Where Can You Get 20°C or More in Winter?
Real winter warmth, without relying on wishful thinking. Discover the destinations, experiences and practical details that make 20°C days count.
There is a very particular kind of British winter ambition: to sit outside with lunch and not have to hold your napkin down with a damp glove. Maybe you want a beach, maybe a remarkable city, maybe to walk through a desert at sunset. But the search for 20°C or more in winter hides a trap. Twenty degrees of what, measured when, and will you actually feel warm on the holiday you've booked?
Quick answer: For winter daytime temperatures averaging at least about 20°C, begin with Cape Verde's Sal and Boa Vista, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Egypt's Red Sea resorts, and the southern Canary Islands. Cape Verde and the UAE are often the stronger bets for mid-20s daytime highs. Egypt's Red Sea coast and the Canaries offer appealing warmth but can be cooler, breezier or especially chilly after sunset. Temperatures vary by month and exact location, and no destination guarantees a 20°C day.
This is a different question from where Europe is warmest in December. Here we are looking for that specific 20-degree threshold across the winter months, including destinations beyond Europe, and choosing the best experience once you get there.
First, what does a 20°C winter holiday actually promise?
Weather websites often publish average daily maximum temperatures. That means the typical high point of the day, not a guarantee of 20°C from breakfast through cocktails. A resort averaging 22°C by day may have cool evenings, gusty afternoons and colder water. The World Meteorological Organization's Sal climate records, for example, report typical daily maximums of approximately 24°C in January and February, but those historical averages cannot predict your individual week.
- 20°C air: comfortable for exploring or sitting in sheltered sunshine, but exposed coastal wind can change the experience completely.
- 20°C sea: a very different measurement. Some swimmers are happy; others will be making noises normally reserved for stepping on Lego.
- 20°C once during your holiday: not the same as a destination averaging more than 20°C throughout the winter.
- A sunny coast versus the nearest airport: conditions may differ between valleys, mountains, sheltered resorts and weather stations.
Use a threshold, not a promise: compare December, January and February separately and look at wind, rainfall and overnight temperatures alongside the typical maximum. Our guide to comparing holiday weather before booking shows what those forecasts and climate charts actually tell you.
Where can you expect 20°C or more in winter?
These are broad, rounded typical daytime high ranges for the core UK winter, not the temperatures you will experience every day. They describe different local weather stations and climate periods, so use them to shortlist destinations rather than rank places by a fraction of a degree.
- Cape Verde, particularly Sal: roughly 24 to 25°C in the cooler winter months. Usually dry, often breezy. Especially attractive for beach lovers who are happy with wind and variable Atlantic swimming conditions.
- Dubai and Abu Dhabi: commonly around 24 to 27°C, varying by month. Good for outdoor dining, waterfronts, desert outings and cities where the heat is easier to handle than in summer.
- Egypt's Red Sea resorts: often around 21 to 25°C. Dry, generally bright days, with cooler nights and wind exposure. The precise resort, beach and water conditions really matter.
- Southern Tenerife and Gran Canaria: commonly around 21 to 23°C. Excellent for winter exploring and some beach days, although weather is not tropical and sea water can feel cool.
- Lanzarote and Fuerteventura: often around 20 to 22°C, depending on month and station. Wonderful landscapes and beaches, but exposed conditions can feel substantially cooler.
For a separate set of European-only comparisons, see our nearer winter sun ideas. Destinations such as Malta and Cyprus are excellent for culture, but usually fall below this 20°C average-high test during the coolest months.
Discover winter holiday possibilities from your UK airport
These four changing holidays are shown in departure-date order. They come from TripsByDate's wider inventory, not a temperature-filtered shortlist or guaranteed 20°C winter departures. Open any tempting trip and check its dates, destination, room, inclusions, total price and availability with the provider.
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BFS • 3 nights
B&B · TUI
DUB • 7 nightsSC · On the Beach
BHX • 3 nightslastminute.com
LGW • 7 nightsAI · Thomas CookCape Verde: warm afternoons, Atlantic drama and a slower rhythm
Arrive on Sal and you might think you've come purely for its sandy beaches. Then you learn that one of its most memorable experiences involves floating in the middle of a volcanic crater. The salt pans at Pedra de Lume sit within an old volcanic landscape. Their mineral-rich water creates an unusual floating sensation. Check present access, facilities and any advice for sensitive skin before visiting.
More than resort life: wander Santa Maria's local streets and fishing pier, look out for Cape Verdean music and try cachupa, a homely stew of maize, beans and other ingredients. At Buracona, the celebrated Blue Eye is a light-and-sea-cave phenomenon whose appearance depends on the sun and conditions. Don't treat a colourful photograph as a timed guarantee.
Which island? Sal is useful if you'd like restaurants, excursions and a familiar resort base. Boa Vista tends to appeal to people seeking vast beaches and unhurried days. An all-inclusive hotel on either island can be a practical choice, but it should never stop you discovering a little local life beyond the buffet. For a more detailed comparison, explore our Cape Verde winter guide.
Important beach warning: Cape Verde's Atlantic currents and undertows can be dangerous even when the sea looks inviting. The UK Foreign Office advises using lifeguarded beaches and following flags. This is a destination for enjoying magnificent beaches, not assuming every stretch is suitable for swimming.
Dubai: discover the city behind the skyline
Dubai has the obvious attractions: palm-lined beaches, huge buildings and hotels that appear to have been designed by people who never encountered the phrase 'too much'. But winter is also an excellent season for walking around its older neighbourhoods, when outdoor sightseeing is usually more comfortable.
Try this instead of another shopping mall: explore Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, cross Dubai Creek on a traditional abra, follow the lanes around the old souks and stop for Arabic coffee or something fragrant from a local bakery. Visit Dubai's historic district guide explains the city's trading heritage and the creek-side neighbourhoods.
For the memorable extra: arrange a responsible desert outing where the focus is on landscape, local culture and a quiet evening under the sky, rather than automatically booking the most aggressive dune-driving package. Ask exactly what is included and whether any animal-related experiences meet your standards.
Where to stay? JBR and Dubai Marina suit beach-and-restaurant evenings, while a base nearer Dubai Creek makes older-city exploring easier. Distances and travel time can surprise visitors. Compare the hotel pin, not just the photographs. More in our Dubai winter sun guide.
Abu Dhabi: from mangrove forests to coffee and desert silence
Abu Dhabi is easy to overlook if you're fixated on Dubai's skyscrapers. That would be a shame, particularly if you like nature with your sunshine. At Jubail Mangrove Park, elevated boardwalks wind through coastal mangroves, with opportunities to spot birdlife and discover an entirely different Arabian landscape. The official visitor guide describes the walking routes and guided kayaking options, which should be reserved ahead.
Combine a nature day with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, local coffee traditions or art and architecture at cultural venues. Abu Dhabi suits travellers who want beaches, thoughtful sightseeing and a less frantic itinerary. The secret may simply be leaving a free afternoon between two attractions. Not every holiday needs an Excel spreadsheet.
Worth checking: getting between hotels, beaches and attractions may involve taxis or planned transport. Examine total local travel costs, dress codes at religious sites, activity requirements and any regional government travel advice before booking.
Egypt's Red Sea: warm sunshine with a whole underwater world
Egypt offers something different from simply finding 20°C air. Around Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay and Marsa Alam, the extraordinary draw is the Red Sea and its marine life. But there is an essential distinction between a hotel on a sandy, gently sloping beach and a reef resort accessed by a jetty. Both can be lovely; only one may suit your idea of paddling with young children.
Unexpected experience: explore El Gouna's canals and marina atmosphere, or look into an appropriate cultural outing. St Anthony's Monastery in the Eastern Desert is a historic religious site with visitor rules and guided visiting arrangements, detailed by the monastery itself. It isn't a casual half-hour excursion from every Red Sea resort. Check driving distance, permitted routes and official advice before considering it.
For food, look beyond international hotel menus when suitable local options are available. Try koshari, a comforting combination of rice, lentils, pasta and sauces, or simple grilled fish. A meal that tastes of where you've travelled is often a better souvenir than another magnet.
Safety matters: the UK Foreign Office warns that standards among Red Sea boating and diving operators vary. Choose reputable companies, confirm the safety briefing and insurance, and never assume a water excursion is suitable just because a salesperson describes it as family-friendly. Check regional travel advice before excursions. Read our Egypt winter guide for resort choices.
The Canary Islands: choose the right 20°C for you
On the Canaries, the aim is not necessarily relentless heat. It's that delicious opportunity to escape freezing pavements, walk along a sunny promenade and have lunch outdoors. Southern Tenerife and Gran Canaria are often sensible bets for relatively sheltered coastal stays. Lanzarote and Fuerteventura add volcanic scenery and extraordinary beaches, but some locations are exposed to wind.
Go beyond beach time: on Lanzarote, explore La Geria, where vines grow in dark volcanic hollows protected by stone windbreaks. In Tenerife, look for a traditional guachinche serving seasonal homemade-style dishes and local wine, rather than expecting every restaurant labelled authentic to be one. On Gran Canaria, head inland for dramatic ravines and mountain villages, checking roads and weather before setting off.
Practical advantage: if you care more about a short flight, good restaurants, scenic outings and a pleasant poolside afternoon than tropical sea temperatures, these islands can be a more natural fit than farther-away destinations. Our Canary Island value comparison helps you decide which style of holiday is worth paying for.
Five surprising ways to make a warm winter holiday memorable
The second image gets something right: warm weather is the opening act, not the whole show. Here are five days with a story attached rather than another identical resort afternoon.
- Float inside a volcanic crater on Sal: a peculiar geological experience, not a normal swimming pool. Follow local rules and treat it as a special outing.
- Cross Dubai Creek by abra: discover old trading routes, traditional streets and a different rhythm from the glass-tower skyline.
- Explore Abu Dhabi's living mangroves: take a boardwalk or a guided kayak outing, with wildlife sightings always dependent on nature.
- Swap a Red Sea hotel afternoon for history: research a suitable cultural excursion instead of assuming every Egyptian attraction is easy to reach from your resort.
- Follow a lava-grown wine landscape: Lanzarote's La Geria is proof that local ingenuity can be as fascinating as a famous monument.
If you want a truly relaxing holiday, your memorable experience might be a slow breakfast, a shaded book and no excursion whatsoever. That also counts. An ambition to relax is not laziness disguised as a booking.
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Couples: warmth, atmosphere and the occasional excellent dinner
For memorable cultural evenings, consider Dubai's older neighbourhoods or Abu Dhabi's waterfront and arts. For wide beaches and slower days, look at Cape Verde. For volcanic adventures and seaside restaurants closer to home, compare the Canaries. A great walkable base can beat a luxurious hotel that requires a car for every evening out. Browse our couples' winter sun guide.
Families: the heated pool and the transfer matter more than the thermometer
Twenty-four degrees on a weather app is little comfort if the children's pool is icy or the beach has unsafe surf. Ask about the exact heated pool, lifeguards, age-appropriate activities, room layout and transfer duration. Resorts in the Canaries and Egypt offer many family options, while UAE attractions may appeal to older children who want activities beyond the hotel. See our family winter sun ideas.
Friends: design the trip around something you'll actually do together
Think beach and watersports in Cape Verde, local food and outdoor adventures in the Canaries, or a mix of city sights and beach time in Dubai. Decide whether your priority is nightlife, relaxation or exploring before you agree on a destination. Then compare the actual beds, room occupancy and total cost, not just the size of the hotel pool in a marketing photograph.
Solo travellers: a walkable neighbourhood is its own luxury
Look for a base where you can eat and explore without joining an excursion every day. Parts of southern Tenerife, central Dubai and El Gouna offer different kinds of convenient resort or city routines. Check transport after dark, single-occupancy charges and relevant local safety guidance.
How to find the right warm-weather break without spending unnecessarily
- Search by departure date first. On TripsByDate, see package holidays from your chosen UK airport instead of declaring one destination the winner before looking at availability.
- Check the actual month and resort. A warm December average does not describe every January beach. Use climate normals for your travel period, then check the forecast close to departure.
- Compare nearby airports sensibly. A different departure airport may help, but include parking, rail fares and possible overnight accommodation. Our airport comparison guide explains the trade-off.
- Choose your water experience. If swimming is the holiday's main attraction, check sea conditions, beach access and pool heating. Read where it's warm enough to swim in winter rather than relying on the air temperature alone.
- Consider food and transport costs together. An isolated all-inclusive resort can suit a restful week, while a centrally located bed-and-breakfast can work better for travellers exploring restaurants and neighbourhoods.
- Don't accidentally buy less holiday. A flight arriving after midnight and leaving at dawn may give you fewer enjoyable hours than another departure. Account for transfer times before choosing on headline cost.
- Verify everything that changes. Check official travel advice, entry rules, the exact package inclusions and any activity restrictions. See our holiday comparison checklist.
Frequently asked questions about 20°C winter holidays
Where is reliably 20°C or more in December, January and February?
For typical daytime highs above 20°C throughout those months, shortlist Cape Verde, the UAE, Egypt's Red Sea coast and the southern Canary Islands. Cape Verde and the UAE generally have more margin above the threshold. The Canaries and parts of Egypt can have cooler or windy days. None guarantees 20°C on your particular dates.
Can you get 20°C in Europe in winter?
Yes, the Canary Islands are a leading choice, especially sheltered southern coastal areas. They are Spanish territory in the Atlantic rather than on the European mainland. Mainland Mediterranean destinations are usually cooler in midwinter. Look at our guide to warmth in Europe throughout the year for the distinction.
Is 20°C warm enough for sunbathing?
Many people enjoy sitting outdoors in sheltered sunshine at 20°C, but breeze, cloud and your own preferences change the experience. Expect cooler mornings and evenings. Sun protection still matters even when the air feels mild.
Does 20°C air mean the sea will be warm?
No. Air and sea temperatures are different, and waves, currents and wind matter as well. Some destinations have pleasant sea conditions while others require caution. If the hotel pool is central to your trip, confirm whether it is actually heated during winter.
Which destination is best for winter snorkelling?
The Red Sea is famous for its reefs and marine life, but choose suitable sites, reputable operators and adequate insurance. Water temperature, wind, currents and visibility vary. A beach with direct reef access is not always ideal for beginner swimmers or children.
Is Cape Verde better than Dubai for a warm winter beach holiday?
Cape Verde may suit those wanting spacious Atlantic beaches and an easy-going resort rhythm; Dubai is appealing if you want beach time mixed with restaurants, culture and city attractions. Cape Verde's strong currents and wind deserve special attention, while Dubai's transport and hotel location affect the experience. See our Cape Verde destination guide for another useful choice.
Is a warmer winter holiday always a better holiday?
Not at all. A bright 21°C walking day in Lanzarote might be more enjoyable than a warmer destination that doesn't suit your budget, flight tolerance or interests. Start with how you want to spend your time, then find the climate that makes it possible.
How can I find a package holiday for my available dates?
Browse TripsByDate by departure date and UK airport, see which destinations and trips are currently listed and shortlist the ones that interest you. Then confirm the actual booking details, total cost and availability directly with the holiday provider.
Twenty degrees is the starting point, not the holiday
The best winter escape might be floating in a volcanic salt crater, eating local food beside Dubai Creek, gliding through Abu Dhabi's mangroves, marvelling at the Red Sea or discovering that volcanic rock can produce remarkable wine. None of those memories comes with a temperature guarantee. That's rather the point.
Use the 20°C threshold to make a shortlist, then decide what kind of story you want to bring home. Explore our winter sun guides, compare all-inclusive winter holidays or discover options by your actual free dates.
Less searching. More choosing. More sunshine.
Start with when you can travel. Scroll winter holiday possibilities from your UK airport on TripsByDate, find a destination that excites you and confirm the final offer with the provider.
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