As temperatures in the UK begin to plummet and winter tightens its grip, Europe comes into its own. Southern areas such as the Canaries, Balearics, Greek islands and Algarve remain enticingly warm and sunny. Hop on a short flight and you’re likely to have most beaches and major sights to yourself — better still, accommodation, car rental and flight prices tend to be cheaper and many destinations feel more authentic with crowds of tourists replaced by locals. Here’s our pick of the best places for winter sun in Europe.
Main photo: a seafront road in Nice (Alamy)
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1. Sicily, Italy
November average 14C
Sicily has been overwhelmed with tourists this summer after it was showcased in The White Lotus — but by winter the crowds will be long gone. There will still be plenty of bright days to visit the beach and stroll around the town of Taormina to visit its majestic amphitheatre, get a history lesson at the Temple of Concordia in Agrigento or be charmed by Sicily’s string of fishing villages such as Cefalu and Scopello. Film buffs should also check out locations from The Godfather,including the striking village of Savoca and its Bar Vitelli and the Castello degli Schiavi in Fiumefreddo. Stay at Adler Spa Resort Sicilia and it’s a five-minute walk to the beach.
• Best winter holiday destinations
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• Best hotels in Sicily
• Best things to do in Sicily
2. Malta
November average 18C
Malta is a no-brainer, with 300 days of sunshine a year. It’s crammed with history and you can spend days exploring its Unesco world heritage capital, Valletta, and its striking old town with the majestic St John’s Co-Cathedral. There are lots of sleepy corners to explore; make time for the traditional fishing village of Marsaxlokk. You can hop on a short ferry to quiet sister island, Gozo, with its hidden beaches — a real contrast to lively Malta. Bed down at elegant Corinthia Palace Hotel if fine dining is high on your priorities.
• Best all-inclusive hotels in Malta
• Best beaches in Malta and Gozo
3. Corfu, Greece
November average 15C
On the far northwest coast of Greece, just across from Albania, Corfu will easily please families. There are more than 50 sandy beaches and bays, lapped by shallow, clear waters and decked out with handy tavernas for lunch. Little ones will also love taking a boat trip around the bay at Paleokastritsa beach. Culture comes in the form of Byzantine churches, neoclassical houses, Venetian fortresses and a Unesco-listed old town which is just a ten-minute drive from the airport. To stay in the centre of Corfu Town, try Arcadion Hotel.
• Best all-inclusive hotels in Corfu
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4. Gibraltar
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November average 16C
It may only be 1,650 acres, but there’s plenty packed into petite Gibraltar. It’s still T-shirt weather for exploring the nature reserve and botanic garden and you can dip into majestic cathedral-like caves and dramatic siege tunnels, or spot mischievous wild monkeys on the imposing towering limestone Rock. It’s a British overseas territory, so sterling is accepted everywhere and visitors are unaffected by exchange rates — plus there’s no VAT and many goods are considerably cheaper than in the UK. English is spoken everywhere, and the police in bobby hats and red phone boxes will make you feel at home. Aim for a stay at the Sunborn Gibraltar, a swish superyacht hotel located in the heart of the city at Ocean Village.
• Best places to stay in Gibraltar
5. Tenerife, Spain
November average 21C
The Canary Islands are heated by some of the highest European temperatures all year, but there’s plenty to do beyond sunbathing. The largest island, Tenerife, has a north and south that feel almost like two different islands: the south warmer, less mountainous and having less vegetation. Don’t make the mistake of badging it as a beach destination; you can get lost in the remarkable lunar landscapes of Mount Teide National Park and go hiking in its lush rainforest. Hotel Botanico, set in lovely gardens, is one of the island’s most tempting hotels.
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6. Santorini, Greece
November average 16C
The Greek islands are a great bet for winter sun and one of the most popular, Santorini, is a lot quieter in November, especially in Oia, the island’s main village. Here, the pretty blue and white buildings that cling to the volcanic hillside look spectacular against a striking sunset — especially enjoyable when you’re not sharing the view with thousands of others. Many bars and clubs are closed at this time, but there are plenty of restaurants to choose from including Selene and Aktaion. Santorini has Greece’s oldest vineyards, and a visit to one, including a wine-tasting or meal, makes for a fun day out. Ducato di Oia Boutique Hotel is just beside the picturesque Armeni harbour.
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• Best cave hotels in Santorini
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7. The Algarve, Portugal
November average 19C
Precious few tourists, cheaper accommodation and a mild climate with the sun still shining make this southern region of Portugal perfect for November. Beyond its huge collection of blue-flag beaches, there’s hiking in the forested hills around Monchique, Moorish villages and the Ria Formosa National Park to explore. The Algarve is also renowned for its food and wine and in winter, when there are smaller crowds, it’s easier to get booked onto a tour to experience the best of it. Bed down in the historic Relais & Châteaux Bela Vista Hotel & Spa in Portimao to be right on the beach.
• Best all-inclusive hotels in the Algarve
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8. Seville, Spain
Average November temperature 15C
Six hours of daily sunshine is typical in this tempting corner of Andalusia during the winter months and you can spend your days exploring Seville’s enormous cathedral, stuffed with artistic treasures, or chilling on the sands; Matalascañas beach, almost four miles long, is a popular, easily accessible day trip. The best place to stay is the old town and Hotel Posada del Lucero is a historic building dating from the 16th century.
• Best hotels in Seville
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9. Nice, France
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November average 14C
Escape to the south of France this winter and you can pair warm days with fine food such as pizza-like pissaladière and salade niçoise, as well as plenty of charm. Make a beeline for chic Nice on the Riviera and you’ll be following in famous footsteps: its Promenade des Anglais is named after the many English aristocrats who would visit in the colder months during the 19th century. Vieux Nice, the old quarter, has winding cobbled streets populated by restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Beaches, Monaco and Monte Carlo are all easily accessible. Arome Hotel in the city centre is just 300m from the beach.
• Best hotels in Nice
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10. Cyprus
November average 18C
It’s easy for Cyprus to show off as a short-haul favourite during the winter months — it has over 340 days of sunshine a year. The Troodos Mountains may be snow-peaked, but sunbathing and swimming are still popular in coastal areas, even in early November. Other options include hiking in the dense forests and wine tastings at vineyards, and with a culture stretching back 11,000 years and past inhabitants including Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Romans, Venetians and Ottomans, there are plenty of monuments, historic sights and museums to explore. The tropical gardens of Crystal Springs Beach Hotel lead to an exclusive sandy cove.
• Best family hotels in Cyprus
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11. Marbella, Spain
November average 16C
Marbella has a reputation for glitzy, hedonistic partying, but a more sedate side is emerging, with tempting boutique hotels springing up from historic properties alongside laid-back beach bars. The sun shines for 320 days of the year and the southern city empties of tourists in winter, so you can look forward to quiet restaurants and having the pretty old town to yourself. The Hotel Santo Cristo La Ciudadela is a tiny, characterful hotel set in an elegant historic building in the heart of the old town.
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• Best hotels in Marbella
• Best villas in Marbella
12. Puglia, Italy
November average 15C
The lesser known region of Puglia is famous for its distinctive trulli homes with conical roofs and outstanding cuisine; don’t miss the pettole fried dough balls and orecchiette pasta. What’s less well known is its diverse coastline of dramatic cliffs, inviting coves and extensive white sand beaches, especially around Gargano and Salento. Head inland for whitewashed hill towns and the beautiful town of Lecce: a treasure trove of baroque buildings. One of Italy’s most southernmost regions, Puglia enjoys mild temperatures and satisfying amounts of sunshine. Popula Hotel, located in the town of Gallipoli, is near a good choice of beaches and is popular with families and those with a tight budget.
• Best trulli hotels in Puglia
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13. Crete, Greece
November average 16C
Crete is one of the southernmost islands in Greece and although rain becomes more frequent in the final months of the year, the sun still shines and the beaches and bays are pretty much much empty bar a few locals. The winter sea is still warm enough to swim in for hardier souls. Many resorts, hotels and restaurants have closed for the season, but the upside is that it’s likely you will have key sites such as Knossos and Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the country’s best museums, almost to yourself. Hanim Boutique Hotel is in the centre of Chania old town and within striking distance of the beach.
• Best all-inclusive hotels in Crete
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14. Mallorca, Spain
November average 15C
The Balearic Islands really shine in winter but the real star is Mallorca, quieter and cheaper than neighbouring Ibiza, and with more to do than dinky Menorca and Formentera. Children will love the Katmandu theme park, with exciting rides and 4D encounters, and Palma Aquarium, home to seahorses, octopuses and much more. Then there’s Palma, with plenty of boutique hotels, Michelin-star restaurants and an imposing, ornate cathedral. A cycle ride along the coastal promenade to the fishing village of Portixol on the edge of the city makes a great excursion and you can hike in the mountains too. Convent de la Missio is just moments away from central Palma but hidden away in a quiet side street.
• Best all-inclusive hotels in Mallorca
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