Finally, the most beautiful time of the year has just begun. I started my day in a happy mood, with Christmas music in the background and a lot of work on my plate. After spending less than 10 minutes outside in the cold, my legs started getting numb; I felt like my nose was about to fall out, which then, of course, woke me up from my winter wonderland dream and brought me back to reality and the fact that I cannot bear the cold as someone who has lived most of their life on the Mediterranean Sea. This made me start planning a trip for winter in the Mediterranean, and because I know many people are also struggling the same, I’ve gathered some of the best places to spend your winter.
The Mediterranean region, in general, is beautiful in winter not just because of its warm weather and the beautiful Mediterranean Sea but also because winter is the off-season, meaning that prices are lower than usual and less crowded. So, try to take advantage of the winter sales, as it can save you a lot of money.
Mediterranean Destinations to Visit in Winter
- Spain
- Italy
- Greece
- Cyprus
Spain
Of course, when searching for destinations in winter in the Mediterranean to escape the cold, Spain would be one of the first on the list as Spain is one of the best destinations to go to if you need winter sun in Europe.
There are different climates across the country, depending on where you are. As we are trying to escape the winter cold here, we gathered some of the warmest cities in Spain on the Mediterranean sea for you, where you can enjoy some warmth while sipping on your Spanish cocktail.
Malaga
In the Costa del sol region of Andalucia in the south of Spain, Malaga is a perfect place to spend your winter in the Mediterranean, with the sun shining most of the time and the city not being packed with tourists. The town has the most sunshine hours in all of Spain. In case you are wondering what the weather is like in Malaga, you can expect an average of 17 degrees during the day and around 9 degrees in the evening.
With fewer tourists, you have a great chance to explore the historic town and enjoy the great attractions Malaga offers, such as scouring the white villages (Pueblos Blancos), spending time on Malaga’s beaches, and relaxing at the hammam, and many other activities. Day trips from Malaga are also trendy with other destinations such as Seville and Granada.
Keeping the best to the last, the tapas scene in Malaga is incredible as it offers some of Spain’s best tapas. Get ready to indulge in some delicious Andalusian breakfast and visit some of the best chiringuitos in the country.
Barcelona
Even during the winter, the sun shines most of the time in Barcelona, which is enough reason to make you want to spend your winter in the Mediterranean. The Catalan Capital has a lot to offer during winter, with temperatures ranging from 12 to 15 degrees, but thanks to the solid Spanish sun, it feels much warmer.
It is known that the Catalan capital residents reclaim their city in winter as there won’t be unbearable crowds and the city won’t be full of tourists. Get ready for some relaxation time, great food, and good weather.
A few festivals also take place during the winter months, such as the Festa Major de Sant Antoni, Santa Eulalia, and Carnaval.
Spending winter in Barcelona means some seasonal dishes you have to try if you want to experience authentic Catalan cuisine. These include the traditional winter stew Escudella, which will keep you warm, ‘Calcots,’ Roscon de Reyes, and much more.
Italy
It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, Italy is just a fantastic place to visit at any time of the year, but the following cities are the perfect places to spend your winter in the Mediterranean.
Sardinia
Expect Sardinian people to be very generous and friendly, especially if you visit their island during the off-season. You may not be able to swim in the stunning Sardinia beaches in winter, but the second largest island in the Mediterranean has a lot more to offer than beaches.
Thanks to the excellent weather, one can enjoy different activities during wintertime in Sardinia. These include horseback riding, enjoying the beach, hiking, and exploring the beautiful city with its excellent bars and restaurants when it is less crowded.
The difference in climate between the interior mountain region and the coast is to keep in mind when visiting in winter in the Mediterranean, as the mountains can get very cold. In contrast, the weather on the beach is mild.
The Amalfi Coast
When thinking about the Amalfi Coast, the first thing that probably comes to mind is visiting it during summer. You start picturing the beautiful stretch of the coastline with sheer cliffs and a shoreline filled with small beaches and colorful villages. But have you ever thought about visiting in winter? I tell you that visiting during the off-season is an entirely different experience!
The Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has a reputation for being very expensive and a holiday destination for the rich and famous. Still, you would be surprised by the price difference between winter and summer accommodations. Many hotels close in winter because of the little demand, but you can find many options, saving you a lot of money.
Greece
Just like the other destinations mentioned, winter is the off-season for Greece as tourists enjoy the white sand beaches and island-hopping, but that doesn’t mean Greece isn’t an attractive destination in winter. On the contrary, the country has much more to offer than its beautiful Greek beaches. Yes, it is colder than usual, but at the end of the day, it is still warmer than most European destinations.
Crete
The island is grand to visit all year round due to its mild Mediterranean climate, but unless you don’t mind swimming in cold weather, you probably will have to skip swimming, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a picnic on the beach or even spend your day there. Museums and popular sites remain open, probably with shorter opening hours, but you can still enjoy some sightseeing and famous places like the Palace of Knossos. Remember that Crete experiences heavy rainfall during winter, so you better pack a raincoat and an umbrella.
Cyprus
Just like the places mentioned above, Cyprus is a great destination to spend winter in the Mediterranean. The third-largest island in the Mediterranean offers a variety of natural products like grapes, olives, and citrus fruits and is also known for its beautiful beaches and mountains.
Suppose you are looking for a combination between summer and winter. In that case, Cyprus is an excellent match as you can enjoy some summer activities such as hiking, rock climbing, biking, and going to the beach at the same time; if visiting in January, you might get the chance to go skiing in the Troodos mountains.
If you are lucky enough, you can witness the arrival of thousands of pink flamingos in Cyprus on the salt lakes of Larnaca and Limassol, Oroklini Salt Lake, and Paralimni Lake. It is indeed a unique experience!
Still not convinced about spending your winter in the Mediterranean? No worries. JoinMyTrip has plenty of other trips waiting for you to book!