When the days turn short and grey, a dose of winter sun is the best cure. These destinations deliver warmth, light and plenty to do between roughly November and March.
For reliable heat
- Dubai — winter is its best season: warm, dry and made for beaches, desert and city glamour. See our Dubai guide.
- Marrakech — mild, sunny days and cool evenings, with the medina and the Atlas Mountains on the doorstep. See our Marrakech guide.
For beaches and islands
- Bali — warm year-round; the green shoulder months still deliver plenty of sun. See our Bali guide.
- Cartagena — the Caribbean coast of Colombia is at its driest and breeziest in winter. See our Cartagena guide.
For culture with warmth
- Bangkok — the cool, dry season from November makes the city far more comfortable. See our Bangkok guide.
- Zanzibar City — Indian Ocean beaches and Stone Town history under the winter sun. See our Zanzibar guide.
Plan around the rain
"Winter sun" is relative — always check the destination's own wet season, as the tropics run on their own calendar. Each city guide spells out the best months to go.