Chasing the Winter Sun

January in the UK often means dark mornings, short days, and a sense of gloom. While the UK shivers ❄️ and the weather continues to drop, many European cities bask in a welcome dose of winter sunshine. And that got us thinking. 

To uncover the best cities for topping up your Vitamin D in the new year, FlixBus analysed data on sunshine hours, green space, wellness culture, and affordability. The result? A comprehensive list of Europe’s warmest destinations for a January escape 🔥

If you’re ready to leave the grey skies behind while enjoying open parks, spas, and affordable prices, let’s chase the sun together ☀️

1.Barcelona

Barcelona takes the crown for winter sun escapes, and it’s easy to see why. With 6.5 hours of sunshine per day and over 50% of green space covering the city, Barcelona blends beachy relaxation with leafy boulevards and hilltop parks. Take the cable car up to Montjuic for panoramic views, or wander through the palm-lined paths of Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona’s “green lung” 🍃

For a taste of Catalan life, take a stroll through the colourful stalls of La Boqueria Market and sample authentic tapas along the way. Or visit Park Guell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning 12 hectares while showcasing Gaudi’s colourful mosaics for all to enjoy.

Beyond the parks, travellers can explore Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia or kick back and relax on one of the central beaches 🏖️. Barcelona also scored well in our cost index analysis, making meals and accommodation relatively affordable when compared to cities like London. 

2. Porto

Porto’s irresistible charm shines through its steep cobbled streets, port wine cellars, and golden-stone architecture. With 41.4% of green space, it’s one of the most balanced cities for nature lovers - think sprawling parks, hidden gardens, and breezy riverfront walks along the Douro.

The Parque da Cidade is Portugal’s largest urban park, covering 205 acres and stretching out to the Atlantic coastline 🌊. Take a jog around the lake or relax as you watch surfers at nearby Matosinhos beach. Porto is also known for the Palacio de Cristal Gardens, where you can wander amongst more than 1,300 trees and diverse flora 🌸

The city basks in 5.2 hours of sunshine each winter day, but additional warmth comes from the culture here. Visitors can explore azulejo-covered churches, the colourful Ribeira district, and traditional Francesinha restaurants. Plus, Porto is wallet-friendly, giving you more room to sip port tasting flights and explore iconic landmarks.

3. Lisbon

Lisbon’s rolling hills and pastel neighbourhoods make it a dreamy escape when the UK is at its greyest. With 5.7 hours of daily sunshine in winter, the tiled facades and miradouros (viewpoints) are bathed in a subtle warm glow, making them simply picture perfect 📷

Visitors to Lisbon can explore one of the city’s oldest areas - the steep streets of Alfama. Here, you’ll find an abundance of quaint cafes and shops selling traditional crafts, but it’s the journey to Alfama that gets people talking. The historic no. 28 tram winds through the cultural heart of Alfama, all the way up to the 11th Century Sao Jorge Castle for stunning views.

Portugal’s capital is also home to 39.4% of green space, making it ideal for relaxing in leafy parks between sightseeing stops. Monsanto Forest Park is the largest green area in the city, and a popular spot for families. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, playgrounds, cycle paths, and multiple picnic spots. With a low cost of living score, your budget will easily stretch to custard tarts, riverfront dinners, and casual Fado performances.

4. Turin

Turin is a surprisingly strong winter sun contender thanks to its elegant piazzas, Alpine backdrop, and cafe culture where steaming bicerin is a must-try. The city features 26.5% of green space, making it ideal for a stroll through Parco del Valentino and the Po River paths where you can also explore gardens and castles 🏰

January days in the city average around 5.1 sunshine hours, giving you plenty of time to wander the streets and picturesque landmarks like the Royal Palace of Turin or the Piazza San Carlo. 

For additional warmth, head to QC Terme Torino, a spa housed in an historic palace featuring indoor biosaunas, relaxation rooms, and an outdoor garden with three warm pools 💆 The cost of living score here is surprisingly low for Italy too, and with a happy city score of 824, it’s a real feel-good winter getaway. 

5. Rome

For a timeless winter escape where ancient history meets soft Mediterranean light, Rome takes the cake - or should that be Tiramisu 🤌. The city is renowned for iconic landmarks, including the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and of course, St Peter’s Basilica. 

With 4.8 hours of sunshine per day in winter, January is an ideal time to explore everything the city has to offer, minus the summer crowds. Away from Rome’s cultural attractions, visitors can wander through Trastevere’s colourful lanes or enjoy the serene gardens of Villa Borghese, part of the city’s 32.1% green space footprint 🌳

Rome’s happy city score in our analysis reflected its relaxed, open-air lifestyle, and while the cost of living score was a little high, visitors can still sample Roman pizza, espresso bars, and spectacular viewpoints without breaking the bank.

6. Florence

Florence in winter is all about art, architecture, and peaceful ambience. While the city receives just 3.8 hours of daily sunshine in January, the cultural glow is year-round. The Uffizi Gallery is a must-visit. It’s home to a comprehensive collection of Renaissance art and is one of the oldest art museums in the world 🎨

Outdoors, visitors can explore 49.6% of green space, one of the highest in our index. Cross the medieval Ponte Vecchio at golden hour for unique views of the city and the Arno River, or wander the artisan workshops of the Oltrarno district.  

For wellness enthusiasts, Florence offers numerous spas and health centres, featuring Turkish baths, heated pools, and traditional massage rituals 🧖. While the cost of living score was the priciest of the Italian cities we analysed, the high happy city score makes this destination well worth it for a Renaissance-rich retreat.

 7. Naples

Naples brings energy, flavour, and dramatic scenery to any winter break. From Spaccanapoli’s buzzing streets to the archaeological wonders of Pompeii and Herculaneum, there’s no shortage of sights to explore. 

The city’s 27% of green space includes the vast Real Bosco di Capodimonte. This former hunting ground occupies 134 hectares of landscaped parkland overlooking the stunning Bay of Naples, ideal for sunny afternoon strolls. Naples’ wellness scene centres on the Agnano Spa, where sulphurous volcanic waters power treatments such as mud therapy and balneotherapy. 

Beyond spas and nature, the city tempts visitors with Neapolitan pizza, ancient catacombs, and day trips to Pompeii. Visitors can expect 4.6 hours of sunshine per winter day, adding brightness to the waterfront promenades and volcano-framed views 🌋

8. Budapest

Spa culture, cafe traditions, and grand architecture create a magical winter break in Budapest. Although the city offers just 3.6 sunshine hours per day in January, its cost of living and happy city scores ranked highly, pushing Hungary’s capital into our list of hot spots. 

The attractions in Budapest more than compensate for the sunshine. Warm up from the British weather in one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths, hop on the 19th Century cable car to Buda Castle, or take an evening cruise along the Danube to see its landmarks lit up.

Budapest features 26.1% of green space, including spacious city parks perfect for strolls at any time of day. Varosliget (City Park) covers 302 acres and is home to Vajahunyad Castle, the zoo, and Szechenyi Thermal Baths, which houses three outdoor and fifteen indoor pools supplied by hot springs.

Chase the sun with FlixBus

Whether you crave Gaudi’s colourful mosaics in Barcelona, Lisbon’s forested hills or a steamy soak in Budapest’s thermal baths 🧘‍♀️, Europe offers plenty of winter sun escapes within easy reach of the UK. 

FlixBus operates affordable connections to all these European cities, making chasing the winter sun easier - and greener 💚. Our modern, comfortable coaches offer wallet-friendly fares, multiple pick-up points, and onboard amenities designed for relaxed long-distance travel. Book your trip online, in the app, at a FlixBus sales point, or directly with your driver.

So in the New Year, trade grey skies for warm sunshine, and let FlixBus’ cheap bus tickets get you there.