Winter can sometimes feel like the longest, most dreary of the seasons, which makes it a great time for travel! If the cold weather and monotony start to get to you, consider planning a holiday somewhere warmer and brighter for a little rejuvenation. If you’re planning some winter sun holidays, our advice is, as always, to book as soon as possible.

Where to go for Winter Sun?

Each year thousands of Europeans normally flock to destinations across the continent for their fix of winter sun. The most popular destination is definitely Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, with hotels and apartments on the island in constant demand during the winter months.

So, what are the options and what type of weather can you expect when you get there? The most popular destinations for winter sun holidays include the Canaries, the Caribbean, FloridaMexico and the UAE.

The following table shows the average temperatures, the average number of hours of sunshine each day, and the average number of days with rain for each month from October to February:

Winter sun holiday weather

Where are some Alternative Sun Destinations?

If you’re not necessarily looking for winter sunshine, but just want to escape the winter cold and drizzle, there are plenty of places to visit a bit closer to home. Also, because these destinations are in low season, you should be able to plan an especially affordable holiday.

These options include the Algarve and the Costa del Sol. As you can see, you won’t be guaranteed Lanzarote-style sunshine in these destinations, but you can be certain that the weather will offer a nice respite from the chillier home temperatures:

Winter sun holiday weather

For comparison, below are the average temperatures in Dublin for the same period:

Dublin weather - definitely not winter sun

So there you have it! Whether it’s winter sun or winter warmth you’re after, there’s something for everyone.