Winter Sun Destinations for the Northern Hemisphere
Take a look at the destinations below which are popular winter sun hotspots for travellers in the northern hemisphere during the months of November, December, January and February!
Top Winter Sun Destinations to Beat the Cold
Where from?
Where to?
Dates
Passengers & Class
Where can I get some winter sun?
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.
Morocco 🇲🇦
Best time to visit: October, February
Average winter temperature: 18–22°C
Why: Morocco stays warm through winter, especially in coastal spots like Agadir and Essaouira. Days are sunny, nights are cooler and prices stay low outside peak season. You can explore markets, beaches and mountain views without the summer heat.
Fly to Morocco with Royal Air Maroc, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI or British Airways. You can land in Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir or Tangier.
Mexico 🇲🇽
Best time to visit: December, January, February
Average winter temperature: 23–28°C
Why: Mexico offers warm weather throughout winter, with plenty of sun across its coast and major cities. It’s a popular long-haul pick for travellers who want heat without high seasonal prices. You’ll find beaches, food spots and lively towns, plus cooler inland areas when you want a break from the heat.
Fly to Mexico with American Airlines, Delta, United, Aeroméxico, JetBlue or Southwest. Most travellers head to Cancún, Mexico City, Los Cabos or Puerto Vallarta.
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.
Thailand 🇹🇭
Best time to visit: November to March
Average winter temperature: 31°C
Why: Thailand stays warm through the winter and offers steady sunshine across much of the country. Temperatures sit at a comfortable level, and you can pick from beach spots, city breaks or quieter islands. It’s a long flight for many travellers, but prices stay fair when you book early.
Fly to Thailand with Thai Airways, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines. You can reach Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mai, which are the main airports for most trips.
Dubai 🇦🇪
Best time to visit: November to March
Average winter temperature: 26°C
Why: Dubai stays warm through winter and gives you steady sunshine. Temperatures are comfortable, and the city is easy to reach with plenty of direct flights. You get beach days, great food spots and lots to do when you want a break from the heat.
Fly to Dubai with Emirates, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways or Etihad Airways. You’ll land at Dubai International Airport.
Winter Sun Destinations for the Southern Hemisphere
Below are popular destinations for travellers from the southern hemisphere seeking winter sun during the months of June, July and August!
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.
Hawaii
Best time to visit: June, July, August
Average temperature: 24-31°C
Why: Hawaii stays warm through winter, with steady sunshine and calm conditions. It’s a great pick for beach days, water activities and relaxed island travel. You’ll also find plenty to explore when you want a break from the heat, from scenic drives to local food spots.
Fly to Hawaii with Hawaiian Airlines, Delta, United, American Airlines or Alaska Airlines. You can fly into Honolulu (Oahu), Maui, Kauai or Kona.
Greece
Best time to visit: June, July
Average temperature: 27°C
Why: Greece stays mild in winter, with clear days and cooler evenings that work well for exploring. Many routes stay low cost outside peak season, and the shorter flight times make it an easy break for travellers across Europe. You can enjoy coastal walks on warmer days and visit historic sites when it cools down.
Fly to Greece with Aegean Airlines, British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair or Wizz Air. You can land in Athens, Thessaloniki, or on islands that keep winter routes open.
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.
Trusted globally
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines
Ready to book your winter sun flights?
Search and book flights to these winter sun destinations today at Alternative Airlines. We ticket 600+ airlines and have 40+ways for you to pay for flights with ANY of these airlines. Start booking your flights for some winter sun today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I fly to get some winter sun?
Depending on where you are located in the world, depends on where you may consider flying to for some winter sun. If you are located in the Northern Hemisphere, the best places to fly to for some winter sun include:
- Cyprus
- The Canary Islands
- Morocco
- Mexico
For the Southern Hemisphere, winter sun destinations include:
- Barbados
- Hawaii
- Greece
- South Africa
Where are the hottest destinations in the winter?
There are some very hot destinations in the winter, these include places like the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Aruba and the Canary Islands.
Where is there guaranteed sunshine in the winter?
Nowhere is 100% guaranteed sunshine; however, there are some destinations where the sun is quite often shining in the winter. These are places such as Cyprus, the Canary Islands, Dubai and Egypt.
Where are the best warm Christmas destinations?
If you're looking to spend Christmas in a warm destination for a bit of winter sun, consider places like Australia and South Africa, or alternatively, Dubai or the Caribbean.