The Best Destinations for Winter Sun
You don't have to fly too far to swap grey skies for a dose of sunshine-inducing vitamin D
Agadir
This laid-back, ocean-side city has beautiful beaches, vibrant culture and plenty of opportunity for adventure, and the temperature rarely strays below 20C all winter.
In contrast to the dusty, crowded streets of Marrakesh, Agadir has a far slower pace. Here you can relax on the huge sandy beach dotted with surfers, wander through the recreated historic Le Medina with its Moroccan architecture, many shops and cafés, explore the traditional Souk El Had market (the oldest souk in Africa with 400 stalls selling everything from spices to carpets) and wander through the 14th century ruins of the Oufella Kasbah for panoramic views of the city and the sea. Bored with the beach? Then there are plenty of day trips to take using Agadir as your base. Go hiking in Paradise Valley: just 50 minutes from the city, this is a stunning area of natural pools and waterfalls tucked between mountainous cliffs; or take a trip north to the traditional fishing village of Taghazout to discover more of the real Morocco. Now a popular surf town with a bohemian vibe, hang out in the great cafés and restaurants which line the beach and watch the waves or join in, with plenty of experts on hand to give lessons whatever your level. The village has a lively, international atmosphere and is quickly gaining a reputation in the luxury wellness market with several top resorts and retreats to be found amongst the more traditional guesthouses.
Where to stay?
In Agadir, the Tikida Golf Palace (golf is a thing in Agadir) is a large luxury hotel with a free shuttle bus to the beach (tikidagolfpalace.com). The View is a five-star hotel with its own beach, two swimming pools, six restaurants and a spa (theviewhotels.com). Prefer the more laid-back Taghazout? The beachfront Fairmont spans 45 acres and has 153 rooms, suites and villas, three world-class restaurants, two bars, a spa, two large pools, and a private beach area (fairmont.com). By contrast, Surf Riad is a cute, beachfront holiday home with just two bedrooms and two bathrooms and its own sun-trap terrace just a few minutes walk from the beach (agoda.com).
Fly direct to Agadir from Newcastle Airport with Jet2 from March 2026.
Fuerteventura
Sun-baked and wind-swept, Fuerteventura lies just 60 kilometres off the north-west coast of Morocco and is arguably the best destination for guaranteed winter sun in Europe as daytime temperatures, even in January, can average over 20C.
The other Canary Islands (Lanzarote, Tenerife and Gran Canaria) all share otherworldly volcanic landscapes and mountainous interiors interspersed with pockets of dense pine trees. Less well known are the smaller islands of La Gomera, which boasts some of the best food and local crafts, El Hierro, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve with a wilderness of an interior and low-key tourism, and La Graciosa, which was only recognised as part of the Canary Islands in 2018. Half an hour by ferry from Lanzarote, it remains unspoilt, there are no tarmac roads and just a smattering of restaurants and guesthouses.
But for sun, sea and sand in winter, the white beaches and rolling breakers of Fuerteventura, where goats still seem to outnumber tourists, make this a popular and easily accessible destination. Its craggy mountains, terracotta lava fields, desert-like expanses of sand dunes, black sand of Ajuy and turquoise seas all add to its otherworldly appeal. Known as ‘the windy island’ it’s a renowned kite and windsurfing destination, and for the novice there are plenty of surf schools to help you get started.
When you can drag yourself away from the 150 kilometres of picture-perfect beaches and sheltered lagoons, explore the island’s austere interiors and be amazed by the beauty of its rolling hills as you follow the many hiking trails, stop in villages where time moves at a different pace and discover the small, picturesque coastal towns where freshly caught fish and local cheeses dominate the menu (the island is famous for its Majorero goat’s cheese).
Where to stay?
The award-winning, adult-only Secrets Bahia Real Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive beachfront resort in Corralejo on the north of the island, and the gateway to the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park. With a choice of 243 rooms and suites, many with ocean views, seven world-class restaurants, four bars and a spa, this is the perfect place for those who like to be among the action (hyattinclusivecollection.com). For those who prefer something smaller and more personal, the bleached white and blue 14-roomed Avanti with its open kitchen and spectacular roof terrace is perched above the harbour at Corralejo with ocean views from every room (avantilifestylehotel).
Fly direct to Fuerteventura from Newcastle Airport with Jet2.
Oman
Picture Oman and most of us imagine shimmering heat, endless desert dunes, pristine beaches and rugged mountains. There’s a rich mix of history and culture in the country’s many ancient forts, exotic souks and Oman’s friendly cities, and in February and March, when the temperature stays around a manageable 26C, there’s plenty of opportunity to explore the ancient sights in comfort before heading to the beach.
The capital city Muscat borders the Gulf of Oman and its a great base for day trips both in and around the area. Wander the souks on Muscat’s waterfront, explore the stunningly beautiful courtyards, mosaics and manicured gardens of the Sultan Qaboos Mosque (women must be covered head to toe), and the white marble facade of the Royal Opera House. A short drive from the city, Muscat’s coast boasts clear turquoise water, but definitely take a day trip to the Daymaniyat islands, a collection of nine tiny islands with pristine white sands, sparkling clear water and plenty of opportunities for swimming and snorkelling. The wadis and sinkholes that stretch from Dibab down to Sur are unique to Oman and these rocky canyons, filled with bright turquoise water, are a major tourist attraction, as are the spectacular dunes of Wahiba Sands. Three hours from Muscat by car, a stay under the stars is an optional, if incredible, experience in one of the remote (air conditioned) desert camps here. The 13th century Bahla Fort, Oman’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, is under two hours by car and definitely worth visiting, as is the village of Misfat Al Abryeen and Nizwa Fort, a perfectly restored 17th century structure with Oman’s oldest souk sitting just outside its walls.
Where to stay?
Beach lovers looking for peace and quiet should head to Al Bustan (meaning ‘the garden’ in Arabic) about 25 kilometres from Muscat. This small fishing village is home to the luxurious Al Bustan Palace Hotel, with mountain, sea or garden views from every room (ritzcarlton.com). If you prefer to stay more centrally, then head to The Chedi Muscat in the Al Ghubra district of the city (ghmhotels.com). This elegant five-star luxury hotel on the Gulf of Oman sits in its own 21 acre garden oasis, with 162 guest rooms and villas, six restaurants, a Balinese spa and three swimming pools. For desert adventures, the Thousand Nights Sharqiya Sands Camp has luxury air-conditioned tents complete with private pools and sand houses overlooking the dunes (thousandnightsoman.com).
The Algarve
Turning right out of Faro airport, towards the Spanish border, means you can swap the rather overly sanitised resorts around Quinta do Lago and Vale de Lobo for the quieter eastern Algarve, where Tavira’s authentic charm offers a more peaceful and genuine place from which to enjoy the Algarve’s stunning beaches, and where the average daily temperature hovers around 19C in February and March.
The well preserved old town still has its Roman bridge over the Gilão River and plenty of Moorish architecture to admire, it’s own hilltop castle and numerous beautiful churches, whilst the nearby island beaches promise stretches of unspoilt and often empty golden sands, and the stunningly beautiful Ria Formosa Nature Park, a protected area of lagoons, waterways and mudflats much loved by wildlife.
There’s a slower pace in the town than in its more westerly neighbours. Stroll through the cobbled streets, browse the Mercado da Ribeira for fresh fish, stop for a galão (a Portuguese latte) and hop on the ferry to Ilha de Tavira for a walk along the beach, or on the mini train to the Praia do Barril to discover the unique graveyard of anchors from the once prosperous tuna fishing community.
Where to stay?
In the heart of Tavira’s old town, behind an elegant 19th century façade, and up the original stone staircase, at the Palácio de Tavira there are 20 light-filled rooms which overlook the pretty town square, still dominated by the white-washed 17th century Church of São Paulo. Once home to the wealthy Tavares family, this was one of the town’s great noble residences, now reimagined into a stunning, intimate hotel with carefully crafted interiors. The Medina wing is home to a further 16 rooms, a contemporary contrast to the Palácio, centred around patios and gardens in an intimate layout like a peaceful whitewashed maze. In the hotel’s restaurant, Mirsal, the kitchen responds to the gentle rhythm of the seasons where Chef Fábio Domingues brings a creative and respectful approach to his dishes with inspiration drawn from the spirit of the Mediterranean and the best local produce (palaciodetavira.com).
