Flights and hotels
Winter sun holidays: where to go from December to February
From a four hour hop to the Canaries to a long flight to the Caribbean or Thailand. Where it is warm in winter, how to book flight and hotel together and twelve hotels we rate.
There is a moment on every winter sun holiday when it hits you. You step out of the plane, the air is soft and warm, and the coat you needed at the airport this morning is suddenly a ridiculous object hanging over your arm. A few hours earlier it was dark at four o’clock. Now you are squinting.
Where you go for winter sun depends mostly on how far you want to fly and how warm you want it to be. Below we sort the best winter sun destinations into short, mid and long haul, explain when a package makes sense and pick the hotels we would book from December to February.
The links to the hotels and trips are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to choose your winter sun
Short haul (the Canaries and Madeira): mild to warm, short flights, great for a week or a long weekend. Not beach hot every day in January.
Mid haul (Cape Verde, Egypt’s Red Sea, Dubai and Oman): reliably sunny and warmer, still without a long time difference.
Long haul (the Caribbean, Mexico, Thailand, Cape Town): properly hot, but a long flight and a time difference to match.
For a month by month guide, see Where is hot in December, January and February.
Package or flight and hotel separately?
Winter sun is where packages shine. Many routes to the Canaries, Cape Verde and the Red Sea are holiday flights, and a lot of resorts price their rooms with the flight in mind. A package gives you one booking, often a transfer, and in the UK ATOL protection on flight inclusive trips. Booking separately suits city based trips and boutique hotels, or when you collect airline points.
Lopesan Costa Meloneras
Gran Canaria is one of the warmest places in Europe in winter. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Short haul: the Canary Islands and Madeira
The Canaries are the classic European winter sun, with mild weather all winter and flights from almost everywhere. The south of Tenerife and Gran Canaria is usually the sunniest. Madeira is greener and better for walking than for the beach. For Cyprus, Malta, the Algarve and southern Spain, see Winter sun destinations in Europe.
Flight and hotel together: packages to the Canary Islands, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Madeira
Tenerife: Royal Hideaway Corales Suites
Corales Suites sits on the coast in the south west of Tenerife, with sunset pools and plenty of space for families.
A smart pick for a family week in the sun without a long flight.
Book your stay: See rooms at Royal Hideaway Corales Suites
Gran Canaria: Lopesan Costa Meloneras
Lopesan Costa Meloneras is a huge resort by the promenade at Meloneras, near the dunes of Maspalomas, with a pool landscape that keeps children busy all week.
Good for families and anyone who likes to walk to the beach.
Book your stay: See rooms at Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort & Spa
Princesa Yaiza
Lanzarote is the most volcanic of the Canaries. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Lanzarote: Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort
Princesa Yaiza sits by the sea in Playa Blanca, a few minutes from Marina Rubicón. All rooms have a balcony.
Lanzarote is quieter than Tenerife, with black lava fields and white villages.
Book your stay: See rooms at Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort
Madeira: The Cliff Bay
The Cliff Bay sits on a cliff above the ocean in Funchal, with gardens and sea views.
Choose Madeira for mild weather, flowers and levada walks rather than long beach days.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Cliff Bay
Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort
Sunshine and trade winds on Sal, Cape Verde. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Mid haul: Cape Verde, the Red Sea and the Gulf
A few hours further south and east, the sun becomes more reliable. Cape Verde is dry and sunny all winter, with a steady trade wind. The Red Sea in Egypt has coral reefs right off the beach. Dubai and Oman are warm and dry from November to March. Read our guides to Cape Verde holidays and Red Sea holidays for hotels on each island and coast.
Flight and hotel together: packages to Cape Verde, Egypt and Dubai
Cape Verde: Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort
The Hilton sits right on the beach in Santa Maria, a short walk from the pier and the town.
The easy choice for a winter week on Sal.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort
Egypt: The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh
The Oberoi spreads out along the beach at Sahl Hasheesh, south of Hurghada, with the Red Sea a few steps away.
A quiet, grown up base for snorkelling and sunshine.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh
Dubai: Jumeirah Al Naseem
Al Naseem sits on the beach next to the Burj Al Arab, with several outdoor pools.
Dubai is at its best in winter, warm by day and pleasant in the evening.
Book your stay: See rooms at Jumeirah Al Naseem
The Chedi Muscat
The Chedi on the coast in Muscat. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Oman: The Chedi Muscat
The Chedi sits on the coast in Muscat, with long pools and calm gardens.
Oman is a quieter, more traditional alternative to Dubai, with mountains and desert within reach.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Chedi Muscat
NIZUC Resort and Spa
Evening at NIZUC on the Caribbean coast. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Long haul: the Caribbean, Mexico, Thailand and Cape Town
For real heat in January, you need to fly further. December to April is the dry season in the Caribbean, Mexico and Thailand, and December to February is high summer in Cape Town.
Flight and hotel together: packages to Cancún, Punta Cana, Phuket and Cape Town
Mexico: NIZUC Resort and Spa, Cancún
NIZUC lies on its own stretch of coast outside Cancún, with pools facing the Caribbean.
Combine it with cenotes and Mayan ruins on the Yucatán peninsula.
Book your stay: See rooms at NIZUC Resort and Spa
Dominican Republic: Royalton Hideaway Punta Cana
Royalton Hideaway is an adults only all inclusive resort on the beach in Punta Cana.
The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular all inclusive destinations in the Caribbean.
Book your stay: See rooms at Royalton Hideaway Punta Cana
Coral Reef Club
Coral Reef Club on the west coast of Barbados. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Barbados: Coral Reef Club
Coral Reef Club is a family run hotel in gardens on the calm west coast of Barbados.
Classic Caribbean, with afternoon tea and turquoise water.
Book your stay: See rooms at Coral Reef Club
Thailand: Trisara, Phuket
Trisara sits on a private bay on the west coast of Phuket, with pool villas looking out over the Andaman Sea.
January and February are among the best months for the Andaman coast.
Book your stay: See rooms at Trisara
South Africa: The Silo Hotel, Cape Town
The Silo sits on a converted grain silo at the V&A Waterfront, with views of Table Mountain.
Summer in Cape Town means beaches, vineyards and long evenings outside.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Silo Hotel
When should you book winter sun?
Christmas, New Year and February half term: book three to six months ahead.
January and early March: often the best value, and a few weeks ahead can be enough for short haul.
Long haul: book three to four months ahead for the best flights and rooms.
Looking for something completely different? Swap the sun for snow in our Lapland holidays and northern lights holidays guides.
Frequently asked questions about winter sun holidays
Where is the best winter sun from the UK?
For short flights, the Canary Islands and Madeira are the best winter sun from the UK. For more reliable heat, look at Cape Verde, the Red Sea in Egypt, Dubai and Oman, and for real heat the Caribbean, Mexico and Thailand.
Where is hot in January?
In January it is hot in the Caribbean, Mexico, Thailand, Cape Town and Dubai. Closer to home, the Canaries and Cape Verde are warm and sunny, though evenings can be cool.
Are the Canary Islands warm in winter?
Yes, the Canary Islands are mild to warm all winter, with the most sunshine in the south of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Some days are warm enough for the beach, while evenings can be cool.
Is a winter sun package cheaper?
A package is often cheaper for winter sun, since many flights are holiday routes and resorts price rooms with the flight included. It also gives you one booking and ATOL protection in the UK.
What is the cheapest winter sun destination?
Egypt’s Red Sea coast, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde are often among the best value winter sun destinations, especially outside Christmas and school holidays.