Today is a beautiful day in Berlin. I woke up early in the morning, got out of bed made my coffee, and headed to the window to open the shutter just to see my backyard covered in a sea of white snow, catching me completely off guard. I immediately thought to myself this is it, finally, the most wonderful time of the year has just begun. I started my day in a very happy mood with Christmas music in the background and a lot of work on my plate.
This all changed after I had to go out of the apartment only to be hit by the very strong and cold wind in my face. After spending less than 10 minutes outside in the cold, my legs started getting numb and I felt like my nose was about to fall out which then of course woke me up from my winter wonderland dream and brought me back to reality and the fact that I simply cannot bear the cold as someone who has lived most of their life on the Mediterranean Sea.
This of course made me start planning my winter escape to the Mediterranean and because I know many people are also struggling the same I’ve gathered some of the best places in the Mediterranean to spend your winter.
Mediterranean Destinations to Visit this Winter
The Mediterranean region, in general, is very attractive in winter not just because of its warm weather and the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, but also because winter is the off-season, meaning that prices are lower than usual and it is also less crowded. So, try to take advantage of the winter sales as it can save you a lot of money.
Spain
Of course, when searching for destinations in the Mediterranean to escape the cold Winter Spain would be one of the first on the list as Spain is one of the best destinations to go to if you are in need of some winter sun in Europe.
There are different climates across the country depending on where you are. As we are trying to escape the winter cold here we gathered some of the warmest cities in Spain on the Mediterranean sea for you where you can enjoy some warmth while sipping on your Spanish cocktail.
Malaga
Located in the Costa del sol region of Andalucia in the south of Spain, Malaga is a perfect place to spend your winter with the sun shining most of the time and the city not being packed with tourists. PS: The city has the most sunshine hours in all of Spain. In case you are wondering what the weather is like in Malaga, you can expect an average of 17 degrees during the day and around 9 degrees in the evening.
With fewer tourists, you have a great chance to explore the historic town and enjoy the great attractions that Malaga has to offer such as exploring the white villages (Pueblos Blancos), spending time on Malaga’s beaches, relaxing at the hammam, and many other activities. Day trips from Malaga are also very popular to other destinations such as Seville and Granada.
Keeping the best to the last, the tapas scene in Malaga is incredible as it offers some of Spain’s best tapas. Get ready to indulge in some delicious Andalusian breakfast and visit some of the best chiringuitos in the country.
The Alcazaba of Malaga
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Seville
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Gibralfaro Castle
Barcelona
Even during the winter, the sun shines most of the time in Barcelona which is enough reason to make you want to spend your winter there. The Catalan Capital has actually a lot to offer during winter with the temperature ranging from 12 to 15 degrees but thanks to the strong Spanish sun, it feels much warmer.
It is known that the Catalan capital residents reclaim their city back in winter as there won’t be unbearable crowds and the city won’t be full of tourists. Get ready for some relaxation time, great food, and good weather.
There are also a few festivals there that take place during the winter months such as the Festa Major de Sant Antoni, Santa Eulalia, and Carnaval.
Spending winter in Barcelona means that there are some seasonal dishes which you have to try if you want to experience the real Catalan cuisine. These include the traditional winter stew ‘Escudella’ which will keep you warm, ‘Calcots’, Roscon de Reyes, and much more.
If this inspired you to spend your winter in Barcelona, plan your trip there and travel with friends you haven’t met yet, and get ready for some incredible Gaudi artwork.
Italy
It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, Italy is just an amazing place to visit at any time of the year but the following cities are the perfect places to spend your winter.
Sardinia
Expect Sardinian people to be very generous and friendly especially if you are visiting their island during the off-season. You may not be able to swim in the stunning Sardinia beaches in winter but the second largest island in the Mediterranean has a lot more to offer than beaches.
There are different activities one can enjoy during wintertime in Sardinia thanks to the good weather. These include horseback riding, enjoying the beach, hiking, and exploring the beautiful city with its nice bars and restaurants when it is less crowded.
The difference in climate between the interior mountain region and the coast is to keep in mind when visiting in winter, as the mountains can get very cold whereas the weather on the coast is mild.
The Amalfi Coast
When thinking about the Amalfi coast the first thing that probably comes to mind is visiting it during summer. You start picturing the beautiful stretch of the coastline with sheer cliffs and a shoreline filled with small beaches and colorful villages. But have you ever thought about visiting in winter? Let me tell you that visiting during the off-season is a completely different experience!
The Amalfi Coast, a Unesco world heritage site, has a reputation of being very expensive and for being a holiday destination for the rich and famous but you would be surprised by the price difference of accommodations there between winter and summer. Many hotels actually close in winter because of the little demand but you can find a good amount of options to choose from which can save you a lot of money.
In case you are wondering how to get there, the nearest airport to the Amalfi Coast is in Napoli so better start planning your trip now and travel with friends you haven't met yet.
Greece
Just like the other destinations mentioned, winter is the off-season for Greece as tourists go to enjoy the white sand beaches and island-hopping but that doesn't mean that Greece isn't an attractive destination in winter. On the contrary, the country has much more to offer than its beautiful Greek beaches. Yes, it is definitely colder than usual but at the end of the day, it is still warmer than most of the European destinations.
Crete
The island is great to visit all year round due to its mild Mediterranean climate but unless you don't mind swimming in cold weather, you probably will have to skip swimming but that doesn't mean you can't have a picnic on the beach or even spend your day there. Museums and popular sites remain open probably with shorter opening hours but you can still enjoy some sightseeing and popular sites like the Palace of Knossos.
Keep in mind that Crete experiences some heavy rainfall during winter, so better pack a raincoat and an umbrella.
Cyprus
Just like the above-mentioned places, Cyprus is a great destination to spend your winter there. The third-largest island in the Mediterranean offers a variety of natural products like grapes, olives, and citrus fruits and is also known for its beautiful beaches and mountains.
If you are looking for a combination between summer and winter, Cyprus is a great match as you can enjoy some summer activities such as hiking, rock-climbing, biking and going to the beach and at the same time if visiting in January you might get the chance to go skiing in the Troodos mountains.
If you are lucky enough, you can witness the arrival of thousands of pink flamingos in Cyprus on the salt lakes of Larnaca and Limassol, Oroklini Salt Lake, and Paralimni Lake. It is indeed a unique experience!
Still not convinced about spending your winter in the Mediterranean? No worries we have plenty of other trips waiting for you... 😉
