Winter Sun Destinations in Europe: Cheap Holidays

Many people prefer warm, sunny places for a winter holiday. In this month-by-month winter travel guide, I list some popular and off-the-beaten-path destinations where you’ll likely find some sun and warmth.

Jump to the month or scroll to read them all.

• December in Southern Europe
  • Rome
  • Marseille
  • Kotor
• January on the Coast
  • Split
  • Perpignan
  • Lisbon
• Further Away in February
  • Canary Islands
  • Cyprus
  • Malta
• Warm Christmas Holidays
  • Zadar
  • Nice
  • Genoa
• New Year by the Beach
  • Barcelona
  • Athens
  • Saranda
• Long Stay Travel
  • Costa Brava
  • Tirana
  • Dubrovnik

Winter Sun Destinations in Europe

When I was travelling long term, I spent most of my European winters in warmer places like Spain, France, Croatia and Albania.

Below, I’ve listed those I’ve found to be the best winter sun holidays in Europe. I’ve included where to go in December, January and February. Plus, I’ve made specific suggestions for Christmas and New Year.

December in Southern Europe

I recommend one of the following cities for a warmer December or Christmas holiday in the sun

• Rome, Italy – Rome has relatively mild winter weather giving you ample opportunities to walk around the historic centre and sights like the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain. While alfresco dining might be out of the question, you can take advantage of visiting at a quiet time of the year, relaxing at a cafe window seat directly on famous squares like Piazza Navona and Piazza di Spagna.
  • Take a Vespa tour of Rome to add an interesting experience to your visit.

• Marseille, France – Marseille is one of those cities with crisp, cool winter air and sunny skies practically all winter long. It’s an interesting port city with a unique blend of cultures, reflected in the delicious Marseillaise cuisine. The city is reachable on the high-speed TGV train from the north of France.

• Kotor, Montenegro – If you prefer to get off the beaten path, Kotor has one of the most stunning natural landscapes in the Balkans and during December, you’ll be one of the few tourists to experience the city. This historic city is protected from the weather thanks to its location on the beautiful Bay of Kotor. Make sure you walk up to the fortress for sunrise or sunset.
  • This is what you could see in just one day in Kotor.

If you’re open to visiting colder destinations, this is where you can find snow in Europe in December.

January on the Coast

If you prefer a January holiday in Europe, start looking as far south as possible if you want some winter sun.

• Split, Croatia – Split is Croatia’s most vibrant coastal city and you’ll find plenty of activities going on in January and throughout winter. Take long walks along the Riva promenade and visit the famous Diocletian’s Palace.
  • Take a day trip to Trogir while you’re there.

• Perpignan, France – France’s southern coast has some peaceful winter sun destinations, especially along the southwest coast from Perpignan to Montpellier. There are opportunities for winter hiking or sunny beach walks if it’s not too windy while you’re there. From Perpignan, you could take a day trip to medieval Carcassonne, an incredible walled city, or cross the border into Spain to visit the Dali Museum in Figueres or the coastal town Cadaques.

• Lisbon, Portugal – While the weather is definitely warmer in southern Portugal, there is so much more to do in Lisbon. It’s one of Europe’s great cities with the perfect mix of historic sights, nightlife, shopping and incredible cuisine. It’s affordable, lively and packed with events all year round, even in winter.
  • Sample the piri piri chicken in Lisbon, amongst other specialties.

For more ideas, read my guide on where to go in Europe in January for a winter break.

Further Away in February

February holidays in Europe are for the brave! In February, you’ll likely face the bitter cold, rain and maybe even snow.

This is really the time to go further away to places like the Canary Islands, Cyprus or Malta. 

My article on the best places to visit in February shares plenty more options on where to go at this time of the year.

Warm Christmas Holidays

• Zadar, Croatia – The small coastal city of Zadar is known for its sunsets and musical water organ. It’s not the easiest place to get to as there are no trains from Zagreb, only the bus, but that means most people in Zadar during winter are locals or a few slow-travelling tourists. The upside is the food is amazing, the sunsets are incredible, and it’s a cheap winter destination.
  • You won’t be disappointed with the food in Zadar.

• Nice, France – The southern coast of France has some of the lowest winter rainfall in Europe. If you visit Nice at Christmas, you’ll likely have sunshine and the possibility of warm(er) days, perfect for walking around the Christmas markets or along the Promenade des Anglais.

• Genoa, Italy – Italy’s northern cities have the best Christmas markets in the country, and Genoa has one of the biggest. The historic centre is a warm and welcoming destination to spend Christmas in the sun.

New Year by the Beach

• Barcelona, Spain – A great city which never stops, Barcelona at New Year’s is a little crazy but loads of fun. Barcelona is often warm and sunny, and when the weather isn’t great, you can head indoors to eat and drink cava or visit one of the city’s famous museums or exhibitions.

• Athens, Greece – Athens will almost certainly be sunny for New Year’s. Many events will keep you occupied or enjoy New Year’s dining on delicious Greek food and ouzo.

• Saranda, Albania – Saranda is ideal if you want to bring in the New Year somewhere lively but not too wild. The coastal city in southern Albania gets into the party spirit along the waterfront and in the old town.
  • There is plenty to see in the area, including these day trips from Saranda.

Long Stay Breaks

If you have plenty of free time and the budget to go with it or are location-independent, then you have the luxury of travelling slowly and choosing a long stay winter holiday.

• Costa Brava, Spain – Many small resort towns on the Costa Brava mostly close down for winter except for a few long-term residents. You can often find great deals on apartments over winter as these would otherwise be empty. I did this one February, and it was incredibly peaceful.

• Tirana, Albania – Tirana is absolutely full of low-cost apartments for rent. The city is lively all year round, even in winter, and is warmer than most capitals in the Balkans. Tirana is a vibrant, dynamic city with many things to do in winter. It’s a great long-stay destination where I’ve spent several winters.

• Dubrovnik, Croatia – Dubrovnik has some of the cleanest, freshest air in the Mediterranean. The city is extremely quiet in the off-season, but you can still experience the Winter Festival and other regional events. The Dalmatian coast is so peaceful in winter, I highly recommend it.
  • These photos of Dubrovnik might tempt you to visit.

For more Europe inspiration, this post lists the best places to visit in Europe and where to go at specific times of the year. 

Or head to the Rearview Mirror home page to search destinations.

Responsible Winter Travel

Many of us are increasingly concerned about climate change and sustainability. Here are some ideas for how we can travel more responsibly this winter in Europe:

• Look for locally-owned accommodations that use renewable energy sources and implement energy conservation measures.
• Use public transportation to get around the destination. Walk or bike whenever possible to reduce your carbon emissions.
• Reduce food waste by only ordering what you need and finding ways to use up leftovers.
• Consider opting for a sustainable diet while travelling, such as choosing locally-grown and organic foods and avoiding overconsumption of meat and dairy products.
• Support local businesses and communities by choosing locally-led tours and activities.
• Avoid flying and instead choose alternative modes of transportation, such as trains or buses, which have a lower carbon footprint.

FAQ

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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research.