When the days get short and the sky turns gray, the best winter sun destinations start to look very tempting. A week of warm sand, sea swims, and dinners outside can do more for your mood than any amount of vitamin D tablets.
Below, we have split our favorite winter sun destinations into short and mid-haul escapes, which work well for a week away from Europe, and long-haul trips for when you want proper heat. For each one, you will find the best months to go, typical temperatures, and what makes it special.
Jump to a section:
Short and Mid-Haul Winter Sun Destinations
These destinations are roughly 3 to 5 hours' flight from much of Europe, with little or no jet lag. Temperatures are mild rather than hot in December and January, which is perfect for walking and sightseeing as well as beach time.
The Canary Islands, Spain
Winter temperatures: around 20–22°C (68–72°F) | Best for: reliable sunshine, beaches, and hiking
The Canaries are the classic winter sun choice, and for good reason. Gran Canaria has the giant Maspalomas sand dunes, Tenerife has Mount Teide and black-sand beaches, Lanzarote has volcanic landscapes, and Fuerteventura has long empty beaches and great windsurfing. Try papas arrugadas, wrinkly salted potatoes with spicy mojo sauce.
Stay connected: Spain eSIM
Malta
Winter temperatures: around 15–17°C (59–63°F) | Best for: history, food, and mild weather
Malta won't give you beach weather in December, but it offers plenty of sunshine, golden stone towns, and very few crowds. Explore the UNESCO-listed capital Valletta, the "silent city" of Mdina, and the prehistoric temples, then take a ferry to the quieter island of Gozo. Don't leave without trying pastizzi, flaky pastries filled with ricotta or peas.
Stay connected: Malta eSIM
Cyprus
Winter temperatures: around 17–19°C (63–66°F) | Best for: ancient sites and long lunches
Cyprus is one of the warmest corners of Europe in winter. Base yourself in Larnaca or Paphos to see Roman mosaics, ancient tombs, and harbor-side tavernas, and drive up into the Troodos Mountains for painted churches and, sometimes, snow. Order a meze and work your way through grilled halloumi, sheftalia sausages, and souvlaki.
Stay connected: Cyprus eSIM
Marrakech, Morocco
Winter temperatures: around 18–20°C (64–68°F) by day, cold at night | Best for: culture, markets, and food
Marrakech in winter is bright, sunny, and much more comfortable to explore than in the heat of summer. Get lost in the souks of the medina, visit the Bahia Palace and the Jardin Majorelle, and spend an evening among the food stalls and performers of Jemaa el-Fna square. Day trips to the Atlas Mountains or the Agafay Desert are easy to arrange.
Stay connected: Morocco eSIM
Sal, Cape Verde
Winter temperatures: around 24–25°C (75–77°F) | Best for: guaranteed sunshine and watersports
Off the west coast of Africa, Sal is dry and sunny almost all year, with long white beaches, steady winds for kitesurfing, and the Pedra de Lume salt lake, where you can float in water saltier than the Dead Sea.
Long-Haul Winter Sun Destinations
If you have more time, these destinations offer real heat in December and January. Many are at the best point of their dry season.
Thailand: Krabi, Phuket, and the Andaman Coast
Best time: November–March | Temperatures: around 30–32°C (86–90°F)
The Andaman coast is at its best in winter, with calm seas, clear water, and dramatic limestone cliffs. Krabi is quieter than Phuket, with Railay Beach, island hopping to Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta, and kayaking through mangroves. Read our guide to the best Thailand eSIM before you go.
Stay connected: Thailand eSIM
Bali, Indonesia
Best time: year-round, with the dry season from April to October | Temperatures: around 27–30°C (81–86°F)
December and January are in Bali's rainy season, but showers are usually short and heavy, with plenty of sunshine in between. Surf in Canggu or Uluwatu, cycle through the rice terraces around Ubud, and watch the sunset from a cliff-top temple.
Stay connected: Indonesia eSIM
Langkawi, Malaysia
Best time: November–April | Temperatures: around 28–32°C (82–90°F)
Langkawi is a duty-free island off Malaysia's west coast, with jungle, beaches, and mangroves. Relax on Pantai Cenang, ride the SkyCab cable car to the Sky Bridge, and eat nasi lemak and satay at the night markets.
Stay connected: Malaysia eSIM
Goa, India
Best time: November–February | Temperatures: around 30–32°C (86–90°F)
Goa mixes palm-fringed beaches with Portuguese colonial churches and laid-back beach shacks. North Goa is lively, while the south, around Palolem and Agonda, is much calmer. Try prawn balchão, fish curry rice, and bebinca, a layered coconut dessert.
Stay connected: India eSIM
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Best time: November–March | Temperatures: around 24–26°C (75–79°F)
Winter is the only comfortable time to visit Dubai. Spend your days on the beach at JBR or Kite Beach, take a desert safari, and go up the Burj Khalifa. It is also an easy stopover on the way to Asia.
Stay connected: UAE eSIM
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Best time: December–February | Temperatures: around 30–32°C (86–90°F)
Zanzibar has turquoise water, dhows sailing past at sunset, and Stone Town, a maze of carved doors and spice-scented alleys. Head north to Nungwi and Kendwa for beaches where you can swim at any tide.
Stay connected: Tanzania eSIM
Mauritius
Best time: year-round, with peak beach weather from September to December | Temperatures: around 28–30°C (82–86°F)
Mauritius is known for luxury resorts, but there is more to it: hikes to Le Morne, the colored earth of Chamarel, and Port Louis's lively central market. January to March can bring heavy rain and occasional cyclones.
Stay connected: Mauritius eSIM
Cape Town, South Africa
Best time: November–March | Temperatures: around 25–27°C (77–81°F)
December is midsummer in Cape Town. Hike or take the cable car up Table Mountain, drive the Cape Peninsula to see the penguins at Boulders Beach, and spend a day tasting wine in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek.
Stay connected: South Africa eSIM
The Caribbean: St Lucia
Best time: December–April | Temperatures: around 28–30°C (82–86°F)
St Lucia is famous for the Pitons, two steep volcanic peaks rising out of the sea. Snorkel in the marine reserves, bathe in the mud pools at the Sulphur Springs, and hike in the rainforest. Expect saltfish and bakes, fresh seafood, and plenty of rum punch.
Stay connected: St Lucia eSIM
Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
Best time: November–March | Temperatures: around 27–29°C (81–84°F)
Mexico's Yucatán combines Caribbean beaches in Tulum and Playa del Carmen with Mayan ruins such as Chichén Itzá and Cobá, and freshwater cenotes for swimming. Base yourself in colonial Mérida for a more local feel.
Stay connected: Mexico eSIM
Costa Rica
Best time: December–April (dry season) | Temperatures: around 27–30°C (81–86°F) on the coast
Costa Rica is for nature lovers: volcanoes, cloud forests, sloths, and two coastlines. The Pacific side, especially Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula, is driest in winter.
Stay connected: Costa Rica eSIM
The Whitsundays, Australia
Best time: around August–November for calm, dry weather, although summer (December–February) is hot | Temperatures: around 27–30°C (81–86°F) in summer
Australia's summer brings long beach days. In the Whitsundays, sail to Whitehaven Beach, with its swirling white silica sand, and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Note that December to March is also stinger season, so swim in a stinger suit.
Stay connected: Australia eSIM
Land with data: Install an egoViet eSIM for your destination before you fly, and it connects as soon as you land. You can book a taxi, message your hotel, and find the beach without paying roaming fees or queuing for a local SIM card at the airport.
Tips for a Winter Sun Trip
- Check the season, not just the temperature. Some tropical destinations have heavy rain or cyclones in December and January. Look up the wet and dry seasons before you book.
- Book school holidays early. Christmas, New Year, and February half-term are the most expensive weeks to travel.
- Pack for evenings. Mediterranean destinations and the desert can be chilly after dark in winter.
- Use high-factor sunscreen. The winter sun in the tropics is still strong.
- Know your data needs. See how much data you need when you travel and check if your phone supports eSIM.
FAQs: The Best Winter Sun Destinations
Where is hot in Europe in December?
The Canary Islands are the warmest part of Europe in December, at around 20–22°C. Cyprus, Malta, southern Spain, and Madeira are mild but not hot.
What is the best winter sun destination for a short flight from Europe?
The Canary Islands, Marrakech, Cyprus, and Malta are all within roughly 3 to 5 hours of most of Western Europe, with little or no time difference.
Where is guaranteed sunshine in January?
No destination is completely guaranteed, but the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Dubai, the Caribbean, Mexico's Yucatán, and Thailand's Andaman coast are all in their dry seasons and very sunny in January.
Do I need an eSIM for a beach holiday?
It makes life easier. You can use maps, book taxis, and stay in touch without roaming charges. Most egoViet eSIMs can be installed before you travel and connect when you land.