As the temperature drops here in the UK, it doesn’t take long to quickly miss the sun that you took for granted. If you can’t manage to wait month and month for the sun to return, why not travel to where the sun is? Most people think that a winter sun holiday means you must travel to the other side of the world. However, you can get temperatures of 20 Degrees Celsius all without leaving Europe. Here are my top 10 Winter Sun Locations in Europe.

Malta

Malta is located in the Central Mediterranean in the middle of Sicily and the North African coast. On the island you will find 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can expect temperatures to rise just above 15 Degrees Celsius on average, which is warm enough to explore the many villages in just shorts and t-shirt. Other great things to try whilst on the island include snorkelling, diving and visiting the 16th century St. John’s Cathedral. The best part is this is less than 4 hours away, meaning your winter sun is closer than you may think.

Cyprus

If you want the warmest temperatures without leaving Europe, Cyprus is the perfect location for you. It is in the Eastern Mediterranean furthermore, it is the 3rd largest and most populous island in the Mediterranean, meaning it’s lively all year round. The average temperatures soar above the 20’s, even in winter, making it the ideal place to top your tan up. Indulge in, luxury boat trips and explore what nature has to offer with numerous waterfalls. Ancient ruins can be found across the country and if you want to have some fun visit one of the many water parks.

Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are a Spanish Archipelago and are 62 miles west of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean. With many islands to choose from, it’s best to research all of them and see which one sounds like a dream holiday for you. If you are looking for varied culture and amazing beaches, you might want to look at Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote. However, if you are looking to go off the beaten track, the lesser known islands of El Hierro and La Gomera have one of a kind traditions and untouched landscapes. When visiting these islands, you can expect the temperatures to rise into the low 20’s.

Greece

Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, is an island situated in Southeast Europe and has a population of nearly 11 million. The temperatures tend to be around mid to late teens during the winter. Despite the weather not been scorching, the water is still bearable in Winter, making it ideal if you love swimming or surfing, which is especially good at this time of year. The benefit of travelling at this time of year is that you will have most of the beach to yourself and will be able to wander around ancient sites without the big crowds.

Algarve

The Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal, due to its location, temperatures in the winter are around the mid-teens and it is not uncommon for it to reach 20 degrees. This area is best known for its golf resorts and Atlantic beaches, which can both be enjoyed under the sun year-round. The central coast is a lively place with bars, hotels, restaurants and villas, you will find that it’s time to go home before you know it. Best of all, this is only just over a 3-hour flight away, making it more accessible than you might think.

French Riviera

The French Riviera, also known as the Côte d’Azur, is in Southeastern France and is next to the Mediterranean. Here you can live the life of the rich and famous in beach resorts such as Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Monaco. Although average temperatures only reach around 15 Degrees Celsius, it will still be much warmer than the UK. Should the weather get colder in the evenings, there is lots to do and loads of places to shop. Make sure you take a lot of money with you as some of the worlds biggest designer brands have shops along the coast.

Sicily

Sicily is one of the 20 regions of Italy and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Temperatures in Winter lie around the mid-teens, but it is not unheard of for temperatures to reach 20 degrees during this time of year. If you have a keen interest in history, you will love the city of Palermo and Valley of the Temples. Aside from the history, have a look around the island and look at the breathtaking setting, watch out for Mount Etna, the most active volcano in Europe and nearly the world.

South Coast of Spain

All the way along the South Coast of Spain has pleasant weather all year round. From Barcelona all the way to Seville, you can expect the temperatures to be pushing up to 20 degrees. With so many cities and towns to choose from on the coast there is something for everyone. Explore the historic sites at Alicante or have a stadium tour around the Nou Camp, the largest stadium in Europe, home to FC Barcelona. Make sure you find out about all the different coastal towns and cities to decide which one is best for you.

Turkey

Although, Turkey spreads across Eastern Europe and Asia, it still deserves a spot on this list. The Mediterranean Coast of Turkey gets lots of sun all year round and the average temperatures are just below 20 degrees. If you are an adrenaline junkie you can take part in paragliding, if you are looking for a more relaxing activity, you can road trip around the coastal towns. Let’s not forget that you are here for the sun and the best place to enjoy the sun is Patara, it is the longest beach in Turkey. At Patara you can relax on the beach or partake in horse-riding along the beach, watch out for the eggs of the endangered Caretta Caretta turtle that nest on this beach.

Azores

The Azores an archipelago in the mid-Atlantic and are a region of Portugal. Azores is best known for its spectacular landscapes that are unlike any others you have seen. For example, the island of São Miguel has lake-filled calderas that you must see to believe. There is also a rich marine life and if you’re lucky enough you might get to see a whale. All of this and temperatures average just under 20 degrees throughout the Winter. If you love nature, this is heaven for you, with hot springs, volcanic peaks, waterfalls and black-sand beaches, you won’t know where to start.

If you plan to visit any of these locations to get some extra vitamin D, it always helps to have a car to explore the area. Should you wish to hire a car at any of these locations, or any other locations for that matter, we have your car hire sorted. Contact us via call, email or by using the live chat and we can help find you the cheapest winter sun car hire deal.

For more fantastic articles on travelling in Europe, check out our friends at itravelnet.com – Travel directory.