Sun in winter: 10 travel destinations where it is truly warm from November to March
When it gets dark outside at 4:30 PM and the fog just won't clear, we start the same search every year: Where is it actually warm right now?
The good news: For warm winter travel destinations, you don't necessarily have to fly for 12 hours. We have compared ten destinations, from the Canaries to Cape Town – including temperatures, flight time from Vienna, time difference, and the best months to visit. We also provide honest notes on where the rainy season is currently occurring and which popular destinations we are deliberately not recommending this winter.
The most important things in 30 seconds
- Short flights, minimal jet lag: The Canaries, Madeira, and the Red Sea in Egypt can be reached in 4–5 hours, with a maximum time difference of one hour.
- Guaranteed over 28 degrees: Thailand (Andaman Sea), Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Mexico – though these require a 9–13 hour flight.
- Insider tip with no jet lag: Cape Town is in midsummer during our winter and has only a one-hour time difference.
- Mind the rainy season: Bali and the east coast of Sri Lanka are wetter from November to March; Mauritius has cyclone season starting in January.
- Gulf region: The Federal Foreign Office currently advises against non-essential travel to the UAE (as of 10/01/2026).
Warm travel destinations in winter: all 10 compared
| Destination | Air (daytime) | Water |
Flight time from Vienna |
Time difference |
Best months |
| Canaries (Tenerife, Gran Canaria) | approx. 21–22 °C | approx. 19–20 °C | approx. 5 h | −1 h | Nov–Mar |
| Madeira | approx. 19–20 °C | approx. 18 °C | approx. 4.5–5 h | −1 h | Nov–Mar |
| Cape Verde (Sal, Boa Vista) | approx. 25 °C | approx. 22–23 °C | approx. 6–7 h | −2 h | Nov–Mar |
| Egypt (Red Sea) | approx. 22–24 °C | approx. 21–23 °C | approx. 4 h | +1 h | Nov, Mar (Dec–Feb cool in evenings) |
| Thailand (Phuket, Krabi) | approx. 31–32 °C | approx. 28 °C | approx. 10.5 h | +6 h | Dec–Mar |
| Sri Lanka (South and West coast) | approx. 30–31 °C | approx. 28 °C | approx. 10–12 h with transfer | +4.5 h | Dec–Mar |
| Maldives | approx. 30 °C | approx. 28–29 °C | approx. 9–11 h | +4 h | Dec–Apr |
| Mauritius | approx. 30 °C | approx. 27 °C | approx. 12–13 h with transfer | +3 h | Nov–Dec |
| Mexico (Yucatán, Cancún) | approx. 28 °C | approx. 26–27 °C | approx. 12–14 h with transfer | −6 h | Dec–Apr |
| Cape Town (South Africa) | approx. 26–27 °C | approx. 16–19 °C | approx. 12–13 h with transfer | +1 h | Dec–Mar |
Reference values for December to February, flight times rounded.
Which winter travel destination suits you?
| You want … | Then this fits … |
| Short flight, hardly any jet lag, an extended weekend | Canaries, Madeira, Red Sea |
| Guaranteed swimming weather over 28 degrees | Thailand, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Mexico |
| Hiking and nature instead of a sun lounger | Madeira, Tenerife, Cape Town |
| Beach plus culture | Sri Lanka, Mexico, Thailand |
| City, wine, and sea with no time difference | Cape Town |
| Diving and snorkeling | Red Sea, Maldives |
| With children, uncomplicated | Canaries, Red Sea |
Warm travel destinations with short flight times
1. Canaries: the classic for winter escape
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura have spring-like temperatures of 21–22 degrees in winter, often blue skies, and hardly any time difference. Swimming is possible, but it is for the hardy: the sea is around 19–20 degrees.
Insider tip: On Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the south is significantly sunnier and drier than the north. For swimming weather, head to the area around Costa Adeje or Maspalomas; for hiking and green landscapes, head to the north.
2. Madeira: flower island with a mild winter
Madeira is slightly cooler than the Canaries, but greener and wilder: levada hikes along old water channels, steep cliffs, Funchal with its cafes. It is usually too cool for swimming in winter.
Insider tip: The New Year's Eve fireworks over the bay of Funchal are considered one of the largest in Europe. If you want to spend the turn of the year here, it’s best to book as early as the summer.
3. Cape Verde: Sun without jet lag
The island group off the coast of West Africa is located significantly further south than the Canaries and is correspondingly warmer in winter: around 25 degrees, constant wind, and long beaches. Sal and Boa Vista are the beach islands, while Santo Antão is a hiking paradise.
Insider tip: The trade winds make the heat pleasant, though they can sometimes make the sand uncomfortable. Kitesurfers and windsurfers love exactly that.
4. Egypt: Red Sea for divers and sun-seekers
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and Sharm el-Sheikh can be reached in about four hours. It is pleasantly warm during the day, the sea is 21–23 degrees, and the reefs are among the most beautiful in the world.
Insider tip: From December to February, the evenings get quite chilly at 13–15 degrees. A warm jacket should be in your luggage. The Federal Foreign Office advises extra caution, even in tourist areas on the Red Sea, and advises against travel to certain border regions – though the popular holiday resorts themselves are not affected (travel advice).
Warm long-haul destinations in winter
5. Thailand: Dream weather on the Andaman Sea
From December to March, the west coast around Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Lanta experiences its dry season: 31–32 degrees, calm seas, and sunsets over the water.
Insider tip: Koh Samui and the Gulf of Thailand see significantly more rain in November and December. If you are traveling before Christmas, the Andaman Sea is a better choice.
6. Sri Lanka: choosing the right coast
Sri Lanka has two monsoons – in winter, the southwest gets the nice weather: Galle, Mirissa, Unawatuna. There are also tea plantations in the highlands, temples, and safaris.
Insider tip: The east coast around Trincomalee and Arugam Bay is wet in winter and beautiful in summer. Be sure to pay close attention to the coast when booking your hotel.
7. Maldives: the safest beach weather
From December to April, it is the dry season, and the water is almost bathtub-warm. Expensive, yes – but there are now also guesthouses on inhabited islands that are significantly cheaper than resorts.
Insider tip: Christmas and New Year are the most expensive weeks of the year. From mid-January, prices often drop noticeably, while the weather remains stable.
8. Mauritius: better early in the winter
In Mauritius, winter is summer: warm, green, and perfect for swimming. However, January to March is cyclone season, when it can be stormy and wet for days.
Insider tip: November and early December are the best time – warm, drier, and before the big Christmas rush.
9. Mexico: Caribbean and Maya culture
On the Riviera Maya around Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, the dry season lasts from December to April. There are also Maya ruins, cenotes for swimming, and colorful colonial towns like Valladolid.
Insider tip: With a six-hour time difference, you will be wide awake at 5 a.m. the first morning. Take advantage of that and drive early to the ruins of Chichén Itzá or Tulum – before the tour buses arrive.
10. Cape Town: Midsummer without jet lag
Our insider tip for anyone who hates jet lag: It is midsummer in Cape Town in December, and the time difference is only one hour. Table Mountain, the wine region, penguins at Boulders Beach, and a glass of wine by the sea in the evening.
Insider tip: The Atlantic on the Cape Town side is fresh at 16–19 degrees. For swimming, it is better to head to the beaches of False Bay, such as Muizenberg – the water is a few degrees warmer there.
Our personal tip:
We have spent New Year's Eve in Tulum and Dubai ourselves - both are perfect destinations if you want to escape the winter. Tulum, in particular, remains in our memory for its warm evenings, Caribbean vibes, and the mix of beach time and excursions. We would also plan for Cape Town for a winter getaway anytime: summer, sea, and hardly any time difference are simply a strong combination.
And what about Bali, Singapore, or Dubai?
Three destinations many people think of in winter – and about which we want to be honest:
- Bali: From November to March, it is the rainy season. It is still warm, usually with heavy but short downpours in the afternoon. Those who are flexible can travel well and benefit from fewer crowds. You can find tips for the island in our guides for Ubud, Canggu, and Uluwatu.
- Singapore: Around 30 degrees all year round, with slightly more rain from November to January. Perfect as a stopover on the way to Asia or Australia - more about this in the Singapore Travel Guide.
- Dubai and the Gulf region: Climatically actually ideal. However, the Federal Foreign Office currently advises against non-essential travel to the United Arab Emirates (as of 09/23/2026), and there is a partial warning for Oman. That is why they are not on our list this winter. You can find the current status at the Federal Foreign Office or the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs.
How to plan your winter escape smartly
- Book early for Christmas, New Year's Eve, and the semester break in February. Prices rise significantly almost everywhere during these weeks.
- Take advantage of the weeks after New Year's: From mid-January to early February, the weather is stable at most destinations, and prices are lower.
- Check travel advisories: Shortly before booking and before departure, it is worth checking the websites of the Federal Foreign Office or the BMEIA.
- Prepare well for long-haul flights: Our 12 tips for sleeping on a plane show you how to actually sleep on night flights.
Arrive refreshed after a 12-hour flight:
The NeckDream supports your head from multiple sides and fits compactly into your carry-on – ideal for a night flight into the sun. When purchasing, you get a travel guide worth €14.95 for free.
Conclusion: There are warm winter travel destinations for every flight duration
If you only have one week and want to avoid jet lag, the Canary Islands, Madeira, or the Red Sea are the right choices.
If you definitely want to swim, fly to Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, or Mexico – and be sure to pay attention to the right coast and season.
Our personal tip for those looking for summer without time differences: Cape Town.
No matter where you go, warm winter travel destinations are the best medicine against grey, foggy days.
Frequently asked questions about warm winter destinations
Where is it warm in winter with a short flight time?
The Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Red Sea in Egypt. You can reach all three from Vienna in about 4–5 hours, with a time difference of at most one hour.
Where is it warm enough to swim in December?
You are guaranteed water temperatures over 26 degrees in Thailand on the Andaman Sea, in the Maldives, in Sri Lanka on the southwest coast, in Mauritius, and in Mexico. In the Canaries and Egypt, the sea is significantly fresher at 19–23 degrees.
Where is it warm in January without jet lag?
In Cape Town: It is midsummer there with 26–27 degrees, and the time difference to Vienna is only one hour. The Canaries, Madeira, and Egypt also have hardly any time difference.
Is Bali a good idea in winter?
From November to March, it is the rainy season on Bali. It stays warm, usually with short, heavy downpours in the afternoon. If you are flexible, you can travel well and benefit from fewer crowds.
Can you travel to Dubai in winter?
Climatically, Dubai is ideal in winter. However, the German Federal Foreign Office currently advises against non-essential travel to the United Arab Emirates (as of 10/01/2026). Check the current status before booking.
When is the cheapest time for a winter trip to the sun?
Usually from mid-January to early February, between New Year's and the semester break. The weather is stable at most destinations, and prices are noticeably lower than during the holiday weeks.