"Winter sun" is used loosely in golf travel — some places are genuinely hot in January, others are simply milder than home. So we did the honest thing and ranked our winter destinations by average January daytime high, alongside the flight time, so you can weigh warmth against
“Winter sun” is used loosely in golf travel — some places are genuinely hot in January, others are simply milder than home. So we did the honest thing and ranked our winter destinations by average January daytime high, alongside the flight time, so you can weigh warmth against how far you want to travel. Green fees and transfers are in every price; the temperature is the one thing we can’t arrange.
Winter-sun golf destinations, ranked by January temperature
| # | Destination | Jan avg high | Flight from UK | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mauritius | 30°C | ~12h | Tropical and green — and the courses are at their best in the European winter. |
| 2 | Western Cape, South Africa | 26°C | ~11h | Southern-hemisphere summer: warm, long days on Fancourt and the Garden Route. |
| 3 | Dubai & Abu Dhabi | 24°C | ~7h | Reliable warmth and floodlit desert championship golf. |
| 4 | Canary Islands | 21°C | ~4.5h | The warmest short-haul winter golf you can reach — genuine sun in January. |
| 5 | Agadir, Morocco | 21°C | ~3.5h | Morocco’s warmest corner: 300 days of sun on the Atlantic coast. |
| 6 | Marrakech, Morocco | 19°C | ~3.5h | Red-earth desert golf, the snow-capped Atlas behind the green. |
| 7 | Paphos, Cyprus | 17°C | ~4.5h | Mild and bright, four courses within a short coastal drive. |
| 8 | Costa del Sol, Spain | 17°C | ~2.5h | The classic winter-golf coast — playable and busy in January. |
| 9 | Western Algarve, Portugal | 16°C | ~2.5h | Cooler than the brochure suggests, but crisp, quiet and cheap in January. |
| 10 | Belek, Turkey | 15°C | ~4h | Mild, not hot — shirt-sleeve golf on empty championship courses at half the summer price. |
| 11 | Mallorca, Spain | 15°C | ~2h | A short hop for mild, uncrowded golf when the mainland is booked. |
Temperatures are long-term January climate averages (mean daytime high). Real conditions vary year to year; we’ll give you the honest picture for your dates.
Warmest short-haul: the Canaries and Agadir
If you want real January warmth without a long flight, two names lead at about 21°C: the Canary Islands and Agadir on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Both are under five hours from the UK and both deliver sun you can sit in, not just golf you can play. Marrakech is a couple of degrees cooler but drier, with the Atlas as a backdrop.
Where our specialists would stay in Canary Islands
Warm but mild — and why that’s not a bad thing
Further down the table, Belek, the Algarve and Mallorca sit at 15–16°C. That is mild, not hot — but 15°C and dry is far better golfing weather than 5°C and wet at home, the courses are near-empty, and the prices are a fraction of summer. If you want a tan, fly further; if you want a proper round in a jumper for half the money, this is the sweet spot.
Our specialists’ favourite stays in Canary Islands
What our golfers say
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Having used Golf Planet Holidays for our Golf trips for a number of years, we of course got in touch with Nigel and Simon to arrange this years trip to Tenerife. As always the trip was arranged exactly as requested and the team at Golf …
Golf Planet Holidays always find us a good location and the facilities we want to make the trip tailored to our needs. The staff offer good advice and present different options. They helped us choose this 10day trip to play golf in Gran Canaria and we…
Stayed at Lopesan Costa Melanoras. Fantastic hotel. Didn't feel too large as there is plenty of space and the gardens are extensive. All golf tee times booked for us at 4 different courses just a short distance from the hotel. Variety of courses :Anfi Tauro and…
What a golf break here costs by month, ES
| 0.86 | 0.92 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.11 | 1.12 | 1.03 | 1.01 | 0.94 | 0.87 |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
What is the warmest golf destination in January?
Of the places we sell, Mauritius is the warmest in January at around 30°C, followed by South Africa’s Western Cape (26°C) and Dubai (24°C). All three are long-haul; the Canary Islands and Agadir are the warmest short-haul options at about 21°C.
Where can I play golf in the sun in January without a long flight?
The Canary Islands and Agadir on Morocco’s Atlantic coast are the warmest short-haul choices at around 21°C, both under five hours from the UK. Marrakech, Paphos and the Costa del Sol follow at 17–19°C.
Is Belek warm enough for golf in January?
Belek averages about 15°C in January — mild rather than hot, but dry and very playable, and far better than a British winter. The courses are quiet and prices are roughly half the summer rate, which is why many golfers prefer it in winter.
Come and play with us
Wherever you're travelling from, you're welcome on a Golf Planet hosted tour — a small group, a host with you from the first tee to the last, and every round, transfer and dinner taken care of. You just bring the clubs.
