Published 4 September 2024 | Updated 30 September 2026 by Kate Acaster
Where’s hot each month from the UK? Somewhere within a reasonable flight is warm all year round: the Canaries from October to April, the Mediterranean from May to October, and the Red Sea, the Gulf and the Caribbean across the winter.
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The quick reference table
| Month | Where to go | Daytime highs | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20-32°C | Winter sun, short or long haul | |
| February | 19-33°C | Half-term sun, from the Canaries to South-East Asia | |
| March | 18-30°C | Spring sunshine, with Egypt and the Gulf for beach heat | |
| April | 20-30°C | Easter warmth as the Mediterranean season opens | |
| May | 22-30°C | Warm and quieter than summer | |
| June | 26-32°C | Reliable heat and long days | |
| July | 28-35°C | Peak summer and Europe’s hottest month | |
| August | 28-35°C | School holidays; peak heat in the Mediterranean, dry season in Zanzibar | |
| September | 26-32°C | Warm with fewer crowds | |
| October | 23-30°C | Late sun after the summer peak | |
| November | 22-34°C | Still reliably warm, with long-haul season starting | |
| December | 21-30°C | Winter escape, cheapest before the school holidays start |
"My two favourite months to travel are May and October. Once the summer holidays are over, October still gives you the mid-20s in Cyprus, Crete and the Canaries, and May does much the same for Crete and the Algarve before peak prices arrive. Both are quieter and cheaper than the summer holidays, so if your dates can move, move them."
Kate Acaster, Chief Editor, Flight Tribe
Finding where’s hot each month: how to use this guide
Each monthly guide covers what the weather is like, flight times, who flies there from the UK and which traveller each place suits. The temperatures are daytime highs, and it’s often much cooler in the evening, especially in North Africa in winter.
Check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice for each country before you book. For timing, see our guides to the cheapest day to book flights and the best time to book a holiday.
Frequently asked questions
Where’s hot in winter from the UK?
The Canary Islands are the easiest answer: about four hours away and 20 to 23 degrees from November to February. Egypt’s Red Sea resorts reach about 22 to 28 degrees, and the Caribbean stays at 28 to 30 all year.
What is the hottest holiday destination for UK travellers in summer?
In July and August, Turkey’s south coast regularly reaches 33 to 35 degrees, with Greece and Spain close behind. See our Dalaman guide for one of Turkey’s main UK resort areas.
Is there anywhere hot in Europe in November?
The Canary Islands, at 22 to 23 degrees, are among the warmest. Cyprus reaches the low 20s, and Marrakech, just outside Europe, reaches 22 to 24 by day.
What is the cheapest month to book a beach holiday?
Late September and October usually offer the best value, with the Mediterranean still at 25 to 28 degrees. Our guide to cheap school holiday breaks covers the weeks to avoid.
What are the best long-haul options for winter sun?
Barbados, with year-round flights from Heathrow and seasonal ones from Gatwick and Manchester, and the Maldives from January to March. Phuket is at its best from November to April, but Koh Samui is wettest in November.
Kate Acaster is Chief Editor at Flight Tribe. She writes about practical travel planning, budget airlines, baggage rules, city breaks, beach holidays and good hotels that do not cost daft money.
Kate has travelled through Europe, South America and beyond, usually with a notebook, a half-formed plan and a strong opinion on airport snacks. At Flight Tribe, her work focuses on helping UK travellers understand what is included, what costs extra, and whether a trip is worth booking at the price shown.
How Kate works
Kate checks the details that can change the value of a trip, including cabin-bag rules, airline fees, hotel location, seasonality, travel dates and booking conditions. She is especially interested in offers that look useful on the surface but need a proper reader-first check before they are worth recommending.
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