easyJet launches new ‘Winter Sun Index’
By Jack Peat on Thursday, December 18, 2025
If all this damp and dreary weather has got you dreaming of sunnier climes, fear not – a new ‘Winter Sun Index’ has been released by easyJet, and the top destinations are closer than you might think!
As storms continue to batter the UK, an Atlantic island known for being like the Caribbean without the jetlag with white sandy beaches, subtropical climes and beers for just over £2 has outshined competition to take top spot in the list.
Sal, Cape Verde’s most tourist-ready island, boasts perpetual sun and reliable hot temperatures all year round, averaging 24-25C in the winter months of January to March in contrast to the UK’s meagre highs of 6-8C.
A close runner up, known for its Red Sea coastline adorned with crystal-clear waters was Hurghada. Located on the east coast of Egypt, this resort destination has earned a well-deserved second place spot on the index thanks to its wall-to-wall sunshine, vibrant coral reefs and Saharan landscapes primed for quad biking or Jeep safari.
The Canary Islands’ steadfast commitment to delivering winter warmth sees them picking up third and fourth place for Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. Both spots offer volcanic vistas and lively resort activity – the former replete with golden beaches, the latter etched with unique black sands.
THE WINTER SUN HOTLIST
| Rank | Destination | Typical winter temperature | Hours of sunshine per day | Winter precipitation | Time difference with UK | Average pint | Price of a meal for 2 | Flights | Holidays* |
| 1 | Sal – Cape Verde | 24-25C | 8-10 | 1-3mm | -1hr | £2.20 | £30-£31 | £189.48 | £760 |
| 2 | Hurghada – Egypt | 21-25C | 9-10 | ~1mm | +2hr | £1.75 | £26 | £154
|
£460 |
| 3 | Gran Canaria – Canary Islands, Spain | 20-22C | 7-8 | 15-20mm | 0hr | £1.75 | £35 | £29.98 | £380 |
| 4 | Lanzarote – Canary Islands, Spain | 21-22C | 7-8 | 10-20mm | 0hr | £2.20 | £44 | £30.48
|
£420 |
| 5 | Agadir – Morocco | 19-23C | 7.5-8.5 | 28-40mm | 0hr | £1.75 | £26 | £44.15 | £430 |
| 6 | Fuerteventura – Canary Islands, Spain | 20-22C | 6-7 | 10-15mm | 0hr | £2.20 | £40 | £51.48 | £420 |
| 7 | Tenerife South – Canary Islands, Spain | 18-22C | 7-8 | 15-30mm | 0hr | £2.20 | £40 | £27.98 | £350 |
| 8 | Djerba – Tunisia | 16-18C | 7-8 | 18-25mm | +1hr | £1.30 | £26 | £76.12 | £320 |
| 9 | Seville – Spain | 16-22C | 6-8 | 30-45mm | 0hr | £2.20 | £40 | £81.98 | £230 |
| 10 | Paphos – Cyprus | 17-19C | 7-8 | 40-60mm | +2hr | £2.65 | £48-50 | £52.98 | £400 |
