by Can’t wait until summer?
Luckily, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy the sun.
Southern Europe can offer plenty of sunshine, bright skies, and comfortable (but not tropical) temperatures. Plus, booking a trip during the off-peak months can net you incredibly reasonable rates for accommodations and car rentals, as well as empty beaches and local attractions.
Below, we’ve selected our favorite places in Europe that will still give you a dose of low-season sunshine.
Paphos, Cyprus
Average temperature in winter: 18ºC
Better for: Jump on the beach and go sightseeing.
Cyprus has long been a favorite summer spot for Brits – a million of us travel there every year (in normal times) – but don’t let this put you off. Filled with ancient towns and picture-postcard beaches, it is the coastal town of Paphos that offers a healthy combination of both. An air of romance fills the city, largely thanks to its association with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, whose mythical birthplace was the old town of Kouklia.
Stay: Rest and relax at the stylish and modern Annabelle Hotel (annabelle.com, from around £122/night) in Paphos, situated a short distance from Paphos Harbor and surrounded by six acres of tropical gardens.
Valletta, Malta
Average temperature in winter: 17ºCBetter for: History buffs and sunshine (almost) all year round.
The Mediterranean’s most understated gem (and still on our green list), Malta has a lot to offer: 300 days of sunshine a year, prehistoric temples, and crystal-clear waters that are tempting even in the dead of winter. The golden city of Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also earned the title of European Capital of Culture in 2018, with its museums, forts and historic churches making it a must-see.
Stay: For something a little majestic, the five-star ).
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Average temperature in winter: 21ºCBetter for: Both avid adventurers and sun worshipers.
To enjoy truly warm nights well into winter, the Canary Islands are a safe option, as they have otherworldly landscapes and subtropical temperatures all year round; just remember to pack your one-piece swimsuit. Lanzarote, a UNESCO Geopark since 2015, is made up of more than 300 (mostly dormant) volcanic cones, blackened lava fields and palm-filled valleys, all of which can be discovered through the numerous hiking and cycling routes. of the island.
Stay: Meanwhile, sun worshipers should stay at the five-star Meliá Salinas hotel (melia.com, £185/night), which has a huge lagoon-shaped outdoor pool, tropical gardens, tennis courts and access to white sand beaches. from Costa Teguise.
Sevilla Spain
Average temperature in winter: 18ºC
Better for: A quieter city getaway 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 its busier counterparts in Barcelona and Valencia, the capital of Spain’s Andalusia region is home to the Alcázar castle complex, built during the Arab Almohad dynasty, and the highly Instagrammable Plaza de España (pictured in above).
Stay: Located 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 features bright contemporary rooms with a traditional touch, a patio, a terrace on the roof and a refreshing pool. to cool off (palaciobucarelli.com, from around £132 a night).
Karpathos, Greece
Average temperature in winter: 17ºC
Better for: Taking it easy in a picturesque setting.
While the Greek islands remain largely dormant during the winter months (many hotels and restaurants close between November and April), this is also the best time to visit to avoid the crowds. Avoid the tourism-focused Cyclades and head east toward the Dodecanese, which lies 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 full of whitewashed houses and the sea always sparkles.
Stay: La Scala Luxury Villas is a small family business whose goal is to provide you with the luxuries that the island can provide. Each villa is named after an eccentric Greek musician located on the shores of the sparkling Greek Sea (lascalavillas.gr, about £221 per night).
Lagos, Portugal
Average temperature in winter: 17ºC
Better for: People watching and spending lazy days on the beach.
As soon as summer smells, heading to the Algarve is a long-standing British pastime, but the Portuguese coastal town of Lagos is arguably even more charming in the winter, when the hordes disperse. Head to the coast to see the famous rock formations and golden beaches that decorate your Instagram feed or simply sit in the old town with a pasteis de nata in hand, sitting back and watching the world go by.
Stay: Head to Lagos’ old town and book a charming room at Casa Mãe for vintage rooms in a 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 temperature in winter: 18ºC
Better for: Gastronomy and wine lovers.
The largest island in the Mediterranean, a solitary figure off the coast of Italy, is a treasure trove of delights. Historical sites, such as the Temple of Concordia of Agrigento and the columns of Selinunte, are considerably less crowded with tourists in the winter months and the beaches are almost empty. Foodies will discover a paradise off the beaten tourist track, Noto is home to Café Sicilia and the famous almond granita with brioche buns and you can find the best seafood on the island in Taormina.
Stay: Built at the end of the 19th century, the Grand Hotel Ortigia will allow you to breathe more than 100 years of history during your stay. Every guest who books directly from the website is greeted with a free aperitif on the hotel’s panoramic terrace, surrounded by stunning views (grandhotelortigia.it, around £196/night).
You can read our gastronomic guide to Sicily here.
Crete, Greece
Average temperature in winter: 17ºC
Better for: Crystal clear waters and hiking trails.
While you’d be perfectly positioned to lounge on a chaise lounge with a good book, Crete is ripe for exploration. With hidden beaches, pretty towns and rugged canyons, it has something for every type of traveler. Adventure lovers should head to the Samaria Gorge for its six-hour trail, while beach lovers should head south: Elafonisi Lagoon, with its pink sands and blue-hued waters, is a stunning sight.
Stay: Wellness seekers should head to pamper and relax at Domes of Elounda (domesresorts.com, from around £575/night), known for its glistening views of the mythical island of Spinalonga.
The Azores, Portugal
Average temperature in winter: 18ºC
Better 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 it would be to Turkey or Greece. Spectacular landscapes characterize these nine islands (São Miguel has calderas full of lakes and Pico a towering mountain), but it is the sheer number of activities that will attract those who visit them. Whale watching in the Azores is world class, as is diving, hiking, sailing and canyoning. It’s also largely sustainable: only five percent of the land here has been developed and marine parks abound.
Stay: Enjoy a stay in a luxurious suite or villa at White Exclusive, which sits high on a cliff on the island of São Miguel, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and offering unrivaled views (whiteazores.com, from around £200 per night).
Fethiye, Türkiye
Average temperature in winter: 18°CBest for: admiring the crystal-clear waters without the crowds
Hiking isn’t as hot as it would be in August, so why not hike part of the 335-mile (540 km) Lycian Way and enjoy some of Turkey’s blue seas without the crowds? Between Fethiye and Antalya, the road winds around countless historical monuments and impressive cliffs, including the remains of Levissi, the ancient city of Patara, and the (mostly) submerged city of Simena. Stay: Enjoy a marine club concept at Yacht Classic Hotel overlooking the beautiful Turkish coast (yachtclassichotel.com from around £95/night).
