“Wintering” in Europe: the warmest countries, island states. Cyprus and Malta

Olga Agureeva

Russians who prefer to spend the winter in the warmth and by the sea-ocean mainly choose Asian countries and South America, Caribbean or Seychelles. But flying there takes a long time and is quite expensive, plus it can be too hot. In addition, these countries are not at all famous for cleanliness, safety and order, there are not many familiar products there, and their morals are completely different. Or is it the case in good old Europe, where everything is orderly, sedate and noble, and there is no particular need to change your way of life.

Of course, you can't shop here in winter (at least on the mainland), but for those who just want warm, sunny weather, southern European countries are best suited. And the “Real Estate Magazine MetrInfo.Ru” decided to find out where the warmest winters are in Europe and where heat-loving Russians should fly.

Warm Europe

The further south, the warmer, so in Europe for wintering or a comfortable long vacation you can choose Cyprus, Malta, southern Italy, including Sicily, southern Portugal (Lisbon Riviera), southern mainland Spain. “Winter in these regions is usually warm. The daytime temperature stays around +12-18 degrees, rarely drops to +5, while sunny days more than cloudy ones. Compared to the Moscow weather, the impression of a holiday is created, and even a rare rain cannot spoil the impression of the nature and architecture of these places. And besides, the infrastructure here is developing with a focus on tourists, so there are many supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and boutiques,” says Vlad Kozlov, an expert at the real estate agency CENTURY 21 Effect Real Estate. Moreover, it is not necessary to settle in coastal towns; you can rent a house or buy real estate in major cities(located further south) and enjoy museums, excursions, local festivals, gastronomy and wines. In Italy, for example, you can live in Rome, Florence and Naples, and in Spain - in Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona. In winter it is often rainy there, but there is a lot of greenery and sunny days, when the air warms up to +12 degrees, and, of course, there is no snow.

You can also spend the winter in the Madeira Archipelago and the Azores Islands, which belong to Portugal, and Canary Islands flying the flag of Spain. In territorial terms, the Atlantic lands are already far from Europe, but still it’s less expensive to fly there than to Asia or South America, and the customs there are completely European, as is the infrastructure.

Most budget holiday It can happen in the south of mainland Spain and Cyprus - prices for food, transport and entertainment are moderate here, and rental rates are not high, especially in winter period. And if you buy real estate, then from the point of view of economy it is better to choose the south of Spain, the Canary Islands and Portugal (but, however, based on apartments, the cost of houses there is quite high):

(For average prices for renting and purchasing real estate in warm European countries, see the tables at the end of the article).

Although, according to Maxim Klyagin, an analyst at Finam Management, despite the fact that in general the cost of apartments and houses and rental rates vary widely depending on the location and characteristics of the objects, the most low level prices are typical for countries experiencing a period of deep economic recession, and these are the countries under consideration - Cyprus and Spain. “However, the entire south of Europe is gripped by crisis phenomena that also affect the real estate market. Since the beginning of the crisis in different places with varying intensity, on average, real estate fell in price by 20-30% and, in general, prices in the Mediterranean have reached their bottom. Moreover, island real estate turned out to be more stable (provided good characteristics), and the most severe consequences of the recession are observed in continental Greece and Spain,” says Olga Yasko, director of the analytics department at Knight Frank Russia & CIS. Thus, purchasing housing (naturally, for yourself, and not for investment) today is profitable in almost any European country; you can find high-quality properties at competitive prices.

If you use real estate for your own vacation, then, of course, you can buy anywhere - wherever your heart desires: “The main thing is that you like the country and have enough money to maintain your foreign home,” notes Stanislav Zingel, president of the international real estate agency Gordon Rock . And if at the same time you want more warmth and even sea bathing, then it is best to choose the Canary Islands, where the minimum water temperature is + 18-19 degrees, this is in February-March, and for example, on New Year, it fluctuates around 20-21 degrees (the water is not very warm, but you can take a dip, especially if the sun is shining). About the same temperature regime and in Madeira: as Elena Krylova, head of the “Real Estate in Spain and Portugal” department of the Strana Plus company, assures, you can swim here from May to mid-January. But it’s colder in the Azores, just like on the mainland: even in the south of continental Europe it’s comfortable to swim only from May to mid-November.

Also, before purchasing and renting real estate, it is necessary to evaluate the region’s infrastructure, ecology, and transport accessibility. For example, it is easier to get to Valencia than to a small village in Italian Calabria, where there are no planes or trains, and only a car can help. “In general, of all the regions under consideration, the Canary Islands and southern Spain have the best infrastructure. Also Malta, but there is a shortage of sandy beaches there, and Cyprus is characterized by a shortage drinking water“says Stanislav Zingel (Gordon Rock). Naturally, all such factors must be taken into account, just like the cultural characteristics of each country (some people are close to the culture of Italy, while others are more comfortable in Spain).

“In addition, when choosing a vacation spot, and especially life, the opportunity to communicate is important,” notes Lyubov Erofeeva, CEO real estate agency Century 21 Rent&Sale, so if you have knowledge of the language, first of all you need to consider the corresponding country, although in resort areas, of course, they speak English.

“It is worth paying attention to real estate in Spain and Cyprus, because in addition to other aspects, homebuyers worth more than 500 thousand euros in Spain and 300 thousand euros in Cyprus can obtain a residence permit in these countries,” says Olga Yasko (Knight Frank Russia & CIS) .

In general, there are quite a lot of criteria for choosing, and in order not to make a mistake, you need to consider each country in more detail.

Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus, a member of the European Union, is located on the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and occupies 64% of its territory (part of the republic passed to Turkey in the last century). Mostly Greek Cypriots live here, and official language Greek is spoken here, but the majority of the population, especially young people, speak excellent English, and Russian speech is highly respected in Cyprus: “The state became attractive to Russians back in the post-Soviet years. Primary interest was stimulated by the presence of a free economic zone and a visa-free regime on the island, and then the influx of Russians was facilitated by the mild climate of autumn and winter and fast pace construction (with relatively affordable prices. – From the editor),” says Lyubov Erofeeva (Century 21 Rent&Sale). Therefore, there are a lot of Russians in Cyprus, many and mixed marriages between Cypriots and Russian girls, as a result, about 5 thousand of our fellow citizens live here for six months or more, and many also come here from time to time for a week or two - on business or to visit their own apartments. And this, naturally, formed the corresponding infrastructure: on the island there are Russian restaurants, shops with products familiar to us, and doctors who speak fluent Russian. In Limassol, where a Russian diaspora has even formed, there are two Russian kindergartens and two Russian schools, as well as all kinds of clubs and studios with Russian-speaking trainers and teachers. And besides this, Cyprus has excellent roads, modern medicine, international schools, sports centers, spas, etc.

And with all this, it’s quite warm here, average temperature in winter it’s +10-15, and the temperature on the coast never drops below 7 – 8 degrees – this is in January, which is considered the coldest month of the year. “And the swimming season in Cyprus, according to my own feelings, is practically open all year round. In winter, Russians do not swim only because there are no swimmers on the beaches, so as not to embarrass the local population. There are few people on the beach at this time, but many take sunbathing, sitting in coastal cafes with a cup of coffee,” says Vlad Kozlov (CENTURY 21 Effect Real Estate).

The only thing that can poison life in winter is rain and piercing winds, which even force you to wrap yourself in warm jackets. But the cold season is not long; already in February there are very warm, almost spring days, almond blossoms begin (especially beautiful in the Yiulou Valley near Paphos) and green grass appears, and in March you can already walk in the daytime summer clothes. And in addition to this in Cyprus winter season not boring at all: you can walk along the sea or go to the Troodos mountains to ride alpine skiing(there is snow in the mountains in winter), and in February - become a participant in the carnival with parades and balls.

Well, as for real estate, developers and realtors offer big choice: apartments, houses, villas and cottages in Paphos, Larnaca and Limassol, both for rent and for sale. "Of course it's heavy economic crisis somewhat cooled the ardor of placing Russian capital, but interest in purchasing Cypriot real estate or long-term rentals did not suffer as much,” says Lyubov Erofeeva (Century 21 Rent&Sale). In general, the real estate market is thriving, and the demand for housing is stable, especially since, according to Olga Yasko (Knight Frank Russia & CIS), average prices compared to the peak in 2008 decreased by 15-20% in 2013. There was also a slight reduction in prices - this is a good incentive for those who buy for themselves or for the long term. (For more information about prices for Cypriot meters, read the article “Overseas real estate: Cyprus. Landscape after the battle. The crisis opens up new opportunities: prices have dropped by a third. It’s time to buy a house “to live in.”)

Today the situation is as follows: “For example, a one-bedroom apartment with an area of ​​60 square meters. m on the second line from the sea (up to 500 m) in the Paphos area cost from 90,000 euros, this is with finishing, a built-in kitchen, connected air conditioning, but without furniture,” says Vlad Kozlov (CENTURY 21 Effect Real Estate). In Limassol (area of ​​the Appolonia Hotel), a similar apartment in a complex with a swimming pool can be bought for 84 thousand euros.

House with an area of ​​120-150 sq. m in Limassol will cost 280-350 thousand euros, a two-story mansion in the Prastio area with 4 bedrooms (area 230 sq. m), with a swimming pool, garden and panoramic views of the sea and mountains is available with a budget of 430 thousand euros. A two-storey villa with an area of ​​300 sq. m with a garage, garden and swimming pool in the Amarosa area (Paphos) is offered for 1.2 million euros.

You can rent a similar villa in winter for 2-3 thousand euros per month. “A week’s stay in a two-bedroom apartment will cost approximately 150 – 200 euros,” reports Vlad Kozlov (CENTURY 21 Effect Real Estate). And for long-term rent it is even cheaper - from 350-400 euros per month, but there are not many offers, however - houses are much more often rented out in Cyprus.

It is also worth noting that Paphos is more suitable for a relaxing holiday (though the beaches there are rocky, but in winter this is not so important), while Larnaca and Limassol are more businesslike and noisy.

Malta

In Malta, which occupies the territory of the Maltese archipelago (the islands of Malta, Gozo Comino, Cominotto and Filfoletta, as well as the uninhabited islands of St. Paul and Filfla), the weather is almost the same as in Cyprus - in winter months daytime temperature is +15-16°C, and at night +9-11°C. At the same time, it can also be windy and rainy here, but already in February you can feel the arrival of spring, and from May to October you can comfortably swim in the sea. The beaches, however, are rocky, but in general this is not a problem, especially in winter.

Malta is famous primarily for its schools in English, so winter holidays can be combined with education, and at this time of year the courses can be cheaper. In addition, very interesting excursions can be organized here, because Malta remembers the ancient Romans, the Arab conquerors and, of course, the knights of the famous Order of Malta. The capital of the state, Valletta, is included in the list of cities of World Cultural Heritage. There is the Cathedral of St. John, in which the Grand Masters and illustrious knights of the Order of Malta found rest, and the Palace of the Grand Master. And on the streets of Mdina, which together with Rabat was once part of an ancient Roman settlement, and then an Arab fortress in the Moorish style, you can find beautiful buildings, churches and palaces in the Baroque style, cozy cafes and boutiques. The other infrastructure here is also not bad, and there are enough Russians, after all most of marriages with foreigners entered into by Maltese citizens are marriages with Russian girls.

But with real estate in Malta, not everything is so simple. “On the one hand, there is an oversupply in the country, and on the other hand, there are many restrictions for foreign buyers. For example, in most areas, foreign buyers can only own one property,” says Olga Yasko (Knight Frank Russia & CIS). “And in addition, in Malta the minimum cost of housing allowed for purchase by foreigners is limited, it is 275 thousand euros,” adds Stanislav Zingel (Gordon Rock), a lower threshold - 220 thousand euros - only in southern Malta and on the island of Gozo . This is to ensure that property prices remain more stable and local residents could purchase cheaper housing. But, having purchased real estate for such an amount, you can count on a residence permit in accordance with Global Program residency.

For 275 thousand euros in Malta, for example, a fully furnished apartment in the city of Sliema with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen and a dining room is offered with total area 120 sq. m. And if you pay about 2 times more, you can buy a villa with an area of ​​180-200 sq. m. m.

In order to protect the local population, the government has also introduced restrictions on rental housing: the minimum rental price for foreign citizens, arriving in Malta for a long period of time, cannot be less than 9,600 euros per year (8,750 euros for the island of Gozo and southern Malta), or 800 euros per month. But for those who come to Malta for several months, this rule does not apply. And for the winter, you can, for example, rent a two-bedroom apartment in the city of Sliema with a balcony, a large kitchen combined with a dining room and a living room, for 550 euros per month. A similar apartment with a sea view will cost 700 euros per month.

Cost of renting and purchasing real estate in European countries

RENT (by the sea in winter) BUY (by the sea)
apartments villas apartments villas

CYPRUS From 500 euros, few offers From 720 euros, many offers 55 sq. m. 150,000 euros 165 sq. m. 240,000 euros

PORTUGAL From 650 euros, few offers From 650 euros, many offers 72 sq. m. 130,000 euros, many offers 190 sq. m. 550,000 euros, mainly large areas

SPAIN ( mainland) From 500 euros, many offers From 480 euros 30 sq. m. 70,000 euros 135 sq. m. 160,000 euros

ITALY From 500 euros From 500 euros 30 sq. m. 170,000 euros 155 sq. m. 260,000 euros

Europeans can get out of winter into spring without leaving the continent or by going to neighboring islands. Southern Europe offers tourists fairly warm weather in January - above 15°C.
PROturizm has compiled a review of European countries where it is warm in January. The most warm in winter– Spain, Portugal and Italy. The Mediterranean coast and the shores of the Atlantic Ocean can give tourists pleasant sunny weather in January with temperatures up to 20°C.

Where is it warm in Spain in January?

The southern coast of continental Spain belongs to Andalusia. The southernmost beaches of the Costa del Sol (Spanish: Sunny Beach) and Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light) live up to their names; even in winter there are very few cloudy or rainy days here. In January, on the coast the temperature stays at +15-16°C. Many resort towns are suitable for both young people and couples. Amusement parks, oceanariums, dolphinariums and even penguinariums are open to tourists. A cable car will take you to the mountains, from where you can enjoy beautiful views of the sea and the surrounding area. Resort life does not stop even in the winter months.

Since temperatures drop at night, when booking accommodation, always check whether the room is heated.

In the Mediterranean, Spain belongs to the Balearic Islands, Atlantic Ocean- the famous Canary Islands.

Canaries

Top of our list of places where it's warm in January is the Canary Islands. They are located almost off the coast of Africa. The main Canary Islands - Tenerife, Palma and Gran Canaria - are called continents in miniature. Here you can experience several seasons at the same time. In the mountains, at an altitude of two kilometers, there is snow even in summer, and on the coast in winter the temperature remains at +20°C.

Balearic Islands

Most big Island Balearic Islands - Mallorca. Resting place of the royal family of Spain. Despite its popularity, it is one of the most environmentally friendly places in Europe. Windy weather and rare rains will not prevent tourists from admiring the local landscapes, rich forests, valleys and mountains. The average temperature of the month is +16°C. The sea is crystal clear, excellent sandy beaches. It's a pity that January does not apply to swimming season, but there will be time to visit historical monuments of various colors and styles. Traces of prehistoric times are overlaid by evidence of the rule of Carthage, Rome and the conquering Moors.

Portugal in January

Portugal rivals Spain and Italy not only in its warm weather during winter, but also in its attractions. The mixture of European and South American cultures gives the country a unique flavor. The warmest place in Portugal is in January – on the island of Madeira +18-19°C. Another Portuguese possession in the Atlantic Ocean is the Azores archipelago, but in winter it is foggy and rainy. But there is no snow at all in the Azores.

Holidays in European resorts are quite expensive event, but travel in January will cost tourists 20-40% cheaper.

Theoretically, this Portuguese island does not belong to Europe, it is on a different plate, but we will turn a blind eye to that. Madeira in January will surprise you not only with the air temperature - sometimes +25°C, but also with the water temperature in the ocean: +19°C. The island's weather is determined by the Gulf Stream. The climate here is one of the mildest in the world.

Madeira is easily accessible by plane from Lisbon. A great opportunity to create a combined tour, but be prepared for the possibility of rain in the Portuguese capital.

The landscape of Madeira is mountainous. The highest point is Pico Ruivo (1862 m). The average temperature in winter is +16°C. The north-west of the island is more cloudy, within Funchal a little drier. The city can be explored using sightseeing buses - yellow and red. Choose hotel rooms on high floors, which offer a gorgeous view of the ocean. 4-star hotels often have their own swimming pools, because the resort is considered year-round.

Traditional activities include a walk through the market, lunch at a seafood restaurant and a funicular ride to the tropical garden on Mount Monte.

Maderyan cuisine offers excellent meat and fish dishes with local wine. In the center of Funchal there is an old winery where you can stock up on Madeira, prepared using ancient technologies.

By the way, the island's port in Funchal receives cruise ships traveling from Europe to the Caribbean islands.

Is it warm in Italy in January?

To walk the streets of Italy, you will have to select a wardrobe separately for each city. The warmest region in January is Sicily: +15°C (at night +9°C). At this time on the mainland in Naples +13°C during the day (+5°C at night). Winter evening in Sorento you will be pleased with the same temperature. Winters in southern Italy are mild.

For comparison: in Rome +11°C, winds and humidity, in Venice +6°C and flooding, in Milan it’s cool, +6°C, in Florence +9°C.

During the winter months, car rental prices are reduced by 15-30%, free parking is easier to find, and attractions are free of crowds of tourists.

Island of Sicily in winter

On the Italian island of Sicily the sun shines 330 days a year. You will only need warm sweaters if you want to go to the mountains. (Two ski resort located on Mount Etna and one near Palermo). Mild climate and warm weather(15-20°C) are ideal for hiking and sightseeing.

Sicily in January is covered with lush vegetation. Almond trees begin to bloom white and pink. The area is interesting for its rocky and hilly terrain and the highest active European volcano - Etna, around which a nature reserve stretches.

The sights of island Sicily are not inferior to the ancient monuments of the continental part of the country. Sicily has its own architectural style– Sicilian Baroque, it has its own valley of temples.

Portugal is famous for its unusual architecture and picturesque nature, in which elements of Europe and South America seem intertwined. This country also enjoys pleasant warm weather all year round. Of course, it is cool enough for swimming there in winter, but at this time the climate is ideal for long walks in the fresh air.

Particularly worth a visit at this time is the island of Madeira, which is famous for its unique vegetation, listed as a UNESCO heritage site. It never gets colder than +18oC or hotter than +28oC. There's no beach holiday as such, but even in January in Madeira you can plunge into natural pools formed by lava. The water in them, of course, comes from the Atlantic Ocean, but it is warm and calm. On this island, it is best to rent a car and drive around all the surrounding areas.

Spain

The southern part of Spain also enjoys a fairly warm climate in winter. The average air temperature there is 20°C above zero. The Balearic Islands and Andalusia are ideal for holidays at this time of year, where you can enjoy the warm weather on the magnificent sandy beaches of the Costa de la Luz or simply stroll through the picturesque local towns. In the capital of Andalusia, Seville, the daytime air temperature in winter varies from 15 to 18°C.

Despite the fact that it is cold to swim there at this time, in the south of Spain in winter you can have an exciting time walking through botanical gardens and parks, visiting various museums and exhibitions. Particularly attractive in winter time Malaga, where the Pablo Picasso Museum alone is worth visiting. But there is also the Palace of the Moorish Kings and many other attractions.

Italy

It is warm in winter in southern Italy, especially in Naples and the island of Sicily. The average daytime air temperature there varies from +13 to +16°C. At the same time, there are quite a lot of clear and sunny days, during which it is especially pleasant to take long walks, take coffee breaks in open cafes and admire the local beauty.

The warmest month in Italy is, of course, February - at this time carnival and various festivals are also usually held there. On the coast of Sicily, for example, the air temperature during the day at this time can warm up to 20°C above zero, so even in winter you can get an excellent tan from there. At the same time, in Italy it is much more economical and pleasant, because the number of tourists there is reduced several times. This will allow you to fully enjoy nature and local attractions without unnecessary noise and fuss.

With the onset of cold weather, many travel lovers begin to wonder where in Europe it is warm in winter. There are not many warm places in this part of the planet in winter. Of course, there are Italy, Spain, Portugal, but also Greece, Cyprus and Malta. However, even in these countries with access to Mediterranean Sea, not hot, but warm weather persists, which excludes beach holidays.

Spain

It's no secret that winter in Spain is one of the warmest in the world. European countries. The beaches of Costa de la Luz and Costa del Sol are where it is warm in Europe in winter. From Spanish, the names of the beaches are translated as “Coast of Light” and “Sunny Beach”, respectively. These places prove their name by being ideal sunny weather, because even in winter, rainy and cloudy days are very rare, and the temperature ranges from 15 to 16 degrees. Not only young people will have fun here, but also married couples, because it is presented for tourists wide range entertainment: dolphinariums, aquariums and amusement parks. Spain also includes the famous Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean, and the Balearic Islands, which are located in the Mediterranean.

The warmest place in Europe in winter

It is believed that in the Canary Islands it persists highest temperature among other European places. During the winter, about two hundred hours are observed on the islands located off the coast of West Africa. sunlight, that is, there are approximately seven hours of sun each day. It is easy to get sunburned in these places, as the temperature remains quite high throughout the winter (20 degrees).

It is recommended to give preference to islands such as Gran Canario, Palma and Tenerife. The Canary Islands are quite popular among tourists, so you definitely won’t get bored here. All kinds of activities and entertainment, as well as numerous sightseeing excursions, will diversify your holiday.

Portugal

When wondering where to go to Europe, where it is warm in winter, tourists remember the island of Madeira. It has the mildest climate of any place in Portugal. The air temperature in winter can reach 25 degrees, and the ocean water temperature is 19 degrees. Popular entertainments include funicular rides to a tropical garden, lunches at a fish restaurant, and walks through the market. You can try it at local establishments delicious dishes from fish and meat, complementing them with wine prepared using ancient technologies. In addition to the island of Madeira, there are others in Portugal worthwhile places, for example the Azores archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean.

Italy

Italy is a particularly picturesque place in Europe. It's funny that temperatures can vary significantly between different Italian cities. The warmest Italian region where Europe has the warmest winters is Sicily. In January, the temperature on this island reaches +20 degrees. Sicily is the sunny corner of Europe, as the sun shines here 330 days a year.

Warm weather and a mild climate will allow you to enjoy the sights and admire the lush vegetation that covers the island in January. Almond trees blooming in pink and white look especially beautiful in winter. The island's topography is rocky and hilly; the highest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna, is also located here. By the way, those who want to go skiing can safely go to the mountains, where two ski resorts are located.

Popular places in Italy for winter holiday are the mainland cities of Naples and Sorento, where temperatures reach 13 degrees. At the same time, in Venice and Milan it is only +6 degrees, and in Rome +11. At this time of year, traveling around Italy will cost much less.

Greece

Particular attention should be paid to the most populous and largest Greek island of Crete, which is located in the Mediterranean Sea. In January, the water temperature reaches 15 degrees. The largest flow of tourists occurs from April to October, however, even in winter you can have a good rest here. In January you can enjoy walking and cycling. It is recommended to go to southern part coast, as the temperature there is higher. In winter you can visit interesting historical places without crowds of tourists, as happens in the summer.

The Greek island of Rhodes will delight you with decent weather in the winter months, two seas, an interesting geographical location and, of course, its attractions. The sun is observed here 300 days a year. In winter, the weather is quite sunny and mild, and the temperature is reminiscent of early Moscow autumn.

Cyprus and Malta

Often, when looking for a place to stay in winter holidays tourists are looking at Cyprus and Malta. The temperature here during this period of the year reaches 16 degrees. Tourists are offered various interesting excursions to historical sites. Malta is a place in Europe where the sea is warm in winter (water temperature reaches 17 degrees). Some wait until the winter to travel to Malta to get acquainted with the local cuisine and traditions. Friendly locals are happy to help tourists understand the local culture.

Now you know where in Europe it is warm in winter. Take everything you need with you and go on a wonderful trip. By the way, in winter, prices for housing, excursions and everything else in the places listed above are much cheaper than in tourist season, so this trip will also be economical. Another advantage of traveling in winter is the absence of crowds of tourists near attractions and queues at museums.

December is a cold and rainy month in most of Europe. Cyprus and Malta are the warmest countries in December. Also, enough warm winter and in southern regions Spain, Greece and Italy.

1. Recharge yourself with sunshine in Cyprus.

– the most southern country in Europe, geographically located in the Mediterranean Sea between and Syria. And, of course, her geographical position determines a warmer climate. According to the World Meteorological Organization average daily temperature air in December in Cyprus ranges from 10 °C to 20 °C. Indeed, in December, up to 80.9 mm of precipitation falls in Cyprus. As it is, the ocean there is usually warm enough in December for swimming. In addition, there are quite a lot of archaeological sites on the territory of this island state.

2. Visit the temples in Malta.

Malta is another Mediterranean island country that also has a warmer climate than most of Europe. The island is located 80 km. south of the island of Sicily and 283 km. east of Tunisia. According to the World Meteorological Organization, the average daily air temperature in December in Malta ranges from 11 °C to 19 °C. In December, Malta has a rainier climate than Cyprus - up to 112.3 mm of precipitation, falling on average over 14.2 days. Malta is one of the smallest countries in the world, but its territory has preserved a large number of architectural monuments and objects, according to World Heritage UNESCO related to megalithic culture. According to the New Testament, the ship of the Apostle Paul was once shipwrecked on this island.

3. Warm up in the Canary Islands.

Although they are one of the warmest European countries in December, the climate of the kingdom's Canary Islands is even warmer. The Spanish archipelago is the southernmost point of Europe and is located near the northwestern coast of Africa (Morocco and Western Sahara). The average daily air temperature in December in the Canary Islands ranges between 15 °C and 22 °C, and the average temperature sea ​​water is 20 °C. In December there is an average of only 59 mm of precipitation. For example, on the Greek island of Crete, the average daily air temperature in December ranges from 10 °C to 17 °C, and on the Italian island of Capri - from 7 °C to 12 °C.

4. Warm climate areas on the mainland.

If you still prefer to relax on the mainland, then the warmest climate in December in Europe is in the province of Andalusia on the southern coast of Spain, separated from North Africa Strait of Gibraltar. In the Andalusian cities of Cadiz, Tarifa, Seville and Malaga, the average daily air temperature in December ranges from 10 °C to 16 °C. The warmest area of ​​the Costa del Sol is protected from cold air from the north by the Sierra Nevada mountains.