Top Winter Sun Destinations 2026

In some places of the world, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, winter involves cold temperatures, long days with little sunlight and often rain or even snow. Some people like to escape these colder months, travelling to winter sun destinations to soak up the sun and enjoy warmer climates around the world.

Flights to winter sun destinations can vary in price, depending on where and when you go. Sometimes it is best to coincide with off-seasons or shoulder seasons to keep the price low, such as avoiding the autumn school break, Christmas break and Thanksgiving.

Some destinations are more luxurious and therefore more expensive, but you can use our best-fare finder to find the best time to fly within the winter months (or other selected period) to get the best deal on your flights.

Cyprus

• Best time to visit: November, March
• Average winter temperature: 22°C
• Why: Cyprus stays warm through winter due to its spot in the eastern Mediterranean. Temperatures stay mild, and the island is a short and often low-cost flight from many European cities. You’ll find sunny beaches on warmer days and plenty to see when it cools down.
• Fly to Cyprus with British Airways, easyJet, TUI, Wizz Air, or Aegean Airlines. You can reach Larnaca or Paphos, which are the main airports on the island.

The Canary Islands

• Best time to visit: Year-round
• Average winter temperature: 20-22°C
• Why: The Canary Islands stay warm in winter thanks to their location off the northwest coast of Africa. Days stay mild, and the islands are an easy and often low-cost flight from many European cities. You’ll get plenty of sunshine, long beaches and steady weather that keeps the winter chill away.
• Fly to the Canary Islands with British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI or Vueling. You can reach Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote or Fuerteventura, which are the main airports across the islands.

Costa Rica

• Best time to visit: December, February
• Average winter temperature: 27°C
• Why: Costa Rica stays warm through winter, with long sunny days and steady tropical heat. It’s a great pick for beaches, nature spots and quick access to outdoor activities. You’ll find plenty to do on cooler evenings, from local food spots to wildlife tours.
• Fly to Costa Rica with American Airlines, Delta, United, JetBlue or Alaska Airlines. Most travellers land at San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR), the two main airports in the country.

The Bahamas

• Best time to visit: December, January, February
• Average winter temperature: 22-28°C
• Why: Warm days, clear water, and quick flights from the USA make the Bahamas a great winter escape. You get steady sunshine, soft beaches and plenty to do when you want a break from the cold at home.
• Fly to the Bahamas with American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest or Bahamasair. Most travellers arrive at Nassau (LPIA), with flights also available to Freeport and several smaller islands.

Australia (Broome)

• Best time to visit: June, July, August
• Average winter temperature: 25°C
• Why: Broome stays warm in winter thanks to its dry season. Days are clear, calm and great for time outdoors. You can enjoy its long beaches, watch the famous sunset and explore the town at a steady pace without the peak-season crowds.
• Fly to Broome with Qantas or Virgin Australia. Most travellers connect through Perth, which offers frequent flights to Broome Airport. Be sure to check out our guide to domestic flights in Australia.

Barbados

• Best time to visit: June, July, August
• Average temperature: 28-31°C
• Why: Barbados stays hot through winter thanks to its Caribbean climate. You get warm seas, sunny days and a calm pace that suits both short breaks and longer stays. There’s plenty to explore when you want time away from the beach, from local food spots to small towns and coastal walks.
• Fly to Barbados with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, JetBlue, American Airlines or Caribbean Airlines. You’ll land at Grantley Adams International Airport.

South Africa

• Best time to visit: May, June
• Average winter temperature:19°C
• Why: South Africa gives you warm weather, long days and plenty of outdoor time. Prices stay steady in many cities, and you can plan both beach days and wildlife trips with ease. It’s a great pick if you want heat without peak-season pressure.
• Fly to South Africa with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Qatar Airways or KLM. Most travellers land at Johannesburg or Cape Town, the main airports for long-haul flights.

Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)

• Best time to visit: June, July, August
• Average winter temperature: 24°C
• Why: Rio stays warm through the southern summer, with long sunny days and busy beaches. It’s a great pick if you want heat, colour and plenty of outdoor spots to explore. The city is also easy to reach from major hubs, which helps keep flight options wide.
• Fly to Rio with LATAM, American Airlines, Delta, or United. You’ll land at Galeão International Airport (GIG), the main airport for the city.