These European Islands Are Open for Winter
Europe’s islands offer plenty of reasons to travel beyond summer, with year-round direct flights allowing travellers to experience vibrant carnivals, dark-sky stargazing and wildlife spotting. From the balmy shores of the Mediterranean to the North Atlantic’s snow-covered landscapes, these are six destinations worth exploring during the winter months.
With summer drawing to a close, Europe’s islands take on a different character — quieter coastlines, lush mountain landscapes and dramatic scenery await to be explored. While some destinations wind down in October, others remain open to visitors, offering fewer crowds, cheaper accommodation and plenty of opportunities for adventure. Those after a final glimpse of summer sun can head to the subtropical climates of La Palma and Madeira, while festive celebrations, rugged scenery and hot-spring bathing offer a different kind of escape in Guernsey and Iceland. Here are our top picks of destinations for a short getaway — just in time for the autumn school holidays.
Malta
Just 50 miles south of Sicily, this archipelago comprises the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino, with daytime average temperatures of 18-35C from October through March. Bathed in sunshine for most of the year, centuries of history await at St Paul’s Catacombs, the island’s largest Roman cemetery complex. Its interconnected passages and tombs provide some of the earliest evidence of Christianity in Malta, having been a burial ground during Punic, Roman and Byzantine times. Winter also brings a lively programme of festivals. In January, the Valletta Baroque Festival sees soloists and ensembles perform in historic venues including St John’s Co-Cathedral and Palazzo Parisio, while February’s Il-Karnival ta’ Malta (Malta Carnival) fills Valletta and neighbouring Floriana with large-scale floats, choreographed dances and marching Maltese bands.
Iceland
Whether watching the Northern Lights over Seltjarnarnes Peninsula or exploring ice caves within the Vatnajökull ice cap, Iceland’s landscapes have an otherworldly quality to them during winter. With fewer tourists than in summer, the 150-mile Golden Circle sightseeing route offers the chance to see two-tier waterfalls, a dramatic rift valley and geysers across Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss. Between October to March, the island has only around four to six hours of daylight, so advance planning is crucial, but roads are generally well maintained, making self-driving possible. Be sure to check the weather forecast, head out at first light and hire a car equipped for winter conditions. To warm up, soak in naturally heated water at Iceland’s geothermal pools. At Sky Lagoon, visitors can bathe in 40C water overlooking the 700,000-year-old Snæfellsjökull Glacier.
Cyprus
Turquoise waters and golden-sand bays make Cyprus a popular summer destination, but its mild winter climate invites visitors to explore without the crowds. With average daily temperatures of 16-20C in winter, the quieter season is ideal for wildlife-spotting at Larnaca Salt Lake. Between November and March, thousands of migrating flamingos, ducks and other waterbirds gather at its salt basins, with a designated nature trail offering views across the wetlands. For a glimpse into the island’s ancient past, explore Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, where Roman villas and a restored amphitheatre reveal the remains of a Greco-Roman city. Alternatively, follow the Krasochoria of Lemesos Wine Route through the Troodos foothills, stopping at wineries to sample local red and white varieties.
Madeira
Known as the ‘Island of Flowers’, this archipelago lies off the northwest coast of Africa, just a four-hour flight from the UK. Ideal for exploring on foot, levada walks follow 15th-century irrigation channels, winding through Unesco-protected Laurisilva forests on gentle gradients. For a more challenging route, the six-mile trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Mountain connects two of the island’s highest peaks, crossing dramatic ridges and tunnels carved into the mountainside. Beyond the mountains, year-round waves and a subtropical climate make Madeira popular with surfers. On the southwest coast, Jardim do Mar (Garden of the Sea) draws advanced surfers to its point and reef breaks, beneath verdant cliffs, banana plantations and subtropical flowers.
Guernsey
By October, Guernsey’s fine-sand beaches have emptied out, while its clifftop paths open onto sweeping views across the English Channel. The island’s layered history is woven into its coastline, where fortifications built by German soldiers scatter the shore. Elsewhere, the German Occupation Museum uses exhibitions to offer an insight into life under German rule from 1940-1945. For a bracing walk, follow the 1.5-mile clifftop trail from Fermain Bay to Havelet Bay, finishing with an icy plunge at La Vallette Bathing Pools. Warm up in the nearby sauna at Hot Haus, overlooking the neighbouring islands of Herm and Sark. In December, St Peter Port’s Market Square comes alive with community choirs and Christmas lights, while stalls selling handcrafted gifts make for a suitable souvenir.
La Palma, Canary Islands
La Palma comes into its own from late January to mid-February, when almond blossoms blanket the hills across the island’s northwest in shades of white and pink. In the capital, Santa Cruz, stroll along the volcanic black-sand beach before exploring colourful streets and flower-filled balconies or visit the Silk Museum to discover the city’s trading heritage. Winter is prime time for stargazing, with clear skies, low air pollution and average nighttime temperatures of 15C. At 2,400 metres above sea level, the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory sits within a Unesco Starlight Reserve and is home to the Gran Telescopio Canarias, the world’s largest optical-infrared telescope. Daytime guided tours can be combined with overnight access to Caldera de Taburiente National Park, where the Milky Way and occasional meteors can be seen after dark.
