When the UK starts serving drizzle and darkness at 4pm, the smartest response is to politely excuse yourself and board a plane. Winter sun holidays are the perfect vitamin D-fuelled adrenaline boost to the mood as you swap jumpers for swimsuits.
In this blog, we’ve rounded up the best cold-weather escapes and how to reach them with British Airways Avios. We'll also share tips on how many Avios points for a flight you'll need to get there using British Airways reward flights.
What Makes Winter Sun Holidays So Irresistible?
While we know everyone is different and there are more moods and preferences than seasons under the sun, some things are universal. Escaping the biting cold of winter for some time in the sun is one of them. Here are some of the reasons why we all love getting nature's vitamin D shots:
Mood and Wellbeing:
Admit it, everything seems more cheerful under the sun's bright light. Sunshine is the ultimate seasonal hack. It boosts serotonin, strengthens vitamin D, and gives you a jolt of energy that no coffee can match. Day after dreary day of grey skies can bring even the most optimistic person down. And while snuggling under a blanket in front of a roaring fire has its charm, nothing beats the sun. It's proof that winter holidays in the sun really can brighten more than your Instagram feed.
Relaxation and Lifestyle:
A few days of beach time, al-fresco dinners, and barefoot walks on warm sand deliver the kind of luxury that's impossible back home when you're scraping ice off the car. Resorts often add spa treatments, yoga decks, or detox menus for an easy wellness win to create a win-win situation for your body and mind.
Change of Scene:
Change is the spice of life. Sometimes, a reset is just what we need to break the monotony. A sunny break slices the long stretch between autumn and spring into manageable chunks. Desert safaris, tropical islands, and coastal hikes are the best holiday destinations for winter sun precisely because they feel nothing like your commute through sleet. Moreover, the scenery change might even make you appreciate your wintery home for a while, until it's time for another holiday.
Social and Family:
We all love cosying together under a blanket and enjoying s'mores over a fire, but that doesn't mean it has to be the only way to celebrate Christmas. How about replacing the Christmas tree with a sand castle on the beach? Why not? Families love the outdoor freedom, couples love the romance of a balmy evening in January, and everyone loves the excuse to leave the big coats behind.
Psychological Effect:
There's something magical about enjoying the sun in December. It's like finding a cheat code in the system to skip your drab surroundings. What's even more rewarding is that the break lifts you up and boosts your morale. You come back with a tan, renewed energy, and the smug realisation that winter doesn't have to be a grey endurance test.
Best Winter Holiday Destinations to Book with Avios
Now that we've got you all excited about getting some well-deserved respite from the grey winter skies, some of these popular winter escapes will hit the spot:
Cyprus
Sitting pretty in the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus is one of Europe's best holiday destinations for winter sun. The island combines golden beaches, ancient ruins, and a climate that refuses to play by winter's rules. Daytime temperatures hover around a very civilised 15–20°C, nights dip just enough for a light jacket, and the sea stays warm enough for a brave swim. In other words, the kind of winter escape that makes you wonder why you ever tolerated grey skies at home.
What makes Cyprus even better in the off-season is the space it gives you. You won’t have to deal with summer crowds, and the hotel rates will be much lower. You can stroll through UNESCO-listed Paphos, admire the mosaics at the House of Dionysus, or stand in the echoing Tombs of the Kings without dodging selfie sticks. On the right February day, you can sunbathe in the morning and ski in the afternoon, a bragging right few winter holidays can match.
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Things to Do
- Boat trips along the Akamas Peninsula with stops to swim in the crystal-clear Blue Lagoon and views of sea caves carved into the cliffs.
- Some peace and quiet moments in the sun with the Coral Bay or Lara Bay turtles.
- Winter trails and ski runs in the Troodos Mountains with hot nuts in the ski huts as you rest.
- Byzantine churches, medieval castles, and the rock-cut Tombs of the Kings.
- Tables filled with Cypriot mezze, halloumi fresh off the grill, and local wines in family-run tavernas.
Off-peak Economy return British Airways reward flights from London to Larnaca or Paphos start at 27,500 British Airways Avios plus just £1 in fees, while Business Class returns come in at 48,500 Avios plus £25.
Egypt
You can't go wrong in a country where kings were considered descended from the sun. After all, what worked for the Pharaohs should be good enough for you. If winter sun holidays mean blue skies, warm days, and zero guilt about skipping the shovel, Egypt is your bullseye. While countries in the northern hemisphere tend to be colder as a rule, the land of pyramids and the Sphinx is the exception.
Daytime temperatures in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan hover in the low 20s°C through winter, with more than 10 hours of daylight and a crisp evening breeze. Temple-hopping is pleasant this season, Red Sea beaches are blissfully bright, and a Nile cruise feels like the world's most relaxing history lesson.
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Things to Do
- Pick your way through the tombs of the Valley of the Kings and stare up at Abu Simbel’s giant statues until the desert heat blurs the horizon.
- Stretch out on the deck of a slow Nile cruiser between Kom Ombo and Philae, cocktail sweating in your hand as the banks turn molten in the late light.
- Sink your toes into the soft sands of Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada, or Marsa Alam, before slipping into clear water made for diving or a hard run on a kiteboard.
- Explore Cairo’s night markets where smoke from sweet potatoes hangs in the air and strong coffee keeps the chatter going.
- Start the climb up Mount Sinai before dawn, watch the desert crack open with sunrise, and step inside St Catherine’s Monastery while the silence still holds.
Here's how many Avios points for a flight you'll need to Egypt in off-peak season: Economy return flights from London to Cairo or Sharm el Sheikh cost 45,000 British Airways Avios plus £80, while Business Class return flights cost 140,000 Avios plus £205.
The Caribbean
If winter sun holidays had a face, the Caribbean would be it. It's got everything you'd want weather-wise, with December to March bringing blue-sky mid-to-high-20s temperatures, and water that feels like it's been gently pre-warmed just for you.
Barbados packs the full package with calm west-coast beaches for families, Friday-night fish fries in Oistins, and a proud rum and cricket heritage. St. Lucia is another great option with excellent rainforest hikes, waterfall dips, and those photogenic Piton peaks. Antigua is all about beach bingo, Nelson's Dockyard, and catamaran loops around turquoise coves. As for Jamaica, coffee farms, coastal grills, and all-night reggae sessions give the country a laid-back feel that’s impossible to rush. It's the complete package for one of the best holiday destinations for winter sun when the UK is fifty shades of grey.
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Things to Do
- A day on the beach involves gentle swims on Barbados's west coast, snorkelling at Antigua's Half Moon Bay, sunset strolls along Jamaica's Seven Mile Beach, and reef spotting at St Lucia's Anse Chastanet.
- You can get your steps in on a climb up Gros Piton, a rainforest hike in St Lucia, or a lazy wander through Antigua's UNESCO-listed Nelson's Dockyard.
- Make it a water day with a catamaran sail around Antigua, turtle-spotting snorkels off Barbados, diving St Lucia's reefs, or a kayak through Jamaica's luminous lagoon.
- Don’t miss Mount Gay rum tastings, street food, and steel-band Sundays at Shirley Heights.
- Reset the shoulders with a mud bath at St Lucia's Sulphur Springs.
During off-peak season, you’ll find Premium Economy return flights from London to Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, or Jamaica for 95,000 Avios plus £355, while Business Class return costs 180,000 Avios plus £475. If you're saving your British Airways Avios for winter holidays in the sun, these are classic sweet spots, with good availability and maximum Vitamin D per point.
Mexico
The land of tacos isn't just for spring breaks and college students, it's the perfect remedy for turning your frown upside down during the winter. When the UK is doing its best impression of a damp tea towel, Mexico is busy being 24°C and sunny.
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December to January brings blue skies, beach-day temperatures, and just enough evening cool to justify that second plate of tacos al pastor. Add in Christmas posadas, New Year street parties, and a festival calendar that runs on music, mezcal, and midnight fireworks, and you've got winter sun holidays done right.
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Things to Do
- Snorkel sessions among coral, kayak routes through limestone cenotes, and sunset views along the Riviera Maya coastline.
- Culture-chasing in Mexico City’s museums, exploring Oaxaca's World Heritage streets between markets and mezcal bars, and strolling San Miguel de Allende's bougainvillaea-framed plazas and bell towers.
- Take to the highland trails around Ajijic and Lake Chapala, boat through Pacific coves near Zihuatanejo, and linger over bird-watching and coffee in misty mountain towns.
- Taste your way across the country: tamales on street corners, tlayudas hot off the griddle, chocolate-rich mole, seafood tostadas by the coast, and churros for "research."
- Celebrate December posadas, join plaza concerts, and dance through New Year's Eve in T-shirts instead of thermals.
Off-peak return flights from London to Cancun or Mexico City in Premium Economy cost 95,000 British Airways Avios plus £355, while Business Class return flights cost 180,000 Avios plus £475.
Maldives
You'd be forgiven for confusing the Maldives for an oil painting. White sandy beaches, pure blue waters full of colourful fish and coral reefs, all under a brilliant sun that's like a tonic for your aching bones. Think of everything the UK winter isn't, and you'll find it in the Maldives.
Sitting in the Indian Ocean, this chain of 26 coral atolls stays hot and dry from November to April, with daytime temperatures around 27–30°C and seas as clear as glass. Each tiny island has its own resort, so you can pick exactly what you want: total privacy, world-class diving, or a family-friendly beach break. Add direct flights from London, and you'll have one of the easiest long-haul escapes for guaranteed winter sun.
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Things to Do
- White-sand beaches and turquoise shallows are made for long naps, lazy swims, and those "is this real?" photos.
- Snorkel with technicolour fish, scuba among coral gardens, or look for whale sharks off Ari Atoll and dolphins on sunset cruises.
- Paddleboard, kayak, or jet-ski across glassy lagoons, or try big-game fishing for tuna and marlin.
- Take a dhoni (traditional boat) to local villages, join a sandbank picnic or hop to a neighbouring atoll for a change of scenery.
- Spend a night in overwater villas with infinity pools, enjoy starlit dinners on the beach, and rejuvenate through spa rituals scented with coconut and sea breeze.
You can get off-peak Premium Economy return tickets from London for 95,000 British Airways Avios plus £355, while Business Class return flights cost 180,000 Avios plus £475.
