Escape the cold to one of the warmest places in Europe in winter for a much-needed dose of vitamin D.
There is no better feeling than warm sun and mild temperatures to break up the harsh winter days back home. Luckily, during the winter season, many European welcome warm sunny days just calling for a visit. Visiting Europe in winter is wonderful. During this season there are 1/4 of the tourists in summer, prices are lower, and the beauty is just as prominent. You can enjoy warm days full of culture and history that you cannot find anywhere else!
This post contains:
- The warmest place in Europe in December
- The warmest place in Europe in January
- The warmest places in Europe in February
Keep reading to discover a complete list of the warmest places in Europe in winter and get planning!
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In This Post
Overall Warmest Places in Europe in Winter
The overall warmest places in Europe in winter are:
- Tenerife, Canary Islands
- Lanzarote, Canary Islands
- Lagos, Portugal
- Malaga, Spain
- Paphos, Cyprus
Warmest Places in Europe in December
Below are the warmest and best places to visit in Europe in December. December is one of the warmest winter months in Europe and the best time to plan a winter getaway if you want to try and hit the warmest weather.
Madeira, Portugal
Madeira is not the warmest place to visit in winter in Europe but temperatures remain quite mild which allows you to enjoy outdoor activities without overheating.
| High | Low | Rain Fall Days | |
| December | 13°C | 7°C | 16 |
| January | 12°C | 6°C | 13 |
| February | 12°C | 6°C | 10 |
Paphos, Cyprus
Paphos is easily one of the best places to visit in Europe in December. It is located on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus as south as you can go in Europe. This city is incredibly historic with its history dating back to Neolithic times. It is the perfect place to visit in winter for visiting famous ancient ruins of tombs, archeological sites and more.
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 18°C | 10°C | 8 |
| January | 16°C | 8°C | 10 |
| February | 17°C | 8°C | 8 |
Gibraltar, UK
Gibraltar is a un unexpected hidden gem located on the southern coast of Spain. It is one of the best places to visit in Europe in December for an exciting and very off-the-beaten-track winter sun holiday. The most famous sight here is the Rock of Gibraltar which dominates the territory. But it is also home to a unique history and beautiful architecture.
Gibraltar is one of the warmest places in Europe in December and is also one of the warmest places in Europe in January and February. This makes it an ideal place to visit during all winter months.
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 17°C | 12°C | 7 |
| January | 16°C | 11°C | 6 |
| February | 17°C | 11°C | 7 |
São Miguel, Portugal
São Miguel is a beautiful island sitting almost in the middle of North America and Europe in the North Atlantic Sea. It is part of the Portuguese Azores archipelago and is easily one of the best places to visit in Europe in December. São Miguel is a place of beauty with its lush flora, thriving marine life, volcanic landscapes and more.
You can also find various hot springs on the island offering a calming getaway after a stressful winter. This is not only one of the warmest places in Europe in winter but also one of the most beautiful.
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 15°C | 11°C | 13 |
| January | 14°C | 9°C | 12 |
| February | 14°C | 9°C | 10 |
Sicily, Italy
Sicily is a historic and beautiful Italian region located at the southern end of Italy. This is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and a top travel destination year-round. During the winter season, you can expect mild temperatures, but smaller crowds making explorations much more enjoyable.
Expect breathtaking beaches, magical villages and a plethora of ancient ruins and archaeological sites. All this combined makes it one of the best places to visit in Europe in December.
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 13°C | 7°C | 17 |
| January | 12°C | 5°C | 18 |
| February | 12°C | 5°C | 17 |
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Want to enjoy a more luxurious and high-end winter holiday? Then Monte Carlo is calling! This glamorous area in Monaco is located along the French Riviera and offers a holiday like no other. Here you can enjoy mesmerizing palaces, yachts, casinos and world-class restaurants.
Monte Carlo is not just one of the warmest places in Europe in Winter, but also one of the most exclusive.
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 14°C | 6°C | 5 |
| January | 13°C | 5°C | 5 |
| February | 13°C | 6°C | 4 |
Antalya, Turkey
Antalya is a resort city located in Turkey. It is one of the best places to visit in Europe in December for warm weather, stunning views, and a unique holiday experience. Situated along the world-famous Mediterranean Sea you can expect turquoise water and beautiful beaches.
Antalya is also one of the warmest places to visit in Europe in winter for all the winter months!
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 17°C | 6°C | 8 |
| January | 15°C | 5°C | 9 |
| February | 16°C | 6°C | 7 |
Lagos, Portugal
Lagos, Portugal is one of the warmest places in Europe in winter and a top winter holiday destination for Europeans and internationals alike. Located in Portugal’s world-famous Algarve region, Lagos is one of the best and most beautiful cities to spend a winter holiday in. With its unique orange-hued cliffs, small charming town, and endless beaches Lagos is one of the best places to visit in Europe in December (and year-round)
| High | Low | Rainfall days | |
| December | 19°C | 9°C | 14 |
| January | 16°C | 8°C | 14 |
| February | 16°C | 9°C | 14 |
Warmest Places in Europe in January
Discover the best places to visit in Europe in January. Below you will find the warmest place to visit in Europe in January for the perfect post-Christmas holiday.
Tenerife, Canary Islands
Tenerife is a Spanish island off the coast of West Africa. It is the largest of the world-famous Canary Islands and offers amazing temperatures year-round. With highs of 20°C, you can put your winter hats away and enjoy some much-needed beach and sun time! This vibrant island is known for its beautiful beaches, resorts and many festivals!
Tenerife is actually the warmest place in Europe in January and if high temperatures and little rain are what you seek then this is perfect.
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 21°C | 16°C | 5 |
| January | 20°C | 15°C | 4 |
| February | 20°C | 15°C | 3 |
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Lanzarote is another island that is part of Spain’s Canary Islands and the warmest place in Europe in January. With its year-round high temperatures and little rain, it is the perfect place to plan a winter sun holiday in Europe. A visit to Lanzarote will offer a more different and exciting holiday with its volcanic landscapes and unique terrain.
Head to Lanzarote in December, January or February as the temperatures for all these months are very warm and sometimes surpass the highs!
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 21°C | 14°C | 3 |
| January | 21°C | 13°C | 2 |
| February | 20°C | 13°C | 2 |
Majorca, Spain
Majorca is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands sitting in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Italy. This is one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter to see and experience the raw beauty this island holds. With its limestone mountains, rocky shores, and bright blue waters Majorca is a paradise travel destination.
In the summer months, Majorca is packed with tourists. So much so, that exploring can get a little uncomfortable. However, in the winter you can see and experience everything without hundreds of others surrounding you.
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 16°C | 8°C | 5 |
| January | 16°C | 7°C | 5 |
| February | 15°C | 7°C | 5 |
Valletta, Malta
Valletta is the capital of the small Mediterranean Island of Malta. This amazing medieval city is not the warmest place in Europe in January but very close! With highs of 17C, you can enjoy outdoor adventures exploring the natural beauty and historic buildings without overheating.
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 17°C | 11°C | 8 |
| January | 17°C | 9°C | 8 |
| February | 16°C | 8°C | 7 |
Malaga, Spain
Malaga is a charming and beautiful city located in the South of Spain. With Spain being the warmest place in Europe in January on the mainland of the continent it is a great option if you don’t want to travel too long and far to reach your destination. Known for its beaches, old town, and mix of Moorish and Renaissance architecture, Malaga is a place you will not want to miss.
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 17°C | 9°C | 5 |
| January | 17°C | 8°C | 5 |
| February | 17°C | 8°C | 4 |
Warmest Places in Europe in February
Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia is an Italian island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the warmest places in Europe in winter that offers a wide range of things to do during this season. In fact, most of the top things to do are best done in during the colder season like hiking its many beautiful trails!
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 15°C | 6.6°C | 15 |
| January | 14°C | 5.5°C | 14 |
| February | 15°C | 5.8°C | 14 |
Rome, Italy
Rome is a stunning city to visit year-round and starts heating up after a cool winter in February. Highs suggest 14°C but you may even see higher temperatures! With Rome being such a big city with so much to do and see, venturing here during the off-season is ideal to experience the city as your own.
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 13°C | 5°C | 8 |
| January | 12°C | 4°C | 7 |
| February | 14°C | 4°C | 7 |
Seville, Spain
Seville is one of the very few cities on this list that is not a seafront city! Located inland, Seville is a beautiful city in Spain with plenty to do and see. With temperatures reaching 18°C in February, Sevilla is easily one of the warmest places in Europe in winter and the ideal place to visit to escape the cold harsh winter days.
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 17°C | 8°C | 6 |
| January | 16°C | 6°C | 6 |
| February | 18°C | 7°C | 5 |
Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor is located in one of Europe’s most underrated countries: Montenegro. This Mediterranean gem is full of beauty and wonder and is easily one of the most beautiful places in Europe. It is also one of the warmest places in Europe in winter with highs increasing to over 13°C in February!
| High | Low | Rainfall Days | |
| December | 13°C | 3°C | 14 |
| January | 12°C | 2°C | 10 |
| February | 13°C | 3°C | 9 |
Travel Insurance
Getting travel insurance before you travel is a MUST. It’s the number one thing you should always pack before travelling that can save you a lot of money, time, and stress. With how crazy travel has gotten recently you need that peace of mind that no matter what happens there is something protecting you from losing out. I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should.
I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should. Below is my favorite travel insurer Safety Wings, enter your details to get a free quote!
Your winter sun holiday waits!
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SSW
All of these places looks absolutely gorgeous! Would love to holiday at any, or ALL of them! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Just what I needed to read on a rainy day. Your pictures are wonderful! I’ve been to some of these places and definitely enjoyed the warmth!
This is fantastic information, a great way the thaw out for a little bit also from the chill of the northern countries
I’m always in search of warm weather destinations to escapte the winter cold, so this is such a great and helpful list! I’ll definitely be leveraging this. They’re so many destinations in Spain and Portugal you’ve listed that have been on my radar for a while 🙂
This is exactly what I needed to read just now, with winter coming closer. I’m planning to spend one month in a warmer place this winter and your post has given me some great inspiration!
I’ve already been to Malta, The Canaries, Madrid and Italy in winter. And it brightens up my mood so much being in a place where it’s a bit warmer and especially more sunny. But it’s so hard to decide, as all these places sound beautiful. Thanks for your inspiration 🙂
Currently planning a winter break in Europe. This is exactly the post I need to read. Thanks for sharing.