EasyJet maps out winter sun winners for 2026
easyJet has released its Holiday Hotlist for winter 2026, ranking destinations that offer reliable warmth when the UK turns cold. The index highlights places combining comfortable temperatures, manageable flight times and reasonable on-the-ground costs. Egypt’s Red Sea resorts lead the list, with Sharm El Sheikh taking the top position, followed closely by Hurghada, while classic winter favourites in Spain and Morocco also feature strongly.
The airline’s ranking is based on practical criteria rather than trend appeal. Factors include average winter temperatures, sunshine hours, rainfall, time difference with the UK, food prices and ease of access from multiple UK airports. Sharm El Sheikh scores highly thanks to stable winter conditions, with daytime temperatures typically between 24°C and 26°C and almost no rainfall during off-season months.
Hurghada takes second place, with Red Sea conditions and winter temperatures typically ranging between 21°C and 25°C. Gran Canaria and Lanzarote come next, long known for steady winter weather and reasonable prices for food and accommodation. Agadir also ranks highly, offering Atlantic beaches, warmer North African climates and flight times that remain shorter than many long-haul routes.
Destinations highlighted in easyJet’s Winter 2026 Hotlist
- Sharm El Sheikh – Red Sea sunshine and coral reefs
- Hurghada – year-round warmth and desert excursions
- Gran Canaria – beaches and resort infrastructure
- Lanzarote – volcanic landscapes and mild winters
- Agadir – coastal climate with Moroccan character
“With many of us ready for a break from grey skies, damp days and chilly temperatures, now is the perfect time to book an escape to warmer climes. easyJet’s unrivalled network for flights and package holidays, offers a fantastic range of family-friendly winter sun destinations across Europe and beyond, from Sub-Saharan islands to Spanish peninsula cities that are all easily accessible and affordable, for those looking to chase the sun on a budget and with ease during the long winter months."
The hotlist suggests a winter season driven less by novelty and more by reliability. When days are short at home, travellers tend to value clear weather, direct flights and costs that are easier to predict. The ranking underlines a shift towards destinations that offer warmth and simple access, where planning feels practical and familiar rather than based on chasing somewhere new.
