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We take a look at the best destinations for hot and sunny weather all year round including the Canary Islands, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Thailand, Dubai, Caribbean islands, Mexico and more
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- If your idea of a dream holiday involves hot and sunny weather, cocktails on a beach and plenty of daylight, we’ve got you covered with our guide to the best sun-drenched destinations every month of the year.
- January: For a city break head to Dubai where temperatures average 15-24C so it’s not too hot to explore the likes of Burj Khalifa or Dubai Mall, while beach fans won’t want to miss out on Mexico and the Caribbean (Barbados, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are particularly popular spots) when the weather is at around 30C making for perfect excuses to laze on those pristine sands or take a dip in the crystalline waters.
- February: Cape Verde boasts around 21-27C in February with up to eight hours of sunshine every day, while Thailand is a must-visit given you’ll be outside of monsoon season, with weather around 24-33C whether you’re heading to the beaches in Phuket, or getting your culture fix in Bangkok. Feeling particularly adventurous? February is one of the best months to see Costa Rica; you’ll miss the peak winter sun crowds but get in just before April brings the rainy season.
- March: Morocco has balmy weather with around 21C in February, with hotspots like Agadir and Marrakech both easy enough to visit from a host of UK airports. If you really want beaches, Egypt’s Sharm-el-Sheikh is calling with 27C days and crystal-clear waters, or head to Hurghada for a glimpse into the Valley of the Kings or the Karnak Temple.
- April: US States including Nevada, Arizona and Florida all have hot and sunny weather in April, and you’d be unlucky to experience rainfall. Meanwhile Cape Town in South Africa offers pleasant weather for sightseeing at around 24C. There is plenty to see, from climbing to the top of Table Mountain (there is a cable car if you don’t fancy the hike), to the iconic Boulder’s Beach and its penguin colonies.
- May: If you’re not tied to the school holidays and in dire need of some sunshine, you won’t need to venture too far. Portugal, Spain and Greece all start to enjoy weather around 20-25C, but if you do want to explore far-flung destinations, then Peru’s dry season starts in May with ideal conditions for hiking up to Machu Picchu.
- June, July, August: We’ve grouped the peak holiday months together as they tend to have the same type of weather. European hotspots including Portugal, Spain, Greece, France, Turkey, Canary Islands, Greek Islands, Malta, Italy and Cyprus all boast temperatures of the high 20Cs (and sometimes even high 30Cs during heatwaves).
- September: Italy’s beautiful Amalfi Coast offer 20-28C weather that’s ideal for wandering around, not to mention you’ll miss the peak summer crowds. Meanwhile the island of Sardinia with its Maldives-worthy sandy beaches has average temperatures of 27C so it’s still warm enough to have a dip in the sea. For a city break head to Croatian cities including Dubrovnik and Split with 25C sunny weather, historic landmarks and beautiful islands you can explore on a boat trip.
- October: Cyprus is still warm enough for beach days, without the summer crowds, while the Canaries continue to enjoy temperatures of up to 27C, so it’s still warm enough to enjoy the beaches, eat a fresco, or take on the hiking trails in those volcanic landscapes.
- November: Fancy ticking off a bucket list destination? This could be one of the best months to go exploring in Australia, but stick to hotspots in the south including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth is where you’ll find sunnier weather. A word of caution; November can be the start of rainy season is some northern parts of Australia, so swerve those if it’s sunshine you’re after.
- December: Thailand’s monsoon season tends to end in October, so by December you’ll have the best chances of sunny days (hence why it’s such a popular winter sun hotspot).
- Have a travel story you want to share with us? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com