Where would you go for winter sun in Europe?

[Happybefree]

I’m looking for somewhere I can go solo last minute in January for a week somewhere in Europe - somewhere reasonably warm with some nice walks and peace, though maybe a few cultural things to do. I won’t be driving so limits options for somewhere too remote.

I’ve been looking at the Canary Islands but I really don’t want a resort or somewhere with lots of English tourists (being an English tourist myself ), really want to avoid anywhere with lots of karaoke and bars. I know there are some quieter islands but not sure which and how accessible they are.

Ideally not a city break but prefer that over somewhere really resort-y, or maybe a combination of city and somewhere quieter. Not massively restricted by budget but not £££ luxury either.

Any recommendations please?!

Palma? Balerics or Canaries almost certainly best weather-wise.

I got back from Valencia last week .... it was lovely and not too busy. There is a beach about 15 mins by bus/metro from town which wasn't busy. Friends have just got back from Madeira which looed lovely. If you want to spend more and don't mind going further Fujairah in the UAE might work. Warm, sunny, lack of British tourists, less touristy than Dubai.

I would recommend Lanzarote lots of interesting sites to visit, weather is great in winter, we have visited many times in Dec & Feb half term.

Balearics won’t be warm enough in January sadly.

At this time of year you need to be looking further south than Europe. North Africa or the Canaries are probably your best bet if sunshine is a priority.

Check whether the south of France will be warm enough for you. Antibes, Nice perhaps.

Madeira. Lovely climate, very safe, lots of interesting gentle-gradient walks

Not Europe (but not far) - have a look around Tel Aviv

We had a week in Madeira at the end of January and the weather was very pleasant - highly recommended.
It is changeable, being a small hilly island at the edge of the Atlantic, but it was mild and mostly sunny the whole week.
Flights & nice s/c accom were very cheap too but that was pre-Covid, might be different now.
We arrived in Funchal on a Friday, the weekend was quiet but on the Monday the cruise ships started arriving so the waterfront area got quite busy. Still lots of other places to go though.

Lanzarote can be as busy or quiet as you want it.

we’ve been before, chose a hotel with two pools - one with a bar and one without - plus a way back from the main drag.

result was a week in the sun with a pool to myself most days.

I really do need to learn to read.... missed out the bit about wanting to be in Europe. Limits you to S.Europe so Sicily... parts of Greece... trouble is the weather can be so unpredictable.

We are looking at Madeira too. Looks beautiful. And the wicker toboggan run looks good!

Tenerife was lovely and totally not the English abroad thing I was expecting.
But we were in the center and then the North (visiting a local friend).
We didn't see any other Brits only a few German's.

Nice or Porto. Have been to both in winter time and both had lovely weather. Porto would start off foggy and then clear by half 10/11 and you’d get lovely sun. Nice was warm during the day. Evenings cold at both.

Can I come? 😂

It does look fun, but we bottled out and just watched other people!
The cable car up to where the toboggan starts is a nice ride though. (The Botanic Gardens are up there too)

I'm in tenerife now. Staying in los gigantes and doing the treks to masca etc. So beautiful and great westher for walking. And have swum in the sea. Totally recommend

Malaga city, not the resorts. Fabulous city great food, drinks and shopping. Beach is right there too. You can take the train to Cordoba and Seville.

I do it often, fly into Malaga for three days and two in Cordoba, two or three in Seville (fabulous place), and fly home from there. Cannot be beaten for interesting things to see and do.

Weather hit and miss, but is doing fine at the moment. I was there in November and it was scorching. Well 23d and sunny. Not bad.

It's a city break but had a lovely warm January break in Seville. T shirt weather early Jan. One of my favourite places.

Seville is the warmest you'll get city wise. Malaga is also nice and warm and the gran hotel miramar felt like we were there for a beach holiday but had the city there if we needed a walk!

Fuerteventura
Jandia/Esquinzo down south is warmer than the north.
fabulous beach walks on pristine sand
SBH Paraiso Playa / Robinson Club/ Princess Hotels (though full of us Brits)
TUI Magic Life (naturist pool in spa area)
No culture, just fabulous scenery.
Saunas for if the weather turns is handy too

or Costa Calma - great for long walks right across the island - but no real town centre and haven’t found a hotel I like except SBH Costa Calma Palace (sauna complex for if the weather turns). Not the other SBH hotels there though.

El Cotillo on the north west coast, stunning old fishing village, idyllic lagoons with great swimming walking north. Unfortunately only 1 hotel there, we go -but it’s not great.

In Fuerte llast week - going back next week 😁

Cyprus?

Or Rhodes/Crete?

I think it's hard to get real heat in Europe in winter.

Malta?

Not Europe but would you consider Israel? Went in February before and it was 17-19c!

Oooh I'm going on Saturday...can't wait.

Enjoy! I love Israel. I went early February so hopefully it’ll be nice when you go.