Tired of the cold and longing to feel the warm sun on your skin, the sand between your toes and the sound of wind through the palm trees? The winter may be very cozy and cozy, but it is also very long and cold in our country. A (light) winter dip is therefore not unknown to many people. The ideal recipe to deal with this is to look for the sun in the winter. A week of soaking up the winter sun and you can face the rest of the winter with fresh energy. Pack your bikini and say goodbye to your winter dip, because Vivian from The Daily Dutchy has collected the best winter sun holiday destinations for you.
The best winter sun destinations
- Canary Islands
- Gambia
- Cape Verde
- Mexico
- Curacao
- South Africa
- Dominican Republic
Canary Islands
Anyone who thought that you have to go far to find the sun in winter is wrong. With an average temperature of 22 degrees in the winter months, the Canary Islands are a perfect winter sun destination. In just 4.5 hours you can exchange the harsh Dutch winter for a pleasant spring-like climate. The Canary Islands consists of the islands of Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Tenerife, each of which has its own unique possibilities.
Fuerteventura | winter sun destinations
Fuerteventura is known as the island with the most sun, but that is not without reason. It can be quite windy here. This makes Fuerteventura an ideal destination for kiters and surfers. The most popular place to stay on Fuerteventura is Corralejo in the north. In addition to working on your tan, you can also practice water sports here, such as supping and windsurfing.
Gran Canaria | winter sun destinations
Gran Canaria is among many the most famous winter sun holiday destination. And that is quite right. With over 320 days of sunshine per year and an average of 7 to 8 hours of sunshine per day, Gran Canaria is the perfect place to get a dose of vitamin D during the cold winter months. When you go on holiday to Gran Canaria during the winter months, it is advisable to think carefully in which part of the island you want to stay. The south of the island is a lot warmer than the north. You will therefore find most tourists in the south of the island. But don’t just stick to the south. In the middle of the island there is a beautiful mountain landscape full of vineyards and banana plantations, which are also definitely worth a visit.
Tenerife | winter sun destinations
Tenerife is the largest island of the Canary Islands and, like Gran Canaria, has a colder north and a warmer south. Those who come for the warmth and the sun would therefore be wise to choose an accommodation in the south. However, the north is also definitely worth a visit. Here you will find beautiful nature such as valleys, palm trees and citrus trees, but also the highest mountain on the island.
Gambia
In any case, you will not be bothered by a winter dip in Gambia, because with a temperature that can also rise to 32 degrees in the winter, this is also one of the best winter sun destinations. But that’s not the only reason to visit this country. The cheerful people, the rich culture, beautiful beaches and beautiful nature make The Gambia a popular winter holiday destination. Gambia is also relatively safe and very affordable. The most popular seaside resorts to stay are Kotu, Kololi, Bijilo and Cape Point.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde is only a 6-hour flight from Amsterdam. Cape Verde consists of ten separate islands that are all completely different thanks to the microclimate. There is an island full of flowers, an island with idyllic sandy beaches, a volcanic island and so on. The most popular and famous island is Sal. And we understand that all too well. Here you will find wonderful sandy beaches, an azure blue sea and a relaxed vibe. In short, another wonderful winter holiday destination.
Mexico
Would you like to discover some culture in addition to sun, sea and beach during your holiday? Then put Mexico on your list! This tropical winter sun destination not only has many beautiful beaches, but also has a lot of history and culture to offer with its ancient cities and temples. The country is big enough to travel around for weeks. Don’t have that much time? Then the popular province of Yucatán, with famous seaside resorts such as Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Cancun, is the ideal base.
Curacao | winter sun destinations
Of course, Curaçao should not be missing from the overview of winter sun holiday destinations. This part of The Netherlands in the tropics is a popular holiday destination for many Dutch people all year round, but even more so in the winter. Because let’s face it, how wonderful is it to look up the sun during the bleak, dark months and sit on the beach with a cocktail? The most popular places to stay on Curaçao are Jan Thiel and Mambo Beach, but the beautiful Pietermaai is also a popular place. Do you prefer a less popular place? That is also possible! In addition to the busy places, the island also still has a lot of remote pearls, where it is good to stay.
» Going to Mambo Beach? Read our top things to do
South Africa
Fight your winter blues in South Africa. South Africa is a wonderful destination all year round, but just that little bit extra in winter. During our winter it is summer here. Take a tour along the coast of the Western and Eastern Cape and take a safari in one of the beautiful parks along the way. Do you prefer to stay in one place? Then Cape Town is a perfect base. Because besides sunbathing on the beach, you can make beautiful hikes here, work on your surfing skills and of course do delicious wine tastings. Do we need to say more?
Dominican Republic
If you say Dominican Republic, you say paradise. Snow-white beaches, palm trees and crystal clear water, with which your winter dip will literally disappear like snow in the sun. The best time to travel to the Dominican Republic is from December to April. This makes this tropical paradise a perfect winter sun destination. An advantage of the Dominican Republic is that it is relatively cheap compared to many other countries in the Caribbean. The most popular place to stay on the island is Punta Cana. For that reason you will also find many hotels and restaurants here. But don’t just stick here, because the island has many other – less busy – beautiful places.
- Read our Dominican Republic tips for 2023 – ultimate guide (I)
- Read our Dominican Republic tips for 2023 – ultimate guide (II)
What is your favorite winter sun holiday destination?
This article is written by Vivian Secrève and a proud member of the Dutchbloggeronthemove team. Vivian is known for her food and wine knowledge and where the best places to go are in The Netherlands. To learn more about Vivian, you can read her bio here or read more of her articles about. Got a question for her? Leave a comment below.
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