expert

IT’S a very, very long time between now and being able to enjoy T-shirt weather here in the UK.

So if you’re finding the prospect of several months of dark afternoons and cloudy skies a bit depressing – we’ve found some VERY cheap sunshine holidays to break up the grey.

I’m a holiday expert who spends all day searching through customer reviews, hotel prices and live holiday bookings – and when I’m not doing that I’m on the ground, reviewing all inclusive hotels.

So here I am, sharing what I’ve learnt about some of the best places to go for a cheap bit of sun between now and late spring.

I’ve picked my favourite five-night escapes every single month, from November 2026 through to April 2027, that all cost less than £150pp.

The £150 covers the flights and accommodation, so you’ll still need spending money, but it’s an incredible starting point.

I’ve found the deals and made sure to mix in places where there’s plenty to explore with somewhere to slow down, get by the sea and enjoy a change of scenery.

Something different each month, with the next trip already waiting when you get home. Here’s how I’d do it…

November: Marrakech, Morocco, from £105pp

I’d kick things off somewhere that feels a very long way from a British November.

And Marrakech does that in heaps: spice stalls, colourful courtyards, rooftop cafés and the bustle of Jemaa el-Fna.

You can spend hours exploring the souks, watching craftspeople at work and trying to convince yourself you’ve got room in your luggage for that Moroccan lamp.

With average daytime highs around 23C in November, there’s a very appealing prospect of sitting outside in the sunshine while everyone back home is discussing whether to put the heating on.

The deal I found is five nights, room only, at Hotel Aday from £105pp, including direct return flights from Manchester on November 28, 2026.

The hotel is in the medina, a few minutes from Jemaa el-Fna and, for this trip, that’s where the value lies: you’re staying close to the action, with the markets and historic centre ready to explore.

I’d spend the first day getting my bearings, then work through the souks and sights at my own pace, then come evening, I’d find somewhere overlooking the square and watch the city put on its show.

At £210 for two people, including flights, that’s quite the opening act.

December: Bugibba, Malta, from £110pp

December’s escape is Malta, where five nights gives you time to combine a seaside base with some brill days out.

I’d use Bugibba as the starting point, then head into Valletta for a day in the capital and make another trip to Mdina (both are accessible by bus from Bugibba, so you can get a good taste of the island without hiring a car).

There’s something particularly satisfying about spending a December afternoon having coffee outside with the sea nearby, and Malta gives you the opportunity to do exactly that, with sightseeing to fill the rest of the diary.

The deal I found is five nights, room only, at Topaz from £110pp, including direct return flights from Bournemouth on December 7, 2026.

One hotel feature I especially like for these dates is the indoor pool, available during the colder months.

There’s also a lounge with a small library for anyone whose holiday ambitions include finally finishing their book.

That’s £220 for two people, including flights, for five nights away before Christmas.

So leave space in your suitcase as it’s a great place for some Christmas shopping too.

January: Naples, Italy, from £110pp

January needs a better plan than sitting around, waiting for payday, and my ideal plan would involve Naples and a considerable amount of pizza – for just over £100.

This is the month I’d definitely lean into a city break: beautiful churches, delicious coffee stops and the only decision to be made is which pasta dish to try on the menu.

Five nights gives you time to get beyond the first few sights and start finding your own favourite corners.

The deal I found is five nights, room only, at Royal Art House H Duomo from £110pp, including direct return flights from London Stansted on January 9, 2027.

The property is on Corso Umberto I, putting you close to the historic centre, although its transport connections also make Pompeii or Herculaneum very possible additions to the itinerary.

January’s typical daytime temperatures are around 12–13C, which suits a trip where you’re out exploring rather than planning everything around a sunlounger.

Catch a bright afternoon and I’d make time for an outdoor cocktail between sights.

I’d explore Naples itself for a few days, then consider one bigger excursion – there’s no need to rush back after a single night when five nights and the flights cost £220 for two.

February: Alanya, Turkey, from £135pp

February takes us to Alanya, where I’d make the most of the mix of history, Turkish food and decent weather in a gorgeous location.

The castle is the obvious place to start, with the harbour and town giving you plenty more to explore.

It’s a holiday where you can do something interesting in the morning, then spend the afternoon deciding how much or how little you fancy doing next.

Average daytime highs are around 15C in February, giving you some welcome mild-weather potential for getting out and about.

The deal I found is five nights, room only, at Villa Sonata Hotel from £135pp, including direct return flights from Manchester on February 23, 2027.

Villa Sonata is one of a villa complex, and there’s an on-site restaurant for meals at a modest extra cost.

It has the sort of setting I’d enjoy returning to after a day exploring: somewhere to sit down, order something and declare myself finished for the afternoon.

For £270 for two people, including flights, you’ve got five nights to enjoy Alanya’s sights, sample Turkish dishes and take February at a much more agreeable pace.

March: Lloret de Mar, Spain, from £145pp

For March, I’d head to the Costa Brava and give Lloret de Mar a go – and the Santa Clotilde Gardens would be high on my list.

They’re perched above the Mediterranean, with terraces, greenery and sea views that make a very convincing case for taking your time.

If you watched House of the Dragon, you might even recognise the setting as scenes were filmed here!

The deal I found is five nights, self catering, at Els Llorers Apartments from £145pp, including direct return flights from London Luton on March 14, 2027.

The apartments have kitchens with a fridge and microwave, so breakfast, snacks and cold drinks are easy to sort yourself – that leaves more of the spending money available for the things you actually want to do.

I’d build this trip around exploring the town and making the most of bright spring afternoons by the sea.

Having your own apartment also makes the slower days easy: breakfast when you fancy it, a book and no pressing reason to check the time.

All for just £290 for two people, including flights. Crazy deal!

April: Albufeira, Portugal, from £145pp

I’d finish the six-month run soaking up the sun in the Algarve.

Albufeira gives you beaches, an old town to explore and plenty of choice when it comes to eating out – Fishermen’s Beach sits directly in front of the historic centre, so you can combine a morning around town with an afternoon on the sand.

With average daytime highs around 20C in April, this is one where I’d be hoping to get plenty of use out of the sunglasses.

The deal I found is five nights, room only, at Areias Senses (Adults Only 16+) from £145pp, including direct return flights from London Luton on 25 April 2027.

There’s an outdoor pool with sunloungers, giving you somewhere to settle on those sunny afternoons.

And the room only basis also means you can try different places for breakfast and dinner rather than organising the day around set mealtimes.

I’d mix exploring Albufeira with beach time and a couple of afternoons doing very little around the hotel.

Plus, by holiday number six, I’d expect to be quite accomplished at that. And for £290 for two people, including flights, it’s a very, very tempting finish.