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Posted: 03/11/2025

Last Minute Winter Sun Destinations – Our Top Picks 2026

Jenna Carr

Founder of The Travel Mum

Our family is passionate about helping you find the best value holidays. We are real people who understand the need to make your budget go further.

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Last Minute Winter Sun Destinations – Our Top Picks 2025

Winter’s a brilliant time to get away. The sun is still out but it isn’t scorching hot. In lots of southern European destinations you’ll find comfortable temperatures around 18–20°C – perfect for picnics on the beach, family hikes, al fresco dinners and exploring without sweating your arse off. So if you’re thinking about a last-minute escape with the kids, here’s a roundup of winter sun destinations that tick all the family boxes, with indoor-pool hotels in Europe and guaranteed sunshine spots further afield.

Winter Sun in Tenerife, Canary Islands

Tenerife is such an easy win with kids. The flights are short, the weather is warm enough for beach days, and there’s loads to do beyond sunbathing. Drive up towards Mount Teide for amazing views, or take a walk along Costa Adeje’s promenade with an ice cream in hand. The evenings are warm enough for dinner outside, and the whole island just feels relaxed. Perfect for winter sun.

Our Family-friendly Hotel Recommendations (With Indoor Pools):

H10 Costa Adeje Palace – Six pools including a heated indoor one, beach access and plenty of family rooms.
GF Gran Costa Adeje – Great kids’ facilities, a rooftop pool for grown-ups and an indoor spa pool for cooler days.
Bahia Principe Sunlight – A TUI favourite with family suites, great food, and an indoor spa area.

Browse more Tenerife Hotels Here

Winter Sun in Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Lanzarote’s lunar-like landscape is great fun to explore with kids. Winter is the perfect time to visit the Timanfaya National Park, when the heat isn’t overwhelming. You can explore lava tunnels, visit cactus gardens, or just enjoy winter sun beach days in Playa Blanca. It’s still warm enough to sit outside for dinner, especially around the southern coast.

Our Family-friendly Hotel Recommendations (With Indoor Pools):

TUI BLUE Flamingo Beach – Spacious apartments, splash zones for kids and an indoor pool for windy days.
H10 Rubicon Palace – A huge resort with kids’ clubs, indoor spa pool and fun evening entertainment
H10 Lanzarote Princess – Located near Playa Blanca, this hotel features an indoor heated pool for cooler days, as well as kids’ pools, a splash area and family rooms.

Browse more Lanzarote Hotels Here

Winter Sun in the Algarve, Portugal

Mild, sunny and peaceful, the Algarve is perfect for a winter sun break. It’s a lovely mix of beaches, dramatic cliffs and family-friendly towns. Go for walks along the coast, take a boat trip through the caves, or explore the quieter villages inland. The sea can be chilly, but the indoor pools make up for it, and you can still have dinner outside most evenings.

Our Family-friendly Hotel Recommendations (With Indoor Pools):

Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort – Heated indoor pool, splash park and spacious family rooms.
Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort – A top luxury family option with an indoor “vitality pool” inside its spa area, separate children’s play/kids club facilities and high-end comfort.
VidaMar Resort Algarve – Has an indoor salt-water heated pool in addition to outdoor pools, kids club, and family-friendly services.

Browse more Algarve Hotels Here

Winter Sun in Southern Spain (Costa del Sol)

If you want a quick flight and sunshine, the Costa del Sol is a winner for winter sun. In winter, you can enjoy the beaches without crowds, stroll the promenades, and explore family attractions like Bioparc Fuengirola or Sea Life Benalmádena. It’s mild enough for outdoor dinners, and there are plenty of resorts with heated or indoor pools so you can still have splash time.

Our Family-friendly Hotel Recommendations (With Indoor Pools):

Holiday World Polynesia Hotel – Amazing themed resort with indoor pools and loads for kids to do.
Globales Playa Estepona – Waterpark-style fun with an indoor pool for cooler days.
Holiday Village Costa del Sol – A brilliant all-inclusive option with an indoor pool listed among its facilities. Kids will love the splash parks, pirate ship play area and beach club across the road.

Browse more Costa Del Sol Hotels Here

Winter Sun in Crete, Greece

Crete is great in winter if you want culture and sunshine together. The island feels calm and authentic this time of year. You can explore the old town of Chania, visit traditional villages, or walk along quiet beaches. The temperatures are usually around 18°C, perfect for sightseeing and long lunches in the winter sun.

Our Family-friendly Hotel Recommendations (With Indoor Pools):

TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace – Indoor pools, kids’ clubs and gorgeous sea views.
Mitsis Royal Mare Resort – Family rooms, spa with indoor pools and a relaxed feel.
Minoa Palace Resort – Great food, heated indoor pool and near Chania’s old town.

Browse more Crete Hotels Here

Winter Sun in United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah & Abu Dhabi)

If you’re after guaranteed winter sunshine, the UAE is unbeatable in winter. Expect blue skies and warm sea temperatures perfect for beach days. Dubai has endless fun for kids – waterparks, aquariums, theme parks – while Ras Al Khaimah is a bit quieter with mountains, deserts and beaches to explore. You can eat outside every night and enjoy that proper “holiday” feeling.

Our Family-friendly Hotel Recommendations (With Indoor Pools):

Atlantis, The Palm (Dubai) – Huge resort with Aquaventure waterpark access, kids’ clubs and plenty of indoor pool space.
Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort – A relaxed beachfront stay with indoor spa pools and great family rooms.
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island (Abu Dhabi) – Perfect for families, with kids’ activities, indoor pools and stunning beach views.

Browse more UAE Hotels Here

Last Minute Winter Sun Destinations – Our Top Picks 2025

By the time winter rolls around in the UK, a little bit of sunshine feels like magic. A winter‑sun break isn’t just about warmer weather – it’s about slower mornings, ice creams on the promenade, gentle beach strolls and afternoons by a pool (indoor or out) while the kids run off some energy. Whether you’re exploring Tenerife’s volcanoes, wandering Lanzarote’s lava fields, hiking Algarve cliffs, enjoying Costa del Sol beaches, discovering Crete, or taking the longer haul to the UAE, there’s something for every family. Pick the right hotel with family rooms, indoor pools and easy access to kid-friendly fun, and suddenly a winter holiday feels relaxing, fun and properly memorable – sunshine, smiles and no one complaining about being too hot!

Some of the links in this post are affiliates.

Read Our Hotels with Heated Outdoor Pools Blog Here

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Written by: Jenna Carr

Founder of The Travel Mum

Our family is passionate about helping you save money. We are real people who understand the need to make your budget go further. With The Travel Mum we have created a vibrant community of over 840k+ savvy travellers who want to travel more while spending less. No problem is too big or small, together we will do everything in our power to make sure you are making the absolute most of your well earned budget!

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How many people get to say they’ve slept on a frozen lake under the northern lights?! 😮✨

These little cabins are very basic, maybe not ideal for anyone who wants luxury - but - they are on skis 😮 and each evening the owner drags you onto a frozen lake with his snow mobile. No light pollution, no noise, just pure peace (aside from the sound of occasional cracking ice, which is apparently normal 😅😆)

These cabins are with @lakeinarimobilecabins - it was a few years ago that we went. I think they get booked up quite far in advance now - but message the fella, it’s naturally cheaper to book direct 🤍

#thetravelmum #lapland #inari #familytravel #northernlights

Sep 23

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How many people get to say they’ve slept on a frozen lake under the northern lights?! 😮✨

These little cabins are very basic, maybe not ideal for anyone who wants luxury - but - they are on skis 😮 and each evening the owner drags you onto a frozen lake with his snow mobile. No light pollution, no noise, just pure peace (aside from the sound of occasional cracking ice, which is apparently normal 😅😆)

These cabins are with @lakeinarimobilecabins - it was a few years ago that we went. I think they get booked up quite far in advance now - but message the fella, it’s naturally cheaper to book direct 🤍

#thetravelmum #lapland #inari #familytravel #northernlights

How many people get to say they’ve slept on a frozen lake under the northern lights?! 😮✨

These little cabins are very basic, maybe not ideal for anyone who wants luxury - but - they are on skis 😮 and each evening the owner drags you onto a frozen lake with his snow mobile. No light pollution, no noise, just pure peace (aside from the sound of occasional cracking ice, which is apparently normal 😅😆)

These cabins are with @lakeinarimobilecabins - it was a few years ago that we went. I think they get booked up quite far in advance now - but message the fella, it’s naturally cheaper to book direct 🤍

#thetravelmum #lapland #inari #familytravel #northernlights ...

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This is one of the best Eurocamps we’ve been to, particularly for families who love a waterpark! There are so many slides, splash areas and pools to spend the day exploring. On top of that you’re right by a beach, close to the gorgeous city of Venice and there’s even a fun fair!

If you want more information on this camp comment GUIDE and ill send you our Union lido review and guide 💛

This was a PR trip from 2025 but this post and guide were made independently as it’s one of our favourite camps ✨

#thetravelmum #familytravel #holidayideas #waterparks

Sep 22

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This is one of the best Eurocamps we’ve been to, particularly for families who love a waterpark! There are so many slides, splash areas and pools to spend the day exploring. On top of that you’re right by a beach, close to the gorgeous city of Venice and there’s even a fun fair!

If you want more information on this camp comment GUIDE and ill send you our Union lido review and guide 💛

This was a PR trip from 2025 but this post and guide were made independently as it’s one of our favourite camps ✨

#thetravelmum #familytravel #holidayideas #waterparks

This is one of the best Eurocamps we’ve been to, particularly for families who love a waterpark! There are so many slides, splash areas and pools to spend the day exploring. On top of that you’re right by a beach, close to the gorgeous city of Venice and there’s even a fun fair!

If you want more information on this camp comment GUIDE and ill send you our Union lido review and guide 💛

This was a PR trip from 2025 but this post and guide were made independently as it’s one of our favourite camps ✨

#thetravelmum #familytravel #holidayideas #waterparks ...

303 918

We’re giving away £500 this Friday! 💰💰💰

All you have to do is share your honest family experience of a hotel you’ve visited. Good or bad, we want families to know what you wish you had known before visiting!

For more information and the links to start sharing your reviews, comment WIN and I’ll send you what you need in a DM 💛

We will be doing different giveaways EVERY month, as a thank you to our community for building this incredible resource with us. Follow @familyapprovedhotels to stay in the loop!

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Sep 22

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We’re giving away £500 this Friday! 💰💰💰

All you have to do is share your honest family experience of a hotel you’ve visited. Good or bad, we want families to know what you wish you had known before visiting!

For more information and the links to start sharing your reviews, comment WIN and I’ll send you what you need in a DM 💛

We will be doing different giveaways EVERY month, as a thank you to our community for building this incredible resource with us. Follow @familyapprovedhotels to stay in the loop!

#thetravelmum #familyapproved #familytravel

We’re giving away £500 this Friday! 💰💰💰

All you have to do is share your honest family experience of a hotel you’ve visited. Good or bad, we want families to know what you wish you had known before visiting!

For more information and the links to start sharing your reviews, comment WIN and I’ll send you what you need in a DM 💛

We will be doing different giveaways EVERY month, as a thank you to our community for building this incredible resource with us. Follow @familyapprovedhotels to stay in the loop!

#thetravelmum #familyapproved #familytravel ...

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It’s during term time so this is one for the home educators or families with younger kids.

Comment DEAL and I’ll send you a link to this deal plus the link to the last minute deals page where you can find your own bargain 💛

Links we share are affiliate links - all the deals we share are from a variety of providers and are always found by us as a deal we would book ourselves.

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This would be a CRAZY good deal for the right family. If you want to escape to warmer weather and just CHILL, this could be perfect. There’s an indoor pool, spa, gym and you’re right by the beach. This includes all your food and drink, flights, luggage and transfers 😮

It’s during term time so this is one for the home educators or families with younger kids.

Comment DEAL and I’ll send you a link to this deal plus the link to the last minute deals page where you can find your own bargain 💛

Links we share are affiliate links - all the deals we share are from a variety of providers and are always found by us as a deal we would book ourselves.

#thetravelmum #budgettravel #cheapholidays

This would be a CRAZY good deal for the right family. If you want to escape to warmer weather and just CHILL, this could be perfect. There’s an indoor pool, spa, gym and you’re right by the beach. This includes all your food and drink, flights, luggage and transfers 😮

It’s during term time so this is one for the home educators or families with younger kids.

Comment DEAL and I’ll send you a link to this deal plus the link to the last minute deals page where you can find your own bargain 💛

Links we share are affiliate links - all the deals we share are from a variety of providers and are always found by us as a deal we would book ourselves.

#thetravelmum #budgettravel #cheapholidays ...

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