Deals from £249 per person
Winter sun holidays mean warmer weather when it’s cold and dark at home, without waiting for next summer. The Canary Islands are a 4 – 4.5 hour flight from the UK, with winter temperatures of 18 – 23°C. Travel further to Cape Verde or the Caribbean for temperatures in the mid to high 20s.
Spend a week by the pool, book an All Inclusive hotel with the family or head to the Caribbean with long-haul holidays. Winter sun doesn't stop there either – Egypt and Morocco offer reliable sunshine within similar flight times to the Canaries, while Mexico is a popular long-haul choice alongside the Caribbean. Sunny holidays aren’t just for summer, with winter holidays 2026/2027 covering November to February. For couples, families and groups, where you go comes down to how hot you want it and how long you want to fly.
Winter holidays in the sun are a great way to lift everyone's spirits during the cold season. With amazing family deals available towards the end of the year, it's the perfect time to snag a bargain and bring some sunshine and smiles to the whole family.
Egypt, Hurghada
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Morocco, Agadir
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Bed & Breakfast
Morocco, Tameslouht
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Spain, Puerto del Carmen
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Bed & Breakfast
Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Spain, Puerto de Santiago
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Bed & Breakfast
Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Morocco, Sidi Abdallah Rhiat
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Spain, Costa Adeje
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Half Board
Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Egypt, Sahl Hasheesh
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Morocco, Marrakech
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
When weighing up winter sun destinations from UK airports, flight time, temperature and the month you’re travelling are useful places to start.
Canary Islands
Cape Verde
Caribbean
All Inclusive is a good one to consider if you expect to spend a lot of your holiday at the hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are covered, as well as local drinks, snacks and entertainment. What’s included varies between hotels, so read the package details before you book.
Cape Verde and the Caribbean have large All Inclusive resorts with several pools and restaurants, plus activities and entertainment throughout the day. In the Canaries, there are also lots of hotels within walking distance of beaches, restaurants and resort centres if you’d rather head out during the day or evening.
How hot do you want it, and how long are you prepared to fly? Those are the two questions that make the biggest difference here.
If temperatures in the low 20s sound warm enough for days outside and time by the pool, the shorter journey to the Canaries may win. If you’re after hotter beach weather, Cape Verde or the Caribbean may justify the extra flying time. Think about the length of the holiday too – an extra few hours on a plane is likely to matter less on a fortnight away than a short break.
Travelling with little ones? Start with the hotel rather than chasing the highest temperature. Look for a heated pool in the Canaries during winter. Kids’ clubs, family rooms and what’s included in your board basis can help narrow down the hotel too.
Book your flight and hotel together as a Thomas Cook package and package holiday protection is included. Packages that include a flight are ATOL protected under ATOL number 11806. Thomas Cook is also an ABTA member, P8283/Y6720. For school holidays, booking earlier usually means more hotels and flight times are still available.
Long haul winter sun holidays offer the ultimate escape to some of the world's most beautiful and exotic destinations. Whether you're exploring the vibrant culture of Mexico, lounging on the pristine beaches of St Lucia or Antigua, or soaking up the luxury of Dubai or Oman, there's something for everyone. For nature lovers, Bali and South Africa are bursting with breathtaking landscapes and wildlife adventures, while California's coastlines and Thailand's tropical islands promise endless sunshine. Dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas and Bermuda, and find your perfect winter sun holiday in 2027 at one of these stunning locations.
Mauritius, Balaclava
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Bed & Breakfast
Maldives, Maamigili
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Mauritius, Bel Ombre
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Half Board
Mexico, Playa del Carmen
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Mexico, Playa del Carmen
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Mauritius, Palmar
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Thailand, Karon
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Bed & Breakfast
Mexico, Puerto Aventuras
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Mauritius, Mahebourg
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Bed & Breakfast
Indonesia, Nusa Dua Tanjung Benoa
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Room Only
Dominican Republic, Uvero Alto
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive
Thailand, Khao Lak
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Bed & Breakfast
Thailand, Patong Beach
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Room Only
United States of America, Santa Monica
Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Room Only
Looking to embrace the winter chill, rather than escape it? Consider a magical holiday in Iceland where you can see the Northern Lights, or visit Father Christmas and the reindeer with Finnish Lapland Holidays. Alternatively, hit the slopes at Club Med Ski resorts, offering All Inclusive packages in some of the most breathtaking alpine destinations.
Iceland, Akureyri
Flight & Hotel / 3 nights / Room Only
Iceland, Reykjavik
Flight & Hotel / 3 nights / Room Only
Iceland, Reykjavik
Flight & Hotel / 3 nights / Room Only
Iceland, Reykjavik
Flight & Hotel / 3 nights / Room Only
For a shorter flight, Malta and Morocco are well worth a look, with the Canary Islands not far behind. Want more heat? Cape Verde and the Caribbean have you covered. Malta and Morocco will have you there in around 3 – 4 hours, the Canaries 4 – 4.5 hours, Cape Verde around six, and the Caribbean 9 – 11 hours. You're not tied to Heathrow either, as the Dominican Republic and Mexico are two Caribbean islands with direct flights from airports right across the UK.
The Canary Islands, Cape Verde and the Caribbean all offer reliable winter sun in January and February. You'll get around 6 – 7 hours of sunshine a day in the Canaries and Cape Verde, while it's a bit more of a mixed bag across the Caribbean – expect around 5 hours up north in the likes of the Bahamas and Bermuda, and closer to 8 hours further south in Barbados, Aruba and St Lucia.
If a shorter flight matters more, the Canaries are your best bet. If it's heat you're after, Cape Verde and the Caribbean push further into the high 20s.
Yes, you can swim in the Canary Islands during winter, although the sea and unheated pools will feel cooler than they do in summer.
Planning to spend a lot of time in the pool? Look for a hotel with a heated one, particularly for a January or February holiday. Popular choices include the SBH Costa Calma Beach Resort in Fuerteventura, Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort and Barceló Teguise Beach (adults only) in Lanzarote, and Hotel Mogán Princess & Beach Club in Gran Canaria.
All Inclusive usually covers most meals, local drinks, snacks and entertainment. Exactly what’s covered varies, so check your chosen hotel before you book.
Some restaurants, branded drinks or activities may cost extra, particularly at larger resorts. It's also worth bearing in mind that some facilities and activities are seasonal, so certain pools, water sports or kids' clubs might not be running over winter – one of the reasons prices tend to be lower at this time of year. The hotel details will show what's part of your All Inclusive package and what you'll need to pay for separately.
There's no set point when winter sun holidays are cheapest. Booking earlier gives you the best choice of dates, airport and hotel, especially over Christmas, New Year and school holidays – though waiting can work if you're flexible.
