Hot take… winter can get in the bin ? If you need a tan all year round to feel good about yourself (same) or would rather spend your money on a hot holiday than spenny heating bills (also same), it doesn’t have to cost as much as you think.
Forget asking Chat GPT “where is warm and cheap this winter”, we’ve already got you. Keep reading for the best cheap winter sun destinations in Europe and beyond…
Tenerife
Even you don’t need Copilot to tell you a Canary Island is always a great pick for budget winter sun holidays. But you might want to check out our Insider, @gracegrangetravel’s, itinerary from when she stayed on Tenerife for a trip last January – take it from someone that’s actually been there. You can copy and paste her itinerary for the ultimate warm escape ft. a vineyard trip with wine tastings, and escaping the crowds to visit San Cristobal de La Laguna. Temperatures on this island are hovering in the low-20s even in December, Jan and Feb, so you don’t need more than a jacket to head out in the evenings. When your colleagues are de-icing their cars, the only frosted glass you’re dealing with has a beer in it.
Villa Mandi is one of our fave places to stay in Tenerife’s resort of Playa de las Americas. To get the best value, you want to stay somewhere with everything within easy reach – save spending on a taxi or transfer for your airport travel only. This hotel sits right next to a good-sized golf course and there’s a shuttle bus to take you to Siam Park – one of the world’s best waterparks – and the beach, Playa de las Vistas, which is completely free for guests! It runs Monday to Sunday, leaving at 10.15am and returning at 5.30pm, so you can soak up the sun on the sand or explore in town without paying a penny getting there. Plus, book the Villa Mandi & Siam Park package, and you get your waterpark access included, too. If you’re planning a family trip, the hotel comes with a TUI KIDS’ CLUB and then there are two big swimming pools, as well as a pool bar for those midday margs. There are water polo matches, table tennis tables and the restaurant is a buffet, so you already know the score – fill your plate to the max and save some snacks for later in a napkin… we won’t tell.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is a smaller Canary Island, and while Jan and Feb are its coldest months, they’re still hitting a solid 22˚C. A tan is definitely on the cards, just with a lower UV that reduces your risk of burning anyway – win win. You can spend your days on the island’s big beaches, exploring Timanfaya National Park or even tasting wine at one of its unique volcanic vineyards. César Manrique is an artist from the island and his creations are some of Lanzarote’s most famous sites, like Los Jameos del Agua (an underground lake turned cultural centre) and Jardin de Cactus (a cactus garden and café) that are deffo worth a visit.
In terms of where to stay, Barcelo Lanzarote Active Resort is just 100 metres from Playa del Ancla, AKA a 10-minute walk, so beach days are super easy. There’s also an Olympic-sized swimming pool, which is one of three picks here – the solarium is a premium spot where you can soak up the sun from a hammock or a four-poster daybed. Food-wise, the main restaurant is a buffet set-up – hello help-yourself portions – but there are also à la carte options, featuring an Asian spot and Italian trattoria. They even do a Christmas Day gala meal on the 25th if you fancy going crazy with your traditions this year. Then if you’re into your fitness, there are Les Mills training programmes, a cycling centre, a kids’ club keeps little ones sorted and there are live shows from 8pm every eve. Ofc, if you go All Inclusive the value for all of this gets even better…
Fuerteventura
If you’re after a proper beach break without the long-haul flight, Fuerteventura has to be up there. The clue’s in the name – this island is all about the wind (Fuerteventura literally translates to ‘strong wind/fortune’) which keeps the temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s through winter and makes it a hotspot for surfers and kitesurfers. Even if you’re not into watersports, you’ve got the wide sandy beaches like Corralejo’s dunes. They look straight out of the Sahara, and make it a solid pick for a cheap chilled-out escape. Plus, it’s less built-up than some of its sister islands, so you get more of that laidback, local vibe without the crowds or price tag.
Playa Park Zensation is the kind of hotel that ticks all the right boxes for your wallet-friendly sunshine fix. It’s in Corralejo, one of the island’s most popular resort towns, so you’re close to bars, shops and the beach – but you can just as easily stay put. There are three outdoor pools, one with a built-in whirlpool section, there’s a kids’ one and an infinity number in the rooftop area with Bali-style beds for full-on relaxation mode. The aesthetic is very boho chic, with lots of palms and natural tones – it feels like you should be paying a lot more than you are, but keep that one quiet… The buffet restaurant covers all the classics (and more importantly, has themed nights and show cooking), while the All Inclusive set-up also includes snacks, cocktails and soft drinks – ideal if you want to keep spending to a minimum once you’re there. The spa and gym access keep the options going for what to do, too.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is another Canary Island win when it comes to cheap winter sun – and one that gives you a bit of everything. It’s got golden beaches, dramatic mountain drives, colourful capital vibes in Las Palmas, and resort towns like Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés that bring the buzz. Temperatures sit around 22˚C in the daytime through winter, which makes it ideal for topping up your vitamin D while everyone at home is still shivering in their thermals. Holiday package deals tend to be super affordable in the off-season, too, so you get more sunshine for your spend.
In terms of where to stay, Cordial Green Golf Bungalows is great value and fully makes the most of Gran Canaria’s year-round warmth. Set next to the 18-hole Maspalomas golf course, it’s a peaceful pick with all the essentials for a relaxed break – two big lagoon-style pools, a snack bar serving easy eats, and plenty of sunloungers for those lazy days. The colourful, bungalow-style apartments all come with kitchenettes, so you can mix between self-catering and eating out, which helps stretch your budget even further. There’s a free shuttle that runs to Maspalomas Beach and Playa del Ingles multiple times per day, too, so you don’t need to splash out on taxis. Between the location, price and the freedom to do things your way, this one’s a solid pick for a no-fuss winter break.
Hurghada
If you fancy going a little further for your guaranteed heat, Hurghada in Egypt could be it. Even in December, you’re looking at highs of around 25˚C and sunshine that lasts the whole day. It’s a Red Sea favourite for snorkelling and diving, thanks to the coral reefs right off the coast, but there’s also plenty to do on dry land – from desert quad biking to browsing the bazaars downtown. Check out what our Insiders, @roamingwithmaria and @shot.byjose did while they stayed here for some itinerary inspo. Plus, Egypt’s generally cheaper than most Mediterranean spots, so your money goes a lot further once you’re there.
Sindbad Club is one of Hurghada’s best budget-friendly resorts without feeling budget at all. It’s right by the beach and the facilities are seriously stacked – we’re talking multiple pools, an aqua park with slides and a spa if you want a bit of pampering. You can pop over to its sister hotel to make the most of its aromatherapy sessions, deep tissue massages and hammam, plus there’s an outdoor hot tub. Then, the All Inclusive option here means all your meals, drinks and snacks are covered, so you can relax without worrying about daily costs. There are themed restaurants, West-End style shows, and a mini disco for the kids if you’re travelling as a family. It’s the kind of place where you can go full resort mode and still know you’ve bagged a winter sun bargain.
Get your not-so-spenny winter sun escape locked in with our Winter Sun holidays.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Author: Lily Owen (she/her)
Last updated:14/10/2025
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