The 10 best places in Europe for winter sun in 2023

27.10.2023 - 12:57 / lonelyplanet.com / Europe For

Winter in Europe isn't all that bad: bundles of pillowy snow; steaming mulled wine at Christmas markets; the crunching score of ice skates on a frozen canal.

But then comes the rain. And the biting winds. That neverending darkness. We could all do with some sun and a long blast of vitamin D. Luckily, you don’t have to go far to find some. Europe’s southern reaches can provide plenty of blue skies, sunshine and mild (albeit not tropical) temperatures. What’s more, traveling in the low season means accommodation and car rental can be gloriously cheap, while beaches and local attractions are crowd-free.

Here are the best and sunniest spots for a European winter vacation. Feel your toes thawing out already?

Discover green countryside, culture and history 

Malta can be scorching in the summer. So the cooler days of winter, when temperatures rarely dip below 50°F (10°C), are perfect for exploring the great outdoors. Rock climbing and hiking are particularly pleasant in the off-season, as the rural landscape is at its greenest. Culture and history buffs should catch a winter-solstice sunrise on December 22 at Mnajdra Temple, where the sun accurately lights up the edges of a megalith. Come February, the Maltese Carnival brings parades and late-night parties galore.

Rainy-day rescue: If you need to seek shelter from a shower, the baroque interior of St John’s Co-Cathedral in Unesco-listed Valletta dazzles.

Revel in the Mediterranean’s warmest winter 

With more than 340 days of sunshine a year, Cyprus is your best bet for a warm winter in the Mediterranean. While snow glitters on the peaks of the Troödos mountains, coastal areas, particularly in the east, stay warmer and drier. Stay in Larnaka to spot flamingos dancing around their winter home on the nearby salt lake before heading west for historic treasures such as the 3rd-century Tombs of the Kings and Ancient Kourion.

Rainy-day rescue: Spend a wet afternoon among the ancient artifacts of the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia, or find a cozy taverna for a long Cypriot lunch.

Soak up more than 300 days of sunshine a year

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year and 87 blue-flag beaches, The Algarve has become an increasingly popular winter sun destination. This is when waterfalls roar back to life in the eucalyptus-filled Monchique Mountains and migrating birds flock to Ria Formosa Natural Park. Even popular Quinta do Lago Beach is blissfully quiet this time of year. If you can handle sea temperatures of 57°F (14°C), now is the time to surf. Work up an appetite before finding dinner in the whitewashed towns of Faro, Lagos or Tavira.

Rainy-day rescue: The interior of São Lourenço church near Loulé is an azulejo-lover’s dream. The ornate blue tiles here cover almost