Best Winter Sun Destinations from the UK: Where to Escape the Cold
Dark mornings.
Cold evenings.
And months before summer feels remotely close.
There comes a point in the British winter when you start thinking:
Where can I go that's actually warm?
The good news is that somewhere in the world, it's always swimwear season.
Whether you're looking for an easy escape with a relatively short flight or you're prepared to travel further for tropical heat, there are plenty of places where you can swap your winter coat for a swimsuit.
Here are some of the destinations to consider for your next winter-sun escape—and the SWIMSARA styles we'd pack for each one.
Winter Here. Summer Somewhere.
Your swimwear doesn't have to disappear into a drawer until June.
SWIMSARA's specialist tan-through bikinis and swimsuits are designed for women who travel for the sunshine.
Lightweight.
Breathable.
Quick-drying.
And designed to allow a proportion of sunlight to reach the skin beneath the fabric, helping you work towards a softer, more even-looking tan while wearing the coverage you actually want.
Where Is Warm in Winter from the UK?
It depends on what you mean by warm.
If you're happy with pleasant sunshine and the possibility of pool and beach days, you don't necessarily need to fly halfway around the world.
If you're looking for proper heat, you'll usually need to travel further south or long-haul.
The best destination also changes according to when during winter you're travelling.
November conditions aren't necessarily the same as January or February.
Always check typical and current conditions for your exact destination and travel dates before booking.
But these are some excellent places to start your search.
1. Canary Islands
Best For: An Easy Winter-Sun Escape
The Canary Islands remain one of the obvious choices for UK travellers looking for winter sunshine without going long-haul.
Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura all offer slightly different holiday experiences.
You can spend your trip:
- Beside the pool
- On the beach
- Walking
- Exploring
- Eating outside
- Doing very little at all
Winter conditions can be milder and more changeable than peak summer, so we'd pack swimwear with different levels of coverage.
What We'd Pack
Halter Bikini + Long Sleeve Set
Wear the Halter on warmer pool days and switch to the Long Sleeve Top when you want more coverage.
2. Egypt
Best For: Warmer Short-to-Mid-Haul Sunshine
If your priority is warmer conditions, Egypt is an obvious winter-sun contender.
Red Sea destinations such as Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh are built around the kind of holiday where your swimwear gets used every day.
Think:
- Resort pools
- Beaches
- Snorkelling
- Boat trips
- Diving
- Long lunches in the sunshine
What We'd Pack
Aurora Halter Bikini
The adjustable centre toggle allows you to personalise the neckline and amount of cleavage.
That flexibility is particularly useful when you're moving between lounging and swimming.
3. Cape Verde
Best For: Switch-Off-and-Relax Holidays
If your idea of the perfect winter escape involves a beach, a book and not very much else, Cape Verde deserves a look.
The islands are popular with travellers looking for winter warmth without travelling as far as the Caribbean.
This is the sort of holiday where you may spend most of the day in swimwear.
So comfort matters.
What We'd Pack
Bandeau Bikini + Paula Fitted Swimsuit
The Bandeau gives you a strapless option for lounging.
The Paula gives you more coverage and can double as a bodysuit away from the beach.
Shop the Bandeau Bikini
Shop the Paula Fitted Swimsuit
4. Dubai & the UAE
Best For: Winter Heat + Glamour
When British winter is at its coldest, Dubai can feel like another world.
Beaches.
Hotel pools.
Beach clubs.
Restaurants.
Shopping.
And the chance to actually feel the sun on your skin again.
It's also somewhere where your swimwear becomes part of your overall holiday wardrobe rather than something you only wear for swimming.
What We'd Pack
Paula Fitted Swimsuit
Wear it beside the pool, then add wide-leg trousers or a skirt and take it straight into lunch.
That's exactly the type of versatility we want from winter-holiday packing.
Shop the Paula Fitted Swimsuit
5. Caribbean
Best For: A Proper Tropical Escape
If you're prepared to travel long-haul, the Caribbean completely changes the meaning of winter.
There are numerous islands to choose from, each offering something different.
But if your goal is warm weather, beautiful beaches and plenty of time in swimwear, it's easy to understand the appeal.
What We'd Pack
More than one bikini.
If you're travelling that far for sunshine, your swimwear is going to earn its suitcase space.
We'd take:
- Aurora Halter Bikini
- Bandeau Bikini
- Paula Fitted Swimsuit
- Different bikini bottoms
That gives you enough variety without packing your entire swimwear drawer.
6. Mexico
Best For: Beaches + Exploring
Mexico can give you both.
Spend one day beside the sea and another exploring.
That makes versatile swimwear particularly useful.
A swimsuit that becomes a bodysuit or a bikini top that works under an open shirt earns its place in your luggage.
What We'd Pack
Paula Fitted Swimsuit + Halter Bikini
Two completely different silhouettes with plenty of outfit possibilities.
7. Thailand
Best For: Going Further for the Heat
If you're prepared to travel long-haul, parts of Thailand are popular during the UK winter months.
Think tropical beaches, islands, pools and plenty of warm-weather dressing.
It's the type of trip where lightweight, quick-drying swimwear really comes into its own.
What We'd Pack
Bandeau + Aurora Halter + Long Sleeve Top
The Bandeau for lounging.
The Aurora for swimming and everyday wear.
The Long Sleeve Top when you want more coverage.
8. Maldives
Best For: The Dream Swimwear Holiday
If ever there were a holiday where swimwear becomes your daily uniform, this is it.
Beach.
Sea.
Pool.
Repeat.
You don't need complicated outfits.
You need swimwear you genuinely love wearing.
What We'd Pack
A small SWIMSARA capsule:
1 x Aurora Halter Bikini
1 x Bandeau Bikini
1 x Paula Fitted Swimsuit
2–3 different bikini bottoms
Add a couple of lightweight cover-ups and you've got most of your holiday wardrobe.
Which Winter Sun Destination Is Right for You?
Start with the flight time and type of holiday you want.
Want to Avoid Long-Haul?
Consider:
Canary Islands
Egypt
Cape Verde
Want More Heat?
Look towards:
Dubai
Egypt
or longer-haul destinations.
Want Tropical Beaches?
Consider:
Caribbean
Maldives
Thailand
Mexico
Want Pool + Restaurants + Shopping?
Dubai is an obvious option.
The important thing is to check the conditions for your specific month, rather than assuming every winter-sun destination is equally hot from November through February.
Why Take Tan-Through Swimwear on a Winter-Sun Holiday?
Winter-sun trips can be short.
Maybe you've only got five or seven days away.
And if you've travelled specifically for sunshine, you probably want to enjoy it.
Traditional swimwear blocks direct sunlight from the areas it covers, creating the familiar contrast between covered and uncovered skin.
SWIMSARA's specialist fabric is constructed differently.
It allows a proportion of sunlight to reach the skin underneath.
That can help you work towards a softer, more even-looking tan while still wearing the swimwear coverage you prefer.
Results vary according to skin type, UV conditions, fit and how consistently you wear the fabric.
For the full explanation, read The Ultimate Guide to Tan-Through Swimwear.
More Coverage Doesn't Have to Mean Stronger Tan Lines
This is particularly relevant for winter holidays.
You might want:
- A swimsuit
- High-waisted bottoms
- A Crop Top Bikini
- A Long Sleeve Top
Perhaps you're on a boat.
Maybe it's breezy.
Or perhaps you simply feel more comfortable covered.
With conventional swimwear, more fabric means more skin shielded from direct sunlight.
Tan-through fabric gives you another option.
You can choose your coverage according to how you want to feel, rather than simply trying to minimise the amount of fabric you're wearing.
Can You Tan on a Winter-Sun Holiday?
Potentially.
What matters is the UV radiation where you actually are—not the weather back home.
UV conditions vary significantly according to:
- Destination
- Season
- Time of day
- Weather
- Altitude
That's why it's useful to check the local UV Index during your trip.
And remember:
Temperature isn't the same thing as UV.
A comfortable warm day can still involve UV exposure.
What Swimwear Should You Pack for Winter Sun?
For a one-week trip, we'd start with:
1 x Halter or Aurora Halter
Your everyday bikini.
1 x Bandeau
For a strapless neckline.
1 x Paula Fitted Swimsuit
For more coverage and wearing as a bodysuit.
1 x Long Sleeve Set
For additional upper-body coverage.
2–3 Bikini Bottoms
Mix high-waisted, classic or more minimal styles according to your preferences.
You now have numerous combinations without taking numerous complete bikinis.
Read Best Swimwear for a Winter Sun Holiday: What to Pack for Warm-Weather Escapes for the full packing guide.
How to Choose Swimwear for a Winter Holiday
Don't choose it according to your age.
Choose it according to:
Fit
Support
Coverage
What you're actually going to do
If you're swimming every day, security matters.
If you're mostly lounging, you may prefer something more minimal.
If you're exploring too, take a swimsuit you can wear as a bodysuit.
If you want more coverage, take it.
Your holiday swimwear should work around you.
How Many Swimsuits Do You Really Need?
Probably fewer than you think.
Three or four well-chosen swimwear options can create numerous combinations if you mix different tops and bottoms.
And because SWIMSARA's fabric is lightweight and quick-drying, you can rinse and rewear pieces more easily.
We'd rather pack four things we love than ten things we might wear.
What If You Want Tummy Coverage?
You have two obvious options.
High-Waisted Bikini Bottoms
Cover more of the lower stomach while retaining the flexibility of a bikini.
Paula Fitted Swimsuit
Cover the torso while keeping a plunging neckline and open back.
Neither is inherently more flattering.
Choose the one that gives you the coverage you actually want.
What If You Have a Fuller Bust?
Support becomes more important than simply choosing the smallest bikini possible.
Consider:
Halter Bikini
for a secure feel and wider straps.
Or:
Aurora Halter Bikini
if you want more control over your neckline.
Read Best Swimwear for a Fuller Bust: Supportive Styles Without Underwire for more advice.
Don't Forget About Fit Before You Travel
Please don't wait until the first morning of your holiday to discover your swimsuit no longer fits properly.
Try everything on before you pack.
Move.
Sit.
Bend.
Raise your arms.
Check the bust.
Check the bottoms.
Check the straps.
If you're constantly pulling something back into position in your bedroom, you'll be doing exactly the same thing beside the pool.
Read How Should a Swimsuit Fit? Your Complete Swimwear Fit Guide if you need help.
Look After Your Swimwear While You're Away
A winter-sun holiday can mean swimming every day.
So give your swimwear a little care.
After swimming:
- Rinse in clean fresh water
- Hand wash gently when needed
- Don't aggressively wring the fabric
- Let it air dry
- Avoid rough pool edges and surfaces
And don't leave a wet bikini rolled up in your beach bag overnight.
Read How to Wash and Care for Tan-Through Swimwear So It Lasts Longer for our complete guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is best for winter sun from the UK?
Popular options include the Canary Islands, Egypt, Cape Verde, Dubai and longer-haul destinations such as the Caribbean, Mexico, Thailand and the Maldives. The best choice depends on your travel month, budget, flight tolerance and preferred climate.
Where is warm in winter without flying long-haul?
The Canary Islands, Egypt and Cape Verde are commonly considered by UK travellers who want winter warmth without a traditional long-haul journey.
Where can I go for hot weather in December?
Destinations further south or long-haul can offer warmer conditions than much of Europe. Check typical and current conditions for your specific destination and dates before booking.
Where is hot in January?
Warm-weather options can include Egypt, Dubai, Cape Verde and a range of tropical long-haul destinations, although conditions vary.
Where is hot in February?
Many established winter-sun destinations remain popular during February, but temperatures and UV levels vary considerably by location.
What swimwear should I take on a winter-sun holiday?
Pack versatile pieces including a supportive bikini, a bandeau, a swimsuit and a higher-coverage option, then mix different bikini bottoms.
Can you tan on a winter-sun holiday?
Potentially. Tanning depends on UV exposure and individual skin rather than the season in the UK.
Does tan-through swimwear work in winter?
Tan-through fabric can allow some available sunlight through to the skin. Results depend on the UV conditions at your destination and your individual skin.
How many bikinis do I need for a week away?
You don't necessarily need seven. A few versatile tops and different bottoms can create multiple combinations.
Is a swimsuit useful on a winter-sun holiday?
Yes. A one-piece works for swimming and pool days and can potentially double as a bodysuit away from the water.
Related Guides
The Ultimate Guide to Tan-Through Swimwear
Discover how tan-through fabric works and what results you can realistically expect.
Best Swimwear for a Winter Sun Holiday: What to Pack for Warm-Weather Escapes
Once you've chosen the destination, build your swimwear capsule.
How to Avoid Tan Lines on a Winter Sun Holiday
Learn how swimwear choice, fit and consistency can help soften obvious tan lines.
What Is the Best Tan-Through Swimsuit? How to Choose the Right Style for You
Compare different levels of support and coverage.
How to Wash and Care for Tan-Through Swimwear So It Lasts Longer
Keep your swimwear looking its best between holidays.
The Ultimate Guide to Finding Flattering Swimwear: Fit, Support & Confidence
Find the style that works for your body and preferences.
Somewhere, It's Always Swimwear Season
British winter can feel very long.
But somewhere else, the sun is shining.
And sometimes a week of warm air, bare feet and doing very little beyond deciding between the beach and the pool is exactly what you need.
Wherever you're escaping to, take swimwear that lets you enjoy it properly.
Cover more when you want to.
Cover less when you don't.
Choose the support that feels right.
And with SWIMSARA's specialist tan-through fabric, work towards a softer, more even-looking tan while wearing the swimwear you actually feel comfortable in.
Ready to escape the cold?
Shop SWIMSARA's best-selling tan-through swimwear collection.
Leave a comment