Where Is It Warm in Winter? Our 22 Favorite Destinations

Where Is It Warm in Winter? Destinations at a Glance

To give you a quick overview of the best warm winter destinations, we’ve put together a table with high temperatures and flight times. That way you can pick your ideal temperature and start planning your trip right away.

Further down, we’ll describe each destination in a bit more detail.

Warm Winter Destinations on a Map

We’ve also marked all 22 destinations on a map for you. So you can see at a glance where you’ll be headed.

Warm Winter Destinations Without a Long Journey

Want to spontaneously escape somewhere warm this winter? Then your best bet is a destination where you don’t have to travel far. Here are our seven favorite warm winter destinations that are totally reachable without a marathon flight.

Canary Islands

Flight time: from 4.5 hours

High temperature in winter: 68 – 70°F (20 – 21°C)

The Canary Islands are our personal top pick if you’re looking for one of the best warm winter destinations to escape the cold. Jenny and Basti have been wintering here for years — they even moved to Fuerteventura for the warm weather.

The archipelago has seven main islands. The most well-known are Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote.

They’re all completely different from one another. Fuerteventura looks like a Mars landscape with its reddish hills. Gran Canaria, on the other hand, is lush and green with high mountains. There’s genuinely something for every type of traveler in the Canaries.

Andalusia

Flight time: from 3 hours

High temperature in winter: 63 – 66°F (17 – 19°C)

Andalusia is the southern part of Spain and roughly the same size as Portugal. In this region you’ll find ancient cities, small white villages, dream beaches, high mountain peaks, impressive architecture, and even a small desert.

The most famous sights in Andalusia are the Alhambra and the Real Alcázar, two enormous ancient palaces. But the cities of Andalusia are absolutely worth a stop too.

And setting aside the big highlights: Spanish tapas, flamenco, and sunshine. Who could say no to that? We certainly couldn’t, hehe.

Malta

Flight time: from 2.5 hours

High temperature in winter: 59 – 61°F (15 – 16°C)

A little cooler, but still pleasantly warm compared to a typical northern European winter, is Malta.

This small island is absolutely beautiful. It has ancient cities like Valletta, charming fishing villages, crystal-clear water, grottos, and lovely sandy beaches. We also really recommend a boat tour — you’ll visit the most beautiful lagoons the island has to offer.

And the great thing about this little island: you only need one base hotel in Malta. From there, you can explore the entire island — it’s only about as big as Munich.

Algarve

Flight time: from 3 hours

High temperature in winter: 59 – 61°F (15 – 16°C)

The Algarve in southern Portugal is like its own little world.

The reddish cliffs, the small green shrubs, the turquoise water, and the golden sand create such beautiful contrasts. Honestly, we could just pull out our camera constantly.

Add in the small coastal towns and the stunning beaches, and you’ve got a seriously appealing warm winter destination.

The sea is unfortunately too cold for swimming in winter. But you can still lie on the beach and enjoy the view of the ocean. To be fair, even swimming in summer isn’t exactly warm here — the Atlantic is just cold.

Madeira

Flight time: from 4 hours

High temperature in winter: 66 – 68°F (19 – 20°C)

Madeira is simply wow. The island’s green mountain landscape is absolutely stunning. But that’s just the beginning.

You’ve got breathtaking sea cliffs, black sand beaches, and flowers blooming even in winter. The island is truly a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with an incredible network of hiking trails. Even better, you can enjoy a warm hiking vacation here in winter too.

It does rain more in winter than in summer — keep that in mind when planning your days out. But even in the cooler months, Madeira typically only sees up to nine rainy days per month.

Morocco

Flight time: from 3.5 hours

High temperature in winter: 64 – 66°F (18 – 19°C)

Morocco is another wonderfully warm place to visit in winter. In fact, winter is even more pleasant here than summer — inland and in the desert, temperatures can easily exceed 104°F (40°C) in the summer months.

Morocco is incredibly diverse. You have the Atlantic coast with beaches and coastal cities like Essaouira, lively markets, the Atlas Mountains, and real sand deserts. In winter, though, pack something warm for nights in the desert — temperatures drop significantly after dark.

We really recommend a road trip through Morocco so you can see as much as possible.

United Arab Emirates

Flight time: from 6 hours

High temperature in winter: 77 – 79°F (25 – 26°C)

The United Arab Emirates are a fantastic winter sun destination: reachable in well under ten hours and wonderfully warm.

While everyone back home is bundled up in scarves, you’re lounging by the sea at 77°F (25°C). Or you can explore one of the impressive cities.

In Dubai, for example, you’ll find the Burj Khalifa and the artificial Palm Islands. And in Abu Dhabi, the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque awaits.

A desert excursion is also a must. Out there you can go sandboarding, camel riding, or watch the sunset over the dunes.

Chasing the Sun in Winter: The Best Long-Haul Destinations

Warm winter destinations don’t have to be close to home. If you’re up for a longer journey, you can score an even better summer-in-winter experience — with average temperatures of 77°F to 86°F (25 – 30°C).

South Africa

Flight time: from 11 hours

High temperature in winter: 81 – 84°F (27 – 29°C)

When it’s winter in the northern hemisphere, it’s full summer in South Africa. So what are you waiting for?

Cape Town is of course a must on your trip. The city is colorful, multicultural, and has that quintessential South African energy. From Table Mountain, you get a stunning panorama of the city below.

Beyond that, there’s so much more to discover: the Garden Route along the coast, Kruger National Park with the Big Five, and the vast Winelands.

Mauritius

Flight time: from 11.5 hours

High temperature in winter: 84 – 86°F (29 – 30°C)

Imagine lounging under a palm tree in the sun, gazing out at the turquoise sea — that’s your winter in Mauritius. We’d swap a cold winter for this every single time.

The sea is wonderfully warm for swimming and has some great snorkeling spots too.

And if you ever need a break from all that relaxing, we recommend an excursion to the impressive Chamarel Waterfall or to Crystal Rock, which you can see in our photo above.

California

Flight time: from 11 hours

High temperature in winter: 63 – 64°F (17 – 18°C)

California is absolutely bursting with iconic highlights. You’ve got Hollywood and L.A., Highway 1 with its incredible coastal views, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and breathtaking national parks.

This state absolutely belongs on your bucket list. And why not visit in winter, when you get comfortable temperatures for hiking and sightseeing?

The cool thing about California: it’s incredibly diverse. You can surf one day and ski in the Sierra Nevada the next. At least if you miss the cold for a moment, hehe.

Mexico

Flight time: from 12 hours

High temperature in winter: 81 – 82°F (27 – 28°C)

The best time to visit Mexico is November through April. That’s when you get warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Perfect, right?

But it’s not just the weather that’s unbeatable. Mexico has an endless amount of must-sees to offer. The country has the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá, desert landscapes, Caribbean beaches, cenotes, indigenous cultures, sea turtles, and colorful houses. The country is massive — there’s so much to discover.

And what we love most of all: Mexican cuisine. Just thinking about tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas is enough to make our mouths water.

Costa Rica

Flight time: from 12.5 hours

High temperature in winter: 72 – 90°F (22 – 32°C)

Costa Rica is pure nature and will warm you right up with its tropical temperatures.

The country is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts: explore the rainforest in Costa Rica’s national parks, watch sloths, hike to a volcano, go surfing, discover waterfalls, or chill in laid-back villages along the Caribbean coast.

Whatever you do, you’ll feel the country’s motto everywhere — in the friendliness of the people, the unspoiled nature, and the relaxed pace of life. Pura Vida, after all.

Brazil

Flight time: from 11.5 hours

High temperature in winter: 86 – 88°F (30 – 31°C)

Brazilians have such an infectious zest for life. Whether you’re dancing samba, sipping caipirinhas, or playing soccer on the beach, you’ll forget all about your winter blues.

And if that’s not enough joie de vivre for you, we have more good news. In February, Brazil hosts the famous Carnival. That’s when this already colorful country cranks things up another notch.

Beyond the lively spirit of its people, Brazil itself is stunningly beautiful. You’ll find the iconic Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro and its Christ statue, the Amazon, and the gigantic Iguaçu Falls.

Cuba

Flight time: from 14 hours (with a layover)

High temperature in winter: 81°F (27°C)

Cuba is like a little trip back in time. You stroll through colonial cities while American vintage cars cruise past you.

The country is best known for its rum, cigars, and salsa. And of course for its dream beaches like Varadero or Cayo Coco — pure Caribbean vibes. Turquoise water and white sandy beaches lined with palm trees, naturally included.

Cities like Havana, Trinidad, and Santa Clara are absolute must-sees. And natural highlights like the lush Viñales Valley or Topes de Collantes National Park are not to be missed either.

Sri Lanka

Flight time: from 10 hours

High temperature in winter: 79 – 86°F (26 – 30°C)

Sri Lanka is one of the best warm winter destinations out there. The country has great swimming temperatures right through the winter months.

But don’t spend all your time on the beach — make sure you explore the island too. Sri Lanka has lush tea plantations, mystical temples, ancient royal cities, towering rocks with incredible views, amazing train routes, and national parks with leopards, elephants, and crocodiles.

Elephants can even wander across the road right in front of you. Pretty cool, right?

You can explore the island wonderfully by tuk-tuk. Seriously! Our Joelle has done it and loved every minute.

Thailand

Flight time: from 10.5 hours

High temperature in winter: 86 – 91°F (30 – 33°C)

Thailand. The Land of Smiles. Thai people are so hospitable — and it’ll put a smile on your face the moment you trade winter for the Thai sunshine.

In southern Thailand, you’ll find the long dream beaches the country is famous for, as well as national parks like Khao Sok — a park with a massive lake dotted with limestone karsts.

Bangkok is a complete contrast. You’re right in the middle of a buzzing city, eating incredible street food and browsing markets.

And we definitely can’t forget the many ancient temples. They’re always worth a visit — especially in the mountainous north.

Vietnam

Flight time: from 11 hours

High temperature in winter: 68 – 90°F (20 – 32°C)

Vietnam isn’t quite as touristy as some of our other picks — perfect for a somewhat quieter escape into the warmth.

What blew us away most in Vietnam was the nature. The limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, the mountain landscape with its green rice terraces near Sapa and Ha Giang, and the Mekong Delta.

But the cities are great too. In most of them, you get a colorful mix of Southeast Asian flair and colonial architecture. Vietnam is even home to the city with the most beautiful historic center in Southeast Asia: Hội An.

And it’s not just you who will love Vietnam — your wallet will too. The country is incredibly affordable. Even by Southeast Asian standards. The long-haul flight does add to the cost, of course.

Indonesia

Flight time: from 15 hours (with a layover)

High temperature in winter: 88°F (31°C)

Indonesia is the country with the most islands in Asia — and that makes it incredibly varied.

Green rice terraces give way to jungle, beautiful beaches alternate with dramatic sea cliffs, and massive waterfalls sit alongside volcanoes.

Bali is the most famous island in Indonesia. It has some of the best surf spots in the world and so many natural highlights that you wonder how they all fit on one small island. But don’t overlook islands like Lombok and Java either — they’re quieter and still packed with incredible things to see.

In winter, Indonesia is in its rainy season. As a rule, it rains about one to two hours every other day. If that doesn’t bother you, you should absolutely visit Indonesia in winter — especially on Bali, there are far fewer tourists than during peak season. And you’ll still get plenty of sunshine.

Philippines

Flight time: from 15 hours (with a layover)

High temperature in winter: 82 – 84°F (28 – 29°C)

The Philippines are so incredibly beautiful — that’s exactly why they had to make our list of the best warm winter destinations.

You can explore thousands of islands here. No one could get through all of them without staying for years. But luckily, you’ve got us. Our favorite islands: Apo Island with its incredible underwater world, Siquijor with the most beautiful beaches, and Bohol with the Chocolate Hills.

But the other islands have plenty of great sights too. For example, green rice terraces on Luzon and the Bacuit Archipelago with its breathtakingly beautiful postcard scenery.

Malaysia

Flight time: from 15 hours (with a layover)

High temperature in winter: 84 – 88°F (29 – 31°C)

Malaysia is incredibly diverse. You get a wide mix of cultures, cities with influences from the Netherlands, China, Portugal, and Great Britain, and stunning natural highlights.

In the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, you’ll experience the buzz of city life. For beach lovers, islands like Langkawi or the Perhentian Islands are a real standout — turquoise water, soft sand, and perfect spots for snorkeling or diving.

Inland, you’ll also find tropical rainforest and the Cameron Highlands with vast tea plantations.

Australia

Flight time: from 19.5 hours (with a layover)

High temperature in winter: 75 – 86°F (24 – 30°C)

Australia is so enormous that you could spend the entire winter there and still see something new every single day.

The Twelve Apostles, the Ningaloo Reef, the Outback, Rottnest Island with its smiling quokkas, and the Great Ocean Road. We just can’t stop raving about Australia. And we haven’t even gotten to the amazing cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth yet.

Then of course there are all the animals. We already mentioned the adorable quokkas — but that’s just the start. You’ll spot koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, and even penguins. There are venomous animals too, of course, but encounters with them are very rare.

New Zealand

Flight time: from 23.5 hours (with a layover)

High temperature in winter: 66 – 75°F (19 – 24°C)

Australia’s smaller neighbor is of course also a fantastic option for a warm winter escape. And what an option it is.

The temperatures are perfect for exploring the incredible nature. In Fiordland National Park and Tongariro, you can go on amazing hikes and boat rides. Swimming isn’t neglected in New Zealand either — just pick one of the many dream beaches and soak up the sun.

Beyond all the nature, there are also some truly beautiful cities and towns in New Zealand. Be sure to put Auckland, Wellington, and Queenstown on your list.