The 8 best last-minute winter sun holiday destinations just a short flight from the UK

From Morocco to Gambia, here are the best sun-soaked shores to beat winter blues that are a medium-haul flight away. The dark days of winter are the ultimate time for Brits craving a dose of vitamin D to dream of jetting off for some winter sunshine. While long-haul winter bargains seem to be a thing of the past as flight prices surge, a rise in mid-length flights – under six hours long – hold the promise of trading winter blues for turquoise oceans on holidays that don’t require journeys to far-flung destinations halfway across the world.

From active holidays on mountainous Madeira to beach bathing on Egypt’s sandy shores, there are plenty of inviting climates to make a beeline for during these gloomy months that won’t break the bank. With direct flights linking the UK to north African hotspots and tried and tested Spanish islands, here are the sun-drenched destinations to escape to this winter. Read more: The winter sun destination bouncing back with stunning beaches and no jet lag.

Flight time: 5h 30m. Egypt’s year-round balmy climate makes it a popular option for Brits seeking a sunshine hit. Head to Hurghada, a hotspot for tourists in the eastern Sahara desert, for family-friendly resorts with shallow sea shelves teeming with underwater treasures. This beach resort enjoys highs of 22C, 21C and 22C in December, January and February respectively, making it an excellent option for some midwinter warmth. Plus, it’s a less-than-six-hour flight away from the UK – that’s not even three reruns of The Little Mermaid...

Read more: Why Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh is the ultimate winter sun holiday. Flight time: 4h 30m. With a reputation for being the cheap and cheerful star of the Canaries archipelago, Tenerife welcomes 23C beach days and eight hours of sunshine well into winter (and it’s quicker to reach than a Cornwall road trip from London). Devote days to being a beach bum, dining al fresco and hiking trails in the Parque Nacional Las Cañadas del Teide.

Read more: Family-friendly guide to Tenerife winter sun holidays. Flight time: 3h 40m. Morocco has an average winter temperature of around 20C on its south-west coastline plus bustling souks, dry weather and seven sunshine hours in colourful Marrakech at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Riad hotels featuring lush garden courtyards, decadent decor and delectable bites squeeze into the Medina neighbourhood, which is a delight to explore throughout the winter months.

Read more: The winter sun holiday destinations without the jet lag. Read more: Swap Spain for these Moroccan cities on your next winter sun holiday. Flight time: 5h 50m. Just shy of a six-hour flight away, Cape Verde promises tourists a tan top-up with temperatures that range up to 26C come winter and mark the end of the island’s rainy season. The golden sands of Sal and the buzzing town of Santa Maria cater to lazy beach days and vibrant nightlife in the “African Caribbean” destination dotted with luxe resorts that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean.

Read more: Best winter sun holidays a short flight from the UK. Read more: No crowds and comfort throughout – experiencing Africa’s wildest coast. Flight time: 6h 20m. West Africa’s Gambia enjoys scorching average temperatures of 34C through winter making it an ideal destination for some guaranteed winter sun at just over six hours away. It’s a great spot for wildlife lovers and home to giraffe, hippos, lions, crocodiles and the critically endangered western giant eland, the world's largest antelope, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with animals. There’s also the bonus of a jetlag-free trip as the Gambia runs just one hour behind the UK.

Read more: Where is hot in January?. Flight time: 3h 50m. Year-round mild conditions bless the capital of the autonomous Portuguese island of Madeira with balmy weather, an average temperature of 19C in January and low winds. The ideal jaunt for an active holiday in nature, Madeira is home to the famous mountain peaks of Pico Ruivo and Pico de Arieiro, plus cliff-flanked public beaches and wineries to sample.

Read more: The best things to do in Lisbon, the vivacious capital of Portugal. Flight time: 3h 15m. One of Europe’s smallest capitals, Valletta, welcomes winter holidaymakers to tour its Baroque architecture, 17th-century fortifications and Grand Harbour in mild average temperatures of 16C come January, which is almost t-shirt weather in comparison to the UK’s single-digit temperatures. With a flight time of just over three hours and offering an off-season lack of crowds, it’s a dream for dry days spent strolling Republic Street and tasting rabbit stew stuffat tal-fenek (the national dish). Visit the smaller islands of Gozo and Comino in the Maltese archipelago to enjoy the around 10 hours of January daylight on the beach.

Read more: The best things to do in Valletta, Malta. Flight time: 4h 35m. As winter warmers go, perennially mild Paphos with highs of 16C in January is an inviting Cypriot alternative to the gloom usually found at home. Less than a five-hour flight from London, sports, history and nature enthusiasts will welcome the sleepy golf courses, hikes in the Troodos Mountains and the old town free from the summer crowds.