Best winter sun destinations around the world
21.07.2023 - 07:43
/ roughguides.com
/ Winter Sun
When days are damp, sunlight is in short supply, and you have to don a fleece just to put the bins out, it’s time to make a break for it. If you're hankering after sunshine and want to throw off your winter woolies, our run-down of the best winter sun destinations around the world has you covered.
Mention Tenerife and you probably think of Brits on beaches turning pink in the sun. And sure, it’s one of the best winter sun holiday destinations for vitamin D-deprived folk in search of guaranteed rays. It certainly delivers on the sun front, and a whole lot more,
If you enjoy the hubbub of resorts, head to Tenerife’s south side for busy bars, restaurants, and tourist entertainment.
Alternatively, if you're looking for somewhere quieter, picturesque Puerto de la Cruz is more likely to be your cup of barraquito — a local coffee liqueur that packs moreish punch.
Venture beyond the tourist hotspots and you’ll find staggering beauty in the form of volcanic, lunar-like landscapes, pine forests and charming mountain villages.
Keen hikers should pack their boots for the UNESCO-listed Teide National Park, home to Spain’s tallest peak, El Teide. This also happens to be one of the world's top star-gazing spots.
A stary, starry night above the observatory in Teide Volcano National Park, Tenerife © Mike Mareen/Shutterstock
Meanwhile, both El Tiede and the cloud forests of the Anaga mountain offer superb cycling terrain.
If that wasn't enough, Tenerife has a stack of Michelin-starred restaurants, including Haydée in the lovely hilltop town of La Orotava. In fact, you'll find plenty of great places to eat here, and La Orotava makes a beautiful base from which to explore the island.
For more information, read The Rough Guide to Tenerife and La Gomera. You might also want to dive intoour first-timers guide to the Canary Islands.
Discover more places to stay in Tenerife.
Las Teresitas beach, Tenerife © SKumer/Shutterstock
If you're wondering where to go for winter sun, but don't want to limit your experiences to the beach, you'd do well to consider Sri Lanka. Its diverse offerings make it one of the world's best winter sun destinations.
After experiencing the manic buzz of the capital, Colombo, head south to Galle. This enchanting port town has a wonderfully preserved, UNESCO-designated Old Town and fort.
From Galle, nip between a string of low-key coastal resorts in a tuk-tuk. Take your pick from catching waves at Weligama, relaxing on the golden sands around Tangalle, or sipping coconut cocktails on one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka in Mirissa.
Mirissa is also one of the best places to go whale-watching in Sri Lanka, and one of Sri Lanka's top places to surf.
Tangalle's beaches make it one of the best winter sun destinations