Winter Sun Destinations Within a Five Hour Flight

In mid January, London averages about eight degrees and sees the sun for less than two hours a day. Four hours south, the beaches of southern Tenerife sit at around 21 degrees with six or seven hours of sunshine. That gap is the whole reason winter sun destinations exist, and it is why flights to the Canaries fill up long before Christmas.

The trouble is that "winter sun" covers places that feel very different in practice. Some are warm enough to swim, some are pleasant for walking but chilly after dark, and a few are sold as sunny when January there is often grey. Here is how I pick between them for a short break, based on flights of five hours or less from northern Europe.

What Counts as Winter Sun, Honestly

I use three rough tests before booking anywhere between December and February:

• Daytime highs of 18 degrees or more. Below that you can sit outside at lunch, but you will want a jumper most of the day.
• Five or more hours of sun a day on average. Fewer and you are paying for a slightly warmer version of home.
• Sea at 18 degrees or warmer if swimming matters to you. Most of the Mediterranean drops to 15 or 16 in winter.

Very few places within five hours pass all three. Knowing which test matters most to you narrows the list fast.

The Canary Islands Are the Safest Winter Sun Destinations

Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are the most reliable winter sun destinations within reach of the UK and much of Europe. Flights run around four to four and a half hours from London, daytime highs sit at 20 to 22 degrees, and the sea stays around 19.

The islands are not all the same. The south of Tenerife and Gran Canaria is sunnier and drier than the north, which catches cloud from the trade winds. Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are flatter, windier and wonderful for long beach walks, but that breeze can make 21 degrees feel closer to 17.

Where I would stay

For a first visit, south Gran Canaria around Maspalomas for sunshine, or Puerto de la Cruz on north Tenerife if you prefer a real town to a resort strip and can live with more cloud. The north is greener, cheaper and has better food, in my experience.

Madeira for Walkers, Not Sunbathers

Madeira sits at a similar latitude to the Canaries and averages 19 to 20 degrees in winter. It is around a four hour flight from London. What it does not have is many sandy beaches, and the mountainous interior can be cool and misty even when Funchal is bright.

Go for the levada walks, the irrigation channel paths that run along hillsides for kilometres, and for Funchal itself. If you want a lounger and a pool for five days, choose the Canaries instead. Check our guide to reading a trail difficulty rating before you pick a levada, since some routes include long drops and tunnels.

The Mediterranean in Winter

Malta, Cyprus, the Algarve and southern Spain are all popular winter breaks, and all are cooler than their summer reputation suggests.

These are lovely places in January. They are just not beach weather. Treat them as sunny city or walking breaks, pack a warm layer for evenings, and you will not be disappointed.

Why I Do Not Recommend Morocco for a Short Winter Break

Marrakech often appears near the top of winter sun lists, with highs around 19 degrees and a flight of under four hours. The daytime numbers are real. What the lists skip is that nights in Marrakech regularly drop to five or six degrees, and many riads have thin walls and limited heating.

I love the city, but for a three or four night break in December or January, I would only go if you are happy spending evenings wrapped up. Agadir on the coast is milder after dark and a better fit for people who mainly want warmth. Marrakech is at its best in March and April.

The same caution applies to Egypt's Red Sea resorts. Hurghada is warm, around 22 to 23 degrees, but flights from the UK run about five and a half hours, which stretches a short break more than people expect.

Timing and Cost

Prices spike in three windows: the week between Christmas and New Year, the February half term, and to a lesser extent the first two weeks of December. The cheapest period is usually the second and third weeks of January, when demand drops and the weather is no worse.

Midweek departures save more than almost any other trick. On Canary routes I regularly see Tuesday and Wednesday fares at half the Saturday price. Our guide to finding cheaper flights covers the booking side in more detail, and the same logic as shoulder season travel applies: going when others do not is where the savings sit.

Packing for Warm Days and Cool Evenings

Even in the Canaries, winter evenings fall to around 15 degrees, and the sun sets before 7pm. Almost every winter sun trip I have taken needed both a swimsuit and a proper layer. My short list for a four night break fits in a cabin bag:

• A light down jacket or fleece that packs small
• Long trousers for evenings and one pair of shorts
• Walking shoes with grip, since volcanic paths are loose
• High factor sunscreen, because winter sun at 28 degrees north still burns in an afternoon

Leave the heavy coat at home by wearing it to the airport and stuffing it in the overhead locker, or by layering a jumper under a light jacket for the trip to the terminal.

FAQ

What is the warmest winter sun destination within four hours of the UK?

The Canary Islands, especially the south of Gran Canaria and Tenerife. They are reliably warmer and sunnier than anywhere on the Mediterranean in January.

Can you swim in the sea in winter in the Canaries?

Yes, most people can. The water sits around 19 degrees, which feels fresh at first but comfortable after a few minutes. Heated hotel pools are common too.

Is December or February better for winter sun?

Temperatures are similar, but February days are longer and sunnier in most places. If you can avoid half term, early February is often the best value.

How to Choose This Year

Decide first what the trip is for: swimming, walking or exploring a city, then pick from the list that fits. Swimmers should look at the Canaries, walkers at Madeira, and city lovers at Seville or Malta with a warm jacket packed. Book a midweek flight in mid January and you will get the best of the winter sun for the least money. For more ideas on where to go, browse our destinations guides.