Are you dreaming of escaping the cold this winter? Winter sun holidays are perfect for swapping frosty mornings for sun-filled days! Here’s our 2024 list of destinations that provide the sunny escape you’ve been looking for, and often at a much cheaper price than you might expect!
What is a Winter Sun Holiday?
As the name suggests, a winter sun holiday means visiting a destination that’s still warm and sunny in the winter months. There are many suitable locations and holiday types available in winter, though when thinking of a winter sun holiday it’s more likely you’ll be looking for a tropical or beach destination. That doesn’t mean you can’t get a good city break or country escape either, though!
The Benefits of a Winter Sun Holiday
Why would you choose to go on holiday in the colder months, as opposed to the summer peak season? The main reason is price; for most popular locations, it’s almost always cheaper to visit in winter than during peak season. In fact, you can often find the same package for half price or less in November/December compared to July/August!
Holidaying in the winter also a nice way to escape the cold back home. There are destinations with hot weather all year round, such as the Maldives, though others, like Dubai, are still warm but don’t have quite such high temperatures in their cooler months. This gives you plenty of choice when it comes to booking, especially if you’d like to go somewhere a bit warmer than home, without worrying about the scorching heat of peak season.
The Best Places For A Winter Sun Holiday in 2024
As we already mentioned, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a destination for your winter sun holiday. From popular tourist hotspots like the Canaries to more far out locations like Thailand, you can book the holiday of a lifetime whilst saving yourself a lot of money! To help you decide, we’ve picked out 5 of our favourites below. What’s more, we often have the very best deals in these locations, so visit our dedicated Winter Sun Holidays page for the latest, or give our specialist travel team a call for a bespoke package at an unbeatable price.
The Maldives
The Maldives consist of 1,192 coral islands with 200 inhibited and will give you the full tropical island experience, offering white sandy beaches, a bright blue sea and overwater bungalows. Sun is plentiful here during the British winter months; in fact The Maldives has an average temperature of around 28 degrees, often reaching highs of 31 degrees! This makes it the perfect choice for winter escape!
A wide range of luxurious resorts and popular overwater bungalows offer beautiful views of the Indian Ocean and direct access to the water. The Maldives also have a variety of things to do,that cater to every traveller. From activities like water sports, snorkelling and diving to more relaxing pastime like world class spas and exploring the islands on a boat trip, you’ll never be bored here.
Dubai
Dubai’s temperatures range from 21-31 degrees in the winter, making it a great destination for when the cold temperatures creep into the UK and you are looking for a winter sun holiday. This is also the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities in the desert, or mountains and to explore this beautiful city.
Visit popular landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world) and the Palm Jumeirah, or shop in some of the city's most luxurious shopping centres, which offer an array of high-end brands and boutiques. Also take the opportunity to make the most of the warm weather and explore the different activities on offer, from camel riding to sandboarding, or simply soak in the sun on one of Dubai’s perfect beaches.
Mauritius
Located in the Indian Ocean, with an all-year-round mild climate, Mauritius is one of our popular winter sun destinations. Full of natural beauty and coastlines of beautiful white sands, this small island nation is the embodiment of tropical island paradise, which is just the kind of holiday you need when the UK is getting colder.
Alongside its beauty, Mauritius also offers lots of things to do and see. The “underwater waterfall” illusion, caused by sand and silt sliding 2.5 miles to the ocean floor, is safe to swim and is incredible to see. Or you could head inland to explore scenic mountain trails and the Black River Gorges National Park. Another popular activity here is water sports, with the top ones being snorkelling and diving due to the huge live coral reefs and diverse marine life.
Thailand
Another one of the best winter sun destinations is Thailand, with hot days and balmy evenings it is perfect to escape the winter blues. Whether you are looking for a relaxing holiday spent on a beautiful beach or you are looking for a lively holiday filled with festivals Thailand is the place to go.
During winter Thailand holds a variety of festivals, such as the famous Yi Peng Lantern Festival, which fills the skies with the enchanting lights of lanterns. This combined with the vibrant nightlife makes an unforgettable lively winter sun destination. However, for those who enjoy a more chilled getaway, explore the ancient ruins and enjoy the beautiful beaches. Some of the most picturesque beaches can be found in Phuket, such as Nui Beach and Kamala Beach.
Barbados
As the cold months set in in the UK, in Barbados, the sun is shining ready to offer you a warm winter sun escape! With the temperature reaching highs of 29 degrees and lows of 23 degrees, you’re guaranteed a break from the cold. Unwind by the stunning blue seas of the Caribbean or dive into the island's rich history.
Here you can spend the day snorkelling or diving in one of Barbados’ many reefs, discover the diverse underwater ecosystem and enjoy the warm sea temperatures. Then, why not explore what Barbados has to offer inland? Farley Hill National Park has stunning views of the island's southern point, and the remains of a beautiful mansion that once was used for the entertainment of royalty.
Have you found the winter sun destination of your dreams, or do you still need help deciding? Then contact one of our travel experts now, they can help you plan your holiday and give you a personalised quote!
