12 Warmest Places in Europe You Should Visit in Winter

Europe is one of the best continents to visit in the world, especially in summer months. But, during winter Europe can get quite a cold place, and for us who are craving sun and warm temperatures, visiting the north of Europe might not be at the top of the bucket list. While you won’t find any hot destinations like in summer, there are still quite a few great places you can visit if you’re craving some winter sun. Which is why I made a list of my 12 warmest places in Europe you can visit in winter.

The places on the list are all in southern Europe, and most of them are Mediterranean destinations with some volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Destinations range from cultural and historical cities to nature and beach places, so no matter your travel type, you should be able to find a destination (or two) that fit your style.

✅ If you’re looking for a custom travel plan, find out more about my personalised itinerary service here.

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📖 Check my Europe Travel Guide for more European destinations and bucket list items.

Sicily

Average temperature in winter: 16 C / 61 F

Sicily is my favourite European destination at any time of the year, and while I especially love it in summer, it is undoubtedly one of the warmest places in Europe you can visit in winter.

The temperatures are mild and you’d be able to enjoy the sunshine, but be prepared for some rainy days too.

However, one of the best perks is fewer crowds and more local experience. Also, if you’re history buff like me, you can enjoy the ancient sites almost by yourself.

Additionally, Sicily is great to visit during Christmas as you can participate in unique religious traditions you will find only in Sicily, like Living Nativity Scenes – a real theatrical representation of the characters of the nativity scene.

If you’re adventure lover, you can still hike Mount Etna, but be prepared for much cooler temperatures and for a possibility to have your tour cancelled due to weather conditions.

In terms of the cities, it is best to stick to bigger towns, such as Taormina, Palermo and Catania.

And lastly, my top tip, especially in winter, is to rent a car, so you can move around the island as public transportation is not reliable even in the summer months!

✅ Check the flight prices here.

📖 Read my Sicily During Christmas: A Complete Travel Guide blog post.

Malta

Average temperature in winter: 16 C / 61 F

Literally next to Sicily is a beautiful Mediterranean island/country – Malta, which is another warm destination in Europe in winter.

Malta has mild winters with plenty of sunshine, which makes it perfect for beach walks and sightseeing. The wind can make it feel a bit cooler though, so bring a light jacket for the evenings.

The sea is not really for swimming in winter, but you can still enjoy boat trips to Gozo and Comino. You’ll see a few people swimming, but most visitors stick to enjoying the views.

In Valletta, you’ll see a few cruise ship tourists during the day, but overall, the island is much less crowded than in the summer months. Popular spots like the Blue Lagoon or the medieval city of Mdina are noticeably quieter than during peak season from June to September, and flight prices are usually lower too.

Malta in December is also beautiful, especially in the capital Valletta, where you can experience plenty of Christmas decorations, markets, and New Year’s Eve fireworks.

✅ Check the flight prices here.

Barcelona

Average temperature in winter: 14 C / 57 F

It’s not a secret that Barcelona is my favourite city in Europe and surely one of the most beautiful ones. The architecture is quite unique thanks to the works of Architect Antoni Gaudí, the food is great and the vibe is awesome.

While it’s a great summer destination, Barcelona is also a great city break during the cold winter months.

The city enjoys a fair amount of sunshine, which makes it perfect for sightseeing.

My favourite activity in Barcelona is visiting all the Gaudi sites in the city, so if you’re visiting in winter, then you can expect fewer crowds, which makes exploring far more enjoyable.

📖 Read my Barcelona 5 Days Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide blog post.

✅ Check the flight prices here.

Tenerife

Average temperature in winter: 21 C / 72 F

There will be quite a few locations in Spain on this list of warmest winter destinations in Europe because realistically it is one of the best countries overall to visit in winter.

While most of Europe is freezing in winter, Tenerife stays warm. As part of Spain’s Canary Islands, just off the coast of Africa, it enjoys warm winter temperatures, so it’s a perfect destination if you want to escape the cold. With more than 2,800 hours of sunshine a year, it’s easy to see why it’s called the “Island of Eternal Spring”.

Tenerife in winter has something for everyone. If you love hiking, you can explore Teide National Park. For beach time, head to Playa de Las Teresitas for golden sand or check out the black-sand beaches like Los Gigantes and Playa Benijo.

You can also visit the colourful old town of La Laguna or spend your days in lively coastal areas like Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje.

Winter is shoulder season here, so you’ll enjoy fewer crowds and a more relaxed vibe. If you don’t mind slightly colder sea temperatures, you can even swim in Tenerife in winter because the sea temperature is on average at 20 C / 68 F.

✅ Check the flight prices here.

Cyprus

Average temperature in winter: 18 C / 64 F

For anyone chasing a bit of winter sun, Cyprus is hard to beat – it’s one of the warmest places in Europe during the colder months! With daytime temperatures hovering around 18 C / 64 F along the coast, Cyprus stays pleasantly mild, perfect for a relaxing time or a bit of exploring. 

If you’re a beach lover, then definitely visit Ayia Napa, situated in the southeastern part of the island and famous for its stunning coastline. If you prefer a more urban vibe, Paphos or Limassol are excellent picks, perfect for culture and plenty of dining options.

But no matter where you choose to base yourself, car rental in Cyprus is very affordable, making it easy to take day trips and explore the island.

✅ Check the flight prices here.

Lisbon

Average temperature in winter: 15 C / 59 F

I was in Lisbon in the middle of February, and it was a perfect escape from rainy and cold London.

The weather was pleasant and perfect for sightseeing as Lisbon can get quite hot in summer which makes it unbearable. Additionally, there were no crowds, and the only busy place was Jerónimos Monastery, which is truly a must visit.

But for me the best part was that you could sit outside and enjoy the views from its many miradouros, even in the evening as most places would turn on the infrared heaters, which was enough to keep you warm.

The only dining place for which you need to have a reservation are Casa de Fado – a local restaurant with fado music and dinner.

While you can book a live show, my personal recommendation is to go to Casa do Fado for a better and more authentic experience. We went to Tasca da Bela and it was AMAZING!

📖 Read my A Perfect 4 Days Lisbon Itinerary: The Best of Lisbon blog post.

✅ Check the flight prices here.

Algarve

Average temperature in winter: 16 C / 61 F

Algarve is one of the best places in Europe to escape the winter cold. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, you can expect mild winter temperatures and plenty of sunny days. It’s ideal if you want to enjoy the coast without the summer crowds.

What makes the Algarve great in winter is the mix of natural beauty and local culture. You can easily explore its golden beaches, scenic coastal trails and feel the local life in towns like Lagos, Tavira and Faro.

The cooler weather is perfect for hiking famous trails like the Seven Hanging Valleys. On the eastern side, Ria Formosa is a beautiful spot to see winter wildlife, including flamingos. And on the rare days when the weather isn’t great, you’ll still have plenty of museums and galleries to explore (though I recommend these regardless of the weather conditions).

✅ Check the flight prices here.

Seville

Average temperature in winter: 17 C / 63 F

Seville is one of the warmest and the most unique spots you can visit in Spain.

Its architecture was shaped by the Moors who ruled over Seville in the 14th century which got mixed with the gothic, renaissance and baroque styles. It’s often why Seville (and Andalusia in general) is considered a perfect mix of islamic and christian worlds.

What makes Seville special in winter is how alive it still feels. Terraces are full of locals, musicians play in hidden courtyards and the festive season brings nativity scenes, street lights and open-air markets. It’s definitely a great time to visit if you love experiencing local life and culture.

The best part about visiting Seville in winter is that you can easily explore the Alcázar without the summer crowds, enjoy the Seville Cathedral in peace or watch flamenco in intimate venues where locals actually go.

✅ Check the flight prices here.

📖 Read my 5 Best Places to Visit in Spain for First Timers blog post.

Malaga

Average temperature in winter: 18 C / 64 F

Another great warm winter destination in Andalusia is Malaga.

You can explore the beautiful Old Town, visit the fortress and palace and enjoy the mostly quiet beaches without the usual crowds. Whether you prefer museums, popular sights or just eating your way through the city with local seafood, winter in Malaga’s Costa del Sol is a perfect time to visit.

The city also works really well as a base for exploring the rest of Andalusia. Granada, Córdoba and Seville are all easy to reach by public transport or with a rental car (the latter is my preferred way for exploring the region).

✅ Check the flight prices here.

Madeira

Average temperature in winter: 19 C / 66 F

Madeira is one of the best warm winter destinations as it’s located in the North Atlantic Ocean, close to the Canary Islands, which means you can expect warm weather.

The island feels like spring all year, with sunny coastal walks, green mountains and levada trails you can enjoy at any time of the year, even in winter.

Madeira’s microclimates keep winters mild, making outdoor days easy; from exploring Funchal’s markets and viewpoints, chasing clouds at Pico do Areeiro or driving to dramatic headlands without icy roads or heavy layers weighing you down. 

The weather in winter stays steady with bright days, quick showers and plenty of sunshine to enjoy coffee on a terrace or a relaxed walk by the coast.

With easy flight connections, great road conditions for a self‑drive and landscapes that switch from laurel forest to lava pools in under an hour, Madeira definitely becomes a no‑brainer winter sun break.

✅ Check the flight prices here.

Mallorca

Average temperature in winter: 16 C / 61 F

One of the best warm places in Europe in winter is Mallorca, one of the Balearic islands in Spain.

In winter, most days are still sunny and warm. It can rain occasionally, but the showers don’t last long. You’ll even see tourists on the beach in winter. Evenings can get a bit chilly, though, so bring a light sweater (but you won’t need more than that).

My tip is to stay in the south and avoid the mountains, since it’s much colder there.

The only real downside of winter in Mallorca is that there are fewer tourists and because of that many hotels and businesses close until March. However, the capital, Palma, stays lively all year and makes a great base if you want to explore the island further. Trains and buses connect Palma to lots of beautiful spots, or you can rent a car which is my preferred way for moving around.

Don’t miss the beautiful villages, especially Valldemossa and Deià.

If you prefer a beach vibe in winter, try Can Pastilla. It’s right next to the capital and still part of Playa de Palma. Many locals live there, so more cafés and shops stay open, even in the off-season.

✅ Check the flight prices here.

Alicante

Average temperature in winter: 17 C / 63 F

And lastly, if you’re craving winter warmth and sunshine, then Alicante is the ideal quick escape.

Alicante is situated on Spain’s Costa Blanca, so it stays pleasantly warm all winter and has a lot of bright and sunny days. Even in January, you can leave your coat behind and enjoy a coffee or cocktail outdoors.

Alicante’s compact size makes it perfect for a relaxing stay. Everything you need, including the beach, old town, marina and castle, is close together, so you can see a lot even on just a long weekend.

You can spend a day wandering the palm-lined Explanada de España, posing for photographs on ‘Mushroom Street’, climbing up to Santa Bárbara Castle for sea views, and enjoying tapas by the marina as the sun sets.

There’s also a genuine buzz in winter. While many resort towns shut down off-season, in Alicante locals and tourists fill cafe terraces, shop the outdoor markets, relax on the beach and enjoy a glass of Sangria in the sun.

Especially if you’re travelling from Europe, with regular and direct flights, Alicante is one of the easiest places to reach for a short sunshine winter break.

✅ Check the flight prices here.

✅ If you’re looking for a custom travel plan, find out more about my personalised itinerary service here.

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