WHEN winter drags on and the heating bill lands, most of us start asking the same question…
Where’s warm, easy to get to, and won’t drain my bank account?
Instead of guessing, I decided to settle it properly.
In my day job at one of the UK’s top travel companies, I built an algorithm to rank the best winter sun destinations for 2026, using the things that actually matter to holidaymakers – price, winter temperatures, flight time, hotel value, popularity and availability.
I made an eqaution and it gave each spot a score out of 100.
Every major winter sun destination went in: the Canaries, Turkey, Egypt, the Caribbean, long-haul and short-haul.
Some familiar favourites scored brilliantly, others just missed out. Here’s the list.
10. Madeira (Score: 41)
A brilliant destination and one of my personal favourites, Madeira scores well for scenery, food and short flight times, but loses points on winter warmth.
Temperatures are pleasant rather than hot with average highs of 20C, which kept it out of the top half of the list.
That said, for travellers who want winter sun somewhere that’s calmer and a bit more of a hidden gem, it’s hard to beat.
I found February B&B breaks at hotels like Golden Residence in Funchal from around £345pp, which is very good value for a smart European city-break-style escape – just don’t go expecting summer heat.
9. Lanzarote (Score: 43)
Lanzarote is one of the most reliable winter sun destinations on the map, and that consistency is exactly why it scores well for availability and flight time.
Where it loses ground is popularity – demand stays high all winter, which naturally pushes prices up compared to less-busy rivals.
Even so, February room-only stays at hotels like THB Royal from £165pp show why it remains a firm favourite – warm with average highs of 22C, easy, affordable and no surprises.
8. Barbados (Score: 45)
Barbados delivers near-perfect winter weather with average highs of 29C and postcard beaches, scoring top marks for temperature and overall experience.
What holds it back is cost. Longer flights and higher hotel prices mean it’s not a budget-friendly option for most families.
February room-only stays at beachfront hotels can reach £913pp, before food or extras – incredible value for a Caribbean escape, but not one for bargain hunters.
7. Fuerteventura (Score: 48)
Fuerteventura performs strongly for value and space. It’s warmer than mainland Europe with average highs of 22C, quieter than Tenerife, and offers excellent winter deals.
It drops a few points on temperature, as winter highs are slightly cooler than the top-ranked destinations, but it remains a strong all-rounder.
February breaks at resorts like Bakour Fuerteventura La Pared from £220pp just go to show the great value for a relaxed Canary Islands winter escape.
6. Marrakech (Score: 51)
Marrakech scores highly for price, flight time and culture. It’s one of the cheapest winter sun options available and offers something completely different to a beach resort.
Where it loses points is temperature consistency – winter days are warm with highs of 21C, but evenings cool quickly.
That said, all-inclusive February deals at hotels like Marrakech Ryads Parc & Spa from £203pp explain why it just misses the top five but still remains a smart-value winter break.
5. Gran Canaria (Score: 54)
Gran Canaria is one of the most balanced destinations in the ranking.
It scores well across every category: dependable winter warmth with average highs of 21C, short flights, and a huge range of hotels competing on price.
It may not top any single metric, but it rarely lets anyone down.
February stays at hotels like Cala d’Or from around £200pp show why it’s such a safe and popular winter option.
4. Antalya, Turkey (Score: 57)
Antalya climbs the rankings thanks to exceptional value for money.
Winter temperatures remain comfortable with average highs of 19C, flights are short, and the quality of all-inclusive hotels for the price is hard to match anywhere else in Europe.
I found all-inclusive February breaks at five-star resorts like Side Moon Palace from £145pp – which is exactly why Antalya scores so high.
3. Hurghada, Egypt (Score: 62)
Hurghada stands out for reliable winter heat and strong hotel pricing.
With temperatures regularly reaching average highs of 25C and the mid-haul flight times still manageable, it offers a warmer alternative to Europe without the cost of long-haul.
February all-inclusive stays at resorts like Sunny Days Mirette Aqua Park from £315pp make it warmer than Turkey, but still cheaper than most Caribbean options.
2. Cape Verde (Score: 66)
Cape Verde is the highest-ranked long-haul destination and well deserving of its place at number two.
It scores highly for hot winter temperatures with average highs of 25C, lower popularity and decent value, sitting neatly between short-haul Europe and the Caribbean.
February breaks at hotels like Dunas De Sal Design Hotel from £443pp highlight why it’s growing in popularity in recent years though – proper heat, big beaches and prices that still feel VERY reasonable.
1. Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (Score: 72)
Sharm El Sheikh comes out comfortably on top.
It scores high across every part of the formula: excellent winter heat with highs of 24C, strong hotel availability, competitive pricing and relatively short flight times.
February all-inclusive deals at resorts like Parrotel Aqua Park Resort from £223pp are exactly why Sharm dominates winter bookings.
Warm, easy and outstanding value – it’s the rare destination that gets everything right at once, and officially the best winter sun destination for your money in 2026.
Analysis based on On the Beach booking data and February 2026 package pricing.