When winter sets in and daylight disappears before tea time, a quick dose of sunshine can work wonders. And you don’t need to travel halfway around the world to find it. We’ve rounded up 19 places where the sun still shines through the colder months – all within a short or mid-haul flight of the UK. From the volcanic beaches of the Canaries to the souks of North Africa, these escapes promise warmth, light and just enough adventure to shake off the winter blues.

Click through this gallery to discover where you can find last-minute winter sun... 

Tenerife is a reliable dose of winter sunshine, as even in December highs hover around 20°C (68°F) with little rain. Just over a four-hour flight from the UK, it’s an easy escape. Base yourself in Costa Adeje (pictured) for upmarket resorts, and spend your days basking by volcanic beaches or taking a cable car up Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, for panoramic island views.

Evenings call for fresh seafood and sunset cocktails by the coast – just the ticket for beating Britain's grey skies.

At the southern tip of Jordan, Aqaba offers year-round warmth and Red Sea views that make winter a distant memory. Daytime temperatures are still a toasty 23°C (73°F) in November, perfect for snorkelling among coral reefs or unwinding on long, sandy beaches.

At under six hours from the UK, it’s close enough to feel spontaneous but far enough to feel exotic. Beyond the water, desert adventures await: it’s an easy drive to Wadi Rum’s rust-red dunes or the ancient wonders of Petra. The UK government currently considers Aqaba and Jordan’s main tourist areas safe to visit, though travellers are advised to avoid the country's border regions.

Just a three-and-a-half-hour flight away, Madeira delivers a gentler sort of winter sun: more eternal spring than scorching summer. Temperatures hover around 20°C (68°F) even in December, with lush hillsides and flower-filled gardens that stay green all year round.

Base yourself in Funchal (pictured), where ocean-view terraces and elegant hotels make for an easy escape from the grind. Spend mornings hiking the levada trails or whale watching, then refuel on black scabbardfish and local wine as the sun sets into the Atlantic.

Hop on a three-and-a-half-hour flight to a world of colour, spice and sunlight. Marrakech glows through winter, with temperatures around 23°C (73°F) in November and blue skies almost guaranteed. Stay in a traditional riad – former townhouses built around peaceful courtyards – tucked in the medina. This is the city’s ancient walled quarter, where narrow alleyways lead to spice stalls, lantern shops and hidden cafés.

Spend your days getting lost in the souks, sipping mint tea on rooftop terraces or watching the pink walls of the old city glow at sunset. When you need a breather, retreat to the Majorelle Garden, all cobalt blue and cactus green, or take a short trip into the Atlas foothills.

Only four and a half hours by plane from the UK, Gran Canaria delivers golden dunes, rugged mountains and winter warmth that lingers around 22°C (72°F). For guaranteed sunshine, head south to the sweeping golden beaches of Maspalomas, or venture north to Las Palmas, where the air feels a touch cooler but remains comfortable.

There, the colourful houses of Ciudad Alta (pictured) cascade down the hillside in a patchwork of pink, blue and yellow – a great reminder that even in winter, the island is full of colour.

Just over a three-hour flight away is Djerba, an island off the Tunisian coast where the desert meets the Med. Expect 22°C (72°F) days, palm-fringed beaches and souks that hum with everyday life. The island’s whitewashed villages, blue doors and domed rooftops feel distinctly North African, with a relaxed and unhurried pace.

Wander through Houmt Souk for colourful ceramics and spices, then unwind by the sea as fishermen bring in their catch. With short flights, low prices and endless sunshine, Djerba feels like a faraway secret hiding in plain sight.

On Cyprus’s southeast coast, Ayia Napa keeps the spirit of summer alive well into winter, with clear skies and temperatures hovering around 24°C (73°F) well into November. Known for its golden beaches and calm, turquoise waters, the resort town slows to a gentle rhythm outside peak season – all with less than five hours in the air.

Days are best spent at Konnos Bay Beach (pictured), a sheltered cove framed by pine-covered cliffs where you can swim, paddle and bask in the sun. Away from the sand, seaside cafés and tavernas serve grilled halloumi and local wine, proving that Ayia Napa has plenty to offer long after the party crowds have gone home.

Only five and a half hours from the UK, Hurghada offers guaranteed warmth when everyone in the UK is reaching for their coats. Temperatures remain at around 27°C (80°F) in winter, the Red Sea shimmers a bright turquoise and coral reefs lie just offshore. Fly into Hurghada International Airport, moments from the main resorts, where long beaches meet world-class diving spots.

Take a boat trip to the Giftun Islands for powdery sand and clear shallows, or simply float the day away with snorkels and sunshine. It’s an easy, no-fuss escape with major tropical energy.

Just three and a half hours from the UK, Malta is small enough to explore in a weekend, yet rich in history and sunshine. Temperatures sit comfortably around 20°C (66°F) in winter, and the Mediterranean still sparkles blue. Wander through Valletta (pictured), its golden limestone streets lined with colourful balconies, or take the ferry to Gozo for slower island life and coastal walks.

There’s also baroque architecture, cliffside chapels and sea-swimming spots that stay surprisingly inviting even in December. Compact, cultured and easy-going, Malta feels like a mini summer squeezed into winter.

Under three hours from the UK, Andalusia stays bright and balmy long after northern Europe turns grey. Most visitors fly into Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, the perfect entry point for sunshine and sand within minutes of landing. Winter days hover around 20°C (68°F), ideal for lingering over tapas in shaded courtyards.

Along the coast, towns like Nerja (pictured) and Estepona pair golden beaches with whitewashed streets and mountain views, while inland Seville and Granada boast Moorish palaces and citrus-scented squares.

A quick two-and-a-half-hour flight to Faro lands you on Portugal’s sun-drenched southern coast, where sandstone cliffs glow gold and the beaches stay blissfully quiet through winter. Expect highs of around 19°C (66°F) – perfect for clifftop walks, long lunches and guilt-free siestas.

Lagos and Tavira remain charming year-round, while Albufeira’s off-season pace feels more relaxed than rowdy. Golden bays like Praia da Marinha and Camilo Beach look almost too perfect to be real, and when the evenings cool, grilled sardines, local wine and the sound of waves provide all the warmth you’ll need.

At around four hours from the UK, Crete sits just far enough south to hold onto its warmth – around 20°C (68°F) through autumn and into November. Fly into Chania Airport on the island’s northwest coast and base yourself in the old town of Chania, where pastel harbourfront buildings, cobbled lanes and waterside cafés give the place an undeniable charm even in winter.

If you're all about the beaches, a one-and-a-half-hour drive up the coast will deliver you to Balos Bay (pictured) – a lagoon of pink-tinged sand and electric-blue shallows.

A (just under) three-hour flight from the UK will bring you to Sicily, with its intoxicating blend of sunshine, citrus groves and world-famous food. Winter highs sit around 18-20°C (64-68°F) – warm enough for al fresco lunches (pizza) overlooking the Ionian Sea.

Fly into Catania Airport for easy access to the island’s east coast, where Taormina’s terraces gaze out to Mount Etna and the sea sparkles below. On the northern shore, the old town of Cefalù (pictured) is a maze of cobbled lanes, honey-stone buildings and a crescent of golden sand that stays inviting even in winter.

Sitting off the coast of West Africa, Cape Verde offers Caribbean-style warmth just over six hours from the UK. Average daytime temps remain above 26°C (79°F) even in December, cooled by light Atlantic breezes that keep the air fresh and the skies clear. Most visitors fly directly to Sal or Boa Vista, but you can also get an additional domestic flight to Santiago Island, the country’s lively capital.

It’s worth the extra hop for Tarrafal Beach alone (pictured), a curve of golden sand backed by palms and mountains – perfect for swimming or watching the fishing boats drift in.

A four-hour hop from the UK, Fuerteventura is wind-kissed, sun-soaked and made for travellers who like a hint of adventure. You can expect average winter temperatures of around 22°C (72°F) or higher and miles of honey-coloured sand that will make British drizzle feel a million miles away.

On the island’s west coast, Playa del Viejo Rey (pictured) is a wild stretch where surfers chase rolling waves, while over on the northeast tip, Corralejo – a lively seaside town filled with cafés, surf shops and stylish stays – makes the perfect base for exploring the dunes of Parque Natural de Corralejo, with warm breezes that double as a complimentary blow-dry.

Antalya, gateway to Turkey’s aptly named Turquoise Coast, is just a four-hour flight from the UK, making it perfect for a last-minute trip. Winter highs hover around 22°C (72°F) in November, and the air smells of citrus and sea salt.

The old town of Kaleiçi (pictured) is a maze of cobbled streets, Ottoman houses and tiny courtyards overflowing with bougainvillea, while nearby Lara Beach stretches for miles along the coast. Days here are for unhurried lunches, mountain-meets-sea views and swimming when the sun hits just right.

With its sculpted lava fields, black-sand beaches and lunar landscapes, Lanzarote feels far away – yet it’s only four hours from Britain. Winter brings dependable sunshine and an appealing 22°C (72°F) average temperature, perfect for coastal walks or afternoons on the beach.

Don't miss Jameos del Agua, where César Manrique transformed a volcanic tunnel into an underground world of pools, caves and walkways. Its turquoise swimming pool (pictured), shimmering beneath a natural rock arch, is famously off-limits – but don’t worry, the island has no shortage of hotel pools where the water’s warm and welcoming.

On West Africa’s golden Atlantic coast, Gambia more than earns its nickname, 'the Smiling Coast of Africa'. This tiny nation basks in over 30°C (86°F) sunshine throughout winter, its palm-fringed beaches backed by lively coastal towns like Kololi and Cape Point.

Around a six-hour flight from the UK, it’s close enough for easy winter warmth yet feels a world away. Inland, mangroves and bird-filled wetlands abound. You may need a few travel jabs, but plan ahead and Gambia rewards you greatly.

Finally, for those who don't mind travelling a little longer, a seven-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK brings you to Muscat, where desert mountains tumble straight into the sea. Winter highs sit at 27°C (80°F) in December – warm enough for beaches but mild enough for exploring.

The Corniche curves along the waterfront, lined with whitewashed buildings and fragrant souks, while nearby Qurum Beach offers calm waters. With its low-key luxury and golden light, Oman is a serene slice of the Middle East that’s tailor-made for winter escapism.

Now discover everything you need to know before flying in winter...