The nice thing about winter is that it brings a bunch of holidays, which let us go on a world tour and satisfy our wanderlust. With the beauty of winter around us, this time of year lets us see the world in a new way. Among these places, Europe stands out as one that changes with the seasons, enticing tourists and calling us to discover the continent’s wonders.
It is true that winters in Northern Europe are very cold and snowy, but this isn’t always the case in Europe. This is true for places like the UK, Ireland, and Germany. Southern Europe, on the other hand, is affected by the Mediterranean Sea, which makes for sunny winter days that make you want to take a vacation there. If you want to know about the best places in Europe to enjoy both winter sun and nice weather, we’ve put together a list of them.
Top European destinations for winter sun seekers
Cyprus
The beautiful island of Cyprus is in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and its clear blue waters are what make it stand out. From Greek to Turkish, its neighbors in Europe have left their mark on its culture and traditions, making it its own unique mix.
Cyprus is a dream vacation spot in the summer, and its winters are just as beautiful. Cyprus has sunny days, cool breezes, and light rain during the European winter. It is one of the warmest places in Europe because of its location in the Mediterranean Sea. The winters are mild, making it a great place to visit for a vacation.
Cyprus’s nice weather makes it easy to go outside and explore, so you can see its amazing cities. At the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Paphos, you can learn about the country’s history. The site is home to many archaeological sites that line the coast and capture the essence of the city. The Painted Churches in the Troodos Region are on the UNESCO World Heritage list because they are in the Troodos Mountains, which are the largest mountain range. They are home to churches and monasteries from the Byzantine Empire that have some of the most beautiful paintings on them. The Choirokoitia is another famous UNESCO site where you can see prehistoric ruins.
Malta
The archipelagic country of Malta is made up of five islands. The fact that this country is in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea has led to fortified cities with influences from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Only two of the five islands in the archipelago are inhabited. These are Malta and Gozo.
Since Malta gets more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, winter there is always sunny and full of light. In contrast to Northern Europe, the light winters are often accompanied by rain showers that keep the weather cool but not freezing cold.
The city of Malta’s capital is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites because of its huge and beautiful walls. Take a traditional water taxi, or “dgĤajsa,” from Valletta to the well-known “Three Cities”: Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua. Mdina, which is also called the Citta Notabile (Noble City), is an old city with walls that used to be the capital of Malta. This building is one of the best examples of both Norman and Baroque style. The island of Gozo is surrounded by beautiful natural scenes, such as beaches, cliffs, and caves. The water might be a little cold in the winter, though, so it might not be the best time to go swimming.
Canary Islands, Spain
The Canary Islands are a group of Spanish islands in the Atlantic Ocean, not far from the coast of Northwest Africa. These islands were formed millions of years ago by underwater volcanoes erupting. They are known for their beautiful black and white sand beaches.
In the winter, the Canary Islands have nice, sunny weather. The weather is mild and pleasant because it is subtropical, so you don’t need scarves or heavy jackets. More than that, the volcanic islands get about 5,000 hours of sunshine a year, which makes winter feel more like spring.
The lowest temperature in December is 17 degrees Celsius and the highest temperature is 22 degrees Celsius.
Canary Islands’ best places to visit
The seven main islands make up the archipelago. In the winter, Lanzarote and Tenerife are the best places to visit. The average winter temperature on Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is 21 degrees Celsius. This means you can enjoy your vacation without worrying about being cold. San Cristobal de La Laguna, which is on the UNESCO list, is a great place to learn about local history. Parque Nacional del Teide has beautiful views of volcanoes, and La Orotava is a great place to see traditional Canarian culture. The weather in Lazaroate is warm all year, with an average winter temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. The island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and has many fun things to do, such as hiking in Timanfaya National Park or scuba diving at Museo Atlantico’s underwater museum.
Madeira, Portugal
If you really like wine, especially Madeira wine, take a vacation on the islands where this fortified wine is made and enjoy a wonderful time. Madeira is an independent region of Portugal that is made up of four islands in the Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Africa. The subtropical climate of the volcanic archipelago makes it a great place to visit in the winter.
Like the Canary Islands, which are right next door, Madeira has mild, sunny winters. There are five hours of sunshine each day, which keeps the weather warm and pleasant. It’s a great place to soak up some winter sun. There may also be some light rain showers.
The lowest temperature in December is 18 degrees Celsius and the highest temperature is 20 degrees Celsius.
The best places to visit in Madeira
The group of islands is made up of four, but only Madeira and Porto Santo are inhabited. Laurisilva Forest, Porto Moniz, São Vicente, Santana, Funchal, Camara de Lobos, Machico, Santa Cruz, and Ponta do Sol are some of the places on the island of Madeira that you should see. You can go to the island of Porto Santo to go diving, kayaking, boating, golfing, watching whales, windsurfing, and doing other fun outdoor activities.
Black scabbardfish, queijada, honey cake, honey biscuits, custard apple mousse, and surinam cherry pudding are some of the foods you should try in Madeira.
Seville, Spain
Seville is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia in Spain. It is known for Flamenco dancing and its unique mix of Moorish, Christian, and Jewish architecture. Of all the places in Spain, Seville is one of the most beautiful and peaceful.
You can enjoy the winter sun of Europe in Seville. You might want to bring warm clothes, but the weather in Spain will still let you enjoy being outside. Even though the sky may be cloudy sometimes, the temperatures during the day stay mild and pleasant.
The lowest temperature in December is 8 degrees Celsius and the highest temperature is 17 degrees Celsius.
The best places to see in Seville
Islamic, Gothic, and Renaissance styles can be seen all over the city, and its beautiful architecture shows how long and complicated its history is. At Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza, you can learn about the history of bullfighting. In Triana, you can dance at Flamenco clubs, go boating on the Guadalquivir River, swim in one of Sevilla’s many Arab Baths, and look around the beautiful Royal Alcázar.
Sicily, Italy
This is our list of the best places in Europe to enjoy the winter sun. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. The Italian island has long been a popular place for tourists to visit. It recently became even more well-known when it was used as the setting for season two of the award-winning TV show The White Lotus.
The winter in Sicily is different from the winters in the rest of the Mediterranean. The weather is cool, and there are about four to five hours of sunshine each day, with a few rain showers here and there. In Sicily in the winter, you should walk around the city and enjoy the culture instead of lying on the beach or swimming in the sea.
The lowest temperature in December is 11 degrees Celsius and the highest temperature is 16 degrees Celsius.
Sicily’s best places to visit
In the winter, Palermo, Catania, and Syracuse are all great cities to visit. Catacombe dei Cappuccini, Norman Palace, Palermo Cathedral, Teatro Massimo, Antonino Salinas Regional Archeological Museum, and Quattro Canti are just a few of the places you can see in Palermo, which is the island’s capital. Visit Palazzo Biscari, Castello Ursino, the Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena, the Greek-Roman Theatre, and Mount Etna to learn about Catania’s history as a port city in the past. Syracuse is also known for its famous archaeological sites, such as the Neapolis Archaeological Park, the Duomo, and the Teatro Greco.
The Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal. The sun-kissed shores of the Faro district make it a beautiful place to visit. The weather is like the Mediterranean, and the coast has beautiful cliffs that face the Atlantic Ocean and golden beaches.
The Algarve has one of the warmest winters in Europe and five to six hours of sunshine a day, which makes it a great place to visit. The cool breeze and light rain that falls from time to time will keep the temperature mild and pleasant. You can still swim in the ocean, even if it’s a little chilly.
The lowest temperature in December is 11 degrees Celsius and the highest temperature is 18 degrees Celsius.
The Algarve’s best places to visit
In Faro, the capital, you can learn about the history of the area by going to Cidade Velha, Museu Municipal, Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, and Sé (cathedral). Visit the Algar Seco Rocks, Praia do Carvalho, Praia do Paraíso, and Praia do Vale de Centeanes to enjoy the beautiful coast of Carvoeiro. Along the coast of Sagres, at places like Cabo de Sao Vicente, Praia da Mareta, and Praia da Martinhal, people who like to take risks can surf, hike, watch birds, and ride bikes.
Crete, Greece
The Minoan civilization began on the island of Crete in the Bronze Age. It is the largest island in Greece and is in the Mediterranean Sea. Greece is usually associated with summer, but visiting Crete in the winter will give you a unique look into Greek culture and way of life.
The winters on this Greek island are milder than in Northern Europe, and there are more than four hours of sunshine each day. Because it is in the Mediterranean, Crete is always nice, cool, and sunny, though it does rain in the winter.
The lowest temperature in December is 9 degrees Celsius and the highest temperature is 15 degrees Celsius.
The best places to see in Crete
It might not be fun to play in the cold water at the beach, but now is a great time to learn about the island’s long history. In Heraklion, the capital of Crete, you can see relics of Minoan culture at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Knossos Palace, and Heraklion’s Old Town. Visit the Lighthouse of Chania, the Maritime Museum of Crete, the Old Venetian Port, and the Monasteries of the Akrotiri Peninsula to enjoy the coastal beauty of Chania. Walk through Samaria Gorge, which is the longest gorge in Europe.
Gibraltar, British Overseas Territory
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory that sits at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Its unique mix of cultures surprises visitors. The famous Rock of Gibraltar may be the most famous feature of the area, but the cities’ Palladian architecture, the stunning cliffs, and the Barbary apes are also very appealing.
The winter in Gibraltar is not as cold as the winter in Europe. Every day, the city gets about six hours of sunshine. It’s windy and cold outside. You will need a light jacket, but if it gets too hot in the middle of the day, you might decide to take it off. During the winter, it also rains a little.
The lowest temperature in December is 12 degrees Celsius and the highest temperature is 17 degrees Celsius.
Where to go in Gibraltar that is the best
The place to go is a small city that is full of history, culture, and beautiful nature. To see the Rock of Gibraltar, take a cable car to the top. From there, you can see the coast of Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean. You can visit the Upper Rock Nature Reserve and see the St. Michael Caves and the Mediterranean Steps. Go to the Moorish Castle to find out about Gibraltar before it was a British colony. As you stand at Europa Point, you can take in the breathtaking views of the ocean. At the Ocean Village Marina, you can catch a glimpse of some of the most beautiful yachts. Gibralta is also a great place to see dolphins and whales in the winter.
Amalfi, Italy
Amalfi is one of the most beautiful places in Europe, with its dramatic cliffs and clear blue water. It’s a popular summer vacation spot. This small Italian town is tucked away on the side of a mountain in the Amalfi coast in southern Italy. It has both the peace and beauty of the coast and the hills.
The weather in Amalfi in the winter is mild and pleasant because it is in the Mediterranean. This is a great time to see a calmer side of the city. It can get very windy on the mountain, so you might want to bring warm clothes. There is also sun for six to seven hours a day. On your winter vacation to Amalfi, you might be surprised by a few rain showers here and there.
The lowest temperature in December is 9 degrees Celsius and the highest temperature is 14 degrees Celsius.
The best places to see in Amalfi
In the winter, walk around the city to enjoy the sun and the culture. You can learn about the history of the city by going to the Duomo di Amalfi, the Museo della Carta, Saint Andrew’s Fountain Amalfi, and Villa Rufolo. You can spend your days shopping or going to the Ruga Nova Mercatorum cafes or walking through Amalfi’s narrow streets. The Riserva Statale Valle delle Ferriere is a great place to go hiking and see the wildlife of Amalfi. On the beach or on a boat ride along the coast, you can spend some time if you don’t mind the cold water. Positano, Ravello, Sorrento, and Salerno are all easy to get to by car.
