Top Warm Winter Destinations in Europe | Loveholidays

Winter in Europe does not have to mean snow, cold winds, and icy pavements. Although many people visualize Europe in December as Christmas markets and frozen lakes, there are plenty of places in Europe for mid-winter where the sun is still shining and temperatures are moderate. If you are not a fan of heavy coats, and the day's warmth is more to your liking, Europe definitely has warm winter destination options.

Traveling with Loveholidays makes finding warm, carefree locations with accommodation, flight, and packages simple. Getaways at a beach, exploring quaint old towns, or a lazy winter break - no matter your preference, there are warm destinations available.

Explore some of the best warm winter destinations in Europe:

1. Canary Islands, Spain

When you discuss warm European destinations in winter, the Canary Islands are usually well up the list. The archipelago of these Spanish islands, off the coast of Africa, is blessed with beautiful sunshine almost all year round.

• Tenerife is the most famous island, with its golden beaches, Mount Teide volcano and buzzing nightlife.
• Gran Canaria has a great balance of tourist resorts and relaxing villages in the mountains.
• Lanzarote has considerable volcanic scenery and stunning natural beauty.
• Fuerteventura is a wonderful alternative as water sports are the most popular activity, such as surfing and windsurfing.

In winter, expect temperatures between 18°C and 24°C, which feels like spring anyway. The Canaries are fantastic if you are escaping the grey back home.

2. Madeira, Portugal

Madeira is another warm escape and truly shines in winter. It is regularly referred to as ''The Island Of Eternal Spring'' and the warm temperatures in winter show why. The Portuguese island is stunning with its scenery, rugged coast-lines, and beautiful green vegetation.

• Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate all the amazing levada walks and mountain hikes.
• Funchal is the capital and is bursting with charm, lovely streets, nice gardens and delicious food.
• Expect temperatures around 17°C and 20°C so very mild.

Madeira is also a fantastic choice if you want a little mix of being outdoors and disappearing under the radar.

3. Malta

Malta, a small island in the Mediterranean, is full of history and culture, and continues to soak in sunlight in the winter.

• Valletta (the capital city) has gorgeous baroque buildings, museums, and coffee shops.
• Mdina (the 'Silent City') has to be seen with its tiny narrow streets and medieval city.
• You can do boat tours around Blue Grotto or get a ferry to the neighbouring Gozo island.

The average temperature is between 15 °C and 20 °C in the winter, so it will not be hot; however, it will be warm enough to walk

around in your light jacket.

4. Cyprus

Cyprus is also an excellent escape from the winter cold and elements. Cyprus, also located in the eastern Mediterranean, has wonderful beaches and a combination of historical sites and archaeological sites to explore.

• Paphos (coastal town) has Roman ruins and has a more relaxed atmosphere.
• Limassol has nightlife and shopping with a lot of beaches.
• You could even go to Troodos Mountains for some winter walking trails or snow if you missed some.

Average temperature is between 16 °C and 22 °C, bringing some warmth to explore without the summer tourists or crowds.

5. Crete, Greece

Greece is typically seen as a tourist destination for the summer months, but Crete, the largest Greek island, enjoys mild seasonal conditions all year round.

• Visit the ancient ruins of Knossos without the wait or the masses of tourists.
• Stroll the Venetian harbor of Chania with lots of inviting cafés and local markets.
• Experience great healthy Cretan food, some of the best considered in the world and very healthy.

Temperatures generally range from 15 to 18 °C . The locals seem to appreciate a quieter and slower lifestyle in the winter.

6. Sicily, Italy

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is a good option if you want culture and nice weather in the winter months.

• A friendly atmosphere is found in the lively markets of Palermo with food stalls galore and many ancient tourist sites.
• Catania is at the base of Mount Etna with a mix of city life and nature right beside a volcano.
• Winter is a great time to tour vineyards and do wine tastings at family owned wineries.

The temperature is typically between 13 and 18 °C, and lots of sun. Not beach weather by any means, but visiting sights or sitting outside al fresco is enjoyable.

7. Algarve, Portugal

Located in southern Portugal, the Algarve is also a welcoming warm-weather destination. Popular for sandy beaches, striking cliffs, and fishing towns, it's a lovely spot to visit during the cooler winter months.

• Albufeira, Lagos and Faro, the three well-known towns of Algarve, are all open and have life in time for winter.
• If you are a golfer, it is a dream destination with golf courses of world-class measurement everywhere you look.
• Temperatures in the Algarve will be more moderate than summer averaging between 15°C to 20°C, making it a good place to walk and to hike along the coastline.

The winters in the Algarve feel slower and quieter than the busy summer season, which is simply nice.

8. Costa del Sol, Spain

As the name suggests, Costa del Sol, or "Coast of the Sun," provides warm weather and a mild winter climate in southern Spain.

• Malaga is the capital of the area, having a beautiful old town, many museums and more cafes than you can count.
• The coastal towns of Marbella and Torremolinos also have nice sandy beaches and are lively along the beach promenade.
• It is another foodie's delight having tapas food, local wines and warming evenings.

Winter temperatures in the Costa del Sol will average 16°C to 20°C, making it one of the easiest warm escape spots in Europe.

Reasons to Choose Loveholidays for Your Winter Escape

Planning a winter break can be daunting due to the sheer volume available in terms of choice. That is why Loveholidays is here to help:

• Book flights, hotels, and transfers in one place.
• Flexible options to ensure that no matter what you're after, whether you are travelling fast or slow and all-out luxury or a simple getaway, you'll be able to find something in your budget.
• There's potential for treats in a number of sunshine destinations you never even considered, be it the Canary Islands, Malta, Madeira, or the other options available as winter sun deals.

Final Thoughts

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you have to be snuggled up inside - Europe has a surprising amount of pathways to warm sunshine. From the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote to the bucolic streets of Valletta, there are a variety of creative pathways to entice different types of trip-lovers.

So, if you're dreaming about sunshine, sea views, and time away for relaxing and making memories, these warm winter destinations in Europe are simply the destinations for you. Loveholidays has made it easy, cheap, and carefree to book your break, leaving you the opportunity to just relax, spend time in the sun, and make memories.