December through February is known as the months many of us despise. They are cold, wet, dark and, as we’re still mourning the joys and wonders brought by Christmas, they’re just plain miserable. And while there are plenty of places to visit in the UK during the winter to take your mind off this time of year, you’ll struggle to escape the cold.

Because of that, it will come as no surprise to hear more and more people are looking to escape the winter blues and load up on Vitamin D, with many choosing to cross the channel and bask in the glorious European sun.

With an array of beautiful beaches, diverse cultures, fewer crowds, low prices, and, most importantly, higher temperatures than you can find here in the UK. In this blog, we are going to be running down just ten of the best destinations you should visit on your winter holiday!

So without further ado, let’s get into it shall we?

Kicking off our list today is the beautiful Spanish region of Costa Del Sol.

Located in the South of Spain, Costa Del Sol promises sunshine aplenty and 17-degree temperatures. These promises make it a very popular holiday destination so visiting during the winter low season is a perfect way to have the beach to yourself – or at least less crowded.

For those vacationing by motorhome, it’s also home to a variety of campsites such as Camping Cabopino. With a frontline beach location, this family-friendly site has easy access to the coastline, a beachside pool as well as a restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean Sea as you watch the sunset.

It’s also a stone’s throw away from most of the provincial capitals of Andalucía which makes for a great base to take some time out and enjoy a little mid-winter relaxation.

Cost: €39.00 per night
Address: Ctra N340, km 194,7, 29604 / Marbella, Spain

On the other hand, If you’re after more than a warm temperature but still fancy a bit of the Spanish sun, then Seville might just be the destination for you to visit this winter.

Oozing history, traditional Spanish culture, and romance, there is so much to see and do in this small, quaint city. Get yourself lost in the tiny streets of Barrio Santa Cruz, eat tapas and sip a cañas (little beers so you may need more than one), soak up the sun from a rooftop terrace, and take in the jaw-dropping architecture of the Alcazar Palace and the Seville Cathedral.

When it comes to winding down for the day, the surrounding area of Seville is packed full of various campsites such as Camping La Fundición, located right near the woods and river. On-site, you can also utilise the facilities such as the outdoor swimming pool, entertainment program, mountain bikes for hire, a snack bar, and the restaurant.

Cost: €29.00 per night
Address: Ctra Cazalla-San Nicolás del Puerto, 41370 / Cazalla de la Sierra, Spain

Next up and sitting in our eighth spot today - we’re making our way to Portugal!

Known for its golden beaches and crystal clear azure waters, it’s what keeps people flooding back year after year for their summer holidays. If it’s the crowds that have stopped you from visiting Portugal’s Algarve, then paying a visit over the winter will allow you to enjoy the calmness and serenity of this picturesque vacation spot.

You can also enjoy a variety of activities during your time such as cave and dolphin-watching tours, guided boat or kayak tours, horseriding, paragliding, safari, and quad biking to name just a few. Winter is also a great time to enjoy just some of the best Portuguese Cuisine as during the hotter summer months, lighter menus are offered due to the higher temperatures.

When day turns to night, however, we’d recommend you head over to Camping Turiscampo, about a 10-minute journey from Lugos. Turiscampo is a luxurious campsite with plenty of restaurants, bars, swimming pools, and sports grounds to satisfy every area of entertainment.

Cost: €48.00 per night
Address: E-N 125, km 17 - Espiche, 8600-109 / Luz/Lagos, Portugal

Located in the French Riviera, on the southeast coast of France, Nice is a lovely way to brighten up the dull winter months.

Here, you can swap your traditional Christmas markets for beachside ones. Instead of hot spiced wine, indulge in Italy’s answer to hot chocolate ‘cioccolata calda’ – chocolate so thick you can eat it with a spoon. You never know, Nice could become your European winter wonderland.

Though there will be no snow, there is plenty of sand and the Mediterranean Sea. When you need a change of scenery, why not take a stroll on the Promenade des Anglais, around the Promenade Du Pailon park, or explore the 19 galleries and museums?   

There is plenty to see and do when it comes to Nice, however, when it comes to campsites, they seem to be very few and far between. Upon research, we’d recommend settling down at Camping Le Val Fleuri, a stunning campsite located in Cagnes-sur-Mer equipped with a variety of entertainment and activities - just 9km from Nice!

Cost: €30.80 per night
Address: 139 chemin Vallon des Vaux, 06800 / Cagnes-sur-Mer, France

Travelling further through Europe, our sixth spot goes to Sicily in Italy. 

With coastal temperatures reaching 10-11 degrees at this time of year, Sicily is certainly a place to indulge in a winter holiday.

Along with the pleasant temperature, you’re truly spoilt for choice when it comes to attractions. Sicily is home to beautiful towns such as Catania, Ragusa, Siracusa, Trapani, and Erice. And you can even go skiing in Etna and Madonie Park – but you’re reading this to avoid the cold, aren’t you so back to the beaches! You must visit Cefalù, Isola Bella and Scala dei Turchi.

There are a few campsites to look into and potentially around Sicily, however, one campsite in particular, caught my eye. Camping La Pineta is located in the North West Cape of Sicily and located right on the rocky coast.

This site also comes fully equipped with two swimming pools, a jeu-de-boules court, a soccer court, a large camping shop, and a restaurant - as well as being 300 meters away from the beach where you can windsurf, sail, or snorkel.

Cost: €21 per night
Address: Via del Secco 90, 91010 / San Vito Lo Capo, Italy

Halfway through our list today and in at fifth today we have Salento. Salento’s beauty lies beyond just the summer months, even in the coldest months, it opens up a world of peace and tranquillity.

Located within the Puglia, the best places to visit in this area are Lecce (also known as the Florence of the South), the beautiful town of Gallipoli, the charming town of Otranto, and the hidden gem that is Nardò. Across these locations are castles, beaches, museums that cover Roman ruins and folklore, and unspoiled natural beauty that makes the perfect backdrop to any photo. 

Overall, it’s a must-see destination! If looking good on camera is important to you, be sure to check out the Top 10 Most 'Instagrammable' Destinations for UK Motorhome Holidays. 

If you’re interested in visiting Salento, one campsite to look at is Camping Lido Mediterraneo. It’s located about 42km from Salento itself, but its pitches lay close to the beach and offer the best of both worlds.

Cost: €22.00
Address: Via Litoranea, Zona Lago 26, 84091 / Battipaglia, Italy

In at number four and arguably one of the most beautiful locations on this list has got to be Dubrovnik in Croatia.

This stunning coastal city is encased with captivating medieval architecture, idyllic crystal-clear waters, and a temperature between 7-12 degrees throughout the winter months.

Travelling to this stunning city during the low season allows you to explore the Old Town without the typical summer tourist crowds, as well as participate in a wide range of activities such as the Mostar & Kravica Waterfall tour, Game of Thrones tour, boat trips, cable car rides around the city walLs and romantic sailing adventures.

As the sun sets for the day, we’d recommend you park up at Autohamp Kate, a scenic campsite located close to the sea in Mlini, Dubrovnik, around 10km away from the centre. Within the campsite itself, you will find plenty of excursion programmes on offer including (but not limited to) snorkeling, windsurfing and wild water sailing, kayaking, and rafting.

Cost: €27.00 per night
Address: Vrelo, 20207 / Mlini/Dubrovnik, Croatia

Up next and kicking off one of the three spots has got to be the beautiful island of Rhodes in Greece.

I think it is fair to say that Rhodes encapsulates a blend of beauty, ancient history as well as a colourful local culture with many places to explore such as the medieval Old Town, Palace of the Grand Master, amazing restaurants full of the finest Greek delicacies as well as many other hidden treasures dotted around the cobblestone streets.

Another bonus when travelling to Rhodes during the winter months is that you can enjoy temperatures from anywhere between 15-17 degrees Celsius, and when comparing that to the typical British winter - I know where I’d much rather be!

When it comes to settling down for the night, there are really no campsites in Rhodes with the last of them shutting down permanently in 2003. However, we’d recommend you head on over to the Camping Drolma Ling, a short journey away in Theologòs.

Cost: £35 per night
Location: 85106 Theologòs, Greece

In at number two and just missing out on the top spot is the Romantic Road in Germany, perfect for couples, best friends, or even a family to drive along.

This route is extremely popular in the summer however it is arguably just as good (if not better) when you set off in the winter months. Starting in Würzburg and ending in Füssen, this route is over 285 miles long and will take you roughly three days to complete.

Throughout your journey, you will stop in plenty of medieval towns such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the Neuschwanstein Castle, cutting through Franconia’s wine country and Bavaria’s beer territory with traditional southern Germany’s cuisine served along the way - helping to keep you well fed and watered at all times!

After long days of travelling and exploring, you will be relieved to know that there is an extremely long list of different campsites recommended for you to stop at whether it be overnight or over a few nights.

Finishing off our list today is Abisko in Sweden - known as one of the best places to ever view the Northern Lights.

Abisko itself is surrounded by stunning landscapes and clear skies making it an extremely popular winter holiday destination, especially for the motorhomers among us.

When it comes to parking up for the evening, you’ll be pleased to know that the Abisko National Park has three different campsites ready for you to book yourself into. And if you want to pitch yourself close to the mountain cabin and make use of its services, you must pay a fee, giving you access to an outdoor shower, a self-catering kitchen, as well as the sauna!

Near the national park, there is a variety of activities you can participate in including visiting the Santa Claus Village, the Aurora Sky Station as well as plenty of Igloo and ice hotels.

Cost: UNKNOWN
Address: Kiruna, Sweden

So there you have it - I hope you enjoyed my rundown on just ten of the best destinations for you to visit in your motorhome this winter!

Have we inspired you to take a winter vacation? Or, if you’re already abroad and avoiding the chill of the UK, where is your chosen destination? Let us know in the comments below. On the other hand, if you’re looking for some travel inspo that is a little closer to home, then have a read of our Top 10 UK Motorhome Routes.

Last but not least, if you have your very own motorhome you need to insure to get you travelling around Europe this summer - make sure to get a motorhome insurance quote direct with Lexham!