You can also get return flights for the same price
12:35, 18 Jan 2026Updated 12:35, 18 Jan 2026
Holidaymakers may be able to grab a bargain(Image: CStorz via Getty Images)
Would-be holidaymakers can snap up Ryanair flights to a destination boasting highs of 21C in February for as little as £17. The no-frills carrier, famous for its budget-friendly approach, frequently offers cut-price deals during quieter periods.
With Britain’s weather still chilly, plenty of people will be dreaming about jetting off abroad for some much-needed sunshine. According to Ryanair’s website, travellers can secure a one-way ticket to Fuerteventura, Spain’s second largest Canary Island, from just £17 next month. The island, located roughly 60 miles from the African coast, enjoys temperatures reaching 21C in February.
It’s a firm favourite with British holidaymakers, renowned for its stunning beaches and pleasant climate all year round. Those flying from London Stansted to Fuerteventura can grab a basic Ryanair fare for £17 on various dates throughout next month. Depending on the chosen date, flights take off at 6.25am, 7.10am, 2.05pm, 2.10pm, 2.20pm, or 2.40pm, and there is no time difference between the UK and Fuerteventura.
Return journeys start from £17, with planes leaving at 11.15am, 12pm, 6.55pm or 7.30pm, depending on your selected date. Visit Fuerteventura describes the island as: “A paradise with over 150 km of beaches of white sand and turquoise waters, where you can discover vast natural landscapes and experience the open character of the local people.
“An island where you can practise a host of activities in optimal conditions.” For those considering a trip to the island, temperatures typically don’t drop below 13C in February.
For comparison, London’s temperatures around the same period usually hover between 4-10C.
With over 850 hours of winter sunshine and temperatures reaching 21C in February, this island offers the perfect escape from Britain’s cold weather
Tenerife is an ideal winter sun destination(Image: Getty)
Winter has officially descended upon the UK, bringing with it a flurry of snow. However, if you’re not a fan of frosty mornings, there’s no need to fly halfway around the globe for some sunshine.
Sure, Caribbean islands are a safe bet for hot weather, but if you’re simply seeking a place where you don’t have to bundle up every time you step out, there’s a European hotspot that should be on your list.
Tenerife has earned the title of Europe’s sunniest winter destination, boasting over 850 hours of winter sunshine. The Canary Islands are already a hit with sun worshippers due to their consistently warm temperatures throughout the year, but Tenerife takes the cake with an average temperature of 20-21C in January and February.
Granted, it might not be warm enough for a dip in the sea, but it’s perfect for a leisurely stroll along the beach – and Tenerife is home to plenty of stunning beaches.
Popular spots like Playa de las Vistas and Playa de las Teresitas tend to be packed in the summer, but come winter they’re relatively peaceful, offering the perfect setting for a tranquil walk along the soft sands. For something a bit more unique, Playa Jardin with its black volcanic sands provides a striking backdrop for photos!, reports the Express.
Another advantage is that temperatures remain pleasant enough for sightseeing without becoming uncomfortably hot or forcing you to rise at dawn for activities like hiking. The mild climate is perfect for discovering attractions such as Teide National Park or the island’s stunning botanical gardens.
Nature enthusiasts will also find winter particularly rewarding for whale watching, as these magnificent sea mammals can be spotted from November through to May.
Despite being the quieter season, numerous hotels and eateries continue trading, meaning you’ll avoid the summer party crowds whilst still enjoying a lively atmosphere. That said, it’s important to remember that larger nightclubs and bars typically shut during this period, so winter visits to Tenerife offer a more relaxed ambience compared to the school holiday rush.
Little wonder, then, that Tenerife recently claimed the title of Europe’s sunniest winter destination in research conducted by travel specialists Luxury France Tours. The largest of the Canary Islands secured first place with more than 800 hours of sunshine, which researchers say “[make] it the brightest winter escape in Europe”.
For sun-seekers, Spain as a whole deserves serious consideration; remarkably, 8 of the top 10 destinations were Spanish. The complete rankings are available below for additional travel inspiration.
If you’re on the hunt for year-round sunshine, fret not, as we’ve compiled a list of hotspots for every month of the year.
Europe’s sunniest destinations
Tenerife, Spain
Almeria, Spain
Cartagena, Spain
Murcia, Spain
Tarragona, Spain
Valencia, Spain
Turin, Italy
Barcelona, Spain
Catania, Italy
Malaga, Spain
Got a travel tale to tell? Drop us an email at webtravel@reachplc. com.
WHEN YOU think of the Canary Islands, you probably imagine Tenerife or Lanzarote – but one smaller island that’s a hidden gem is the ideal winter sun spot.
La Gomera, Spain, is known for its natural beauty thanks to being home to the Garajonay National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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La Gomera is one of the Canary Islands in SpainCredit: GettyAnd next week it will reach temperatures up to 21 CCredit: Alamy
In addition to the National Park, the island is defined by volcanic landscapes that are a treat for keen hikers.
And next week, the island is set to hit a high of 21C.
If you prefer a beach day, there are plenty of pretty spots including black-sand beaches.
When it comes to life on the island, visitors can explore a number of traditional villages.
In San Sebastian, the capital of the island, you will find several Columbus-linked spots, as La Gomera was the famous explorer’s final stop to resupply and depart from Europe for his 1492 journey to the Americas.
For example, you could visit Torre del Conde, a 15th-century fortress.
There is also Casa Colon, which was Christopher Columbus‘ home and boasts pieces of pre-Columbian art and information about his voyages.
Playa de San Sebastian is one of the beaches on the island that features black sand, and can be found in the capital.
A recent visitor said: “A pretty promenade with plenty of seating runs along the beach.”
“The beach itself makes a positive impression. The water is calm and clean as it is protected from the port by a large breakwater wall.
“The nature of the beach varies between fine black sand and larger pebbles.”
If you want to spot a bit of local wildlife, you can hop on a boat tour from the harbour to see whales and dolphins.
Once back on dry land, there are plenty of spots to grab a bite to eat.
For example, you could head to El Roquillo Las Galanas where you can pick up empanadas for just €2.70 (£2.35) each and Heineken beer for just €1.20 (£1.04).
In fact, food and drink across the whole island is affordable, with the average beer price being around €2.00 (£1.55) and the average meal costing around €12.00 (£9.32).
There are plenty more things outside of San Sebastian to see and do as well.
One must-see spot is the Abrante Viewpoint, which sits high up on the ravine in the north of the island.
On the island, you can head to a viewpoint that hangs over the edge of a ravineCredit: Alamy
Instead of being a normal viewpoint, visitors ‘float’ in the air thanks to a seven-metre glass floor that overhangs the edge of the ravine.
The viewpoint offers great views of the island, as well as the Canary Islands more widely.
Los Órganos is another breathtaking spot on the island.
The unique rock formation has vertical pillars that look somewhat like the pipes of a traditional church organ.
In total, it measures 87 metres tall and 191 metres wide, with each pillar thought to be over one metre thick.
The formation was formed by a volcano and to see it, you have to head out on a boat trip where you will most likely see whales and dolphins as well.
There is also the Los Órganos rock formation which looks like organ pipesCredit: Alamy
To get to La Gomera, you will need to fly to Tenerife before getting a ferry to the island.
If you wanted to catch the warm weather next week, then you could catch a flight from London Stansted on January 14 for just £16.
Or head off on January 11 and return on January 15 for £38 return from London Stansted.
For the ferry, the more in advance you book it the cheaper it is, with tickets costing as low as £8 per way.
However, fares usually cost on average £33 per way, per foot passenger.
There are a number of places to stay on the island and you can expect to pay between £80 and £120 per night.
For more inspiration on Spanish holidays, one of the country’s most underrated cities is in the ‘Garden of Europe’ – with £17 flights.
Desperate to escape the big chill this January? It doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Ryanair is offering a number of cheap flights to the Canary Islands in the next few weeks, where holidaymakers can bask in 21C weather
Gran Canaria has a similar climate to Tenerife(Image: Getty Images)
Budget airline Ryanair has launched what it claims is its ‘biggest ever seat sale’, with 10 million fares at discounted prices.
There are plenty of summer bargains to be found in the sale, including cut-price fares that are ideal for winter sun seekers keen to enjoy a break from the gloomy January weather. Right now there are great prices on flights to the Canary Islands.
It’s no surprise the Canaries are so popular with Brits in January. While the New Year is set to bring freezing weather to much of the UK, the Canaries have temperatures as high as 22C forecast next week.
Usually, the hottest Canary Island is Tenerife, and Ryanair flies to Tenerife South from a number of UK airports. The south of the island tends to be warmer than the north. There are £24.9 one-way fares from London Stansted to Tenerife South on a number of January dates, and while midweek is slightly cheaper, weekends are just a couple of pounds more.
In the south of the island, there are popular resorts, such as Costa Adeje, a lively part of Tenerife that is full of bars, restaurants, and shops. It also has golden sand beaches such as Playa del Duque, where you can enjoy up to seven hours of sunshine a day in January.
However, it’s not just London airports that enjoy these cheap fares; there are also £24.99 deals from Liverpool and Manchester, while Edinburgh flights to Tenerife start at £25.99 one-way. Flight times start at four hours 30 minutes from London airports, so you could be soaking up the sun in no time.
Gran Canaria is also popular and has a similar climate to Tenerife, forecast to hit about 20C in January, although there is some stormy weather at the start of the week. Again, there are some deals to be had from both London and regional airports, with inexpensive flights throughout January. Bristol to Gran Canaria flights are currently showing from £25.81 one way, while flights from London Luton Airport start at £24.99.
Lanzarote is another destination beloved by winter sun seekers, and according to the weather forecast, will be hitting daytime highs of 21C next week. If you’re in need of some sunshine, there are £24.99 one-way fares from London Stansted, Bournemouth, Manchester, and other regional airports.
The south and east coasts of Lanzarote tend to be the most popular, in part because of their close proximity to the airport and milder weather. Playa Blanca is a great place to stay in January, offering a long, sandy beach with typically calm seas, an upmarket marina area featuring restaurants, and a shopping centre.
Fuerteventura is the least visited of the major Canary Islands, but it still has the same natural beauty as its neighbours. It’ll see highs of up to 20C in early January, and six to seven hours of sunlight a day. The island can be reached from London Stansted, with £24.99 one-way flights on various dates, while Newcastle fares start from £25.99 and Leeds Bradford from £32.
Fuerteventura has an arid landscape, but is flatter than the other Canaries, with spectacular desert landscapes. The second-largest Canary Island, it’s known for its white sand beaches, large national parks, and the lively former fishing village of Corralejo, where you can take a boat trip to nearby islands or a day of snorkelling.
Prices are subject to availability and can change.
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