Where to Enjoy some Winter Sun and Escape the Cold
We get it. January is a hard month. The magic of Christmas and the build-up has gone as quickly as it creeps up on us every year! Christmas lights are down, oodles of wrapping paper in the bin and now nothing to look forward to…..until England graces us with our infamous ‘summer!
But what if you can’t wait that long?
Winter Sun is a brilliant way to escape the long cold dreary winter months of Britain, and (hopefully) get a cheeky little sun-kissed glow to your skin!
Here are our top 3 places to travel to – near and far – for some Winter Sun for 2025:
1. Experience Luxury in Dubai for some Winter Sun in 2025
Dubai’s transformation is unmatched, evolving from a desert outpost into a vibrant metropolis in under fifty years! With a juxtaposition of towering skyscrapers and glamorous bars and restaurants, along with the hustle and bustle, there are still plenty of opportunities to step back in time with a desert safari or a tranquil boat ride along the historic creek and take things just a little…bit…more…slowly.
A Dubai holiday is one to remember and always guarantees sunshine that packs a punch! With renowned beaches, such as Jumeirah Beach, which was one of Dubai’s earliest tourism hotspots and nestles along the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf. It’s home to some of the city's best hotels, including the iconic wave shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Definitely one for the gram! Here, you’ll find the thrilling Wild Wadi Waterpark, offering hours of fun for all ages, while the nearby Jumeirah Beach Park is a spacious, well-loved public area, perfect for relaxing – or oodles of fun for families and kids!
As well as amazing beach time Dubai is enriched with world-class dining at Michelin-starred restaurants, with some offering breathtaking views of the city skyline, and is a mecca to all your shopping needs - with 96 malls and traditional souks it’s a paradise for designer labels and more traditional authentic offerings.
When to Visit Dubai:
Dubai enjoys sunshine all year round, but the best time to visit is from October to April, making it perfect for Winter sun. Temperatures are comfortably around 25-28°C, with only a slight chance of rain or wind in January and February. From May onwards it gets hot, the temperatures soar above 40°C between June and September. But Dubai offers plenty of indoor activities like aquariums with shark diving experiences, air-conditioned shopping malls and even a ski dome to keep you extra cool, as well as amazing water parks. There are so many options to make your visit just as enjoyable during these hotter months.
Dubai - Quick Facts:
Flying time: UK to Dubai 7hrs
Time zone: GMT + 3 hours
Currency: Emirati Dirham
Languages: Arabic, English is widely spoken
Dialing code: +971
Plug sockets: Type G
2. Enjoy closer to Home with the Canary Islands for some Winter Sun in 2025
If you're seeking pristine beaches, luxurious resorts, and an array of exciting holiday activities, then the Canaries are the perfect destination. Known for their year-round sunshine and top tourist attractions, the Canary Islands have been a magnet for sun lovers since the 19th century!
Canary Islands holidays are the ideal choice for anyone in search of the perfect beach getaway — perfect for couples who want a little R&R, besties in search of much needed giggles, or families wanting to escape and enjoy quality time together.
Located just off the coast of Africa, these Spanish islands offer endless sunshine, stunning landscapes, and a wealth of activities for visitors of all ages.
With the Canary Islands, you have a variety of amazing destinations to choose from, including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. Each of these islands in the Canaries offer its own distinct charm, yet they all provide the essentials of a perfect beach holiday for winter sun - thrilling water sports, family-friendly activities, delicious dining, nature reserves, water parks, vibrant nightlife, fantastic beaches and so much more. Tenerife is also the third best place in the world to go star gazing on Mount Teidi!
When to Visit:
Winters in the Canary Islands are pleasantly mild. For instance, Tenerife enjoys average maximum temperatures of 21°C in January, even though it’s the coldest month of the year. And trust us, it is definitely warm enough to laze around the pool in a bikini on a sunny day!
While winter typically brings mild weather, occasional Atlantic depressions can lead to brief stormy spells, with heavier rainfall.
Rainfall varies across the islands, with the northern regions receiving more due to their exposure to the northeast trade winds. For example, Las Palmas on the northern coast of Gran Canaria receives around 46 mm of rain in February, while Arrecife on Lanzarote, sheltered from the winds, gets just 14 mm.
Canaries - Quick Facts:
Flying time: UK to Canaries 4.5hrs
Time zone: GMT
Currency: Euros
Languages: Spanish, English is widely spoken
Dialing code: +928, +828 (Las Palmas), +922, +822 (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
Plug sockets: Type C, type E, and type F
3. Soak up the Sun in the Cape Verde Islands for 2025
The Cape Verde islands are a land of striking contrasts, with each of the 10 islands offering its own distinct experience. Here, you can enjoy some winter sun and explore the unique qualities of these diverse destinations with rich culture and uncover the wide range of holiday experiences awaiting you.
Located just off the coast of Africa, these Spanish islands offer endless sunshine, stunning landscapes and a wealth of activities for visitors of all ages. Thy are perfect for adult only breaks or family holidays.
Sao Vicente – known as hub for music and culture within the islands, against a backdrop of mountains and beaches. Maio – pretty much untouched by tourists and boasts scenic landscapes and tropical forests. Boa Vista - home to some of the most amazing beaches, perfect for some R&R.
When to Visit:
A popular winter sun getaway, the Cape Verde islands enjoy average annual temperatures ranging from 24°C to 30°C. Holidays here offer sunny days with low humidity, making it a destination that many visitors return to year after year. From November to March, the islands experience stronger winds, creating larger waves that are particularly appealing to water sports enthusiasts, but the sunshine is pretty good to counteract the winds.
Cape Verde - Quick Facts:
Flying time: UK to Cape Verde 6 hrs
Time zone: GMT - 1 hour
Currency: Escudo
Languages: Portuguese, English is widely spoken
Dialing code: +238
Plug sockets: Type C and type F
We hope this has inspired you to escape for some winter sun and much needed away time. All of these places offer you endless sunshine, beaches, warm waters, history and culture.