The Canary Islands offer the warmest and most reliable winter sun of the three, the Algarve offers mainland convenience and great value, and Malta offers history, English everywhere and a compact island lifestyle, but with cooler, wetter winters.
Side by side
| Canary Islands | Algarve | Malta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical winter daytime high | About 20-24°C | About 15-17°C | About 15-17°C |
| Winter rain | Low in the south | Moderate | Moderate |
| Sea for swimming | About 19°C | About 15-16°C | About 15-16°C |
| Language | Spanish, English widely in resorts | Portuguese, English widely | English is official |
| Schengen 90/180 applies | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flight time from London | About 4-4.5 hours | About 3 hours | About 3 hours |
Temperatures are approximate long-term averages.
Warmth
The Canaries sit far south, off the coast of Africa, which is why winter days are several degrees warmer than in the Algarve or Malta. If warm afternoons outdoors are your priority, the Canaries win clearly.
Cost and lifestyle
The Algarve can be good value outside the busiest towns. Malta is compact, social and English-speaking, which suits many retirees. The Canaries offer the widest choice of resorts and climates.
Rules
All three are in the Schengen area, so the same 90/180 rule applies to UK and other non-EU visitors. You cannot reset your days by moving between them.
Our verdict
For guaranteed winter warmth, choose the Canary Islands. Start with Best Canary Island to Spend the Winter.