If you want to escape the cold winter months in Europe, you have a number of possibilities at a maximum of 6 hours flight time.

Spain

If you want to stay within Europe, the Southern part of Spain (2.5 hours flight from Brussels) or the Canary Islands (4.5 hours flight from Brussels) are your best options. The cities of Granada, Seville, Malaga, and Barcelona are perfect for a weekend getaway where you can combine sightseeing with good food. There is however still a chance of some rain during the winter months.

Seville

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Pictures by An Orcadian Abroad – You could travel – Explore now or never

Granada

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Pictures by Explore now or never – Irma Naan World – Second-Half Travels –  It’s not about the miles – Almost Ginger

Malaga

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Pictures by Irma Naan World – It’s not about the miles – Almost Ginger

Barcelona

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The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria are the most popular sunny places in winter because of the mild temperatures. The islands all have their own distinct character and offer a wide variety of activities. They all are a great choice for watersports such as kite – or windsurfing, hiking, and dolphin spotting. At Tenerife, you can also go up to Mt Teide, the highest mountain in the Canary Islands, and even Spain. Gran Canaria offers a visit to the Dunes of Maspalomas with a camel ride while you can take a volcano tour at Lanzarote.

Tenerife

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Gran Canaria

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Lanzarote

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Morocco

Outside of Europe, you can go to Agadir, Essaouira, and Marrakech (all-around 3-4 hours flight from Brussels) in Morocco. While the first two are perfect for a beach holiday, Marrakech is also very popular for a weekend getaway. Agadir is the biggest seaside resort in Morocco and is a great place for wind and water sports, as well as Essaouira. Here is a little guide about what to do in Morocco.

Agadir

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Picture by The Travel Bunny

Marrakech

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Pictures by Two Get lost – Second-half travels – Wandering with Laura – Greta’s Travels – Zen Travellers – Travel Collecting

Essaouira

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Pictures by Second-half Travels – Trimm Travels – Travelsauro

Egypt

Then there is Egypt with the seaside resorts Hurghada and Marsa Alam (around 5 hours flight from Brussels). In Egypt, winter is actually much more enjoyable than summer which can be very hot. Both Hurghada and Marsa Alam are known for the snorkeling and diving possibilities and a wide range of all-inclusive resorts. There are also over 55 liveaboards to choose from in Egypt covering 19 different diving locations.

Egypt is perfect if you want to combine lying on the beach with culture. Although it is a long drive, visits to Luxor and Cairo are highly recommended.

Jordan

A lesser-known destination is Jordan. You can stay in Aqaba (around 5 hours flight from Brussels) at the Red Sea and enjoy the sun, sea, and pool. But when you are in Jordan, it would be a shame not to visit Petra, one of the new seven wonders of the world. Visiting Petra is on my bucket list J.

Petra

Pictures by Visiting the Dutch Countryside – Go 4 the Globe – Beard and Curly

Aqaba

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Pictures by Greta’s Travels – The Crowded Planet

Book your trip to one of these sunny places?

You can find flights to all these sunny places here.

Do you go to a sunny place in winter to escape the cold months?