Travel expert Steve Witt, co-founder of UK travel firm Not Just Travel, has named his 10 favourite winter sun hotspots where Britons can swap woolly jumpers for swimming costumes in under six hours of flying time.
With darker evenings, plummeting temperatures and rising heating bills, Witt highlights destinations across the Mediterranean and beyond that offer warmth and sunshine without the need for long-haul, jet-lag-inducing flights. Not Just Travel boasts a network of over 800 homeworking travel consultants.
Marrakech and Tenerife Lead the List
Marrakech, Morocco, with a flight duration of 3 hours 40 minutes, tops the list. Witt said: "Morocco holds a special place in my heart during winter months. The oppressive summer temperatures have subsided, replaced by pleasant sunshine and warmth hovering in the twenties."
He added that this transformation makes wandering through Marrakech's fragrant, maze-like souks far more pleasurable. Beyond the medina, travellers can visit the Atlantic surf at Essaouira or unwind along Agadir's palm-lined beaches. Trekkers heading into the Atlas Mountains should pack warmer layers, as evening temperatures drop sharply at high altitude.
Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, is a 4 hours 30 minutes flight away. Witt argues winter is the premier time to visit, with daytime highs in the low twenties. "Dominating the island's landscape is Mount Teide, Spain's loftiest peak," he noted, highlighting Teide National Park's hiking routes and panoramic viewpoints. The cooler climate suits exploring San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and families benefit from smaller crowds at attractions like Siam Park and Loro Parque.
Red Sea and Senegal for Warmer Escapes
For the Red Sea, Egypt, a 5 hours 30 minutes flight, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh offer mid-twenties temperatures and world-class diving. Witt said: "Plunge into Egypt's warm Red Sea waters and uncover an extraordinary underwater world. Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh provide excellent winter retreats, with temperatures settled comfortably in the mid-twenties."
Inland, the desert offers quad-biking and camel treks, with accommodation ranging from family-friendly resorts to exclusive enclaves like El Gouna, 13 miles north of Hurghada.
Senegal, a 5 hours 15 minutes flight, provides winter warmth well into the high 20s. Witt said: "Whilst unspoilt beaches and aquatic activities initially attract visitors, Senegal offers considerably more depth. La Somone's mangrove delta hosts Senegal's 694 bird species, whilst nearby Bandia Reserve provides opportunities to spot larger creatures including giraffes, monkeys and giant tortoises."
History awaits at the colonial-era capital of Saint Louis and the car-free island of Gorée. With no time difference from the UK, visitors escape without jet lag.
