Winter sun holidays

Expert travel guides and holiday advice

Winter weather isn't for everyone so escaping to a warmer, sunnier climate is on a lot of Christmas wishlists every year. Read our guides from our team of travel experts on the best holiday destinations for winter sun, plus hotel reviews and recommended restaurants, bars and things to do.

<p>Krabi, Thailand: Lucy’s port of call for winter sun</p>

Winter sun: Why surging flight prices have me sticking to short-haul

As demand for a winter sun holiday goes through the roof, affordable travel fans are having to look beyond the obvious, says Lucy Thackray

Winter sun: Why surging flight prices have me sticking to short-haul

As demand for a winter sun holiday goes through the roof, affordable travel fans are having to look beyond the obvious, says Lucy Thackray

<p>Krabi, Thailand: Lucy’s port of call for winter sun</p>

<p>Get some winter sun with a cruise to the stunning Canary Islands </p>

Six of the best winter cruise destinations

<p>A beach in Mexico, captured from above</p>

9 best last-minute winter holiday destinations for December sun

<p>Las Teresitas beach in Tenerife</p>

The best destinations to visit in January

<p>Amazing Icelandic winter landscape of majestic waterfall of frozen Gullfoss</p>

The best destinations to travel to in February

<p>Amazing Icelandic winter landscape of majestic waterfall of frozen Gullfoss</p>

The best destinations to travel to in February

Essaouira is Morocco's laid-back Atlantic coast outpost

Where's hot in March? From the Philippines to Morocco

Hurghada makes an inviting Egyptian alternative while Sharm el-Sheikh remains off the airline map

Simon Calder's winter sun suggestions for New Year

<p>Swap the gloomy British winter for the sun-soaked luxury of a stunning hotel like The Holiday Inn Resort, Montego Bay </p>

Soak Up The Sun: Six Must-Visit Hotels For A Winter Getaway

<p>From Jazan to Jeddah, there are plenty of beautiful Saudi beaches to enjoy </p>

Sun versus ski: How to solve the great winter break debate

The dry plains of Uluru

Australasia & Pacific

Three of the best Australian winter trips for Australia Day 2019

Why you should head to Tobago for winter sun

<p>Hiking holidays aren’t just for balmy bank holidays and sweltering summer heatwaves </p>

Best winter hiking holidays in Europe

<p>Spirit of Discovery will host some of Saga Cruises’ winter sailings in 2026 </p>

Saga Cruises launches 2026 winter sun sailings

<p>Sunny resort beach with palm tree at the coast shore of Red Sea in Sharm el Sheikh, Sinai, Egypt</p>

The winter sun holiday with stunning beaches and no jet lag

<p>If winter sun’s on your Christmas wishlist try these sunny mid-haul destinations for size</p>

Winter sun holidays

Best winter sun holiday destinations just a short flight from the UK

Winter city breaks

If you're looking for more of a city feel for your winter getaway, read on to let our travel guides give you inspiration

<p>Bruges is just as captivating in winter</p>

10 best European city breaks – and where to stay this winter

Indulge in a culture-packed trip to the Continent at one of these top picks from The Independent’s travel team

<p>The Shard, the tallest building in the UK – and one of the many things to see in London </p>

10 best UK city breaks for 2023

<p>Zaragoza is one of Spain’s best cities, but loses tourists to the capital and places like Barcelona and Seville </p>

Five cultural European city breaks that are still under-the-radar

<p>Izmir Town makes for the perfect summer city break</p>

Best budget European city break destinations

<p>Chateau Rhianfa in Angelsey is a splendid place to stay on Wales’ windswept isle</p>

Best romantic city break destinations in Europe

Long haul destinations

Our travel guides will get you inspired to head on a long haul holiday this winter, from Thai beaches to an Australian escape

<p>A legendary landscape that makes way for an unforgettable road trip, Victoria’s Great Southern Touring Route is brimming with ocean views and fauna-filled forest drives </p>

Australia’s best road trip: drive the Great Southern Touring Route

<p>Praia de Cumuruxatiba beach, Bahia, Brazil</p>

Brazil travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go

<p>Whether city or countryside, Argentina delivers dramatic vistas </p>

Argentina travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go

<p>The City of Angels has a dizzying range of things to see and do</p>

Best things to do in Los Angeles

More on winter sun destinations

<p>Cracking Christmas travel</p>

Join an exclusive Q&A with Simon Calder and our travel team

<p>On the site of ancient Thebes, Luxor is a treasure trove of ruins and relics </p>

The best things to do in Luxor, Egypt

<p>Think banana plantations, cacti, dunes and volcanoes on holidays hopping the Canary archipelago </p>

Best Canary Islands to visit for a winter sun holiday

<p>Take a beach break to escape the cold this November with these top-rated late autumn sun holiday picks </p>

Best holiday destinations for November sun

<p>Beautiful Playa Teresitas in Tenerife is a great winter sun destination</p>

5 best winter sun holiday destinations without the jet lag

<p>Much of southern Spain basks in temperatures near 20C during certain parts of winter </p>

6 of Spain’s warmest places for winter sun

<p>Arctic expeditions, Christmas markets and sun drenched islands await</p>

Best winter cruise holidays for 2023/2024