Best Cheap Holidays for Winter Sun

Winter in the UK is supremely dismal. There’s no getting away from it. Or is there? If the prospect of a rainy post-Christmas January is too much to bear, then why wait until the summer to get away from it all? Feel the sun on your skin and give yourself a much-needed dose of Vitamin D with one of these budget holidays to warm and sunny destinations, available January through February from the UK.

We’ve gathered 5 of the best cheap holidays for winter sun, including destinations such as Turkey, Portugal and Marrakech, where average temperatures range in the pleasant ballpark of 12-18°C during winter. See which takes your fancy.

Thomas Cook: 1 Week All-Inclusive in Turkey

Paloma Renaissance Antalya Beach Resort & Spa

From £280 per person, flying from Manchester

Tourism in Turkey has grown rapidly over the last 20 years, with its rich cultural heritage and luxurious beach resorts dotting the Turkish Riviera. It boasts a temperate Mediterranean climate with mild winters, and its landscape is defined by its mountains and rivers. Turkish cuisine, with its Ottoman roots, offers an oddly satisfying fusion of Mediterranean, Asian, Middle Eastern and Balkan influences.

Scheduled for the end of January, stay at the 4.5 star Tripadvisor rated Paloma Renaissance Antalya Beach Resort & Spa for 7 nights all-inclusive, courtesy of Thomas Cook. This package holiday is ideal for those who want a more laid-back trip, as the resort is located in a quiet area on the beachfront. With the all-inclusive package, you get to enjoy unlimited food and drink around the clock, as well as a range of activities and entertainment provided by the hotel – both adult and child-friendly. Expect swimming pools, spa treatments, daytrips, watersports and as much organic wine as you can handle at this friendly ocean-side resort in the city of Antalya, on the Turquoise Coast.

Thomson: 1 Week All-Inclusive in Lanzarote

Family Life Flamingo Beach, Playa Blanca

From £338 per person

Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands situated near the West African coast, benefits from year-round beautiful weather. Populated with golden beaches, whitewashed villas and a distinctive volcanic landscape, the island is a popular destination for those seeking out some winter warmth.

At this family-friendly resort in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, you can expect to stay in a cute Mediterranean-style villa with your own kitchenette and living room. The resort has five different restaurants to try, as well as three pools and a collection of sports facilities, including yoga sessions, tennis and football. Being all-inclusive, all meals, snacks and drinks come included.

Relax outdoors on one of the poolside sunbeds, or play with your kids on the slides in the splash pool. Local ferries go regularly to nearby Fuerteventura, and the Rubicon Yachting Marina is located further along the resort. In this location you are close to three different local beaches and a marina boasting several good seafood restaurants, as well as karaoke and disco bars in some of the town’s shopping centres.

Cooperative: 2 Weeks Self-Catering in Portugal

Vilanova Resort, Albufeira

From £303 in total, flying from Bristol

The coastal city of Albufeira is situated on the warm southern Algarve. What was formerly a fishing village has now become a popular holiday destination, thanks to its pleasant beaches and buzzing nightlife. Its marina is a great place to visit for a boat trip or to spot some local dolphins.

At the Vilanova Resort, you are just a short walk from the Praia da Oura beach and close to several good restaurants and bars. There is also a nearby a golf course – if that’s your thing. The studio apartments are self-catered, but you can always upgrade to a villa or bed and breakfast deal. At less than £160 per week for this trip, we think this is a pretty amazing deal.

Flights go from Bristol into Faro, which is a 45 minute transfer to Albufeira. The temperature during winter usually settles at a warm (but not too hot) 12-18°C.

Thomson: 1 Week Bed & Breakfast in Marrakech

Sensimar Medina Gardens, Marrakech

From £297 per person, flying from London Gatwick

The bustling city of Marrakech in Morocco is a particularly warm destination at this time of year, and is home to plenty of cultural spots such as mosques, palaces and formal gardens. Not to be missed are their thriving marketplaces (or souks) full of wonderful treasures such as textiles, jewellery and pottery, which would make perfect souvenirs to take home.

Nestled right in the heart of Marrakech, the Sensimar Medina Gardens resort is surrounded by traditional Arabic architecture – so you don’t feel like you could be anywhere. Here you are just minutes away from all the action – the Medina, bustling souks and restaurants – but you are secluded should you want to be. The resort has a large outdoor pool leading off from beautiful gardens, an al fresco a la carte restaurant and an on-site buffet restaurant.

This deal is a bed and breakfast option, but you can choose to upgrade to half board or all-inclusive if that’s your preference.

Thomas Cook: 1 Week All-Inclusive in Egypt

Steigenberger Aqua Magic, Hurghada Resort

From £420 per person, flying from London Gatwick

The beach resort town of Hurghada in Egypt is known for its excellent diving and scuba spots. Spanning 40 km along the coast of the Red Sea, it’s home to plenty of bustling restaurants, shops and bars, as well as traditional Egyptian souks and coffee shops in the old town of El Dahar.

The Steigenberger Aqua Magic resort is perfect for fun-loving travellers, as it boasts a pool with five waterslides, five on-site bars (including two pool bars) and a 9 hole golf course. This is an ideal location for families, as there are plenty of activities to get involved with. Try scuba diving or windsurfing lessons, or simply relax by the pool or on the hotel’s private beach. With the all-inclusive package, all of your meals, snack and drinks (including alcoholic drinks) come included, as do the daytime activities and use of the canoes and pedalos.

You’re unlikely to ever be bored at this fun and energetic resort, which is very highly rated in all areas on TripAdvisor.

If you’re looking to get away from it all this winter, then these post-Christmas deals are just the tip of the iceberg. For the best cheap holiday deals with warm weather, southern Europe, the Canary Islands and northern Africa offer some gorgeous spots that will help you forget your January blues. Share your winter sun finds with us in the comments below.