Winter is coming… and our next cheat code in the series is here just in time to help you swerve the seasonal scaries and save £££. You can try and romanticise UK winter as much as you like, but let’s be real – you already know it’s gonna be grey, wet and gloomy. A Christmas market break or a Long-haul holiday are solid go-tos for beating the winter blues, but if you’re on a tight budget or want to skip the crowds, dw – they’re not your only options… Hello Mediterranean winter trips 👀
You’ve heard of euro summer – everyone sends it to the Mediterranean Coast between May and October. But, places like Spain, Greece and Cyprus are deffo still worth visiting during their low season. Once the temps drop below 20°C, the tourists thin out and while some of the big hotels, bars and restaurants shut for the winter, many stay open. Enter, our money-saving travel hack. Low demand = lower prices, so you can visit the same hotspots minus the peak-season price tag. Tourist tax tends to drop in price, too, and food, drink and attractions can be cheaper.
Fewer crowds between November and March make these destinations perfect under-the-radar winter escapes. Think empty beach strolls, quiet sightseeing and coffee stops in peaceful squares. It’s also prime time for seeing local life unfold – tourists are replaced with families and friends getting together in town centres, bars and restaurants, enjoying some well-earned downtime after a busy season. Plus, winters around here are mild compared to in the UK. Don’t expect tanning weather, but you’re still in with a chance of sunshine – just make sure you bring a raincoat with you, too.
So, if you’re keen to switch things up, see a different side to summer destinations you love and save serious money, here are five spots in the Mediterranean to visit in winter…
Costa del Sol, Spain
After the Brits head home, the Costa del Sol slows down for the winter – if you can call it that. Looking at the locals wrapped up in puffer jackets, you’d think it’s close to freezing, but days are still hovering in the high teens – just bring some extra layers and you’ll be sweet to wander around. You’ll also be able to bag a hotel right near the beachfront or in the resort centre without paying the peak-season premium. Plus, terraces that are usually packed out in summer become chilled spots, perfect for sitting with a glass of tinto and some tapas. Golden hour in winter still delivers, too – it all just happens a little earlier in the afternoon.
Party lovers, Malaga and Marbella, calm down around now, so swap clubs for culture and explore the Picasso Museum and the pretty ports. Estepona feels like a sleepy seaside town in winter, with quiet promenades and charming old streets made for a walk with a coffee. Or, in Benalmadena, Paloma Park is lovely for a crisp morning stroll, then attractions like the Mount Calamorro cable car and the Butterfly Park are a lot more enjoyable minus the summer crowds. Torremolinos is another tourist fave that becomes a lot more low-key – you can walk or cycle along the beachfront promenade without weaving through groups of people, have your pick of the bars and feel free to walk around the authentic markets. But don’t worry – you’ll still be able to find a British-style pub serving full English brekkies and roast dinners, too…
Athens, Greece
Athens in winter is a great move. The thermometer settles around 15°C, so it’s much comfier than in the summer for walking around, seeing the classic sights and making the most of the city. Even the Acropolis – which is usually rammed – becomes a serene spot for soaking up all the ancient energy. You can wander up at your own pace, snap pics with no photobombers and appreciate the scenes, rather than rushing to escape the heat.
The rest of the city relaxes, too. Neighbourhoods like Plaka and Monastiraki are still lively, but not in a chaotic way. The same hotels that are spenny in summer become much more affordable and you’re likely to bag a deal without compromising on location. Eating out in local tavernas also becomes cheaper, thanks to off-season price drops, and you can be a lot more spontaneous – you won’t have to reserve a table every night, just turn up.
Spend your days browsing the flea markets, listen to music in a cosy vinyl café and explore the backstreets without bumping into tour groups. Attractions that are free to enter, like the National History Museum and the National Archaeological Museum, are usually hotspots in the summer. So, come in winter instead for plenty of time and space to read the info cards and check out the exhibits – they’re also a great rainy-day back-up plan. Extra layers are a must for evenings – wrap up for drinks at a rooftop bar, then shed them later once you’ve warmed up in a club. Athens’ nightlife scene actually pops off in winter – the locals have to pass those colder, darker nights somehow, right?
Cyprus
Don’t tell anyone, but there are lots of things to love about winter in Cyprus. You’d expect everything to shut down once the tourism season ends, but the island actually stays pretty lively. Things cool down to a lovely 17°C on the coast and there are still sunny days where you can walk along the seafront in a t-shirt. The biggest difference is that while you’re reliving summer down on the beach, you’ll probably be able to see snow up in the Troodos Mountains. Hire a car and make the scenic drive up to quiet villages, like Omodos and Lefkara, with little cafés where you can warm up with a glass of Cypriot wine. Head up higher and you could even do snow sports on Mount Olympus. It’s not quite the Alps, but skiing on an island where you can see the sea from the slopes is pretty cool.
Down on the coast, Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca still have plenty of things to do in winter. Check out the Tombs of the Kings, Aphrodite’s Rock and Kato Paphos Archaeological Park – the entrance fee goes down to €4.50 between September and April, so visiting in winter is definitely better for your budget. Take your time exploring the crumbling ruins and mosaics without the pressure of other people rushing you along. On blue-sky days, beach sessions are still on – it might not be swimming weather if you’re not keen on cold water, but you can still soak up the sun and sea views from the sand or a beachfront bar. When the clouds roll in, settle into a taverna and chat over meze or schedule in a self-care sesh at a traditional Turkish bath.
The French Riviera, France
Think the French Riviera is just a summer destination? Think again. Back in the day, winter is when the Parisians would come down to the Cote d’Azur to escape the harsh northern winters and swap the city smog for fresh sea air – and they were onto something. The weather is mild – we’re talking mid-teens – and the sun still shows up, although the cloudy days here bring a moody drama. Nice, Cannes, Antibes… they swap that high-season glam for a softer way of life.
The category is still coastal living, but instead of boujie yachts and beach clubs, it’s more about wholesome walks along the seafront and digging into warming bouillabaisse at a bistro – it’s giving main character. In Nice, the Promenade des Anglais feels wider without the joggers and cyclists, and if the forecast isn’t looking good, the Matisse Museum’s a great shout for taking cover and ticking off culture. Arty Antibes also has enough galleries and museums – like the Picasso Museum – to keep you busy if you get bad weather. And on dry days, don’t miss the coastal walks around Cap d’Antibes. Monaco delivers that golden-era glitz all year round, but exploring will be a lot more pleasant now than in the summer. Or, a good alternative is Menton, near the Italian border – its pastel seafront feels more like Sorrento than the South of France. Even in winter, public transport is super cheap and reliable, so you can easily tick off all the towns without spending a fortune.
On the whole, your money will go a lot further at this time of year. Lots of brasseries offer off-season set menus – AKA prix fixe – which are a great-value way to eat out. Plus, the more expensive places targeted at tourists close anyway, so you’ll naturally be avoiding the traps. You can even save on staying right in the town centre compared to summer – just plan around events like the Nice Carnival in February, which usually drives the prices back up.
Malta
Malta doesn’t shut down once summer’s over, it just chills out. The temperature doesn’t plummet – 16°C is the coldest it gets – the light softens, and the islands looks super lush in the wetter months. There’s still a buzz about the towns as the locals enjoy the off-season lull, but the lack of tourists means hotel prices dip – a win for your bank account. There’s a lot more breathing room at the big-name spots, like Valletta, Mdina, Sliema and the Three Cities, so you can explore under your own steam.
Valletta’s particularly gorg at this time of year. Wander through the capital’s pretty streets, stop for coffee in cute cafés and hole up in wine bars when it cools down in the evenings. Don’t miss Upper Barrakka Gardens for stunning views across the Grand Harbour. Medieval Mdina is another must-visit – this UNESCO-status site feels like stepping into an episode of Game of Thrones, with its winding alleys and narrow streets, and they’re a lot easier to explore with less people around, too.
Over on Gozo, the vibe’s completely different from the main island – it’s greener, wilder and pure hiking material. Take your time wandering around the Ggantija temples, check out the cliffs around Dwejra and head down to the rugged Ramla Bay. Surprisingly, it’s also one of the best times of year for scuba diving, as the visibility tends to be crystal-clear.
Malta’s cultural calendar doesn’t disappear in winter, either. In December, towns are taken over with Christmas decs and festive fun, then in February it’s all about Valletta Carnival. Food-wise, traditional Maltese cuisine’s actually best enjoyed in winter – think pastizzi from neighbourhood bakeries, hearty stews like stuffatt al-fenek (the national dish) and fresh seafood. Eating like a local keeps the cost down, too.
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Author and pronouns: Daisy Colley (she/her)
Last updated: 17/11/2025
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