When the days are at their shortest, yet too often grey and gusty, it’s the time of year when most of us dream of escaping the UK. Instead of hunkering down indoors and hoicking up the heating bill, we could be walking on a sunny beach, even having lunch outside if we fly a few hours south.
Whilst many home hunters are eschewing the hottest parts of Europe during peak summer, they are often using their homes more than they anticipated during the winter. Locations that get at least 300 days sunshine a year do not have to be expensive or take a day to get to. Here we pick out five locations where you can find affordable winter sun without a mortgage.
Canary Islands
The classic choice for many, the Canaries can be reached by plenty of flights every winter and won’t break the bank. Only four hours’ away, the islands are easy to navigate whilst you are there (car not essential) and you can enjoy temperatures hovering around 20 degrees. You can find a one-bedroom bungalow or flat for around €130,000 in Lanzarote’s Costa Teguise but you will have more choice with this budget in Fuerteventura, where you can find options from €95,000 such as this refurbished ground-floor apartment in Costa de Antigua.
Cyprus
As East as one can go in the Mediterranean, Cyprus enjoys mild winters and only a 4.5 hour flight away, so an obvious choice for many of those who wish to escape the Northern European winter. Its Anglo-friendly culture and lack of language barrier are further draws. For a budget of €200,000 to €300,000 you can get a three-bedroom home with a pool in a village in southeastern Cyprus, but you can buy a lock-and-go apartment for much less: you can find a two-bedroom furnished apartment with use of a pool in a popular area of Paphos like Tala for €159,000, or a new two-bedroom in the popular inland village of Xylofagou in the southwest, for €139,000.
Costa Calida
Where better in Spain to head than the “Warm Coast” of Costa Calida of southeast Spain? Murcia is a region more affordable and less developed than the next-door Costa Blanca, but stretches 250km, including the Mar Menor (little sea) and many sandy beaches.
There’s great padel and golf courses, vineyards and historic cities: and you’ll find plenty to buy with around €100k. Look for apartments on golf resorts for a lively year-round feel – you can find a two-bedroom apartment on a La Torre golf resort for €125,000, whilst Mar Menor Golf has a great social scene around the padel club – and a furnished one-bedroom apartment for €130,000.
Crete
The largest and most southerly Greek island, Crete has some of the warmest winter weather in Europe, with average highs around 15–16°C and lows around 9–11°C in winter. Enjoy near-empty a fresh but manageable sea for swimming and no queues for the ancient sites. Be selective about where you go: some locations – such as Chania – are more vibrant than others (Elounda). Just be aware that you may not get direct flights from the UK in winter – connect via Athens. You can find plenty of small houses that need renovating for less than €35,000 but if you want something you can just move into then this stone three-bedroom, two-bath maisonette in Chania with mountain views is rather nice, at €199,000. Or there’s a lovely one-bed apartment with sea views in nearby Agios Vasillis, for €180,000.
Western Costa del Sol
As the most well-established and fashionable areas of the Costa del Sol have outpriced many buyers, there’s been growing interest in the western fringe, from Estepona through to Manilva, Duquesa and Casares – towards Gibraltar. Buyers prize the same balmy winters as Marbella’s Golden Mile but areas now as vibrant out of season, but that little bit more relaxed. From the Old Town and fishing village of Sabinillas, to La Duquesa’s marina-side restaurants there’s something to suit everyone. You can find smart two-bed, two-bath apartments for €160,000 or €209,000, a semi-detached townhouse for as little as €160,000.
