1 week Ago By [email protected] (Liv Clarke)
Imagine feeling warm sunshine on your face, sand between your toes and a cold glass of something tasty in your hand - a far cry from life in the depths of our chilly UK winter. Yet a sun-filled holiday isn’t out of reach and you don’t have to travel half-way across the world to search for winter sun. In fact there’s plenty of destinations within a few hours’ flight from Manchester with guaranteed sunshine, even at this time of the year.
It can be easy to dismiss the Canary Islands in favour of somewhere that’s more under the radar, but these Spanish islands have rightly earned their reputation for being a reliable winter sun destination. Thanks to their location off the coast of North Africa, they enjoy sunshine all year round, with hot summers and mild winters. With a flight time of just over four hours from the UK, they’re easy to get to despite being hundreds of miles away from mainland Europe.
Puerto de Mogan in Gran Canaria was named the best resort in the Canary Islands (Image: Getty Images) If toasty temperatures are what you’re after, Gran Canaria is often the warmest of the islands. In February temperatures are in the early 20s on average, but you can expect the mercury to reach highs in the mid-20s, with plenty of sunshine. The island is tipped as the perfect winter holiday destination on Tik Tok.
One user P.k_ja shared a video with the caption: “27 degrees in January. That’s the kind of winter I like” while user Ann john legend commented: “we don’t get this in the summer in England.
Another user Sam commented: “I’m in Lanzarote, Canaries are the place to go for a winter holiday.” Tik Tok user Harrietesmemills shared a video showing sunny scenes on the island, with the caption “What Gran Canaria looks like January 12, been a lovely 26 degrees today.” The sand dunes of Maspalomas (Image: Getty Images) Skyscanner currently shows flights from Manchester Airport to Gran Canaria from £22 in February one way, with returns from a similar price.
Although it’s important to note that you may have to pay extra for baggage and seat allocation. While Lanzarote and Tenerife are the Canary Islands which first spring to mind, Gran Canaria does have a claim to fame. Last year a picturesque seaside village on the island was named the best holiday resort of the whole archipelago by consumer champion Which? Puerto de Mogán, on the island's south coast, beat the likes of Los Cristianos in Tenerife and Gran Canaria’s own Playa del Ingles to bag the number one spot.
The coastal village features a charming marine, white-washed houses and a beautiful old town. Those surveyed described it as a “peaceful, beautiful place.” As well as being home to the best resort in the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria has plenty of other places to explore.
Visit the famous sand dunes at Maspalomas in the south of the island, head island and admire the volcanic rock formations of Roque Nublo, or walk around the bustling capital city Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. For more of the latest What's On news, click here..
