Pretty much any coastal Mediterranean region offers a sunny, warm winter getaway—from Spain to Turkey to Greece to Morocco.
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Due to the mild climate of the Mediterranean, temperatures don’t plunge, and skies don’t go gray. At least, not for months on end. So, if you’re looking for warm places to go in Europe in winter, I’ve narrowed down your list quite a bit. Just stick to the Mediterranean, and you’re almost guaranteed a perfect winter sun getaway.
But some places do it better than others, whether in terms of hours of sunlight per day, affordability during the winter bird rush, or average rainfall.
And while I’m a traveler who thinks subjectivity is core to the travel experience, winter travel is sometimes a game of numbers. In this case, I’m referring to data that relates to those points listed above: sunlight hours, hotel prices, average rainfall, and more. In short, it helps differentiate okay winter sun destinations from the crème of the crop.
Thanks to an in-depth study from Ferryhopper, a ferry-booking resource for travelers, I’m diving deep into the best warm places to go in Europe in winter based on data reports. They factor in average temperatures, average daily daylight, average monthly and daily rainfall, and average nightly hotel prices.
You’ll recognize a few popular names on the list, plus a few hidden gem destinations in Montenegro, Albania, and Slovenia. The cities below are listed in order of their weighted scores, meaning Malta is the winner amongst the best places to go in Europe in winter.
10 best places to go in Europe in winter: Mediterranean picks
Malta
- Average temperature: °55
- Average hotel prices: ~$80
- Average daily daylight hours: 10.23 hours
With ancient historical sites, rocky coves with crystal-clear water, and unexpected culinary finds, Malta is one of the Mediterranean’s toughest spots to summarize. If you’re a little burnt out on the crowds in Italy and Spain, Malta lets you drop off the map—especially when it quiets down during winter.
Mallorca, Spain
- Average temperature: °50.66
- Average hotel prices: ~$130
- Average daily daylight hours: 9.97 hours
Home to world-class beaches and established tourist infrastructure, you can book a trip to Mallorca with full confidence. It’s also great for budget travelers who don’t quite feel comfortable venturing into Balkan countries. (They’re safe—just a little harder to navigate for travelers!) Expect great nightlife, too.
Sardinia, Italy
- Average temperature: °50.66
- Average hotel prices: ~$200
- Average daily daylight hours: 9.93 hours
I’ve had Sardinia high on my list for years. While it’s one of the priciest places to go in Europe in winter (it’s a winter bird hub), it’s also one of the most pristine and unexpected. You’ll encounter unique villages, ancient historic sites, and sleepy beach towns where everyone seems content to stare at the waves and sip on wine. Go before everyone finds out what a gem Sardinia is.
Kusadasi, Turkey
- Average temperature: °48
- Average hotel prices: ~$90
- Average daily daylight hours: 10.10 hours
Affordable, reasonably warm, and full of awesome little finds, Kusadasi is ideal for anyone who wants to get more out of their trip in terms of culture. It’s a popular hub for domestic tourists thanks to its beaches, which showcase the best of the Aegean. You can drift from ancient, UNESCO-caliber ruins that date back millennia, popular beaches that stay open year-round, lovely boutique shops and galleries, and even championship-caliber golf courses.
Split, Croatia
- Average temperature: °46
- Average hotel prices: ~$145
- Average daily daylight hours: 11.03 hours
You’ve got a bit of everything in Croatia. Since Split took off as a tourist destination over the last decade, it’s become a hub for travelers heading out to nearby islands and cities. But I recommend sticking around to dive into its famous Old Town and other ancient sites, like the Temple of Jupiter. You can take long walks along the water to soak up the coastal views, then drift back into town to join the city’s well-known and bustling nightlife venues. Don’t miss out on its foodie scene, either, where you can sample Croatian specialties and unique wines.
Piran, Slovenia
- Average temperature: °42
- Average hotel prices: ~$125
- Average daily daylight hours: 9.47 hours
If you like venturing off the trodden path, head to Piran (or Vlore, below). Piran is located at the end of a long peninsula, giving you access to the Adriatic. But the town is better known for its historic Old Town from when the city was a Venetian outpost, along with its classic Mediterranean lifestyle.
You’ve got Istrian specialties like wine and truffles, fresh seafood pulled straight from the ocean, and even some of the tastiest salt varieties in the world, sourced from the nearby Sečovlje Salt Pans.
Vlorë, Albania
- Average temperature: °48
- Average hotel prices: ~$70
- Average daily daylight hours: 9.90 hours
Vlorë is regarded as the gateway to the Albanian Riviera, a short coastal region with pristine beaches. If you like, you can visit beaches like Dhermi, Palasë, and Himara, which are surrounded from almost every side by national parks where you can hike, such as Llogara National Park. Just be prepared for less tourist infrastructure than you might be used to.
Mykonos, Greece
- Average temperature: °53
- Average hotel prices: ~$220
- Average daily daylight hours: 10.10 hours
Welcome to one of the most popular places to go in Europe in winter. Mykonos is well-known year-round for its lovely beaches, endless sunshine, and entertaining nightlife. The same is true in winter, though crowds tend to let up a little bit—apart from Christmas and New Year’s, that is.
Santorini, Greece
- Average temperature: °54
- Average hotel prices: ~$675
- Average daily daylight hours: 10.20 hours
Similar to Mykonos, Santorini never shuts its doors. You’ll notice a good amount of Europeans and other visitors packing in during the winter months in search of mild temperatures and sunlight. Just be prepared to pay an arm and a leg. Santorini has become even more exclusive over the last few years as authorities seek to curb overtourism, meaning hotel prices have shot up.
Bar, Montenegro
- Average temperature: °49
- Average hotel prices: ~$90
- Average daily daylight hours: 9.77 hours
If you love ancient and medieval history, Bar is a great pick thanks to its range of sites. It has so many that I recommend you plan ahead (carefully) if you want to see them all during your visit. There’s a 15th-century Customs House, a church dating back to the 1200s, a clock tower from the mid-1700s, along with a Turkish Bath, an ancient aqueduct, and more.
Even a local, beloved olive tree, named Stara Maslina, is said to be over 2,000 years old. In Bar, history is still alive. (Don’t worry—the town is also located on the Adriatic, giving you drool-worthy views of the Mediterranean.)
