The best places in Europe for winter sun to escape the cold

Despite the advantages of a snowy winter, more and more people in the Nordic countries prefer to spend the cold months of the year in warmer climes, away from snow and frost. Modern reality has opened up the charms of remote work for many, which means it has given a chance to while away the days, even working days, on white sand beaches under palm trees.

Wintering in a warm country has already ceased to be something exotic: more and more people choose this lifestyle. But if you decide on such an experience for the first time, then you are probably at a loss and do not know how to choose the right place.

The further south, the warmer, so in Europe for wintering or a comfortable long vacation, you can choose Cyprus, Malta, southern Italy, including Sicily, southern Portugal, namely the Lisbon Riviera, southern mainland Spain. Winters in these regions are usually warm. The daily temperature is around +12-18 degrees, rarely drops to +5, while there are more sunny days than cloudy ones.

Let's take a look at some of the best European destinations to escape to this winter, where wintering will be the most comfortable in every way.

The ideal place would be where:

● affordable housing;
● there is something to see and do;
● good weather;
● friendly local population and low crime rate;
● stable political situation.

In general, there are quite a lot of criteria for selection, and in order not to be mistaken, it is necessary to consider each of the countries in more detail.

Montenegro

It is very difficult for weather-dependent people to spend a cold winter without the sun. Those who love the sun should think about Montenegro. Of all the cities in Montenegro, Budva is the most convenient to live in, there are shops in almost every house.

The climate of Montenegro is ideal for a year-round stay. It is quite warm here in winter - at least +11°C on the coast, around -6°C in the mountains, it is very comfortable to spend time outdoors. There are no sudden temperature changes.

Even despite the large amount of rain, Montenegro is rich in bright colours - blue skies, greenery, fruits grow everywhere, as well as a pronounced smell of the sea. Montenegro is suitable for those who love European culture, do not chase the heat in January, love peace, tranquillity and beautiful landscapes.

Information about the conditions of stay in the country can be found on the official website of the country.

Greece

Winter in Greece is usually sunny and warm. The air temperature can be kept within +17 - 20 degrees. This is quite comfortable for leisurely walks in parks and archaeological sites. There is practically no snow in cities. It falls only in mountainous areas.

Crete is perfect for wintering. This is the largest Greek island, according to legend, the birthplace of the supreme god Zeus.

Temperature in December: +9...+18 °С, average duration of a sunny day: 9 hours 51 minutes.
Here you can not only enjoy excursion programs, but even have fun in clubs. You can spend time actively and cheerfully. There are many interesting places to see here. In addition, it will be more economical. Shoppers will be especially pleased.

Here you can see ancient Roman ruins and Turkish hamams, mountain ranges adjacent to sand dunes. The local population is very hospitable, friendly and sociable. In the off-season there are no crowds of tourists, so you can relax and have a good rest after a working day.

Athens, the capital of Greece is warm even in the winter months, but it often rains. And from February every year you can expect unpredictability - the weather changes several times a day. On average, in winter days, the temperature is + 15-20 degrees.

Rest in the winter months is good because there are not a lot of tourists. In splendid isolation, you will be able to take a walk along the Acropolis. And this is a real pleasure. Nearby is a museum, where you should definitely go after a walk. And here you can see real statues, whose copies adorn the famous hill. After that, you can walk to Plaka. This ancient area is full of vacationers during the tourist season, and in winter it becomes an ordinary sleeping area. It is cozy and quiet here, the houses are neatly whitewashed, and the shops located here surprise with their affordable price tags. Having reached the Areopagus (and the cliff is very steep), you can admire the city, shrouded in a milky winter haze. Legend has it that Saint Paul read his sermons on the cliff. And a nice bonus for tourists - in winter, most of the Athenian museums do not charge entry fees from tourists.

Santorini stands out from other Greek islands. The volcanic rocks of the island fall steeply into the sea, and the characteristic Greek cities perched on their slopes create a unique view. The blue domes of the churches and the whitewashed walls of the buildings are an integral element of the landscape of the island, known from catalogues with advertisements for Greece.

While in Santorini, it is worth wandering along the romantic alleys, enjoying the magnificent view of the caldera, still dormant on the volcano and the winding rocks of the houses in Fira. It is also worth trying the delicacies for which the island is famous (for example, pancakes with zucchini and tomatoes) or watching the sunset, supposedly the most spectacular in Europe.

It is possible to practice water sports or sunbathe on the unique Red Beach near Akrotiri, where volcanic lava has formed red rocks falling into the sea. However, to spend a few days in Santorini, you need to have a good budget. Holidays on this Greek island are not cheap.

Cyprus

Temperature in December: +9...+20 °C, average duration of a sunny day: 9 hours 54 minutes.

After a deep economic crisis, Cyprus is experiencing a new upsurge. But even in difficult years, the flow of visitors to this fertile land does not dry out. The island, located at the crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, remembers ancient civilizations: Stone Age sites, Roman ruins, Venetian fortresses, Muslim mosques and Christian monasteries have been preserved here. You can sunbathe and swim almost all year round, as well as enjoy your favourite Cypriot meze snacks, sheep cheese, meat and vegetable dishes.

And in addition to this, in Cyprus in the winter season it is not at all boring: you can walk along the sea or go skiing in the Troodos Mountains (there is snow in the mountains in winter), and in February you can become a participant in the carnival with parades and balls.

Portugal

Algarve: temperature in December in: +9 ... +18 ° С, average duration of a sunny day: 9 hours 43 minutes.

The resort is located on the south-western tip of Europe. It has a warm climate, beautiful sandy beaches, framed by high banks with pine groves and flowering shrubs. Even in December it is very comfortable here, but swimming is difficult due to the cold and turbulent ocean. But strong winds encourage sailing. Cozy fishing villages, cork oak plantations and golf courses are scattered along the banks. And in rainy weather, you can go shopping. And vacationers are waiting for a varied and healthy local cuisine, rich in fish, meat and vegetable dishes, and, of course, delicious Portuguese wines and real port wine.

Malta

Temperature in December: +11...+18 °С, average duration of a sunny day: 9 hours 48 minutes.

A small island in the Mediterranean Sea is located near the Italian Sicily. The weather here is very favourable, this place is considered the sunniest in Europe. The proximity of the two continents has diversified the culture and architecture of Malta, influenced by the Phoenicians, Romans, English, Italians, French and Moors. Here you can meet stone fortresses and red telephone boxes, taste kebabs and pizza. Prices on the island are moderate, the trip will not hit your pocket. The main attraction is the Blue Grotto, it is washed by clear turquoise water and surrounded by limestone cliffs.

Malta remembers the ancient Romans, the Arab conquerors and, of course, the knights of the famous Order of Malta. The capital of the state - the city of Valletta - is included in the list of cities of the World cultural heritage. There is the Cathedral of St. John, in which the Grand Masters and the famous knights of the Order of Malta and the Palace of the Grand Master found their rest. And on the streets of Mdina, which once together with Rabat was part of an ancient Roman settlement, and then an Arab fortress in the Moorish style, you can find beautiful buildings, churches and baroque palaces, cozy cafes and boutiques.

Spain

Tenerife, like the other islands of the Canary archipelago, formally belongs to Spain, but is located at the latitude of the Sahara. It is not cold here in winter - the temperature is around 20-26 degrees. Despite the small size of the island, everyone can find something to their liking here: the high waves of the Atlantic Ocean attract surfers, the Teide volcano and relict forests are great for hiking. Local wines from the Malvasia grape variety are famous throughout Europe. Connoisseurs include Walter Scott, George Washington and the already mentioned Shakespeare.

Throughout the winter, the Canarias Folk Fest Arona festival takes place on the island, the purpose of which is to familiarize guests of Tenerife with traditional Canarian culture. The program is divided into stage and commercial part. On the stage of the Plaza de la Pescadores, colonial-era dances and folk music are played. In the meantime, small markets open up all over the city where you can try local cuisine: potatoes with mojo sauce boiled in sea water, soup with pork ribs and fried bananas with syrup.

Italy

Naples is famous for its colourful streets and its UNESCO-listed historic centre, but the beauty doesn't end there. The Naples subway is one of the rare examples of the European subway, where the design of the platforms was truly creative.

As elsewhere in Italy, from January 5 to March 5, post-New Year sales are held in Naples. The most famous place to go shopping is the Umberto Gallery, a beautiful historic passage under a glass dome. In addition to luxury shops, the city is famous for its countless shops on San Gregorio Armeno Street. Here they sell figurines for Italian Christmas nativity scenes "presepio".

Choosing a country and a city for a warm winter, it is not necessary to settle in coastal towns, you can rent a house or buy real estate in large cities located to the south and enjoy museums, excursions, local holidays, gastronomy and wines. In Italy, for example, you can settle in Rome, Florence and Naples, and in Spain - in Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona. In winter, it is often rainy there, but there is a lot of greenery and sunny days when the air warms up to +12 degrees, and, of course, there is no snow.