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Warm european destinations in january: 14 Best Places to Go in Europe in February 2021

Опубликовано: May 24, 2022 в 11:12 am

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Категории: January

The Best Winter Sun Destinations in Europe to Escape the Cold

Looking to escape the cold and start 2021 with a delightful winter sun holiday in a warm destination? With fewer crowds, discounted accommodation rates, and blue-sky days perfect for exploring and watching the world go by from outdoor terraces, the coasts and islands along the Mediterranean Sea are your best bet.

Whether you’re into lush hiking trails, relaxing beach walks, or a rare taste of authentic local culture, we’ve found the best winter sun destinations in Europe to get your fix. From Cyprus to Spain, these balmy, palm-filled getaways are sure to melt away the winter blues and get you rolling into spring, without breaking the bank.

Sicily, Italy

Winter in Sicily means fewer crowds, bright blue skies, and almond trees in full bloom. It also means you’ll have the island’s stunning Baroque towns and extraordinary archaeological sites all to yourself and that you’ll be able to ski on Mount Etna, indulge in delicious cuisine, and enjoy beautiful Taormina at its most relaxed.

The coast enjoys a balmy Mediterranean climate and the sea urchins (ricci di mare) season is in full swing, allowing you to try this distinctive delicacy in numerous local restaurants.

Malta

Home to 9 UNESCO Heritage World Heritage Sites, Malta is an ideal destination for a winter sun escape with a cultural twist. During winter, it hardly rains and temperatures rarely drop below 15 °C, making it very pleasant to be outside all day long strolling the sunny streets of Valletta or exploring the untouched countryside. An alluring mix of natural harbors, pretty fishing villages, rocky coves, and towering cliffs, Malta’s lovely coastline is a delight to discover no matter the season.

On top of that, your days will be crowned by magical sunsets above the Mediterranean Sea, and, if you visit the island during the holidays, you’ll find the streets come alive with all sorts of colorful cribs and Christmas markets.

Madeira, Portugal

At 1,000 miles from mainland Portugal, Madeira is one of Europe’s most remote and exotic islands. And although there is always a risk of some rain in winter, its lush green landscapes, vibrant tropical gardens, and dramatic coast are reason enough to visit at any time of the year. The sun is shining about 6 hours a day, but at temperatures of 18 – 20°C, the weather is perfect for golf, walking, and sightseeing.

Funchal, the island’s picturesque capital, has a lot to offer its visitors, from beautiful colonial architecture to a thriving nightlife. Also, Madeira’s green, mountainous countryside is home to unique levadas, magnificent scenery, and well-marked hiking trails that make it easy to explore all year round.

Marbella, Spain

If your dream winter vacation involves soaking up the sun on empty beaches, strolling in tranquil surroundings, and lounging at open-air terraces in the shade of fragrant orange trees, then you won’t find a better destination than Marbella.

Blessed with an extraordinary microclimate, this storied Costa del Sol town is the ideal destination for a relaxing beachside escape enveloped in Andalusian charm, lush greenery, and endless outdoor activities. Winter is high golf season in Marbella, and spread around the coast are lots of world-class courses for every level and budget. Alternatively, hiking and walking opportunities abound in the area – whether along the palm-lined beach promenade, through the twisting flower-filled alleys of the Old Town, or in the nearby hills, where trekkers are rewarded with spectacular views across Africa.

With more than 5 hours of sunshine and an average temperature of almost 20ºC during the day, alfresco lunches are a favorite tradition during winter, and so are activities like horseback riding, exploring the delightful pueblos blancos that dot the nearby countryside, or hunting for sales at the dazzling shopping boutiques in Puerto Banús.

Cyprus

With balmy winter temperatures hovering around 20°C, Cyprus is an excellent choice for a sunny break filled with culture, history, and mouthwatering food.

Located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, this fascinating island country has everything from wonderful beaches and spectacular nature parks to fabulous archaeological sites. The country’s capital, Nicosia (Lefkosia in Greek) has some of the best museums and restaurants; Paphos abounds in beaches and archeological treasures; and Limassol is famous for its lively nightlife.

Canary Islands, Spain

Low travel costs and pleasantly warm year-round weather make Spain’s Canary Islands one of Europe’s best winter sun destinations. Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote – they’re all brimming with culture, beautiful beaches, and lots of things to do.

If you’re looking for a tranquil getaway, coupled with unspoiled landscapes and unique traditions, you might want to consider the archipelago’s lesser-known islands of El Hierro and La Gomera.

There’s no better time to take a trip than today, so why not take advantage of the low travel cost and exciting holiday packages on the market and go get your dose of Vitamin D while seeing some of Europe’s best-kept historical and cultural treasures awash in warm temperatures and glorious sunshine.

January Temperature Averages in European Cities

Average temperatures for January at major cities throughout Europe are listed below in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit.

The cities range from Amsterdam to Zurich and from Reykjavík to İstanbul. They are listed alphabetically and you can jump ahead to the section for Amsterdam to Kiev, Leeds to Pristina and Reykjavík to Zurich.

Included in this list are Europe’s national capitals plus cities with a metropolitan population of over one million people.

The tables give the normal maximum and minimum monthly temperatures based on historical weather data collected over a long period, in most cases 30 years.

Average January temperatures
High °F Low °F City High °C Low °C
42 33 Amsterdam, Netherlands 6 1
51 33 Andorra la Vella, Andorra 10 0
56 45 Athens, Greece 14 7
56 40 Barcelona, Spain 13 4
40 30 Belgrade, Serbia 5 -1
37 29 Berlin, Germany 3 -2
44 35 Birmingham, United Kingdom 7 2
36 26 Bratislava, Slovakia 2 -4
42 33 Brussels, Belgium 6 1
35 22 Bucharest, Romania 2 -6
36 27 Budapest, Hungary 2 -3
32 21 Chisinau, Moldova 0 -6
41 31 Cologne, Germany 5 -1
37 29 Copenhagen, Denmark 3 -2
47 36 Dublin, Ireland 8 2
43 34 Glasgow, United Kingdom 6 1
38 29 Hamburg, Germany 4 -1
28 17 Helsinki, Finland -2 -8
49 39 İstanbul, Turkey 9 4
15 2 Kazan, Russia -9 -16
27 17 Kiev, Ukraine -3 -8
Average daily temperatures in January
High °F Low °F City High °C Low °C
42 33 Leeds, United Kingdom 6 1
43 34 Lille, France 6 1
58 47 Lisbon, Portugal 15 8
37 27 Ljubljana, Slovenia 3 -3
47 38 London, United Kingdom 8 3
36 28 Luxembourg, Luxembourg 2 -2
44 33 Lyon, France 6 0
49 37 Madrid, Spain 10 3
45 35 Manchester, United Kingdom 7 2
53 37 Marseille, France 11 3
43 30 Milan, Italy 6 -1
24 14 Minsk, Belarus -4 -10
56 42 Monaco, Monaco 13 5
21 10 Moscow, Russia -6 -12
37 25 Munich, Germany 3 -4
55 40 Naples, Italy 13 4
56 42 Nice, France 13 5
17 6 Nizhny & Novgorod, Russia -8 -15
29 20 Oslo, Norway -2 -7
45 37 Paris, France 7 3
49 35 Podgorica, Montenegro 10 1
33 22 Prague, Czech Republic 0 -5
36 23 Pristina, Kosovo 2 -5
January temperatures: daily averages
High °F Low °F City High °C Low °C
35 27 Reykjavík, Iceland 2 -3
28 19 Riga, Latvia -2 -8
55 36 Rome, Italy 13 2
30 19 Rostov-on-Don, Russia -1 -7
43 33 Rotterdam, Netherlands 6 1
23 13 Saint Petersburg, Russia -5 -11
16 4 Samara, Russia -9 -16
46 33 San Marino, San Marino 8 0
37 24 Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina 3 -4
40 27 Skopje, Macedonia 5 -3
36 23 Sofia, Bulgaria 2 -5
31 23 Stockholm, Sweden -1 -5
29 20 Tallinn, Estonia -1 -7
54 36 Tirana, Albania 12 2
44 28 Turin, Italy 7 -3
13 -3 Ufa, Russia -10 -20
40 27 Vaduz, Liechtenstein 4 -3
59 49 Valletta, Malta 15 9
38 29 Vienna, Austria 3 -2
26 16 Vilnius, Lithuania -4 -9
24 13 Volgograd, Russia -5 -11
31 21 Warsaw, Poland -1 -6
39 27 Zagreb, Croatia 4 -3
38 26 Zurich, Switzerland 3 -3

Find summer sun with these hot European destinations in January

05 January 21

Luxury holiday destinations,

Ibiza holidays,

luxury portugal holidays

January is the month to break up the long winter with a dose of winter sun and warmer weather. These destinations will treat you to an escape from the indoors.

By January, the novelty of spending colder days snuggled by the fire with the heating full blast, wrapped in blankets with your thickest socks on has worn off. The winter months have a tendency to overstay their welcome. What begins as a guilt-free excuse to stay indoors and do nothing becomes an exhausting yearning for some sun. 

January is a great time of the year to seek some winter sun. After the rush of the festive season, it can leave you feeling rather deflated, like the only thing to look forward to is gradually lengthening days and warmer temperatures. Instead of increasing your burden by setting (unfailingly ambitious) New Year’s resolutions to exercise more and drink less, why not instead look to make January an enjoyable time?

Finding a hot destination for your luxury holidays in Europe during the winter can prove quite challenging. However, looking for a destination that is relatively hot in January compared to the UK’s winter is a far simpler task: there are some magical and warm European countries in January awaiting exploration. Think brighter and warmer days, more hours of sunlight, and an entirely new area in which to enjoy these small delights. The south of Europe in winter is a positively magnificent change of scenery from the now-dreary days of being cooped up inside hibernating in front of the Strictly Come Dancing archives. 

These luxury holiday destinations will satiate your sun-seeking zeal. Explore Le Collectionist for other wonderfully warm destinations outside of Europe, such as Morocco and the Caribbean. 

Ibiza

Ibiza is known for its summer scene of lazy days on bright beaches and bopping along to tropical beats in illustrious night and beach clubs. But it is also known for being immensely busy in the summer months, and, besides, Ibiza holidays are capable of being far more than such repetitive pursuits. In winter, the pace of life is much slower, but the weather remains more pleasant than on other parts of continental Europe.

January is a great time to explore more of the island: its cooler temperatures mean that its varying and lush interior is more accessible than it would be in the summer’s scourging heat. The beaches, every bit as beautiful in cooler weather, benefit from being peaceful and empty in January. Make the most of the free space: meander the old town’s labyrinthine and quaint streets; walk along serene beaches; hike the rugged terrain to amazing places like Cala d’Albarca.

Where to stay

Take the opportunity to immerse in the wild beauty on your luxury holidays to Spain by staying in Villa Blue. The villa flaunts a borderless horizon over the Mediterranean and Ibiza’s coastal mountains. The gardens are verdant and flourishing, bursting with pines and cypresses. On cooler days, the villa has an indoor jacuzzi and heated floors. But on warmer days, when the weather is at a comfortable 17°C, embark on a trip to discover more of this beautiful island.

Algarve

Algarve, in Portugal’s south, is a seemingly evergreen piece of paradise (largely thanks to its sprawling golf courses!) with a dramatic and rocky Atlantic Ocean coastline. Similar to Ibiza, the Algarve is a tourist hotspot during summer’s swelter. It is a popular destination for golf, sunny days on golden beaches, and its luxuriating lifestyle. While January is the coldest month, it is still tropical in comparison to Northern Europe: winter temperatures reach a mild 16°C. On top of that, there is typically only nine rainy days in January, so the chances of clear skies are high.

On luxury Portugal holidays to Alrgarve in the summer, you will likely witness heaving golf courses, buzzing restaurants, and beaches teeming with holidaymakers. January will see more space on golf courses, with green fees likely to be lower than the extortionate prices of the summer: enjoy a round without the constant pressures of congested tee times. On cooler days, if the sun has dipped behind cloud cover and a beach walk is off the cards, duck into a local restaurant and warm yourself on a caldierada de peixe (a Portuguese fish stew). 

Where to stay

The relative quietude and cooler weather gives you the opportunity to saunter the streets of towns and cities without unpleasant crowds and high temperatures. Staying in Villa Santina in downtown Olhão will give you the opportunity to wander around its seasonal bazaars and visit Faro, which is a stone’s throw away. Beyond that, the villa is plush and zen: it has a meditation room, a massage room, a rooftop swimming pool, and a quiet leafy courtyard.

Sicily

What’s the weather in Sicily like right now, I hear you ask? An easy 18°C with clear skies, I say. While this is a pretty sizzling day for Sicily in January, it goes to show how good the weather can get on this amazing Mediterranean island, even in the winter! Sicily is known not only for its beautiful coastline, but also for its food, history, and culture, which makes it a fascinating place to visit all year round – the weather is just an added bonus. While you can still lap up the vitamin D dosage, it also offers opportunities aplenty for cultural and historical discovery when inclement weather demands it. It is one of our out-and-out favourite destinations for luxury Italy holidays.  

Tour Taormina’s ancient Greek amphitheatre and wend your way through the lacing streets and lively piazzas of the town. You can even ski the slopes of Sicily’s formidable Mount Etna, with easy access from the cable cars. The evenings can be chilly, which is the perfect time to dine in a snug local restaurant on traditional pastas and delicious Italian wines. The architecture and culture of the island is oftentimes awe-inspiring.

Where to stay

Villa Aranciata is a place of tranquil solitude situated amongst organic orange groves. This villa has a certain bucolic charm: outdoor activities reign supreme and the surrounding gardens and fields blossom in a palette of greens, the source of birdsong that whistles on the breeze from rustling leaves. Spend the afternoon playing tennis in the warming winter sun, or play a round of golf at the nearby club. It is incredibly easy to embark on a number of excellent day trips, with Taormina, Mount Etna and countless other attractions within driving distance. This villa is the perfect home for your luxury Sicily holidays in January.

Mykonos

Once the summer crowds have dissipated and the island returns to its languid ways, it becomes ever more apparent how amiable, forthcoming and wholesome the Greek people are. The pretences of touristy gimmicks are no longer necessary, and what you are left with is an air of welcome that gives you a deeper insight into life on this beautiful island. If you don’t really care about all that cultural immersion stuffs, it’s also one of the hottest areas in Europe during the winter. 

While luxury holidays to Mykonos in the summer are characterised largely by an atmosphere of young-at-heart festivities and parties, there are still numerous attractions for visitors to indulge in. Visit the 16th-century windmills, which are a picture perfect site to visit at sunset. Or meander the divine Matoyianni Street – a quintessentially Greek-postcard street with immaculate white walls set against sharp blues. Luxury Greece holidays are also about sampling the various and delicious cuisine.

Where to stay

Situated just outside of town, everything you need is within walking distance from Villa Sydonie: explore the restaurants and the bars to delve into some of the finest Mediterranean and Greek food and drink; peruse the seafront markets for the freshest catch of the day; or simply stay put in the villa, where you can while away sunny days on the spacious patio.

Explore Le Collectionist’s range of beautiful destinations to find your perfect place to lap up the European winter sun.

10 Best European Cities to Visit in Winter 2022 (with Photos) – Trips To Discover

Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

No matter what your idea of a winter escape, from snowy wonderlands to sun-kissed beaches and cities that seem designed just for romance, these European destinations are sure to motivate you to get packing.

 

 

 

 

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