When the days turn short and grey across most of Europe, parts of Spain are still in T-shirt weather. As a member of the customer experience team at Jump2spain.com, I see that a lot of customers really value knowing the sun is almost guaranteed before they book. If you are looking for winter sun in Spain in November and December, these are the places I like to recommend when friends ask me where to go, and the kind of hotel that makes a week or ten days there easy.
The Canary Islands: the safest bet for winter sun
Sitting off the coast of Africa, the Canaries have mild days all year. In November and December daytime temperatures usually sit in the low twenties, and the sea stays around 20°C, which is warm enough for a swim if you are used to northern European beaches. It is the most reliable winter sun in Europe without a long-haul flight, and our Canary Islands hotel deals let you compare the islands side by side.
Tenerife: a bit of everything in one island
Tenerife is the island I recommend most often for a first winter trip. The south, around Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, gets the most sunshine and has the long promenades and beaches most people picture. The north is greener and a little cooler, with towns like Puerto de la Cruz that feel more Canarian and less like a resort. In between sits Mount Teide, often capped with snow in winter while people sunbathe on the coast below.
If you would rather not think about meals for a week, have a look at our picks at Jump2spain.com for winter sun in Tenerife: hotels where breakfast, lunch and dinner are sorted and you only have to choose between the pool and the beach.
For a beach with a different feel, Las Teresitas, just outside Santa Cruz in the north-east, has golden sand and a breakwater that keeps the water calm. It is a favourite with locals at weekends.
Which Canary Island suits your winter?
| Island | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | A first winter trip | Widest hotel choice, sunny south, trips to Teide |
| Gran Canaria | Beach and city | Maspalomas dunes and lively Las Palmas |
| Lanzarote | Switching off | Volcanic landscapes, white villages |
| Fuerteventura | Long beaches | Wide beaches, steady winds for windsurfing |
From what I see in customer experience, many guests choose to keep things simple on all four islands: our all-inclusive hotels in the Canaries are popular for winter stays precisely because you can spend the whole day outdoors without planning where to eat.
Costa del Sol: winter sun on the mainland
If you prefer a city and culture alongside the sunshine, Málaga and its coast have some of the mildest winters on the Spanish mainland, with December afternoons usually in the high teens. Mornings are for the Picasso Museum and the old town, afternoons for a walk along the seafront, and from late November the Christmas lights on Calle Larios turn the city centre into one of the liveliest places in Andalusia.
For eight to ten relaxed days, I would recommend our picks of hotels on the Costa del Sol, and if you want to be right in the city, take a look at our Málaga hotel deals.
Almería: bright, dry and quiet
Further east, the coast of Almería is one of the driest corners of Europe, so sunny days are the rule rather than the exception. The Cabo de Gata natural park has wild coves and whitewashed villages that are almost empty in winter, which is exactly their charm. If you want a calm alternative to the busier coasts, I believe our hotels on the Costa de Almería are the best option.
Choosing your hotel for a winter stay
A winter trip is a little different from a summer one. Days are shorter, the sun sets around six, and evenings can call for a light jumper, even in the Canaries. That changes what matters in a hotel, and these are the details I would check before booking:
- Location first. In the Canaries, the south of each island is usually sunnier; in Málaga, staying near the centre means you can walk everywhere.
- Check the pool. Evenings can be fresh, so a heated pool makes a real difference in December.
- Pick the right board. All-inclusive is easiest for families; half board leaves evenings free to try local restaurants.
Our tip
Pick one base and stay there. Winter in Spain is about slowing down, not ticking boxes. And if your dates are flexible, keep an eye on our last-minute hotel deals in Spain. For opening times, events and island guides, the official Canary Islands tourism website is a useful companion.
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Emma Louise McDonnell·Customer Experience