by I can not wait until summer?
Fortunately, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy some sun.
Southern Europe can offer plenty of sunshine, clear skies, and comfortable (but not tropical) temperatures. Additionally, booking tours during the off-peak months, as well as empty beaches and local landmarks, can result in extremely reasonable rates for accommodation and rental vehicles.
Below, we’ve selected your favorite spots in Europe that will still give you a sun fix in the low season.
Paphos, Cyprus
Average winter temperature: 18°C
Best for: Beach hopping and sightseeing.
Cyprus has long been a favorite summer destination for Brits – a million of us travel there every year (in normal times) – but don’t let that put you off. Full of ancient cities and postcard-perfect beaches, Paphos is a coastal city that offers a healthy mix of both. An air of romance fills the city, thanks in large part to its association with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, whose mythical birthplace was the Old Town of Kouklia.
Wait: Kick back and relax at the sleek and modern Annabelle Hotel (annabelle.com, from around £122/night) in Paphos, located a short distance from Paphos harbor and surrounded by six acres of tropical gardens.
Valletta, Malta
Average winter temperature: 17°CBest for: Buffs history and (almost) sunshine all year round.
It is the rarest gem in the Med (and still on our green list), Malta has a lot going for it: 300 days of sunshine per year, prehistoric temples and crystalline waters that are tempting even in the depths of winter. The golden city of Valetta is a Unesco World Heritage Site and earned its stripes as European Capital of Culture for 2018 – and its museums, fortresses and historic churches are a must-visit.
Wait: For something a little royal, the five-star Xara Palace hotel is set in a magnificently restored 17th-century palazzo, hidden within the walls of the fortified medieval city of Mdina (xarapalace.com.mt, about £245/ night).
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Average winter temperature: 21°CBest for: Avid adventurers and sun worshipers alike.
The Canary Islands are a safe and secure choice for really dark evenings, with otherworldly landscapes and subtropical temperatures all year round – don’t forget to pack a piece. Lanzarote, a Unesco Geopark since 2015, is made up of more than 300 volcanic cones (mostly inactive), blackened lava fields, and valleys filled with palms – all of which can be discovered through the abundant hiking and cycling trails of the Islands.
Wait: Meanwhile, sun worshipers should check into the five-star Meliá Salinas (melia.com, £185/night), which has a large outdoor pool, tropical gardens, tennis courts and access to the sandy beaches white. of Costa Teguise.
Seville, Spain
Average winter temperature: 18°C
Best for: A quieter city break for couples.
With mild temperatures all year round, Seville is Spain’s best kept secret in the sunshine. Smaller and more romantic than its busier counterparts Barcelona and Valencia, the capital of Spain’s Andalusia region is home to the Alcázar castle complex, built during the Moorish Almohad dynasty and the very Instagrammable Plaza de España (pictured above).
Wait: Housed in a beautiful 17th-century building, in the heart of Seville’s Old Town, within walking distance of the cathedral and the Museum of Fine Arts, Palacio Bucarelli has bright, contemporary rooms with a traditional twist, a courtyard, a rooftop terrace, and a refreshing pool. to relax in (palaciobucarelli.com, from around £132/night).
Karpathos, Greece
Average winter temperature: 17°C
Best for: Slowly putting it in a picturesque setting.
Although the Greek islands lie largely dormant in the winter months – many hotels and restaurants close up shop between November and April – this is also the best time to visit to avoid the crowds. Skip the tourist-centric Cyclades and head east to the Dodecanese, located just off the coast of Turkey. Karpathos, the second largest of this group, is the least commercialized, which means it offers a truly authentic view of the Greek way of life. Villages here are filled with white-washed sugar cube houses, and the sea is always sparkling.
Wait: La Scala Luxury Villas is a small family business focused on the luxuries the island can bring you. Each villa is named after an eccentric Greek musician located on the shores of the sparkling Greek sea (lascalavillas.gr, around £221/night).
Lagos, Portugal
Average winter temperature: 17°C
Best for: People-watching and lazy beach days.
As soon as summer winds down, a swim in the Algarve has long been a British pastime, but the Portuguese coastal city of Lagos is arguably more enjoyable in winter when the crowds disperse. Head to the coast to admire the famous rock formations and golden beaches that adorn your Instagram feed or simply plant yourself in the old town with pastés de nata in hand, sitting and watching the world go by.
Wait: Head to historic old town Lagos and book a beautiful room at Casa Mãe for vintage rooms on a 19th-century estate, a seasonal Portuguese farm-to-table menu, and all the sunny surfer vibes (casa-mae.com, around £340/night).
Sicily, Italy
Average winter temperature: 18°C
Best for: Food and wine lovers.
Cutting a lonely figure off the coast of Italy, the largest island in the Mediterranean is a treasure trove of delights. The historical sites, like the temple of Agrigento’s Concordia and the columns of Selinunte, are much less touristy in the winter months and the beaches are near empty. Foodies will discover a haven outside the usual tourist life, Noto is home to Café Sicilia and the famous almond granite with brioche buns and you will find the best seafood on the island in Taormina.
Wait: Built at the end of the 19th century, the Grand Hotel Ortigia lets you breathe in more than 100 years of history with your stay. All guests who book directly from the website are welcomed with a free slot on the hotel’s panoramic terrace, surrounded by spectacular views (grandhotelortigia.it, around £196 per night).
You can read our foodie guide to Sicily here.
Crete, Greece
Average winter temperature: 17°C
Best for: Crystal waters and walking paths.
Although you’d be perfectly situated to curl up on a day bed with a good book, Crete is ripe for exploration. With hidden beaches, bijou villages and rugged canyons, there is something for every type of traveler. Adventure seekers should go to Samaria Gorge to walk its six-hour trail, while beachgoers should go south – the Elafonisi lagoon is a spectacular sight with its pink sand and azure-hued waters.
Wait: Wellness seekers should head for a wall and relax at Domes of Elounda (domesresorts.com, from around £575/night), famous for its glorious views of a mythical island Spinalonga.
Azores, Portugal
Average winter temperature: 18°C
Best for: Travelers looking for something different.
This remote archipelago may seem like it is in the middle of the Atlantic, but the five-hour flight is more than an hour longer than it would be to Turkey or Greece. These nine islands are characterized by dramatic landscapes – São Miguel has filled calderas and the towering Pico mountain – but it’s the wealth of activities that will delight those who visit. The whale watching of the Azores is first class, along with diving, hiking, sailing and canyoning. It’s also largely sustainable, only five percent of the land here is developed and marine parks abound.
Wait: Treat yourself to a stay in a plush room or villa at White Exclusive, which sits on top of a cliff on the island of São Miguel, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean that offers unparalleled views (whiteazores.com, from around £200/night) .
Fethiye, Turkey
Average winter temperature: 18°CBest for: Marveling at crystal blue waters without the crowds
The hiking is not as hot as it would be in August, so why not travel part of the 335 mile (540km) Lycian Way and take in some of Turkey’s azure seas without the crowds? Between Fethiye and Antalya, the road winds past numerous historical monuments and scarred cliff faces, including the remains of Levissi, the ancient city of Patara, and the (mostly) sunken city of Simena. Stay: Enjoy a yacht club concept stay at the Yacht Classic Hotel overlooking the beautiful Turkish coast (yachtclassichotel.com from around £95/night).
