Where’s Hot by Month: Find the Best Sunny Holiday Destinations All Year Round
If you’re planning a holiday from the UK, one of the biggest decisions is simple: where will actually be hot when you travel?
Not every sunny destination delivers the same weather at the same time of year. Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria stay warm in winter when mainland Europe is cool. Turkey and Greece dominate the summer months, while Egypt offers significantly hotter conditions in winter compared to most short haul destinations.
This guide breaks down where’s hot by month so you can quickly compare destinations based on temperature, sunshine, flight time and value for money.
Whether you’re looking for winter sun, a cheap beach holiday or peak summer heat, this page helps you decide where to go.
Quick Answer: Where’s Hot by Month?
| Month | Best Destination | Avg Temp | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Tenerife | 22°C | 4h 30m |
| February | Lanzarote | 22°C | 4h 30m |
| March | Dubai | 29°C | 7h |
| April | Cyprus | 23°C | 4h 30m |
| May | Crete | 26°C | 4h |
| June | Majorca | 29°C | 2h 30m |
| July | Rhodes | 32°C | 4h |
| August | Antalya (Turkey) | 34°C | 4h |
| September | Algarve | 28°C | 3h |
| October | Gran Canaria | 28°C | 4h 30m |
| November | Egypt | 28°C | 5h |
| December | Lanzarote | 23°C | 4h 30m |
Where’s Hot? Average Temperatures by Month (°C)
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 23 |
| Lanzarote | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 23 |
| Gran Canaria | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 22 |
| Spain (Costa del Sol) | 16 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 24 | 20 | 17 |
| Algarve | 16 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 19 | 17 |
| Greek Islands | 15 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 25 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 24 | 20 | 16 |
| Turkey (Antalya) | 15 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 27 | 32 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 26 | 21 | 17 |
| Cyprus | 17 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 27 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 31 | 28 | 23 | 19 |
| Egypt | 23 | 24 | 27 | 31 | 34 | 37 | 39 | 39 | 36 | 33 | 28 | 24 |
| Dubai | 24 | 25 | 29 | 33 | 38 | 40 | 41 | 41 | 39 | 35 | 31 | 26 |
January – Best for Reliable Winter Sun
January is one of the most important months for UK winter sun travel and reliability matters more than heat extremes.
Tenerife is the standout short haul choice, offering consistent sunshine, mild daytime temperatures and short flight times.
Lanzarote is often slightly quieter and better value, while Gran Canaria offers more varied microclimates and warmer evenings.
Egypt is significantly warmer than the Canary Islands in January, making it better for pure heat seekers.
February – Best Value Winter Sun Month
February is typically the cheapest month of the winter sun season, making it ideal for flexible travellers.
Lanzarote and Gran Canaria are often better value than Tenerife, with similar temperatures but fewer crowds.
Egypt is noticeably warmer than all Canary Islands destinations in February and often delivers some of the strongest package holiday deals of the year.
March – Best for Early Heat Before Peak Season
March is a transition month where destinations begin warming but prices remain relatively low.
Dubai is significantly warmer than Europe at this time of year and offers reliable beach weather before extreme summer heat arrives.
The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria) remain stable but do not yet match long haul warmth.
April – Best for First Mediterranean Beach Trips
April is when the Mediterranean holiday season begins to open properly.
Cyprus is noticeably warmer than the Canary Islands in April and offers one of the earliest reliable beach seasons in Europe.
Crete and Rhodes are improving quickly, but still slightly behind Cyprus for consistent heat.
May – Best for Value Beach Holidays Before Peak Summer
May is one of the best all round months for sunshine, pricing and comfort.
Crete, Majorca and Antalya (Turkey) are all significantly warmer than Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, making them ideal for proper beach holidays.
This is one of the best months for avoiding peak season crowds while still getting strong sunshine.
June – Best Early Summer Beach Weather
June marks the start of reliable summer weather across Europe.
Majorca, Crete and southern Spain are all warmer than the Canary Islands in June, with long sunny days and comfortable sea temperatures.
This is a strong month for families before peak season pricing kicks in.
July – Best for Guaranteed Heat
August – Best for Extreme Heat Seekers
August is the hottest month across Southern Europe.
Turkey (Antalya and Bodrum) is one of the hottest mainstream destinations and significantly hotter than Greece or Spain during this period.
It’s ideal for sun seekers but can be too hot for sightseeing focused holidays.
September – Best All Round Holiday Month of the Year
September is widely considered one of the best months for travel overall.
The Algarve, Cyprus and Greece remain significantly warmer than the Canary Islands, but crowds and prices drop compared to August.
This is one of the strongest balance months for weather and value.
October – Best for Extending Summer
October is a key month for travellers trying to stretch the summer season.
Gran Canaria is the most reliable Canary Island in October, staying warmer for longer than Tenerife or Lanzarote in some years.
However, Cyprus and southern Turkey are still warmer during early October.
November – Best Value Winter Sun Returns
November marks the return of strong demand for winter sun holidays.
Egypt is significantly warmer than all Canary Islands destinations in November and offers some of the best value sunshine holidays within a reasonable flight time from the UK.
December – Best for Christmas Sunshine Escapes
December is one of the most popular months for winter sun travel.
Lanzarote is one of the most reliable short haul destinations, with Gran Canaria and Tenerife also performing strongly.
For hotter weather, the Caribbean offers significantly higher temperatures but requires a much longer flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Canary Islands are the most reliable short haul winter sun destination.
The Canary Islands and Egypt consistently offer strong winter package holiday deals.
The Canary Islands and parts of Egypt offer the most consistent year round sunshine.
Dubai and Egypt offer the most reliable winter heat.
