18°C
Best for: A quieter city trip for couples.
With mild temperatures all year round, the sun-drenched city of Seville is Spain’s best-kept secret. Smaller and more romantic than the busier counterparts of 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).
Stay: Palacio Bucarelli is 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. It features bright, modern rooms with a traditional touch, a courtyard, a roof terrace and a refreshing plunge pool to cool off in (palaciobucarelli.com, from around £132 per night).
Karpathos, Greece
Average winter temperature: 17°C
Best for: Take it easy in a picturesque setting.
Although the Greek islands are largely inactive during the winter months – many hotels and restaurants close shop between November and April – this is also the best time to visit to avoid the crowds. Skip the tourist-oriented Cyclades and head east to the Dodecanese, which lies just off the coast of Turkey. Karpathos, the second largest of this group, is the least commercialized, meaning it offers a truly authentic look at the Greek way of life. The villages here are filled with whitewashed sugar cube houses, and the sea is always sparkling.
Stay: La Scala Luxury Villas is a small family business that aims to provide you with the luxury that 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, about £221/night).
Lagos, Portugal
Average winter temperature: 17°C
Best for: People watching and lazy beach days.
As soon as a hint of summer arrives, swarming to the Algarve is a long-standing British pastime, but the Portuguese coastal city of Lagos is perhaps even more charming in winter, when the hordes disperse. Head to the coast to see the famous rock formations and golden beaches that will grace your Instagram feed or simply plant yourself in the old town with a pastéis de nata in hand, sitting and watching the world go by.
Stay: Head to Lagos’ historic old town and book a charming room at Casa Mãe for vintage rooms on the 19th-century estate, a seasonal farm-to-table Portuguese menu and all the sunny surfer vibes (casa-mae.com, around £ 340/night).
Sicily, Italy
Average winter temperature: 18°C
Best for: Foodies and wine lovers.
Cutting a lonely figure off the coast of Italy, the Mediterranean’s largest island is a treasure trove of delights. The historic sites, such as the Concordia Temple in Agrigento and the Columns of Selinunte, are considerably less touristy in the winter months and the beaches are virtually empty. Foodies will discover a haven away from the regular tourist traps, Noto is home to Café Sicilia and the famous almond granite with brioche buns and the best seafood on the island in Taormina.
Stay: Built at the end of the 19th century, the Grand Hotel Ortigia lets you breathe in more than 100 years of history during your stay. Every guest who books directly through the website is greeted with a complimentary aperitif on the hotel’s panoramic terrace, surrounded by breathtaking views (grandhotelortigia.it, about £196/night).
You can read our foodie guide to Sicily here.
Crete, Greece
Average winter temperature: 17°C
Best for: Crystal clear water and hiking trails.
While you’d be perfectly positioned to plop yourself down on a daybed with a good book, Crete is ready to explore. With hidden beaches, ancient villages and rugged canyons, it has something to offer for every type of traveler. Adventure seekers should head to the Samariá Gorge for a six-hour trek, while beach lovers should head south – the Elafonisi Lagoon with its pink sand and azure waters is a breathtaking sight.
Stay: Wellness seekers can head for pampering and relaxation at Domes of Elounda (domesresorts.com, from around £575 per night), known for its glittering views of the mythical island of Spinalonga.
The Azores, Portugal
Average winter temperature: 18°C
Best for: Thrill seekers looking for something different.
This remote archipelago in the mid-Atlantic may seem far away, but the five-hour flight takes just over an hour longer than to Turkey or Greece. Dramatic landscapes characterize these nine islands – São Miguel has lake-filled calderas and Pico a towering mountain – but it’s the wealth of activities that will appeal to visitors. The whale watching in the Azores is world class, as is the diving, hiking, sailing and canyoning. It is also largely sustainable: only five percent of the land here is developed and there are many marine parks.
Stay: Treat yourself to a stay in a luxury suite or villa at White Exclusive, perched on a cliff on São Miguel Island, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and offering unparalleled views (whiteazores.com, from around £200 per night).
Fethiye, Turkey
Average winter temperature: 18°C Best for: admiring crystal clear water without the crowds
Hiking isn’t as hot as August, so why not tackle part of the 540-kilometre Lycian Way and admire Turkey’s azure seas without the crowds? Between Fethiye and Antalya the road winds past countless historical monuments and breathtaking rock faces, including the remains of Levissi, the ancient city of Patara and the (largely) sunken city of Simena. Where to stay: Enjoy a marine club concept stay at Yacht Classic Hotel overlooking the beautiful Turkish coast (yachtclassichotel.com from around £95/night).