The city is renowned for its impressive buildings, some of which date back thousands of years. Faro is considered the most diverse city along the southern coast of the country. On colder days, you need a light jacket or a sweatshirt. But, dont come to Fethiye with the mistaken view that it will be hot, hot, hot. In fact, it only has about 80 days of rain per year! If it does get a little cold, hop into a bar for a cafe. 1. Ayia Napa is the party capital of Cyprus. The temperatures in Sharm El Sheikh are as follows: Average winter (November-March) daytime temperature: 24C / 75.2F, About | Privacy Policy | Terms of use | Contact. It is a tempting holiday destination in summer but it also attracts a number of retirees and other expats in winter. Athens is vibrant and cosy in winter, with crisp sunny days perfect for exploring ancient sites and enjoying the citys cafe culture. ); 14. The temperatures here dont drop as much in winter, as is the case in most European cities. The archipelago consists of 4 major islands and a number of smaller islets. The temperature in winter is never lower than 14 degrees (57 F) and goes up to 20 degrees (68 F) on sunny days. Funchal, Madeira Gibraltar, Spain Ibiza, Spain Istanbul, Turkey Jerez de la Frontera, Spain Mahon, Menorca Nice, France Paphos, Cyprus Lagos, Portugal Lecce, Italy Lisbon, Portugal Palermo, Sicily Positano, Italy Rhodes, Greece Rome, Italy While its great all year long, the winter in Taormina is full of sun and things to do without the crowds. Remote and secluded, the island of Sardinia lies only 190 km (118 mi) off the northern coast of Africa. This post may contain affiliate links, from which we earn an income. Antalya10-2050-68Brief cool winter with lots of sunshine RELATED POST: A Bucket List Amalfi Coast Road Trip. Tarifa is probably one of the best places to travel to in winter. While the water might be a bit too chilly for swimming, the winter sun is the big draw in colder months, and its even warm enough to get out on the water for a boat tour up and down the coast. There are numerous other things to do in Estepona, like sea and boat excursions, water sports, fishing and playing golf. he surroundings of the city are emerald green. Madrid6-1533-59Crisp with cold nights and some snow Average winter (November-March) daytime temperature: 17.4C / 63.3F. And although cyclones bring 2 or 3 consecutive days with heavy rainfall and strong winds sometimes, this happens relatively more rarely in comparison with the other Balearic Islands. Whilst the Mediterranean climate is still milder than Northern Europe, winter can still bring low temperatures and lashing of rain. Marrakech13-2155-70Clear days, chilly nights, brief downpours Arguably, if youre interested in all of the historic sites and being outside, visiting Paphos in winter is a better bet as there are fewer tourist crowds and you wont have to contend with the oppressive heat of summer. The metropolitan area is home to over half a million inhabitants. Costa del Sol, Andalusia, Spain (Marbella, Malaga, Nerja, Fuengirola, Benalmadena etc. 1. It is known as a top destination for beach lovers because of the spectacular ldeniz Beach, which is considered the most beautiful beach in Turkey. One of the hidden gems of Europe and lesser visited compared to many other destinations in Italy, Cagliari is one of the best places for winter sun in Europe. . Its an ideal time for city breaks to sunnier climes. A joy to visit at any time of the year, in winter it benefits from a mild Mediterranean climate. Mediterranean weather live & averages: Best time to go - Weather2Travel.com It is one of the best options in Europe if you are searching for a place which combines a bunch of things to do and sunny weather in January and February. The temperature is around 22 - 23C. RELATED POST: How to Road Trip Eclectic Sicily, Explored by Sally of Loving Life in Spain. The island is a great alternative to escape the cold and gray winter on the continent. It is also the cheapest time to visit Istanbul, so a vacation here during winter is more pocket-friendly. It is, in fact, an archipelago of four islands that are all under the domain of Portugal. The average daytime temperatures are about 17 18C (62.6 64.4F) in the cosmopolitan Tel Aviv and much warmer in the southern parts of the country. The winter temperatures in Costa de la Luz vary between 15 and 20C (59 68F), and the main cities are Cadiz and Huelva. The winter is the off-season in the Algarve, so hotels will be more affordable and places will be less crowded. Athens and the cities of Southern Spain make perfect city break destinations in the winter. If youre planning on visiting the Mediterranean in winter, bear in mind that this is the offseason and some tourist amenities and resorts will be closed particularly those that rely on beach tourism. Gran Canaria is best for hiking, national parks and huge beaches, whilstLanzaroteis ideal for a family holiday, with unique volcanic landscapes and natural wonders, typified in the imposing and dramatic Timanfaya National Park. If you feel like experiencing the buzzing party scene of Istanbul, then head to Istiklal Avenue in the Taksim Square area. The Balearic Island of Menorca is a nature-lovers paradise. Paphos is an excellent place to visit any time of the year, but the winter provides an excellent time to soak up the sun and avoid the tourist crowds,making Cyprus one of the best destinations for hot holidays in January. You will be pleasantly surprised by its lush vegetation and exotic plants. Theres nothing like a quick blast of sunshine; flip flop weather when its raining cats and dogs back home. One of the most beautiful Spanish cities and capital of the island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is located on the Atlantic coast. Daily life in the towns still humswith quiet activity in winter and youll gain an untarnished view of what life in Menorca is really like, when not swarming with visitors. The Rea Sea resorts of Egypt are the best places for guaranteed January sunshine, certainly warm enough for sea swimming and snorkelling and none more so than Sharm El Sheikh, the original and arguably the best resort in this mid-haul destination. It is flanked with countless tapas bars, restaurants, and cafs with dishes to appease every palate. Other attractions include the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-Roman theatre. Relativelyunscathed by the overdevelopment that has scarred some parts of its biggersibling Mallorca, Menorca, in contrast, remains magnificentin its natural beauty. Gran Canaria18-2364-73Reliably warm and sunny with occasional cloud Some of the other unmissable spots in Seville are the Royal Alczar, the Cathedral, the Giralda Tower, and the best tapas bar in town, Espacio Eslava. Accommodation prices also tend to fall, and its the perfect party city in which to spend New Year. Fuerteventura18-2364-73Warm and sunny but windy For sure, at least 50% of the days are great for outdoor activities. Youll also be a stones throw from Spain, from where its easy to hop across to Tangier in Morocco and add another warm winter destination to your trip! The city is a great choice if you want to spend some time on the island in winter, exploring its cultural and architectural landmarks. Morocco is also an extremely exciting country, known for its colorful markets, delicious food and unique spices. Click to save to Pinterest for later: Corralejo, Fuerteventura: Tamara Kulikova (Adobe Stock), Fuerteventura beach: The Mediterranean Traveller. It is a top destination for lovers of outdoor activities during the winter season. If you are planning a long term stay (for example, a place to spend the entire winter), you should know that most of the restaurants, bars and shops on the islands are closed during the winter season. Thesewere forgotten about and rediscovered in 2001, and you can now take a tour of the tunnels to learn more about this period in the history of the city. We stand corrected, Valencia has everything! With mild temperatures in the cold months and gorgeous beaches, Tarifa is known as the capital of windsurfing and kite surfing in Spain. With its modernist architecture, narrow medieval streets, open and relaxed culture, and varied and tasty food, the Catalan city on the Mediterranean simply enchants every visitor. The island is a popular hiking destination. RELATED POST: One Day in Palermo Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide. Nearby is good hiking, ancient ruins and the fabulous beach at Oludeniz, a small town to the east, where you can also go paragliding. While Madeira is a popular hiking destination known for its green mountains and dense forests, Porto Santo is popular for its lovely golden beaches. Being the sherry capital of Spain, you can enjoy numerous sherry tours and experience the famous bodegas to learn more about its sherry culture. Average winter (November-March) daytime temperature: 17.8C / 64F. What is a Mediterranean Climate? The main reason behind the warmer weather is the ocean surface temperature, which is also 1-2C degrees warmer in comparison with the other islands and the minimum is usually around 20C (68F) in February. Naples9-1848-64Wet autumn with dry, but dark and cold, winter Once you reach the shoreline you can set up your blanket or rent a sun chair on the shore. The coastline southwest of Fuengirola is known for some of the most beautiful and well-preserved beaches n Costa del Sol. 36 Spain 33 Greece 32 Fuengirola 32 Icmeler 32 Marmaris 31 Benidorm 31 Costa Blanca 31 Cyprus 31 Paphos 31 Rhodes 31 Salou 30 Barcelona 30 Crete 30 Ibiza 29 Costa del Sol 29 Lecce is also a perfect base from which to explore other delightful Puglia towns such as Polignano a Mare, Alberobello and Otranto. And yes, Im talking about Santa Claus! If you just want to know the answer to the question where is the warmest place in Europe in January?, its the Canary Islands. At noon on a sunny day you can comfortably walk around in a T-shirt. The climate is very similar to Costa del Sol and is a bit more humid. This is the busiest city on the southern coast of Portugal. Cagliari enjoys mostly pleasant sunny days with an average daytime temperature of 15C (though it does get occasional rain and wind, and cold fronts may bring . For European travelers and expats, Eilat is a real treasure. Barcelona is an absolutely unique city. The second place is occupied by Madeira and Cyprus (both with around 20C (68F). The remains of a 2,000 year old Roman Amphitheatre, the stunning Piazza del Duomo with its striking Cathedral and the Basilica di Santa Croce are just a few of the many highlights. Temps (C)Av. Temps (F)Summary If you want to embrace the cosy winter vibe then consider Ljubljana in Slovenia, northern Italian cities such as Milan, Turin, Bergamo and Trieste, or Croatias Zagreb. The best things to do in Istanbul include visiting the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque, Galata Tower, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar. Alternatively, go subterrenean and explore over 150 caves and 50km of World War II tunnels, or visit the Barbary macaques that Gibraltar is famous for. Known simply as the Rock, Gibraltar is a tiny six square kilometre British Overseas Territory at almost the southernmost tip of continental Europe), only pipped to the post by Tarifa, just down the coast in Spain one of the the hottest European countries in January. Only the Canary Islands and Madeira experience higher temperatures between November and March. To give you an indication of sea temperatures (given as range across October-April): Warm doesnt necessarily mean sunny, and vice versa. The average daytime temperature in the city is 18C, accompanied with frequent and intense rainfalls. La Gomera is a popular culinary destination, especially its western provinces Vallehermoso and Valle Gran Rey. In our Europe in fall travel guide, we share travel tips and highlights for our top places for autumn colour and adventure. Andalucia is known for its tapas, and Almeria is no exception. Take a bucket list road trip to Italy and see it for yourself! Cefalu, located just a few hours drive away from the capital city of Palermo, is the perfect spot to settle into for a winter break in Europe. This is because of its specific location on the shore of a small and shallow bay on the drier and sunnier eastern coast of the island. In addition, being busy in winter is a rare quality of a Mediterranean city. Isla de la Palma is a favourite destination of lovers of long walks and mountains. You will need mostly summer clothing during the day and some light jacket or an anorak at night. The average daytime temperature along the coast of Sicily varies between 16 and 19C (60.8 68F), which is perfect for a winter escape. The country boasts more than 300 days of sunshine per year, and winter temperatures stay mainly in the. Since they are all unique and very different from each other, they attract different types of expats and holidaymakers. Rhodes is one of the warmest spots in Europe and the second warmest of the major Greek islands after Crete, with an average difference of no more than 1C. And still, statistics for the last century can tell us what to expect in a given city, island or region during the winter season. Rainfall on the north coast is high, but Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Alicante, Madrid, Valencia, Toledo, Seville, Granada, Cadiz, Cordoba, Jerez are all good options with airports nearby. Unsurprisingly, destinations in the Near East and North Africa are hotter and drier. The Mediterranean island of Mallorca is one of the best spots in Europe for sunshine hours over winter, seeing an average of 6 hours most months. Rome is a wonderful destination to get a little bit of winter sun. In Cadiz, the average temperature ranges from 12.5 C (54.5 F) in January to 25 C (77 F) in July and August. Marbella is one of the most popular Mediterranean tourist cities and is the most attractive winter sun destination in Europe. It is also one of the warmest places in Europe in winter with highs increasing to over 13C in February! 13 Warmest Places in Europe in December, January, and February Try a tasty paella by the Mediterranean and get lost in the neighbourhood of El Carmen, buy a horchata drink from a traditional artisan, shop for local produce in the Central Market, party at the Umbracle, enjoy its traditional festivities, the Fallas Festival, and become a hipster for a day in Ruzafa. With the crowds gone during the cooler weather, the city is more easily explored during the winter low season. Andalusia climate: weather by month, temperature, rain - Climates to Travel Explored by Anisa of Two Traveling Texans. Found this post useful? Malaga lies on the southern edge of the Iberian Peninsula, on the coast of the hot Andalusia and is definitely one of the hottest cities in mainland Europe. Nothings better than sipping a hot Turkish coffee on a nice winter morning at the Pierre Loti Cafe and admiring the view. Silves has a castle and Loule has a famous Saturday Market. Its still in use today and a great place for a winter sunset. Each of these cultures have left their mark, and give the peninsula a unique culture of its own. It combines soft sandy beaches, plenty of sunshine, tasty food, incredible wines, high quality properties and numerous great things to do. Getting to Tarifa is very easy, no matter which southern Spanish airport you use. I also highly recommend watching a flamenco show during your time there! If you want to get some sun in winter, Egypt will never disappoint you. Be sure to try some of the local seafood. Tenerife offers some really nice beaches to enjoy during the winter season, especially along the southern and southwestern coast, which are traditionally sunnier and one or two degrees warmer. Go on a guided tour of the Alcazar and stroll around Alameda vieja. Winter Sun 101: A Guide to Winter Sun in Europe (And Beyond) 23 Warmest Places In Europe in December to Escape the Cold Winter As do Marrakech, Fes, and Tunis. Most of them explore the options along the Mediterranean because of the relatively small distance and the opportunity for EU nationals to stay as long as they want within the borders of the other EU member states. Autumn is the perfect time for a holiday. Tenerife, Canary Islands A photo from the north of Tenerife in December at Playa de las Teresitas If you haven't been visited any of Canaries and you don't have a favorite yet, we would recommend choosing Tenerife or Gran Canaria as the best places for a winter break. Granada is a great choice as crowds visiting the Alhambra (the most visited tourist attraction in Spain!) Me neither. A few places in France offer warm weather all year round. No flying required! Mlaga The bright walls and buildings of Mlaga's iconic white villages - Mijas, Ronda, and Frigiliana among them - add to the feeling that you're in the warmest place in Spain in winter. The Aegean region of Turkey where Fethiye is located is actually further west than Istanbul and located close to the Greek islands, making it a great mid-haul winter sun destination. Visitors driving from Rome some 600km and a six hour drive north west should not miss the opportunity to experience the unique cave city of Matera. To help you maximise your chances of warmth this winter, this guide will cover: What do we mean by winter sun? For warmer winter temperatures, the best options are drier zones with desert influences and winds from Asia and Africa. Albufeira is the most popular spot along the coast of Algarve. The wonderful tourist city lies less than 6 km (less than 3.7 miles) northeast of Ayia Napa and combines crystal clear blue waters with white sands. The warmest parts of the Mediterranean are east, along the southern coast of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and surrounding Cyprus, and also the seas north of Tunisia and Libya, stretching northwards to Malta. Walk the little streets and wide avenues of Nice but also try to see the city from other points of view: from the water, perhaps on a cruise, and from one of the hills of Provence that surround the city. Furthermore, the lake provides a beautiful beach that is usually uninhabited and you can relax peacefully. In a typical year, 525 millimeters (20.5 inches) of rain fall, with a peak in November and December. If youre happy to fly further afield, Tel Aviv makes a great winter city break. One reason to visit Palermo is to check out the architecture. Valencia9-1848-64Dry and sunny though at times stormy and overcast Take a stroll down Arco Basso, and youre bound to see Italian mothers and grandmothers rolling out orecchiette pasta by hand, deftly creating the dimpled shape with their thumbs. As you can expect, the South of the island traditionally experiences higher temperatures and a bigger number of sunny days. In the Kppen-Geiger-Pohl system, it is divided into the Csa and Csb subtypes. 8 Mediterranean Resorts To Beat The Winter Blues It attracts visitors mostly because of its lunar landscapes and numerous volcanoes, which are scattered all across the island. Let's look at the warmest places in France during the winter. The temperatures and warm, and while you may not want to swim (though some will) its still worth it to visit the beaches just to enjoy walking on them. A French road trip is the best way to explore the wonderful diversity and beautiful landscapes of this country. The 15 WARMEST Places to Visit in Europe This Winter Taormina is located in view of Mount Etna, along the east coast of Sicily. Average winter temperature: 26C. From the airport, you can take a bus or train to Roma Termini. You can also go to a nature reserve like Ria Formosa Natural Park or do a coastal walk like the Seven Hanging Valleys hike. Spain is a fantastic country for road tripping. The region of Costa Blanca is known for its white sandy beaches, beautiful architecture and for the biggest number of date palm trees in Europe. Some of the very best options are Turkey, Israel, Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco. If you love motorhomes, road trips and a bit of adventure, dive right in! The city of Syracuse and the entire area are not just very beautiful but they also enjoy wonderful temperatures over the winter season. Av. As well as cold and damp weather, youll also find that many beach resorts close down completely during October and become ghost towns throughout the winter. My personal recommendation to you, however, would be to do the Bosphorus night cruise. The most famous one is the Roman Amphitheater; but you should also visit the Necropolis of Tuvixeddu and walk by Villa Tigellio. It is very interesting that more than 300,000 Brits live permanently in the country, especially along the coast of Andalusia, which is considered the hottest part of the mainland. Monaco is bathed in warm winter Mediterranean sunshine and has plenty of places to visit including the Casino Monte Carlo, Muse Ocanographique de Monaco and the Prince's Palace. Lanzarote has a favourable microclimate and more than 2500 hours of sunshine a year, a record in Europe. At this time of year you can easily find places that are still warm, even on the mainland. Although the island attracts mostly adventurous young people, it is also a tempting place for people of all ages who want to spend time outside and along the coast. The historical centre of old Nice is a wonderful place to get lost, especially in late autumn and winter when the crowds are gone and it feels a little more off the beaten path. 1. At the same time, the weather from November to March is perfect for long walks along the coast. The city of Paphos itself is a perfect place to visit in the wintertime as the daily high rarely dips below 16 degrees in January, the coldest month. } Want to come and visit? The average daytime temperatures are as follows: Average winter (November-March) daytime temperature: 22C / 71.6F. What is a Mediterranean Climate? - WorldAtlas Our travel guide has been compiled with the help of travel bloggers who have visited these destinations, and they share their top tips for your best holiday, with all the climate information you need to decide where to go for your winter sun holiday in Europe. But we have to let you know that there are only a handful of places that are truly hot in January in Europe on a short-haul flight. It is a small but very busy tourist city on the Red Sea coast of Israel, in the southernmost part of the country. The 10 Warmest Destinations for Winter Sun in Europe Winters are milder than Northern Europe (with the mountain ranges forming a cutoff point) - sometimes crisp and sunny but sometimes damp, windy and rainy. Some of the top sights are the old town of Rhodes City, a UNESCO Heritage Site and the Acropolis in the cute village of Lindos. Lisbon enjoys a year-round Mediterranean climate, with more than 290 days of sunshine per year. More specifically, the north of Sicily offers a lot to travellers wishing to escape the bleak, cold winters back home, and one town in particular stands out for us. Escape to the Mediterranean for warm (and cheap) winter vacations Palermo13-2155-70Warm with big downpours In contrast to many other winter sun destinations, Madeira is an island-garden. The temperatures across the islands are stable and fluctuate in a very limited range of between 16 and 25C (60.8 77F) over the year. There are lots of fun things to do in Positano from dining in amazing restaurants to strolling the narrow streets for some serious shopping. Even easier is to arrange private transport and leave the driving to the professionals. Jerez has a lot of great attractions, though. Spain is a classic destination for a sunny city break in winter as flights to the mainland continue throughout the year, and theres any number of beautiful historic cities to choose from. Getting to Crete in winter requires a bit more legwork than the rest of the year. The beach season is very long and although the water is still cool, March is considered the beginning of the beach season. When you click on an affiliate link in a page or post, at no cost to you, we earn fees by advertising and linking to our affiliate partners. listeners: [], The popular coastal tourist city Hammamet attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every summer but it is also a very interesting place to visit during the winter months. Chania, the main city in western Crete, is open year-round, and makes an ideal base for exploring the island. Stunning Warm Places in Europe in Winter - Travel Melodies However, if you prefer a more serene place to take a dip in and relax, then you should head to Caldeira Velha. If you are travelling to Barcelona during the Christmas season, you should definitely visit one of the citys Christmas markets. Kotor, Montenegro. According to an update issued by Noaa on Wednesday, the world had its third warmest May in a 174-year temperature record last month, with North America and South America both having their hottest . The water in November is still 23C (73.4F), while the air temperature at noon is normally over 20C (68F), except on rainy and cloudy days. All in all, I can say that a winter vacation to Europe is incomplete without exploring Istanbul. 1. Book your accommodation early and find out what will be open near you since restaurants might be closed in the off season. If youre looking for the warmest place in Europe in January (or December or February even!) Walking its centuries old cobbled streets and narrow lanes you will be treated to some of Italys most fabulous and well preserved buildings. You can actually walk on on the island bridge that divides the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean and notice how the color changes from one side to another. Imagine sipping warm rakomelo (a raki and honey drink), enjoying the low winter sun, the smell of wood fires in the air and a cosy atmosphere in cafes and tavernas (although beware the cigarette smoke). Average winter (November-March) daytime temperature: 15.2C / 59.4F. There are over 60 schools which can teach you how to tackle waves on a board, and have fun doing acrobatic tricks in the air. If you manage to hit one of Lisbons non-sunny winter days, there are also some cool museums to visit like the National Azulejo Museum, the Mosteiro dos Jernimos (Jernimos Monastery) in Belem to explore, and the Time Out Market to eat your way through. The warmest place in Europe in January is the Canary Islands. One of the best things to do during winter is walk to the nearby Es Cana along the coastal path where youll see stunning views and plenty of other beaches. The southern regions and most of its islands rank among the warmest places in Europe in winter, with the Canary Islands taking first place. Even if it is a little rainy, the weather is extremely mild and pleasant for long walks. The 15 Best Warmest Places In Europe You Can Visit This Winter Fears of hottest year on record as global temperatures spike
