In these cities, average winter temperatures can reach +20 and there is almost no rain.
The colder it gets outside, the more people think about a vacation in warmer climes. If there is no time and opportunity to go to distant countries, the inhabitants of Europe are trying to find “warmed up” points within the limits of their continent.
Travel Off Path has compiled a list of four affordable vacation destinations in Europe where you can go for the winter sun.
Limassol, Cyprus
The Mediterranean island of Cyprus enjoys very mild winters, and its second-largest city, Limassol, is both an ancient port dating back thousands of years and a rapidly developing coastal center, whose innovation and waterfront with skyscrapers earned it the title of “Dubai of Cyprus”.
Tourists in Limassol will enjoy a walk through the charming Old Town, where the narrow streets are filled with Greek-style cafes, an excursion to the monumental medieval fortress, which holds an impressive number of centuries-old artifacts, and finally relax on the palm-lined promenade. And most likely, you won’t have to wear a coat, as even in the coldest months of the year, the temperature is still a delightful +17 degrees Celsius.
Marbella, Spain
This bustling resort town in Spain’s Costa del Sol region delights tourists in winter with average daily highs of 20 degrees Celsius and very little precipitation – just five rainy days in January.
Sandwiched between the Sierra Blanca Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Marbella boasts more than 25 kilometers of golden sand beaches dotted with luxury villas and hotels, but in winter they cost several times less than in the peak summer season.
And while it may be too cold to swim at this time of year, the good thing about Europe is that there’s never a shortage of cultural attractions to admire – in Marbella, it’s a charming Old Renaissance Town with whitewashed buildings and streets decorated with bougainvilleas.
Lagos, Portugal
Just a five – hour drive west of Marbella is the Portuguese town of Lagos, the cultural capital of the Algarve resort province, where all the most beautiful beaches in the country are located. At the same time, in winter, the average temperature there is about 18 degrees Celsius, and rain is extremely rare, which makes it an ideal place for sunbathing.
Also not to be missed is the walled historic center of Lagos, which dates back to the Middle Ages and features well-preserved Baroque forts and churches, as well as several traditional eateries where you can sample bakalau and other fresh seafood for less than $ 15.
As a whole, Lagos is one of the cheapest sunny destinations in Europe regardless of the season, with private guest house rooms just steps away from the beach starting at $ 35.
Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
Although it is a full-fledged Spanish island, Gran Canaria is officially part of the neighboring African continent, and it is there that millions of Europeans flock for the winter sun.
Lively Maspalomas is known for its endless beaches with soft honey-colored sands, a huge dune reserve and a spectacular amusement park.
Gran Canaria is known as the Land of Eternal Spring for a reason: it is never too cold or too hot, regardless of the season, and if you come to Maspalomas in January, you should expect that the daytime temperature will fluctuate around 22 degrees Celsius.
