Let’s be real – winter in the UK isn’t the one… It’s dark, it’s grey and it’s probably raining. Leave it all behind and lock in a winter sun holiday – it’s always summer somewhere.
You’ve got classic picks like the Canaries and the Caribbean, or spice it up with a trending destination like Singapore or Sri Lanka. We’ve got winter holidays available all the way up until April 2025 – check them out below…
Top winter holiday deals
Time to top up the Vitamin D? Check out these trips to sunnier skies…
Caribbean winter sun holidays
Rum punch, reggae beats and swaying palms… here’s where you can live your best island life this winter.
Whether it's the wall-to-wall sunny skies, the palm-fringed beaches, or the ‘home of reggae' crown that tempts you, a holiday to Jamaica won't disappoint.
This little island is a firm holiday favourite – and for good reason. Beyond the amazing beaches, it lines up rainforest-covered mountains, lively towns, and locals with a laid-back approach that’s textbook Caribbean.
Antigua’s as stereotypically Caribbean as a glass of rum punch served to the beat of a steel drum. Vitamin D-seekers come in their droves for the sugary belts of sand – it’s dubbed the Land of 365 Beaches.
This charming and unspoilt corner of the Caribbean is so much more than a beach retreat. You’ve got a dramatic mountainous landscape that begs to be explored, lush rainforests to get lost in and rare wildlife species to spot.
Aruba calls itself One Happy Island, and it’s pretty easy to see why. Their reasons for being so cheerful begins with their beaches – the island's circled by almost 70 kilometres of sandy shoreline.
Barbados is a Caribbean Island nation in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies. Look at a map, and you’ll see Barbados sitting a little way off from the main string of Caribbean islands.
Why pick winter holidays
Escape the crowds
Time to go long haul
Deals for days
Where's hot this winter?
If you’re a serious sun lover, check out where temperatures are set to toasty over the winter months…
Family winter sun holidays
School holidays were made for family time. Create those core memories in the sunshine with these picks…
Our guide to Winter 2024 Holidays
You’re trying to survive the seasonal scaries at home, meanwhile, in the Caribbean it’s all tropical weather, cliché-level beaches and super chill vibes. This part of the world is in full-on sunshine mode and the culture’s just as bright, so it’s a great pick for your winter sun plans.
- Barbados and the Bahamas – Strong candidates for a fly-and-flop, picture a jungle-backed beach, a reggae soundtrack and a rum punch in your hand.
- The Dominican Republic and St Lucia – Dial up the adventure with jungle treks and zip-lining through the rainforest.
- Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago – These are the places for a real Caribbean party
- Mexico’s Caribbean Coast – Cancun is the go-to for spending days at beach clubs and evenings in nightclubs. Or, for the laidback life, Tulum or Riviera Maya are more about unwinding on peaceful sweeps, swimming in natural pools – AKA cenotes – and daytrips to Chichen Itza.
The Canaries have been a big hit with Brits seeking out winter sun since the Sixties… and it makes sense. It only takes around four hours to get there from the UK, but the dry heat, sandy beaches and lunar-like landscapes just off the coast of the Sahara feel a world away from Europe. The islands rarely drop below 20°C all year, making them winners for sun without going too far from home.
- Tenerife – Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje meet the brief for huge hotels, shopping strips and neon nightlife, whereas Los Gigantes and Puerto de la Cruz show off the island’s au-naturel side.
- Gran Canaria – Playa del Ingles and Puerto Rico are firm faves for a classic beachy break.
- Lanzarote and Fuerteventura – Keep it more chilled, with all eyes on big beachfront hotels and low-key fishing villages.
- La Gomera and La Palma – Fly far under most people’s radars and feel super authentic because of it.
Believe it or not, some parts of southern Europe are warm in the winter, so you don’t have to go far at all for some sun. Okay, it’s not tropical-hot, but you’ll definitely get a beach day in if you want one – and you’ll get a big patch of sand to yourself, too.
- Cyprus – Still sitting strong at 23°C in November, ideal for mixing Blue Flag beach trips with visits to the Tomb of the Kings in Paphos and Aphrodite’s birthplace.
- Portugal – The Algarve has winter highs of 20°C, which is a very comfy temperature for checking out Albufeira‘s old town charm, Lagos‘ historic sites and the long coastline. Plus, this is big golf territory, so it’s cool enough to tee off without getting sweaty.
- Madeira – It’s part of Portugal, but off the coast of Morocco, so you can expect the same type of climate as Tenerife, except it’s a lot more lush. Stroll around Funchal’s botanical gardens, wander along a clifftop trail or check out the epic surf at one of the pebbly bays.
Africa’s version of winter is a little different to ours… It’s one of the best times of the year for visiting North Africa, as it’s cool enough to go sightseeing but still warm enough to bank some beach days.
- Morocco – It doesn’t dip under 22°C, so you can shop the souks without too much of a sweat and surf the beaches.
- Senegal – It’s technically coldest between January and April, but the hottest part of the day doesn’t dip under 25°C. It’s the perfect temperature for wildlife spotting in the Delta Saloum National Park or flopping down on the brown-sand beaches.
- The Gambia – the hottest part of the year is between November and April, so days are for catching the cool sea breeze by the coast, and evenings are for exploring the local markets and nightlife on the Senegambia Strip.
- Cape Verde – If it’s island life you’re after, this Atlantic spot’s year-round sun makes it a winter sun staple.
- Mauritius – Give the Maldives a run for its money in the Indian Ocean, with HD-clear water, dreamy lagoons and coral reefs. The best part? December and January are the island’s hottest months.
Holidays in the winter are all about making the absolute most of the sunshine, so skip the meal stress with an All Inclusive holiday and give more time to what matters the most.
- Forget the spending money – Dinner decisions and food shopping can get gone. Stay focused on the task at hand – relaxing.
- Dive in – Feeling hungry? The buffet’s one step ahead of you. Thirsty? The poolside bar’s got a piña colada with your name on it.
- Family friendly – They’ll have a long list of fuss-friendly foods to pick from, so everyone’s happy.
Go all out with a big, boujie holiday to fight the winter feels… it’s called self-care. You deserve a trip somewhere sleek and shiny to brighten up your life, and a top-tier stay somewhere hot is 100% guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
- The Maldives – Nowhere does luxury quite like the Maldives, so sort yourself out with a five-star beachfront resort or an above-water villa.
- Mexico – Hello All Inclusive resort in Cancun where the margaritas just keep coming.
- Mauritius – If a swim-up suite or full-on spa situation is on your non-negotiable list, this island will definitely deliver the goods.
The school holidays were made for a family holiday. Whether you spend Christmas in the sun or squeeze in a week somewhere hot for February half term, you’re in for some serious life-long memories.
- Close to home – Get your sun ASAP with a holiday in the Canaries, spending days together by the pool or the beach.
- Go long haul – It’s the dry season in Thailand, so it’s a perfect pick for an epic family adventure.
City Breaks in the winter are a huge travel hack. No peak-season prices, it’s cool enough for urban exploring, and you’ll swerve the summer crowds.
- Less-busy places – Get to know Barcelona without the rush, Marrakech’s medinas, and all the places that might be more overwhelming in summer.
- Festive feels – ‘Tis the season to pick a Christmas market in Belgium or Germany to get in the spirit.
- Winter romance – The serious romance to your summer fling, some cities come alive in the cold – we’re looking at you, New York and Paris…
- City summers – If you want some winter sun on the side of your city break, places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are still sizzling in December and January.
FAQs
Popular destinations include the Caribbean, Mexico and the Canary Islands, as well as places in Asia like the Maldives, Goa and Thailand. If you’d rather stay local, the southern parts of Europe are still warm in the winter, like Cyprus, Turkey and Portugal. If you’re stuck for ideas, check out our where’s hot guide to find the sunniest spots during the winter months.
Travelling with children doesn’t need to break the bank, thanks to our free kids’ places. Check out our nifty free kids’ place finder for all our winter sun holidays.
We’ve got winter sun deals coming out of our ears, so finding our cheap package holidays is a doddle. From Fuerteventura’s pearl-white beaches to Lanzarote’s volcano-clad landscape, we’ve got a whole heap of winter sun getaways to get your teeth into.
You should pack all of the things you’d take on a summer holiday – we’re talking sun cream, swimming costumers, a hat, sunglasses and a good book. The weather will be hot during the day, but depending on the destination, it can cool down a lot once the sun sets, so it’s a good idea to bring something warm like a jumper or a cardigan to throw on in the evening.
