5 Countries In Europe To Stay Warm And Cozy During Your Winter Vacation

Winter is here, and so are the cold temperatures, but you're dreaming of a European summer, sitting along the Adriatic coast and sipping an Aperol Spritz without a care in the world. Summer is still months away, but that doesn't mean you can't travel to Europe now. Although there are surprisingly budget-friendly European cities to visit for a winter vacation, their temperatures aren't exactly high enough to leave your bulky coat behind. However, these five countries in Europe have mild winter temperatures to keep you warm and cozy during your much-needed winter vacation.

There are plenty of beautiful European destinations to visit in December (and throughout the winter months), such as Germany, Iceland, and the Netherlands. However, you're not exactly guaranteed sun-drenched days without rain, snow, or cloudy skies. If you've saved your PTO days off for a winter getaway, and want to enjoy sunny skies, warm winter temperatures, and maybe even a cheeky dip in the sea (if you're brave), then visiting countries such as France, Greece, Portugal, Malta, and Spain might just be what you're looking for.

While you won't find bathing suits and beach-lounging weather in Europe during the winter months, these countries boast some of the warmest winter temperatures in Europe, while offering fewer crowds, lower prices, and endless cultural gems to be discovered. The average January temperatures for these countries typically range from collective daytime highs of around 51 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit. In the Canary Islands, the warmest place in Europe during the winter, travelers can expect January highs ranging anywhere from 60 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit, which we'll take over snow, slush, and sleet any day!

Figuring out the best time to travel to Europe can be challenging, especially during winter, but in the Mediterranean, the tiny island country of Malta is a standout gem during the cooler months. South of Sicily, and north of Tunisia, Malta boasts mild winter temperatures that make exploration pleasant, even when wearing a light, long-sleeved shirt, and sometimes, a T-shirt during the day. I visited Malta at the beginning of February a few years ago to escape the cold Canadian winter. I could walk around in a T-shirt on some days, which warranted a few funny looks from locals wearing winter jackets.

Malta is known for its vibrant capital city, Valletta, which is steeped in history, stunning architecture, colorful doorways, and streets made entirely of stairs. During the winter months, it makes for the perfect European destination, with temperatures ranging from 61 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit from January to March, and lows of 55 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit. With approximately 300 days of sun throughout the year, exploring small villages and towns like the walled city of Mdina and the charming fishing village of Marsaxlokk to watch the colorful luzzu boats floating on sparkling blue water is enjoyable with the sun on your face rather than dodging snow squalls.

When you think of a European winter beach destination, you probably aren't considering the Atlantic coast. However, in Portugal, not only will you find one of Europe's best beaches with crystal-clear water and mountain views, but you'll also discover mild winter weather. With many direct flights from North America, Lisbon is one of the best places to enjoy a short getaway. Since its temperatures average highs of 59 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit from January to March, and lows range from 48 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll have perfect temperatures for climbing those famous Portuguese hills.

While most tourists head to Lisbon when visiting Portugal, the warm weather of the Algarve region, located in the south of Portugal on the Atlantic Ocean, shouldn't be missed. It's also considered one of the warmest places in Europe, with temperatures in January to March reaching highs of 61 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and lows ranging from 43 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit. With dramatic rocky cliffs dotted with whitewashed villages and stunning beaches, visiting during the winter months will bless you with mild weather and fewer crowds. 

Former fishing villages such as Albufeira, Faro, Lagos, and Burgau along the Algarve coast are the perfect places to enjoy chilling on the beach, rather than experiencing the chill of winter. If you're looking for an active holiday with challenging hikes and beautiful landscapes, the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic or the island of Madeira, both part of Portugal, are great alternatives for warm winter weather.

There are many underrated destinations in Spain to add to your bucket list, especially to stay warm during winter. Córdoba, located in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, makes winter months bearable and enjoyable, even while enjoying a drink on a patio. Famous for the beautiful Calleja de las Flores, a street filled with balconies adorned with colorful flowers, Córdoba makes for the perfect winter getaway. Temperatures from January to March range from highs of 59 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, while the lows span 39 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Canary Islands, an archipelago that is part of Spain and located near Northern Africa, are a set of seven islands in Europe that are great for a warm-weather winter vacation. Gran Canaria's capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, makes for the perfect base for enjoying the beach and sunshine throughout the year. You can easily visit the neighboring islands of Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Tenerife via a ferry and a short plane ride. As a Canadian motorcyclist, I spent some time riding in Gran Canaria during the cold Canadian months, which is a treat only riders in colder climates will truly appreciate. Temperatures on the island of Tenerife, from January to March, typically range from 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with lows starting at 57 degrees Fahrenheit.

Other places that dissolve the winter blues faster than rock salt on icy roads and provide travelers with warm weather are Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca (for its beaches). Consider San Sebastián, too, located in the north of the country, for delectable pintxos and Michelin-star restaurants.

In the South of France, on the Côte d'Azur, the city of Nice is a great place to escape the blustery winter weather. With January to March temperatures ranging from 55 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit and lows from 41 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit, exploring on foot is comfortable without bulky layers. Since 1873, Nice has held the Carnaval de Nice, an annual, epic event that runs for two weeks in February and comprises live music, colorful floats, and festive family fun. Along the Côte D'Azur, towns like Cannes, famous for film festivals and celebrity sightings, and vibrant Menton are worth a visit to soak in Southern France's mild winter temperatures.

Marseille, France, is the perfect home base for exploring the French Riviera. From January to March, its winter temperatures range from 52 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, and lows span between 37 and 43 degrees Fahrenheit. With such favorable conditions, climbing the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde for unforgettable views of the Mediterranean Sea and exploring the Old Port can be done at a leisurely pace. Travelers looking to experience charming hilltop French villages, Renaissance châteaux, and local markets should head to the Provence region in Southern France to places such as Gordes, Aix-en-Provence, Lourmarin, and Roussillon.

Known for being a hotspot for beach-loving summer vacations, Greece offers warm winter temperatures throughout the year on its many islands. Crete, the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, has January to March temperatures that hit inviting highs of 61 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit and lows ranging between 46 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes strolling on pink sand beaches at this European destination enjoyable, although you may run into some rainy days at the beginning of the year.

Since Santorini sees an influx of tourists during peak season, those looking to visit Greece on a budget while enjoying mild weather should do so in winter. The island's tourism slows down significantly during wintertime, but the weather stays nice and mild. January to March sees temperatures ranging from 57 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 50 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit. While you may not be swimming in the Med during these time periods, the lack of tourist crowds, lower prices for flights and accommodations, as well as a more local feel, make it worth the visit. Keep in mind that most of Santorini tends to shut down until tourist season comes around again. Check out the common luxury on Greek beaches becoming absurdly expensive due to tourists.

When researching countries that offer mild winter weather, we focused on winter months from January to March, with high temperatures ranging between 52 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. While many locations across Europe have mild winter weather, focusing on European countries, from west to south, that attract a higher number of tourists during peak seasons, helps our readers check out places they typically wouldn't visit for a winter vacation. These options during the colder winter months tend to come with mild winters, fewer crowds, cheaper flights, and affordable accommodations.