Where is the best place to travel to on holiday this winter? From 20Cs sunshine to the "world’s happiest destination"
Everyone is experiencing the winter blues deep into January – but where is the best place to travel to on holiday as temperatures stay low?
There's no need to endure months of grey skies when sunshine beckons just
hours away.
The best news is that you don’t need to embark on long-haul flights to get your dose of vitamin D.
Steve Witt, co-founder of UK travel firm Not Just Travel, shared where you can swap woolly jumpers for your swimming costume.
He suggested taking a three hours 40 minutes flight to Marrakech in Morocco.
He continued: "Morocco holds a special place in my heart during winter months. The oppressive summer temperatures have subsided, replaced by pleasant sunshine and warmth hovering in the 20Cs. This transformation makes wandering through Marrakech's fragrant, maze-like souks far more pleasurable. Afterwards, settle into a quiet spot for refreshing mint tea within the courtyard of a beautiful riad.
"Don't miss Jemaa el-Fnaa, the medina's beating heart and Marrakech's central square. Immerse yourself in the electric atmosphere, sample local cuisine and observe the street performers.
"Should you crave seaside relaxation, journey to Essaouira – a surfer’s paradise – or Agadir on the coast where endless stretches of palm-lined beaches await your arrival.
“For those tempted by trekking in the Atlas Mountains, spectacular during this season, remember to bring warmer layers for the evenings as temperatures drop considerably at altitude.”
Beccy Dickson, Co-Founder at Branded Biophilia, said Helsinki in Finland and Funchal and Porto in Portugal were the best places to go.
She added: "By late January, what many people are feeling isn’t just winter weather, it’s nervous-system fatigue. Noise, artificial light and constant pace mean many ‘winter sun’ trips don’t actually restore anyone.
"That’s why some of the most effective winter breaks aren’t beach resorts at all. Helsinki, voted the world’s happiest destination for the eighth year running, works because it’s calm, compact and easy to move through. Winter light is managed rather than over-lit, saunas are part of daily life and January–March brings fewer crowds and lower hotel rates.
“Funchal and Porto offer winter light and warmth without sensory overload. Both are walkable, slower-paced in winter and good value outside peak season. In winter months, calmer pacing and lower seasonal demand often matter more for wellbeing than heat or headline attractions.”
Kate Allen, Owner at Kingsbridge-based Finest Stays, said you may not have to actually go abroad for a relaxing trip.
She continued: “This may be controversial, but I think we too quickly discount the UK in winter and that’s a mistake. On the right day, South Devon in January or February can be outrageously beautiful. Crisp blue skies, bright winter light, and vast, empty beaches that feel completely your own. There is nothing quite like walking South Milton Sands, Thurlestone beaches or the shoreline around Salcombe without the summer crowds.
"It is peaceful, dramatic and restorative in a way few overseas destinations can match. Instead of flights and transfers, you simply get in the car. Think coastal walks, bracing sea swims, beachside saunas, then a proper British pub with roaring fires, local ales and excellent fresh seafood.
"No generic resort bars, just comfort, character and calm. It’s also far better value. Winter UK breaks avoid peak pricing, don’t require flights, and offer flexibility that overseas travel often cannot. When the weather delivers, and it often does, it is hard to beat.”
