Seven destinations for winter sun
1 November, 2022
When the days are shorter, the sky is grey and you need a thick winter coat to go outside, you may find yourself dreaming of sunny destinations in winter. Or somewhere where the temperature is a degree or ten higher than at home. Where the sky is blue and the sun is shining. We have made a list of seven shining places in Europe where you will find the winter sun.
1. Sardinia
The Italian island of Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and is almost as big as the Netherlands. The temperatures are mild in the winter and it sometimes can even reach 20 degrees in autumn. It’s a great holiday destination if you want to escape the cold. With almost 2,000 kilometres of coastline, the sea is never far away. The island has charming villages, long beaches and high mountains. In autumn and winter, the weather is perfect for sporting activities in the outdoor air. It is often far too hot for that in summer.
In winter, the beaches on Sardinia are quieter than in summer
2. Argelès-sur-Mer
The Southern French seaside resort of Argelès-sur-Mer is only 30 minutes’ drive from the border with Spain. The city is surrounded by the Pyrenees, where hikers and mountain bikers can enjoy themselves endlessly. Argelès-sur-Mer’s seven-kilometre-long beach is a wonderful place for long beach walks in winter. The historic centre is also definitely worth visiting. Visit the Notre-Dame del Prat church that was built in the 14th century. If you would also like to go to Spain, that’s not a problem. You can easily take a day trip to cities such as Girona and Figueres.
Holiday in the French Argelès-sur-Mer
3. Barcelona
The Spanish city of Barcelona is an ideal destination in the low season. Particularly in the months of November and January it is quiet in the city and the queues for many sights are a lot shorter than in the summer. Discover the old city centre, Ciutat Vella, admire the Sagrada Familia or walk through Park Güell. In the winter, the temperature in Barcelona is around 12 degrees and the sun is usually shining. A thin winter jacket is basically all you will need. Around the holiday period, the city is decorated with colourful lights and you will find several Christmas markets in the city.
The winter months in Barcelona are often warmer than in Northern Europe.
4. Benidorm
The Spanish Benidorm is THE destination for older winter holidaymakers. But this sunny holiday destination is also suitable for younger travellers. The city’s exceptional location (between the mountains and the sea) makes it just that bit warmer here than in other Spanish cities. The temperature can even reach 20 degrees at times. There is plenty to do in Benidorm. Enjoy a drink in the sun, wander over the promenade or sample the Spanish cuisine. The zoo is highly recommended, you can see over 1,500 animal species here. If you want a fabulous view of Benidorm, go to the Balcony of the Mediterranean Sea. Here, you will find remains of an old fort and it provides a stunning view of the city.
Walk along the beach at Benidorm
5. Biarritz
The French Biarritz is known for its beaches and it is a popular surfing spot. But the city by the Atlantic Ocean is also worth visiting in the low season. Biarritz has an historic centre, is filled with luxury villas and has many sights. The centuries-old fire tower (built in 1834) in the city is recommended. Admire Napoleon’s former holiday home, Villa Eugenie (which is now a hotel) or walk to Rocher de la Vierge. From this rock, shaped like a boat, you have stunning views of the city and coastline. Fun fact: the bridge going to the rock was designed by Gustav Eiffel, the same architect who created the famous tower in Paris.
The weather is usually good in Biarritz in winter too
6. Rome
In winter, it can get cold on occasion in the Italian capital, but the temperatures in Rome are generally higher than those in Northern Europe. Most tourists visit the city between April to October. So, it is nice and quiet during the remaining months of the year and you won’t be tripping over selfie sticks. ‘The Eternal City’ attracts millions of visitors each year and that is not surprising really. Go back in time in the 2,000- year-old Colosseum, toss a coin in Trevi Fountain, admire some of the hundreds of churches in the city and walk through Roman excavations in the Forum Romanum.
In Rome, the quietest months are November, January, February and March
7. Fréjus
Did you know that Fréjus was an important harbour town in Roman times? You can still see that in some of the remains from that time. The town has an amphitheatre, an aqueduct and an archaeological museum. The centre of Fréjus actually consists of two parts. The historic centre with narrow streets and the centre by the harbour. A market is held in Fréjus five mornings a week. The market is in the old centre on Wednesdays and Saturdays and on the promenade on Sundays. You can go shopping at the market at Place de la Republique on Tuesdays and Fridays. In short, you will be submerged in the holiday vibe here. Great fun too: from Fréjus, you can easily take a day trip to cities such as Nice, Cannes or Saint-Tropez.
Tip: Camping Domaine de Miremer is an hour’s drive from Fréjus and is open almost all year round.
Fréjus is a wonderful holiday destination outside the high season as well
Enjoy the winter sun
Sometimes you need a bit of luck with the weather, but in Southern Europe in particular there are plenty of destinations where you can sit and enjoy the sun in winter. Furthermore, it is usually a lot quieter in the autumn and winter months. So you will have all the time in the world to discover all the beauty. More than enough reason to grab your things and go on holiday in Southern Europe. What are your favourite winter destinations?
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