There’s no reason to hang up your summer clothes just yet. As autumn (then winter) begins to settle in the UK, you’ll find plenty of winter sun holidays around the world.
From the golden shores of Egypt to the warmth of Thailand or the spectacular landscapes of Namibia – these are some of the best places to visit for a winter sun holiday this year.
Tenerife, The Canary Islands
Just off the coast of Africa, these islands maintain a soft, spring-like climate, with temperatures hovering around a very comfortable 20-25 degrees, year round. Take advantage of this as the UK winter sets in – within just a few hours you can find yourself soaking up the sun on a poolside lounger, cocktail in hand. Each island carries its own unique character, but they share the same promise of warm Atlantic air and a slower way of life. In Tenerife, the northern shores offer tropical beaches and lush national parks, while the south of the island is dry and elemental with looming volcanic rocks.
On its south east, visit the natural pools in Los Abrigos. Carved into large volcanic rock, the stunning backdrop is as memorable as the experience. From here, it’s just a short trip to Guía de Isora – a gorgeous city with traditional Canarian architecture built along wide cobbled streets, and a colourful array of terrace buildings that brighten the town under the sun’s blanketed warmth. Life moves at an unhurried pace here: people are neighbourly, the food is fresh and full of flavour, and the surrounding coastlines promise relaxation (and a healthy tan).
Egypt
In Egypt, mild, sunny temperatures remain constant through the coming months. Peer up at the Great Pyramids of Giza, where the royal tomb of Pharaoh Khufu lies. Sun-scorched and immense, the pyramids echo the Egyptian vision of creation: a world rising from the primordial waters to meet the sun, where the Sun God Ra took his place. His rays spilled across the pyramid’s enormous stones, illuminating them like a golden staircase that climbed up toward the heavens; a sacred passage through which Pharaoh Khufu could ascend to the afterlife. For more history, visit the many Egyptian museums that offer numerous relics from the past, with mummies, grand statues and ancient texts aplenty. The Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation in Cairo are two of the most renowned.
Don’t leave Cairo without visiting some of the many markets, such as Khan el Khalili, which fill the streets with colour and an eclectic array of antique and handmade goods. But Egypt’s story does not belong solely to its monuments and markets. In the south, along the banks of the Nile and stretching into Northern Sudan, live the communities within Nubia. Their vibrant villages have become somewhat of a tourist hotspot, especially in Aswan. This region holds a profound cultural significance for the Nubian people, whose ancestral lands and villages were dramatically affected by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. And respect is due if you plan on visiting their gorgeous, colourful homes: for those planning to visit, supporting local artisans by purchasing their handmade crafts is one small way to show thanks for their hospitality.
South Africa
As winter creeps in across the UK and Europe, summer arrives in South Africa — and it comes chock full of large festive markets, braais, and an understanding that celebrating life is top of the agenda. Start in Cape Town, one of the three capitals of South Africa and known for its copious sandy beaches and view of Table Mountain that settles on the horizon. Hike it, or soar through the clouds in a cable car. Visit Boulders Beach to wander along boardwalks as you watch over a colony of endangered African penguins. Then, there’s the rest of the country to explore.
Travel along the Orange River, also known as the Gariep River, from its Khoekhoe name. Known as the country’s longest, it rises in Lesotho, flows through South Africa, and forms part of the border between South Africa and Namibia. Rafting is offered as an outdoor activity in the Richtersveld Desert and a worthwhile, once-in-a-lifetime experience to cross the waters in the dry heat. Other notable spots to visit include Hartbeesport, just north of Johannesburg and known for its unique Roman-like arch walls that tower over a large open dam as the long mountain ranges circle it in its greenery. The coastal village of St Lucia is a gateway to iSimangaliso Wetland Park – South Africa’s oldest UNESCO World Heritage Site – with many notable and well-loved animals and safari trips to spot them from.
Namibia
Namibia is one of the least densely populated countries on earth, making it the perfect place to experience some of the world’s least-touched-by-humans spaces. Whether it’s a long road trip through vast landscapes and dramatic coastlines, or watching animals lap hungrily at waterholes, this is a place that truly shakes your worldview and brings forth a kind of peace that’s hard to find elsewhere. Start your days in Windhoek, the capital city: go for a hike on the Yellowstone trails; shop the local markets; and visit the Independence Museum to understand and respect the history that remains prominent on its land. Try Kapana (a traditional Namibian dish), and Oshikundu (a fermented drink made of pearl millet flourwater and malted sorghum flour).
Move on to Sossusvlei, where long roads wind across gravel and dust and lead you to spend hours travelling beneath the vast blue sky, watching the brilliant shimmering colours of the dunes – and the occasional signs of life that endure in this extraordinary desert. The trip is half the adventure. Once you’ve taken in the vastness of Sossusvlei, visit the pink lake of Walvis Bay, or the massive natural rock peak of Spitzkoppe within the Namib Desert, then continue to Etosha National Park, where vast grasslands and watering holes provide the perfect setting for a safari adventure.
Thailand
During the winter months, temperatures in Thailand hover at around 28°C while the air remains dry and comfortable. Bangkok is always a good place to start, and be sure to visit the Damnoen Saduak floating market along the narrow canals just outside of the city. Further afield, explore Thailand’s vast greenery. In Phuket, visit the beautiful Chalong Temple as well as the Old Town.
Further north, Ban Rak Thai is a tiny mountain village among misty mountains, tranquil lakes and sprawling tea plantations — its peaceful atmosphere feels a world away from Thailand’s busier cities. And, for a truly spectacular natural sight, visit Talay Bua Daeng, a large lake speckled with vivid red lotus blossoms that transform into a sea of crimson and pink. This phenomenon only happens during November to February, making it a beautiful addition to a winter escape.
Australia
As someone who grew up in Australia, I have an earnest love for this country. Before the relief of rain would make itself known, I remember lying out on the cool wooden floors, feeling the buzzing of the fan soak away the lasting heat. I played under the spray of water fountains, and let sticky watermelon juice cling to my fingers as I ate it under the warm, heady heat.
The famous tourist destinations are worth all the hype: on the long, winding Great Ocean Road, kick back and enjoy a hot, sizzling barbie along the hundreds of beaches (or snag a hot dog from your local Bunnings if you’re more inland). The Gold Coast wraps the shore in a lustre of soft white, and on Melbourne’s diverse streets you’ll find bustling art scenes and good food on every corner. The Great Barrier Reef is home to 1,625 species of fish alone, alongside hundreds of coral species and thousands of other marine species — but it’s crucial not to damage the already vulnerable ecosystem while you’re there so that generations to come can appreciate the land as well.
Tourists who visit Australia should always make the time to understand and appreciate the culture and land. There are more than 250 language groups/nations that are indigenous to this country. So, when visiting Uluṟu and Kata Tjuta, the famous reddened sun-baked rocks, be sure to understand that this specific land belongs to and is sacred to the Aṉangu Traditional Owners. These rocks hold an incredible history of tales told. These stories, believed and practised through Tjukurpa law (their religious philosophy), retell the idea that the landscape was shaped by ancestral beings to become what it is today. Appreciate the views it lends to you before visiting the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre and its Indigenous art galleries for a look into the history, stories and art of the Aṉangu people.
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Any Questions or Tips to add?