Quick answer: Winter sun from the UK means the Canary Islands first, then Malta, Cyprus and the mild south of Spain. Tenerife sits at about 22°C in January while London is at 8°C, four and a half hours away. Below are the temperatures, the flight times, which UK airports fly direct and what it typically costs.
Cite this page: Atravel.uk, “Winter sun, without the guesswork”, updated 12 November 2026. https://atravel.uk/winter-sun/
Winter sun from your airport
Pick the airport you can realistically get to. We only show destinations with direct winter flights from it, then you compare the live price on the partner site.
TenerifeThe warmest dependable winter sun in Europe, and the south is sunnier than the north.Gran CanariaThe south coast is the reliable bit; Maspalomas for dunes, Puerto de Mogán for a quieter base.LanzaroteWindier than the others, which is good in summer and bracing in January. Costa Teguise suits families.FuerteventuraThe cheapest of the four Canaries and the best beaches. Corralejo for wind, Jandía for sand.
Benidorm and the Costa BlancaNot sunbathing weather, but 17°C and a promenade beats 6°C at home. Cheapest winter flight on this page.Málaga and the Costa del SolA city break with lunch outside in December. The sea is cold; the terraces are not.MaltaThe mildest English-speaking winter in the Med, with 6,000 years of stone to walk around.CyprusThe warmest of the Mediterranean islands in winter, and quiet enough to have the coast to yourself.The AlgarveMild rather than hot, but the cheapest winter escape here and walkable all year.No direct winter flights from that airport in our data. Try London Gatwick or Manchester, or search every route.
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How warm is it, really?
Average daytime high in February, compared with London. This is the number that decides whether you pack shorts or a coat.
Thirty-year climate averages. Inland and at altitude it is cooler, and the north of Tenerife is cloudier than the south.
Flight times
| Destination | Flight from the UK | Typical return fare |
|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | 4h 20m | £60–£160 |
| Gran Canaria | 4h 25m | £65–£165 |
| Lanzarote | 4h 15m | £60–£150 |
| Fuerteventura | 4h 20m | £65–£160 |
| Benidorm and the Costa Blanca | 2h 40m | £35–£95 |
| Málaga and the Costa del Sol | 2h 55m | £40–£110 |
| Malta | 3h 20m | £50–£120 |
| Cyprus | 4h 45m | £90–£180 |
| The Algarve | 2h 50m | £35–£90 |
What it costs
Return flights and a mid-range hotel, per night, for January and February. Seven nights for two people in Tenerife typically lands between £900 and £1,500 in total.
| Destination | Return flights | Mid-range hotel, per night |
|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | £60–£160 | £65–£110 |
| Gran Canaria | £65–£165 | £60–£105 |
| Lanzarote | £60–£150 | £60–£100 |
| Fuerteventura | £65–£160 | £55–£95 |
| Benidorm and the Costa Blanca | £35–£95 | £50–£90 |
| Málaga and the Costa del Sol | £40–£110 | £70–£120 |
| Malta | £50–£120 | £70–£115 |
| Cyprus | £90–£180 | £65–£110 |
| The Algarve | £35–£90 | £60–£100 |
Typical ranges from partner searches, checked 12 November 2026. Prices move with dates, airport and how far ahead you book — always check the live price on the partner site before you commit.
The four Canaries, in one line each
- Tenerife — the biggest, the warmest and the only one with a proper city in Santa Cruz. The south is the sunny side.
- Gran Canaria — the most varied island: dunes in the south, green mountains in the middle, and Las Palmas for a city break with sun.
- Lanzarote — volcanic, windy and strange in a good way. Timanfaya is worth a morning.
- Fuerteventura — the beaches and the wind. Cheapest of the four, and the least built up.
What to book, and what to skip
Book the flight and the hotel separately in January and February: the package is only cheaper over Christmas, half term and Easter. Take hand luggage only on a four-hour flight and you save the £40–£60 return bag fee that undoes a cheap fare.
Skip the airport transfer if you are staying in a resort centre: the local bus from Tenerife South to Los Cristianos costs a few euros, and the taxi is about £25. And check the hotel's pool heating before you book in January — it is the difference between a swimming holiday and a looking-at-it holiday.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the warmest place in Europe in winter?
The Canary Islands. Tenerife and Gran Canaria average 21–23°C in the daytime through December, January and February, against 8°C in London. Malta and Cyprus sit around 17°C, and the Costa del Sol about 17°C.
Do you need a visa for the Canaries?
No. They are part of Spain, so a British passport is enough for a holiday of up to 90 days in any 180. Check your passport's expiry date before booking — it needs at least three months left.
Is the sea warm enough to swim in January?
Not really. Water around the Canaries sits at 19–20°C, which is bracing rather than pleasant. Hotel pools are usually heated; the sea is for the brave.
How far ahead should I book winter sun?
Six to eight weeks is the sweet spot for January and February. Christmas week is the exception: book that by early autumn or pay double.