Winter Sun Holidays 2024 / 2025

Winter sun holidays

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On the Beach deposits

Deposits from €30pp

The home of holiday perks

Big-coat season. Soggy-sock season. Numb-fingers-and-sniffly-noses season. Whatever you want to call it, let's be honest - no one's getting excited about winter. Well, we've got good news for you. It's always sunny somewhere. And we all know a holiday's more fun when it's chucking it down back home. Summer holidays are great, but jetting off at the end of the year just hits different. So what d'ya say? We're talking sandcastles over snow angels (any day), pool days over rainy days (obviously), and swimwear over knitwear (duh!). That's what winter sun holidays are all about! Whether you're heading off for some romance or a fun-filled family holiday, jetting off last-minute or holding out for a 2025 holiday - trust us, where we're going, there won't be an umbrella in sight (well, except for on your cocktail maybe 🍹).

Time to add some winter sun to the diary... That's what George from our Customer Service team did when he stayed at Fergus Cactus Garden in Fuerteventura. Good on ya, George. Aside from two pools plenty big enough for all your front-crawl needs, he said the hotel also had 2 rooftop Jacuzzis(!!!), and he was totally on board with the 4-star rating. 'Definitely rated a 4*. Food had something for everyone, and it far exceeded my expectations in terms of service and the room. The Junior Suite we stayed in was perfect'. Well, can't ask for higher praise than that! And we should know - George is a tough one to please...

Top deals on winter sun holidays

We've got cheap winter sun holidays for...



The whole fam

Wondering how to keep the little ones entertained at home? We might just have the answer. Whether you're swapping the turkey dinner for one of our Turkey holidays with the fam this Christmas, or you're looking for holidays in February half-term - we've got stacks of hotels that the kids (and you!) will love for your winter holibobs. Next time you're bundling the kids up in a zillion layers, scrubbing rainy footprints off the floor (after you specifically said take your shoes off at the door) or reaching for another tissue to deal with their inevitable drippy nostrils - imagine what it'd be like if you were somewhere sunny instead. Loads better, basically. And if you want to go all-in this winter, why not try an all inclusive family jolly? Why wait until summer, that's what we say.

The other half

Yeah, snuggling up by the fire is cool, but have you ever had piña coladas by the pool while it's snowing back home? Smugness at its finest. Plus, our winter sun holidays mean no more arguing over which Christmas film to watch (Love Actually or nothing), or forcing a smile at those festive parties you'd rather not be at. Sorry, can't make it. We're on holiday. You're welcome. Beat the summer rush and swap those blankets for beach towels this winter with a couples' holiday. Quiet beach days. Free rein of the all-inclusive buffet. Ice cream in December. Need we say more?

All your besties

Why not go all-out and get the whole squad together for a winter sun group holiday? Or go all IN, with an all-inclusive Turkey trip that has literally everything covered. Whether you're craving cocktails and lazy pool days, or simply looking for a night out where you don't need your big coat (we can all dream), we're here to share some of the best hotels for cheap holidays with the whole gang. From always-sunny Tenerife to good ol' Benidorm, jetting off in winter means you can avoid peak prices and top up your tan to make everyone jealous when summer comes back around. Who needs a bottle of St Tropez when you've got the real deal? Go on. Pop it in the WhatsApp group. Where do you fancy?

Best destinations for winter sun holidays

Ah - the drab, cold, rainy months. It's bleak, for sure. If you find yourself in desperate need of some sun, then don't waste your time dreaming over beach holidays (like we do every day in the office). Instead, find your next top destination and get it booked! From the Canaries with delightful Tenerife holidays as their star, to somewhere a bit further afield like the Caribbean with show-stoppers like the Dominican Republic and more...we've got a bit of everything. So, what're you waiting for? Kiss goodbye to frosty commutes and having to listen to Sandra from Finance say how cold she is for the 50th time today. Your holibobs will be a blissful escape from reality, and from the freezing cold - we can promise you that.

Top 3 hottest winter destinations

If you can take the heat and you don't plan on getting out of the kitchen anytime soon (apart from to jet off to one of these scorchers), then we've got three destinations that are guaranteed to get you sweating in winter.

🥇 Cancun - 30°C

Fwor. We know. We barely see that kind of toastiness in summer back home, nevermind winter. But, if you jet off to good ol' Cancun in December, this is the kind of temperature you'll be seeing. We have one bit of advice: don't forget the suncream!

🥈 Dominican Republic - 29°C

It's a close call, but Dom Rep comes in a cheeky second place just 1°C cooler than Cancun. And what's a degree between friends?! With the beachy Caribbean vibes, we can't say we're surprised at this one. If you thought bikini season was over, think again...

🥉 Barbados - 29°C

OK so technically it's a tie, but there was just a fraction of a degree between these two. If you're not sure where Barbados is, it's in the Caribbean (naturally), and it's the place they go to on Friends when Monica's hair goes really big. It's got the swanky hotels, the tropical beach vibes and obviously the winter sun. That's what we're here for.

Winter sun holidays to Cancun, the Dominican Republic and Barbados with On the Beach.

What kind of flight are you looking for?



Short n' sweet

Nope, not the new Sabrina Carpenter album (although we've got holidays just as bangin'). The good news is, you don't need to travel half-way across the globe to get some sun - we've got loads of short-haul holidays to warm you up! Trade your daily commute and coffee run for a short flight to some winter sun. Whether it's classic Spain or culture-packed Malta, you could be slathering on the suncream and sipping sangria in no time. Think about it. 4 hours in the car to see the family members you can't stand and eat cold food on cocktail sticks, or less than 3 hours on a plane to some sun, sand and sea? Yeah. We thought so. Out of office mode: activated.

Somewhere in the middle

You like your holiday just right. Far enough away to give you that exotic feeling, but close enough to home so you don't have to sit on a plane for 7+ hours. We got you. We've picked some of our fave mid-haul hotels that'll give you that 'Caribbean feel' in half the flight time. Seriously, check out our Lanzarote holidays and you'll know what we're talking about. These winter sun holidays have everything you need - like a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, or a steaming mug of hot choc with all the toppings. But instead you'll have tropical cocktails, seafront swimming pools and palm trees everywhere you turn. Sounds dreamy, right?

Long-haul, baby!

If you really want to get as far away as possible from the gloomy weather back home (we don't blame you), then there's only one answer. Long haul! Go big or go home, they say. It's us. We're 'they'. From the white sands of Mexico to action-packed Florida resorts, our long-haul holidays are just what you need for that sweet, sweet escape. We're talking, so far away that you'll barely remember who Graham from the office is, let alone that email you were supposed to reply to. Your problems? Miles and miles away - just like you. Winter just got a whole lot more interesting...


Pssst! Find out why Malta is the perfect city break and beach holiday rolled into one.


We've got plenty more holidays to choose from

Our Top Tip!

It's important to travel comfortably when going on any holiday, but especially when you're travelling in winter. While it might be cold and rainy at home, remember that wherever you're heading, it'll most likely be sunny. Layering up with hoodies and blankets means you can stay toasty at the airport and during your flight, but once you're on the other side, you can easily whip them off while the heat smacks you in the face. You know that feeling.

FAQs

When's the best time to go on holiday in winter?

Winter in the UK/Ireland usually starts in November and ends in mid-March. As it's off-peak, it's the perfect opportunity to jet off for some affordable sun (you'll probably find there are a load of great-value last minute holidays about, too). Most Mediterranean destinations still offer fairly mild temperatures in November and March, so you can escape for a pre-Christmas treat or take off in half term if you're bringing the kids!

Where's the best place to go in winter for sun?

Jetting off for some winter sun is the perfect opportunity to appreciate the sunshine without it being unbearably hot. Holiday hotspots such as Cyprus and the Canaries are perfect for an off-peak break due to their year-round Mediterranean climate, whilst more exotic destinations such as Mexico, Thailand and the Maldives are known for staying toasty during the winter months. We've put together a handy guide if you want to read more about where to go on a winter-sun holiday.

Where's the cheapest place for winter sun?

The cheapest destinations vary, but Cyprus holidays are ideal for getting the most out of an affordable getaway, and the Canary Islands are a great all-rounder when it comes to budget-friendly sun, sand and sea in winter. Book early to secure your winter escape for a bargain price.

Where's the best place in Europe for winter sun?

If you'd rather stay in Europe, there are still loads of winter sun destinations to tickle your pickle. Malta, for one, is home to one of the warmest European climates in winter, with temperatures averaging around 19°C - plus it's still quite an up-and-coming destination, which means it won't be packed with tourists! Tenerife is also a classic (obviously) when it comes to soaking up the sun in winter, along with Portugal and Madeira, which offer some cracking scenery, too.

Where's best for winter sun in December?

If the cold December days have got you down - don't worry. There are loads of places that are still bathed in sunshine at this time of year. You might have to go slightly further afield if you're looking for sizzling heat, but Canary islands like Gran Canaria and Tenerife are always a good shout if you're just looking for mild temperatures, or Cape Town if you prefer something a little hotter. Egypt is also known for its guaranteed sunshine, and there are loads of family-friendly resorts if you're travelling with the kids. We've also put together a handy guide to where's hot in December, if you fancy reading more.

Why choose On the Beach for a winter sun holiday? (Ireland)

Well, for starters - we know our stuff. We send loads of lovely beachers away on their holidays every year, and we'd love you to be part of the fam. We pride ourselves on making your holiday the best it can be, from the moment you click 'book', to the moment you return and start planning your next one. That's why we offer a FlexiPay scheme, so you can pay for your holiday your way, with low deposits and 24-hour in-resort support to put your mind at ease.

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Whether you're looking for a last-minute beach break or planning ahead for the summer hols, we've got you covered.