Winter sun holidays

Winter sun holidays

Deals from £249 per person

Winter Sun Holidays

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.

Trending winter sun holidays

Why go for winter sun?

Winter sun puts pool days and time outdoors back on the agenda during the UK’s colder months. And you don’t have to fly halfway across the world to find it.

Winter holidays also fall outside Europe’s main summer season, so there’s another advantage to travelling at this time of year. Prices can be lower than during the peak summer months, particularly if you can avoid Christmas, New Year and February half-term.

Winter sun holidays for families

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.

Best destinations for winter sun holidays

When weighing up winter sun destinations from UK airports, flight time, temperature and the month you’re travelling are useful places to start.

Winter sun at a glance

Canary Islands

  • Flight time: 4–4.5 hours
  • Average winter temperature: 18–23°C
  • Best months: November–March

Cape Verde

  • Flight time: 6 hours
  • Average winter temperature: 22–26°C
  • Best months: November–April

Caribbean

  • Flight time: 8.5–11 hours
  • Average winter temperature: 28–31°C
  • Best months: December–April

Canary Islands

Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura all have beach resorts, but there’s quite a bit to separate the islands once you start looking beyond the weather.

Tenerife pairs Mount Teide with the beaches of Costa Adeje, while Lanzarote’s volcanic landscape looks very different from Fuerteventura’s long stretches of golden coastline. On Gran Canaria, visit the dunes at Maspalomas or stay in one of the resorts along the south coast. Our Canary Islands holidays can help you decide which island to pick.
 

Why the Canaries win for winter sun

Cape Verde

Most holidays are on Sal and Boa Vista, where large resorts line long Atlantic beaches. On Sal, head into Santa Maria for restaurants and bars away from the hotel. Boa Vista is less developed, with long stretches of coastline and resorts spread across the island.

November to April is the main winter sun period here. See our Cape Verde holidays for hotels and packages.

Caribbean

December to April is the main period for winter sun.

It's a much bigger region too, so where you go depends on the island. We've hand-picked hotels across Mexico and the Dominican Republic for reliable winter sun and All Inclusive value, while St Lucia stands out for something different – the Hotel Chocolat estate offers a genuinely unique cacao-to-bar experience alongside its beach stays. Head to our long-haul holidays for our full range of Caribbean destinations and hotels.

Winter sun holidays: adults only

Winter adult-only holidays offer the perfect escape from the everyday hustle and bustle, letting you unwind in peace and tranquillity. With fantastic winter sun deals in January and February, it's the ideal time to treat yourself to some well-deserved relaxation. For a truly unique experience, consider a stay at Rabot Hotel by Hotel Chocolat, where you can indulge in luxury amidst the lush, tropical beauty of Saint Lucia while savouring the best chocolate, well away from any screaming kids.

Types of winter sun holiday

All Inclusive winter sun

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.

Short-haul vs long-haul

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.

Family and package deals

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

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.

Best time to go for winter sun

November

November sun holidays mark the start of the main winter sun period. The Canaries are in the low 20s, with warmer weather waiting in Cape Verde and the Caribbean.

December

December sun holidays include Christmas and New Year, when demand can push prices higher. Book earlier if your dates are fixed.

January

January sun holidays are a chance to look further afield if you want more heat. Cape Verde and the Caribbean are in the high 20s to 30s.

February

February sun holidays still fall firmly within the winter sun season. The Canaries keep the flight time down, while Cape Verde and the Caribbean take you further for hotter weather.

Cool winter sun alternatives

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.

Winter sun holidays for couples, families and groups

Couples

If there’s two of you, consider how much time you want to spend at the hotel. The Canaries have resorts where restaurants, beaches and bars are close by, while a Caribbean trip may be more about the hotel, beach and hotter weather.

Families

For family winter sun holidays, check for heated pools, kids’ clubs and family rooms before you book. All Inclusive can also take some of the daily planning out of meals, drinks and snacks.

Groups

Heading away with friends or family? If you need several rooms and want everyone on the same flight, it’s worth planning ahead. Agree on your departure airport and travel dates first, then you can start looking at hotels that work for the whole group.

FAQs

FAQs

Where’s best for winter sun holidays?

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.

Where should I go for winter sun in January or February?

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.

Is it warm enough to swim in the Canaries in winter?

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.

What’s included in an All Inclusive winter sun holiday?

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.

How far in advance should I book a winter sun holiday?

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.

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