This Atlantic archipelago off the West African coast is a low-cost winter-sun sweet spot. It is only six hours away but delivers reliably warm weather, a heady mix of African, Brazilian and Portuguese influences, sandy beaches and affordable activities – think around £40pp for a full-day excursion with lunch. Expect to pay at least twice that for a day-trip in Antigua.
Plus local prices are reasonable even though everything is imported. There are direct flights from the UK to popular Sal and lower-key Boa Vista. The latter is where you will find family-run Orquidea, a characterful waterfront guesthouse with tropical gardens and resident tortoises and macaws.
It is also well-positioned for walks along the beach and into the little town of Sal Rei, for trips into the desert-like interior and for spotting whales, which might be seen around Sal Rei islet from February to May.
How to do it: Cape Verde Experience (01489 866 969; capeverde.co.uk) offers seven nights at Orquidea Guest House from £1,075pp, including flights and breakfast.
2. CambodiaMust-see sights without the crowds
Cambodia is a hot ticket. Not only does the country’s dry season coincide with the British winter, it has a reputation for giving one of the world’s warmest welcomes. Cambodia is less expensive than many of its South-East Asian neighbours. And, even though it boasts many attractions – knock-out sites such as the temples at Angkor Wat, glorious white-sand beaches – visitor numbers remain lower too.
Combine archaeological treasures and dreamy coast on a private, guided TravelLocal trip that spends time at Angkor as well as the splendid beaches of Sihanoukville. Or push the boat out and get luxe for less on Bamboo’s plush Angkor & Islands in Style trip, which includes temple time and activities in Siem Reap with time at the opulent Royal Sands on the tropical paradise isle of Koh Rong.
How to do it: TravelLocal (0117 325 7898; travellocal.com) offers a nine-day Cambodia Temples & Beaches trip from £1,090pp, including flights and B&B accommodation. Bamboo Travel (020 7720 9285; bambootravel.co.uk) offers an 11-day Angkor & Islands in Style trip from £4,995pp, including flights and B&B accommodation.
3. Agadir, MoroccoAfrica’s most accessible and affordable destination
Picturesque Agadir on the Moroccan coast offers a quieter alternative to Marrakech – Alberto Guglielmi/Alberto Guglielmi
With a sprawling sandy beach, 300 days of sunshine per year, a four-hour flight time and low local prices, Agadir is a compelling winter choice. Surfers in particular will be keen: this is the best season for riding world-class waves at nearby Taghazout.
The weather will be warm, not sweltering, but heated pools and hammams are on hand, while beach days can be mixed with excursions, such as four-wheel-drive trips into Souss-Massa National Park and visits to Berber villages such as Tafraoute, where almond trees bloom spectacularly in February.
Independent travellers could bag bargain flights plus great-value hotels: for beachside resort vibes, try Paradis Plage near Taghazout; for a mountain riad feel, opt for Atlas Kasbah, three miles from Agadir.
How to do it: Paradis Plage (00 212 528 200382; paradisplage.com) offers doubles from £143, B&B. Atlas Kasbah (00 212 661 488504; atlaskasbah.com) offers double rooms from £79, B&B. EasyJet (easyjet.com) flies to Agadir from £14.99 one way.
4. VietnamLow-cost long-haul
In Vietnam, a cookery course can set you back as little as £20pp – Jorgen Udvang/Alamy
According to the Post Office Travel Money report, the old Unesco-listed Vietnamese city of Hoi An continues to be the best-value long-haul choice for sun-seeking Britons. Low local prices – £1.30 for a coffee in a cafe, 43p for a large bottle of water – mean your money goes a long way here. That leaves you more to spend on the fun stuff, like hiring a bicycle (from £2) or taking a cookery class (from around £20pp).
While Hoi An is a big cultural draw, those after a more relaxing break might look south to the mountain-backed bays and beaches around Nha Trang – 11 hours away, but only around £10 by tourist bus. The modern, minimalist beachfront villas at Mia Resort Nha Trang are stylish but good value.
How to do it: Kuoni (0800 294 9702; kuoni.co.uk) offers seven nights at the Mia Resort from £1,600pp, including flights and breakfast.
5. Sri LankaBetter value and more varied than the Maldives
Your money will go further in Sri Lanka: think beers for £1 – Alamy
Sri Lanka has had a torrid few years. The 2022 economic crisis led to skyrocketing inflation, goods shortages and street protests. But things are looking up. And, despite former troubles, it’s a real on-trend destination – and a pleasingly good-value one, too.
You’ll get around 385 Sri Lankan rupees to the UK pound right now (five years ago it was down at 200), which means your money will go further: think beers for £2, rather than £7 in the Maldives. You’ll find the biggest bargains if you go local, eating from street vendors, travelling in tuk-tuks.
Being compact and varied, it is also a great place to combine Indian Ocean beach chilling with culture and wildlife. For instance, Intrepid’s small-group Simply Sri Lanka trip combines beaches, rock-top fortresses, temples and safari options for a great price. Or, if you are just seeking sun, flop out at the smart, beachfront Heritance Ahungalla instead.
How to do it: Intrepid (0808 274 5111; intrepidtravel.com) offers an eight-day Simple Sri Lanka holiday from £415pp, including B&B accommodation but excluding flights. Sri Lankan Airlines (srilankan.com) flies between London and Colombo with fares from around £715 return. Tui (0203 451 2688; tui.co.uk) offers seven nights at the Heritance Ahungalla from £1,234pp including flights and B&B accommodation.
6. Bali, IndonesiaSwish stays at small prices
Bali: Opt for hostels, scooter rental and bowls of nasi goreng and you could get by on £20 a day – Colin Anderson
Your cash could go a very long way if you book a holiday in Indonesia. Opt for hostels, scooter rental and bowls of nasi goreng and you could get by on £20 a day.
But even much swisher accommodation options can be picked up for good prices. The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa is in luxe Nusa Dua, the island’s fanciest enclave. The hotel, designed to resemble a modern-day Balinese palace, with many authentic local touches, lounges alongside a golden beachfront amid swaying palms. Facilities include three swimming pools, a smart spa, multiple restaurants and Balinese dance classes if you like.
The European winter coincides with Bali’s wet season, but downpours tend to be short and sharp and temperatures are still balmy, so you can enjoy plenty of lazing on the beach if you wish.
How to do it: Virgin Holidays (0344 472 9646; virginholidays.co.uk) offers ten nights at the Nusa Dua from £1,489pp B&B, including flights.
7. Algarve, PortugalWinter sun and wine any time
Portugal is a good option for those looking for good (and cheap) wine, warmish air and a refreshing change of scene – Alamy
It won’t exactly be scorching in southern Portugal – but if all you are looking for is good (and cheap) wine, warmish air and a refreshing change of scene, it is a very good choice, with prices lower here than in its Iberian neighbour.
Local prices have risen considerably but you will still get a coffee for less than £1. Save more by opting for self-catering: a week in a no-frills but fully kitted-out studio at the Balaia Golf Village Resort in Albufeira, for example, costs less than your monthly fuel bill; add on car hire for less than £20 per day, and a round of golf for around £40.
Alternatively, take a cheap flight to Faro, then search Airbnb: you will find options such as the smart Panorama Bay View apartment in Lagos, which has winter-friendly extras including a shared indoor swimming pool, sauna and gym.
How to do it: Thomas Cook (020 8016 3295; thomascook.com) offers seven nights at Balaia from £205pp room only, including flights. Panorama Bay View sleeps eight from £1,017 per week – £18pppn (airbnb.co.uk). Ryanair (ryanair.com) flies to Faro from £14.99 one way. Plan your trip with our Algarve travel guide.
8. MaltaHistory and indulgence, however long you are staying
What Malta lacks in temperature it makes up for in historic interest and relaxation – Karina Movsesyan
You will certainly find some good late deals for Malta, partly because it is not actually that hot. But what it lacks in temperature it makes up for in historic interest and relaxation – and it could be just the Mediterranean enclave in which to sit out the whole winter.
With the rise of digital nomadism, plus cost of living increases, there’s been increasing interest in trips of a month or more, the idea being that it is cheaper to go away than to pay for food and heating at home for the same period.
Just Go! Holidays is offering a 28-night stay at the Preluna Hotel in Sliema from £1,799pp, all-inclusive, no single supplement. That is a month’s worth of food, booze, gym access, indoor swimming and beachfront living – plus four free guided excursions to Valletta, Mdina and beyond – for less than the £2,700 that an average UK household spends per month (according to finance company NimbleFins).
How to do it: Just Go! Holidays (0333 234 2010; justgoholidays.com) offers 28 nights all-inclusive at the Preluna Hotel from £1,799pp including flights. Plan your trip with our Malta travel guide.
9. EgyptAn excellent heat-to-distance ratio for a winter break
Egypt offers an excellent heat-to-distance ratio – Pietro Canali
Being only a 5½-hour flight from Britain, Egypt offers an excellent heat-to-distance ratio and is a lot less expensive than near-ish winter sun favourites such as Oman and Dubai. No surprise that the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh made the Post Office’s best-value Top 10 following the dramatic fall of the Egyptian pound in 2023.
Many resorts on the Red Sea offer all-inclusive stays, which is a good way to manage your holiday costs and avoid accidental over-spending.
If you are going to be tethered to one spot, maximise your choice by picking a hotel with plenty of options. The Royal Albatros Moderna in Sharm el-Sheikh, for instance, has seven restaurants, 10 swimming pools (three of which are heated in winter), an aquapark, a spa and a private beach.
Or try the family-friendly Aurora Oriental – if you do tire of the hotel’s numerous bars and restaurants, use its shuttle bus to reach the bazaars, cafés and restaurants of Naama Bay. The cheapest deals tend to be found in January and February.
How to do it: Blue Sea Holidays (020 3474 0372; blueseaholidays.co.uk) offers seven nights all-inclusive at the Royal Albatros Moderna from £412pp, including flights. It also offers seven nights all-inclusive at the Aurora Oriental from £350pp, including flights.
10. CyprusQuiet temples and buzzing tavernas
Cyprus offers Europe’s best-value winter sun, according to the latest Post Office report – Mikhail Sotnikov
Cyprus offers some of Europe’s best-value winter sun. OK, it won’t be boiling hot, but with any luck it will be pleasingly mild. And the island has more to offer than beach-lazing anyway. That’s why something like Sunvil’s two-centre One Week Fly Drive is a good bet.
You will stay in the coastal resort of Paphos, where there is a large enough local population to keep tavernas open and lively in the winter, and where the ancient mosaics, temples and the Tombs of the Kings will be pretty much crowd-free.
You will also stay at the Aphrodite Beach Hotel, near the north-coast fishing harbour of Latchi and on the edge of Akamas National Park – the cooler climes are ideal for walking.
How to do it: Sunvil (020 8758 4758; sunvil.co.uk) offers a seven-night Fly Drive from £832pp, including flights, B&B accommodation and car hire. Plan your trip with our Cyprus travel guide.
11. MadeiraThe best value it has ever been
The weather is spring-like year-round and walking possibilities are endless – Luca Da Ros
Mild, sub-tropical Madeira is a year-round destination. But with winter – specifically January – usually the cheapest month to fly (according to BA), this is the season to bag a bargain.
While the rugged Atlantic island doesn’t really have beaches – catch one of the regular ferries to neighbouring Porto Santo for superlative sand – the weather is spring-like year-round, the walking possibilities are endless, the history is rich and the food and drink are cheap and delicious.
Hotels such as cool, cliff‑top Estalagem da Ponta do Sol offer a high-end experience on a mid-range budget. This design-heavy retreat, perched above the south-coast village of Ponta do Sol, flies in the face of the island’s staid image, offering contemporary style, a smart spa, a gym, indoor and outdoor pools, and breathtaking views – all for a great price.
How to do it: Sawdays (0117 204 7810; sawdays.co.uk) offers doubles at Estalagem da Ponta do Sol from £105pn. EasyJet (easyjet.com) flies to Funchal from £30.99 one way.
12. Dominican RepublicA canny Caribbean choice
The Dominican Republic offers some of the Caribbean’s most competitive prices – Alamy
Heart set on a particular part of the globe? Then do your research to find the best-value option in that area. In the Caribbean, look to islands such as Jamaica or the Dominican Republic – the region’s best-value choices – rather than the likes of Antigua or Barbados. As bigger countries, they produce more goods locally and have a huge number of tourist beds, keeping prices more competitive.
There are plenty of hotel choices, at different levels of luxury. In the Dominican Republic the well-rated Impressive Punta Cana is on the beach and has a pool with a swim-up bar.
How to do it: Blue Bay Travel (01782 647239; bluebaytravel.co.uk) offers seven nights all-inclusive at the Impressive Punta Cana from £1,227pp, including flights.
13. Baja California Sur, MexicoA super Central America alternative
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico – Tony Waltham
“Most of Central America offers good value, and with the driest and hottest times of year coinciding with our winter, a trip to the region is the perfect tonic to shake off the winter blues,” says Laura Rendell-Dunn of Journey Latin America. “Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador and parts of Mexico all spring to mind for making your pounds stretch further.”
Even on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, you can make your money work harder. Stay in Valladolid for authenticity and still be within day-trip distance of the cenotes and Mayan ruins of Tulum.
Or try the southern Baja Peninsula for wild, deserted beaches and, from January to March, superb whale watching. Just be sure to check the FCDO advice before booking, as there are advisories against travel to some parts of the country (but not those mentioned here).
How to do it: Journey Latin America (020 3553 9699; journeylatinamerica.com) has a 12-day Self Drive Mexico: Baja California trip from £4,200pp, including B&B accommodation and car hire, excluding flights. It also has an eight-day Value Mexico: Mayan Yucatan & Coast trip – visiting Chichén Itzá and the Riviera Maya – from £1,560pp, excluding flights. Plan your trip with our Mexico travel guide.
14. Cape Town, South AfricaA snip compared to Sydney
Camps Bay beach in Cape Town – Alamy
The weak rand makes Cape Town an affordable choice for winter sun – it certainly trashes other southern hemisphere spots. Indeed, the South African city ranks number two for value in the latest Post Office report: its surveyed basket of eight tourist items, including drinks and meals, costs £54.35 in Cape Town, £126.36 in Darwin, Australia.
If you’re the kind of lucky person who can sleep well on planes, you get more for your money too – flights are usually overnight, with no jet lag to worry about. For the best prices and availability, wait until after January 15, when the city’s summer holiday season ends but the weather is still warm.
Pick a well-located spot such as the President Hotel: there are beaches on the doorstep, while it is only a short Uber ride to Camps Bay Beach, the V&A Waterfront or vibrant Bree Street.
How to do it: British Airways (0344 493 0123; britishairways.com) offers seven nights at the President Hotel from £1,368pp including flights and breakfast. Plan your trip with our Cape Town travel guide.
15. LanzaroteA plum pick in the dependable Canaries
The Canaries are classic winter-sun spots
The Canaries are classic winter-sun spots. Bigger, more popular islands, such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, are the most wallet-friendly, with a wider range of accommodation and direct low-cost flights.
On-island location matters too. For instance, stay at Villa Harmony in the old town of busy Puerto del Carmen, on Lanzarote, and you can save by buying fresh fish from the local pescaderia to barbecue on your private pool terrace.
Also, you don’t have to hire a car as there are shops, restaurants and sandy beaches within walking distance, plus access to inexpensive buses linking the airport, the capital Arrecife and Teguise’s Sunday market, the most famous in the Canary Islands.
Good value full-day trips regularly run from Puerto del Carmen to Timanfaya National Park too, where you can marvel at the unique volcanic landscape.
How to do it: Villa Select (0800 270 0055; villaselect.com) offers seven nights at Villa Harmony, sleeping six, from £1,126 per week. Ryanair (ryanair.com) flies to Lanzarote from £14.99 one way in January. Plan your trip with our Lanzarote travel guide.
This article was first published in September 2023 and has been revised and updated.
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