The best places for winter sun in Europe

A guide to some of the best holiday destinations in Europe for late-season sun

As UK temperatures begin to plummet and autumn tightens its grip, there’s real benefits to searching out some European sun during the colder months. By swapping grey clouds and freezing winds for a short flight to a welcomed sunny climate, you’ll likely have many beaches and major sights almost to yourself.

Accommodation, car rental and flight prices will probably be cheaper too. Many destinations will feel more authentic as crowds of tourists are replaced by locals and an easygoing atmosphere. You’ll recharge your batteries and get a welcomed dose of vitamin D to boot.

Note: the temperatures shown are the lowest (at night) and highest during the day.

Sicily, Italy

Nov average 11-16 degrees C

Visitors to Sicily increased after the island was featured in the hit TV series The White Lotus. However, the crazy crowds subside dramatically in autumn and winter, and it remains comfortably warm. On sunny days visit the beach, but there’s loads to do on an overcast day too, from visiting historic sights like the Temple of Concordia in Agrigento, strolling around beautiful Taormina and its majestic amphitheatre, discovering charming mountain and fishing villages, and sampling the local gastronomic delights. Film buffs can check out locations from The Godfather, including the beautiful village of Savoca and its Bar Vitelli, which still looks very like it did in the film, and The Castello degli Schiavi in Fiumefreddo.

Stay at: Just a five-minute walk to the beach, and surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, Adler Spa Resort Sicilia will pamper you.

Malta

Nov average 14-21 degrees C

Malta boasts an amazing 300 sunny days a year, so is a top choice for winter sun in Europe. It’s crammed with so much to do, from stunning cultural sites such as Unesco World Heritage capital Valletta’s beautiful Old Town with majestic St John’s cathedral, to rock climbing, hiking and horse riding. Traditional fishing village Marsaxlokk is a chilled delight and you can hop on a short ferry to sister island quiet Gozo, a real contrast to lively Malta.

Stay at: Elegant Corinthia Palace Hotel, located by the Presidential Palace and public botanical gardens, boasts fine dining and a luxurious spa.

Corfu, Greece

Nov average 10-19 degrees C

Situated on Greece’s far northwest coast, just across from Albania, Corfu is great for families. It has more than 50 beaches and bays, often sandy, with shallow, clear waters. Many have sun loungers and umbrellas, with tavernas nearby. Kids will also love Aqualand Corfu Water Park, which is one of the biggest in the world. Older visitors will appreciate its Byzantine churches, neoclassical houses, Venetian fortresses and an Unesco-listed old town just a ten-minute drive from the airport.

Stay at: With nine bedrooms, luxurious Courti Estate is ideal for groups, otherwise try the comfortable Arcadion Hotel in the heart of Corfu town.

Gibraltar

Nov average 14-20 degrees C

Packing into its 6.7 square kilometres such sites as a nature reserve, botanic garden, majestic cathedral-like caves, dramatic siege tunnels - and mischievous wild monkeys on the imposing towering limestone ‘Rock’ - Gibraltar has something for everyone. Being a British Overseas Territory, British pounds are accepted everywhere, and therefore visitors are unaffected by exchange rates. There’s no VAT, therefore many goods are considerably cheaper than the UK. English is spoken everywhere, and the police in bobby hats and red phone boxes make you feel at home.

Stay at: The Sunborn, a swish super-yacht hotel located in the heart of the city at Ocean Village.

Tenerife, Spain

Nov average 18-24 degrees C

The Canary Islands enjoy some of the highest European temperatures all year, not least by being at the same latitude as the Sahara desert. The largest island, Tenerife, has a north and south that are almost like two different islands: the south warmer, less mountainous and having less vegetation. Many people just think of it as a beach destination, but you can get lost in its remarkable lunar landscapes of Mount Teide National Park, hiking in its lush rainforest, or stargazing, which it is perfect for.

Stay at: Hotel Botánico, set in lovely gardens, is one of the island’s nicest hotels.

Santorini, Greece

Nov average 14-18 degrees C

The Greek islands are a great bet for winter sun, and one of the most popular, Santorini, which is pretty intolerable during the summer, is a lot quieter in November. Oia’s pretty blue and white buildings clinging to the volcanic hillside look even better against the stunning sunsets. Many bars and clubs are closed at this time, but there’s plenty of restaurants to choose from. Santorini has Greece’s oldest vineyards, and a visit to one, including a wine-tasting or meal, makes a lovely day out. Or why not try a cruise and see a selection of Greek islands? Variety Cruises offers various itineraries on small cruise ships.

Stay at: Charming Ducato di Oia Boutique Hotel is just above picturesque Armeni harbour at delightful Oia.

The Algarve, Portugal

Nov average 14-22 degrees C

Precious few tourists, cheaper accommodation and a mild climate with the sun still shining - what’s not to like about this lovely southern Portuguese region in November? If you want a change from the more than 80 beautiful blue flag beaches, there’s hiking in the forested hills around Monchique, Moorish villages and the Rio Formosa National Park to explore. The Algarve is famed for its food and wine, and it is an ideal time for a tour focused on one of these.

Stay at: Historic Relais & Châteaux Hotel Bela Vista in Portimão is on the beach, but also conveniently in the city centre.

Seville, Spain

Nov average 10-20 degrees C

It’s usual to have more than six hours of sunshine a day in this delightful corner of Andalusia in November. The lack of crowds and lower hotel prices make it even more ideal to explore this elegant city at this time of year. There’s a host of impressive sights, not least its enormous cathedral which is stuffed with artistic treasures. If you want to chill on the sands, Matalascañas beach, six kilometres long, is a popular, easily accessible day trip.

Stay at: In an historic building dating from the 16th century, Hotel Posada del Lucero is located in the Old Town.

Nice, France

Nov average 11-16 degrees C

The south of France is pleasantly warm although not the hottest European location in November, but you’re compensated by fine food, elegance and charm. Chic Nice is one of the French Riviera’s gems, and the British have a long history of holidaying here during winter. Indeed, its famed Promenade des Anglais is named after the many English aristocrats who would visit in the colder months during the 19th century. Vieux Nice, the old quarter, has winding cobbled streets populated by restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Beaches, Monaco and Monte Carlo are all easily accessible.

Stay at: Arome Hotel in Nice city centre is just 300 metres from the beach.

Cyprus

Nov average 13-23 degrees C

Being just 200 kilometres from Lebanon, it’s no surprise Cyprus has such balmy weather, with more than 340 days of sunshine a year. In November the Troodos Mountains may be snow-peaked, but sunbathing and swimming are still popular in coastal areas, especially earlier in the month. Other options include hiking in the dense forests and wine tastings at vineyards, and with a culture stretching back 11,000 years and past inhabitants including Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Romans, Venetians and Ottomans, there are plenty of monuments, historic sights and museums to explore.

Stay at: The tropical gardens of Crystal Springs Beach Hotel lead to an exclusive sandy cove.

Marbella, Spain

Nov average 11-20 degrees C

Marbella has a reputation for glitzy, hedonistic partying, but a more sedate side is emerging, with cute little boutique hotels spring up from historic properties, and laid-back, hip beach bars. It has a micro-climate providing sunshine approximately 320 days out of the year, and visit in winter and most of the tourists will have gone, and the locals come out to play. The beaches are quiet, the restaurants relaxed and the pretty old town a delight to explore.

Stay at: Hotel Santo Cristo La Ciudadela is a stylish, characterful boutique hotel, set in an elegant historic building in the heart of Marbella Old Town.

Puglia, Italy

Nov average 13-18 degrees C

The lesser known region of Puglia is famous for its distinctive ‘trulli’ homes with conical roofs and outstanding cuisine. Yet it has plenty more to offer, including a diverse coastline of dramatic cliffs, inviting coves and extensive white sand beaches, especially around Gargano and Salento. Head inland for whitewashed hill towns, and the beautiful town of Lecce is a treasure trove of baroque buildings. Puglia enjoys mild winter temperatures and good amounts of sunshine, being one of Italy’s most southernly regions.

Stay at: Located in Gallipoli, Popula Hotel is near a good choice of beaches, is popular with families and those with a keener budget.

Crete, Greece

Nov average 12-20 degrees C

Being one of Greece’s most southernmost islands, Crete is a popular winter sun destination. Although rain becomes more frequent in November, the sun still shines and the beaches and bays are attractively quiet. For hardier souls, the water is still warm enough to swim in. Although many resorts, hotels and restaurants have closed for the season, the upside is that it’s likely you will have key sites like Knossos and Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the country’s best museums, almost to yourself.

Stay at: Hanim Boutique Hotel, in the heart of Chania old town, has recently been renovated and is around 1.5km from beaches.

Mallorca, Spain

Nov average 11-19 degrees C

The Balearic Islands are a great winter sun choice. Mallorca is quieter and cheaper than neighbouring Ibiza, and offers more to do than little Menorca and Formentura. During the day it’s often T-shirt weather. As well as the beaches, kids will love Katmandu Theme Park and Palma Aquarium. Palma is a very attractive city, with boutique hotels, Michelin-star restaurants and an imposing, ornate cathedral. A cycle ride along the coastal promenade to the fishing village of Portixol on the edge of the city makes a great excursion, and you can hike in the mountains too.

Stay at: Convent de la Missio is just moments away from central Palma yet located in a quiet side street.