WHEN it comes to winter sun, Brits will head to the likes of Morocco or even the Caribbean in the hope of warm weather.
But actually, you don’t need to go that far for some heat as the coastal town of Nerja in Spain is one of the warmest places in winter.
Thanks to its position on the Costa Del Sol, and its subtropical Mediterranean climate, Nerja is hot or at least mild, all year round.
Take January for example. Over the next two weeks, temperatures in Nerja are set to be as high as 17C, according to AccuWeather.
The town sees between 300 and 320 sunny days each year.
In the winter months, you can get an average of six hours of sun each day – whereas in the UK it averages between one and two.
There are plenty of beaches to bathe on too when the sun comes out, like Burriana Beach which has volleyball courts and beach restaurants.
There’s also Playa Carabeo, Playa Calahonda, and Cala Barranco de Maro which is a good spot for snorkelling.
The town is also home to one of Europe’s ‘oldest tourist attractions’ – the Caves of Nerja.
These were discovered in 1959 by a group of locals who were searching for bats.
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The Caves of Nerja are famous for their beautiful rock formations and hundreds of cave paintings.
While the caves only gained recognition 64 years ago, early humans had been visiting the site thousands of years earlier.
Research suggests that humans first visited the caves 41,291 years ago – 10,000 years earlier than first thought.
The Caves of Nerja is now a popular tourist attraction – visitors can take an audio-guided tour from €18 (£15.60).
At certain times of the year, the Caves of Nerja turns into a music venue and hosts an annual International Festival of Music and Dance as well as classical concerts and ballet performances.
Other attractions in Nerja include Balcon de Europa, an impressive clifftop viewpoint that gives sweeping sea views.
Better yet, it doesn’t cost anything to head up and take in the sights.
When it comes to beaches in the region of Nerja, there are plenty.
Half an hour away from Nerja is Frigiliana – which is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Spain.
It has whitewash buildings, bright blue accents on doors and window frames, terracotta tiled rooftops and mosaic streets.
The pathways are lined with colourful plant pots and there’s lots of blooming flowers like the Mediterranean pink bougainvillea.
The town was built on top of a hill and so it has incredible views of the Costa del Sol and Mediterranean Sea – but that does mean it’s hilly whichever way you go.
The nearest airport to Nerja is Malaga and from there it’s around a 45-minute drive up the coast.
In January, flights to Malaga start from £15 with Ryanair from Birmingham Airport.
This other Spanish seaside resort is even better in winter…
Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey says that Marbella is even better during the winter months…
“A winter trip to the Costa del Sol resort might be without the beach clubs, but it is also minus the crowds and it’s usually still mild at around 16C, with six hours of sunshine daily.
“Despite Marbella’s reputation as a party town, this is the perfect time for a girly weekend away.
“The main attraction is the beautiful Old Town, where stark white buildings are brightened up with luminous Aperol Spritz signs and luscious green plants climb the walls.
“Uneven cobbled streets tempt you to explore at every corner – and that meant we stumbled across bar after bar, full of locals.
“There was Vinacoteca Castillejos, a simple bottle shop lined with walls of wine and a very friendly owner who let us sample a selection of his favourites.
“And, tucked down an inconspicuous alley, La Tienda proved to be another cosy affair with exposed brick walls and high-top tables. Thank goodness for my sommelier-trained companion, who never failed to find us the best vino blanco for just £5 a glass.
“To soak up the drinks, you can head to one of the many restaurants. Taberna La Niña del Pisto was my favourite – but blink and you’ll miss it.”
For more on Spain, here are some of the best resorts you’ve never heard of – where locals go on holiday.
And here’s the all-inclusive Spanish island holiday resort that is 20C in winter with £30 easyJet flights.