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Posted: 03/11/2025

Last Minute Winter Sun Destinations – Our Top Picks 2026

Jenna Carr

The Travel Mum

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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

The Travel Mum

Our little 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 650k budget 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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Ad one for the adventurous families 🤩🏞️🌲🚐

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If you want to know more about our trip, and get our 10% discount code for your van rental - comment AUSTRIA and I’ll send you more information ❤️

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Ad one for the adventurous families 🤩🏞️🌲🚐

We rented a campervan with Roadsurfer to explore Austria and it was one of our best holidays to date! This was our third campervan trip with Roadsurfer, our first trip being in Andalucia in Spain, and the second in the Black Forest in Germany!

If you want to know more about our trip, and get our 10% discount code for your van rental - comment AUSTRIA and I’ll send you more information ❤️

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