It’s dark, cold, and raining. You just want to see the sun, but every search for cheap winter sun destinations in the UK shows expensive flights to faraway places. Here’s the good news: you don’t need to spend a fortune. A budget of £150 is more than enough to get you a round-trip ticket to real sunshine between January and March 2026. You just need to know where to look. Here are 5 dependable winter sun destinations from the UK that won’t empty your bank account.
(Note: These are flight prices. We’re talking about finding deals for under £150 round-trip, flying from UK airports for a small “under-seat” bag only).
1. The Algarve, Portugal (Fly to Faro)
(Imagine a beautiful image here: a sunny, quiet beach in the Algarve, perhaps with a distant cliff.)
- Why it’s a great choice: This is your best bet for a mild, sunny, and quiet escape. With 17°C days and bright blue skies, it’s perfect for hiking coastal trails, playing golf, or just reading a book on a quiet beach. It’s not a “bikini-weather” trip, but it’s a true escape from the UK grey.
- What to expect in Jan-Mar: Sunny and 17°C. Cool nights.
- Estimated Price: You can often find deals for £50-£80 round-trip.
- How to find this deal: Search Sthgilf for flights from London Stansted or Gatwick to Faro. Use the “flexible dates” option and look at January or February. The lowest fares are usually Tuesday-Thursday.
2. Tenerife (South), Canary Islands
(Imagine a beautiful image here: a sunny beach with palm trees and clear blue water in Tenerife.)
- Why it’s a great choice: This is Europe’s most reliable winter “hot spot.” While the rest of Europe is mild, the south of Tenerife stays genuinely warm. You can expect 20°C to 22°C days, meaning you can actually lie on the beach.
- What to expect in Jan-Mar: Genuinely warm. 21°C and sunny.
- Estimated Price: This is popular, so it’s harder. But if you fly mid-week (like a Tuesday to a Tuesday), you can find £120-£150 round-trip tickets.
- How to find this deal: Search Sthgilf from Manchester or Gatwick to Tenerife South (TFS). Look for late January or early February dates, especially departures on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
3. Marrakech, Morocco
(Imagine a beautiful image here: a vibrant, colourful market scene or a stunning riad courtyard in Marrakech, bathed in sunlight.)
- Why it’s a great choice: If you want sun and a complete change of culture, this is it. It’s only a 3-hour flight. You’ll get sunny, 19°C days perfect for exploring the souks and palaces. It’s a vibrant city break, not a beach holiday.
- What to expect in Jan-Mar: Bright and sunny. 19°C. (Heads up: it gets very cold at night, so pack a jacket).
- Estimated Price: A great bargain. £60-£90 round-trip is very common.
- How to find this deal: Search Sthgilf from London Stansted or Gatwick to Marrakech (RAK). Deals are common across January, February, and early March.
4. Málaga, Spain (Costa del Sol)
(Imagine a beautiful image here: a sunny street scene in Málaga with outdoor cafes, or a view of the Alcazaba.)
- Why it’s a great choice: Málaga is a fantastic city break with a bonus: sun and sand. The city itself is full of history and art, and the coast is right there. At 18°C, it’s warm enough to sit outside at a café in a t-shirt.
- What to expect in Jan-Mar: Mild and bright. 18°C.
- Estimated Price: This is one of the cheapest and most reliable routes. £50-£70 round-trip is easy to find.
- How to find this deal: Search Sthgilf from almost any major UK airport (e.g., London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham to Málaga). Look for dates in January or February.
5. Malta
(Imagine a beautiful image here: the stunning blue waters around Malta, or the historic streets of Valletta in sunshine.)
- Why it’s a great choice: Malta is like an open-air museum in the middle of a sunny sea. The weather is mild (around 16-17°C), but it’s perfect for walking. Explore the history of Valletta or hike the coastal paths on Gozo.
- What to expect in Jan-Mar: Mild, spring-like days. 16°C.
- Estimated Price: You can regularly find deals for £70-£100 round-trip.
- How to find this deal: Search Sthgilf from London (Gatwick/Stansted) or Manchester to Malta (MLA). Look for mid-week travel in February or early March.
What Price Scanners Don’t Show You
The big flight search engines (like our competitor Skyscanner) are fantastic for showing you a list of prices. They’ll quickly pull up a flight for “£45.” But they often stop there. They don’t give you the full story behind that price.
Here’s what they often miss, and why just seeing the cheapest number can trick you:
- Hidden Baggage Costs: That “£45” ticket usually only includes a tiny bag under your seat. A proper carry-on or checked bag can easily add £30-£60 to your trip. The big sites show you the low price, but you have to click through to see the real total.
- Airport Location Traps: A flight might be cheap from “London,” but it could be from London Southend, which is a long and expensive journey from central London. They show the airport, but not the inconvenience or added cost.
- Early Morning/Late Night Flights: The very cheapest flights are often at inconvenient times (e.g., 6 AM departures). This might mean an expensive taxi or an extra night in an airport hotel.
The Sthgilf strategy is to always look at the final, true cost of your journey, not just the initial flight price. Sometimes, paying £20 more for a flight from a closer airport, at a better time, with baggage included, saves you money and hassle in the end.
Hot Answers for Your Cold-Weather Questions UK (FAQ)
Q: Are these flight prices round-trip?
Yes. All the prices listed (e.g., £50-£80) are the estimated costs for a round-trip ticket for one person.
Q: Do these prices include a checked bag or carry-on?
No. These cheap prices are for the “basic” fare, which on airlines like Ryanair or easyJet only includes one small bag that fits under the seat in front of you. A larger carry-on or a checked bag will cost extra.
Q: When is the best time to book these Jan-Mar flights?
Right now. November is the peak booking window for these trips. This is especially true around the [Black Friday flight sales] which offer huge opportunities. Don’t wait until January—the prices will be much higher.
Q: What if I search and can’t find these prices?
Be flexible. The best deals are almost always for flying mid-week (like a Tuesday to a Saturday). If you only search for Friday to Sunday, you will pay a lot more. Try using a “flexible dates” search to see the whole month.