Europe’s ‘sunniest winter destination’ is less than 5 hours from UK | Europe

Winter has well and truly arrived with parts of the UK being hit with snow – but if you’re someone who dreads seeing those frosty mornings, then the good news is that you don’t need to jetset to the other side of the world for warmer climates.

While of course the likes of Caribbean islands will offer near-guaranteed hot weather, if you’re just after somewhere where you don’t need to layer up every time you step outside, then there’s one European destination that needs to be on your radar.

Tenerife has been named Europe’s sunniest winter destination, boasting over 850 hours of winter sunshine. The Canary Islands are already firm favourites with sun seekers thanks to their year-round balmy temperatures, but Tenerife stands out with weather at around 20-21C across January and February.

Sure, it’s not warm enough to swim in the sea, but it is warm enough for enjoying a walk along the beach – and Tenerife has plenty of beautiful beaches to enjoy.

The likes of Playa de las Vistas and Playa de las Teresitas are often crowded during the summer, but come winter they’re relatively quiet, so you can enjoy the views or stroll along the soft sands. For something a little different, Playa Jardin with its black volcanic sands can make for a striking photo backdrop too!

Another perk is that while it will be warm enough to explore, it won’t be so hot that you might struggle, or need to wake up early if you’re eyeing up a hike. The balmy weather is ideal for exploring the likes of Teide National Park or the island’s beautiful botanic gardens. For wildlife fans, winter can also offer up some of the best opportunities for whale watching, as the majestic marine creatures make their appearances between November through to May.

Plenty of hotels and restaurants are still open even though it’s low season, so you won’t get the party crowds of the summer, but the whole resort won’t be completely quiet either. However, it’s worth noting that the bigger clubs and bars often remain closed for the season, so if you’re heading to Tenerife in the winter, the vibe is more laidback compared to the school holidays.

It’s therefore no surprise that Tenerife was recently named Europe’s best destination for sunshine, in a study from the travel pros at Luxury France Tours. The largest of the Canaries took the top spot with over 800 hours of sunshine which according to researchers, « [make] it the brightest winter escape in Europe ».

If you’re after sunshine, Spain in general is worth having on your radar; in fact, 8 out of the top 10 destinations were in Spain. You can check out the full list below for an extra dose of inspiration.

If it’s sunny weather you’re after throughout the year then don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our round-up of where is hot every month of the year.

Europe’s sunniest destinations