Warmth does not have to be expensive – but only if you take the low season and know a few rules. Here are the destinations where a week of winter sun realistically stays under 800 francs. I checked the package prices on Swiss travel portals on 7 November 2026 (cheapest date December to March, per person in a double room); they change daily, so always check yourself. And honestly, as always: I know Andalusia, the Algarve, Marrakech, Budapest and Gran Canaria myself – Hurghada and the Turkish Riviera I know from friends who all came back delighted; there I pass on their recommendation and the figures.
Four packages from CHF 486: flight, hotel, often all-inclusive
In winter Mallorca is a different island: empty beaches, almond blossom from late January, hotels at half price. Many hotels on Playa de Palma and in Santa Ponsa stay open and offer half-board packages from around 500 francs. If you want the quiet side: my Mallorca page.
Hotels auf MallorcaThe cheapest real beach weather in winter from Zurich. The big resorts (Pickalbatros, Jaz, Sunrise) cost 490 to 720 francs per person in January with all-inclusive – flight included. The trade-off is resort instead of country; if you want to see more, add Luxor.
Cheap because it's too cool for swimming: in winter you pay for five-star resorts with heated pool, hammam and full board what a three-star costs in summer. Good for anyone happy with 16 degrees in the sun who wants peace and quiet.
Europe's most reliable winter warmth, but a little dearer: Playa del Inglés (3 stars) from 622 francs, Costa Calma on Fuerteventura (4 stars) from 628. I was in Playa del Inglés myself one winter, many years ago – dunes, promenade, sun every day, and I enjoyed it. The Canaries are full in January and February – book early or take March.
If the Canaries are too cool for you in January: Cape Verde is properly warm, dry and windy in winter – long sandy beaches, kitesurfers, small villages. Friends of mine have just been there and came back delighted. A week in a 4-star resort with flights starts at about CHF 800–1,200, so just above this list – but beach weather is guaranteed. More on my page Insider tips from my circle of friends.
Hotels auf SalYou'll find these prices with the Swiss package operators (Hotelplan, TUI Suisse, Migros Ferien, Kuoni, ab-in-den-urlaub.ch); I compared them on 7 November 2026. As soon as I work with one of them I'll put the link here – until then: compare prices at two operators, they often differ by 100 francs for the same hotel.
Four destinations to book yourself: how I do the maths
My winter favourite: Zurich–Málaga flights in January often cost 120 to 250 francs return, plus a hotel on the Estepona promenade for 60 to 90 francs a night in a double room. That's 600 to 750 francs per person for a week – with Ronda, Gibraltar and the white villages on your doorstep. My hotels there: Grand Hotel Las Dunas (much cheaper in winter) and The Flag Hotel in the old town.
Hotels in Estepona Mietwagen ab MálagaIn winter the Algarve is empty and mild, and the rocky coast around Carvoeiro is at its best for walking. Flights to Faro from around 150 francs, a holiday flat with sea view from 70 francs a night. The Tivoli Carvoeiro, where I stayed with Lion, costs about half the summer price in January – that makes 800 tight, but doable. More on my Algarve page.
Unterkünfte in Carvoeiro Ferienwohnungen (Vrbo)The cheapest week of warmth with plenty to see: flights from 150 to 300 francs, a riad in the medina with breakfast from 50 francs a night for a double room. Plus the souks, the Jardin Majorelle, a day trip into the Atlas. Bring a jacket for the evenings – in January it drops to 6 to 8 degrees.
Riads in Marrakesch Ausflüge ab MarrakeschWarmth works differently too: the thermal hotels on Margaret Island have the healing water in-house, half board and bathrobe included, from about 100 francs a night per person. With flights from around 100 francs you're at 500 to 650 francs for four nights – with Budapest on your doorstep.
Ensana Thermalhotels BudapestFive rules to keep it under 800
- Low season means low season: not from 20 December to 6 January and not in the February school holidays – there the same packages cost double. The cheapest weeks are 10–20 January and all of March.
- Fly Tuesday to Thursday: with flight plus hotel, the weekday alone makes a 50 to 150 franc difference. For packages, search with “flexible dates ± 3 days”.
- Book as a pair: all prices here are per person in a double room. Travelling alone adds the single supplement – then better Marrakech or Andalusia, where rooms are cheap.
- All-inclusive only where it pays: in Hurghada and Turkey yes (there's little outside the resort). In Mallorca, Andalusia and Marrakech take breakfast only and eat out – cheaper and better.
- Compare, don't just search: the same hotel is often 100 francs apart at two Swiss operators; with flight plus hotel, look at Booking.com with cancellation until shortly before, in case the flight price drops.
What I can say from my own experience
The Costa del Sol in January: 10 degrees and sea fog in the morning, sun and 18 degrees on the promenade from eleven, jacket again in the evening. Not beach weather, but walking, cycling, golf, eating outside – and a country that hasn't shut down. The Algarve is similar, a bit windier. Marrakech is the warmest of my four by day but cold at night; a riad with heating and a roof terrace is the right choice. And Budapest is my answer for anyone who doesn't want a long flight: after two hours in the 36-degree thermal pool, winter is forgotten. For more destinations and longer stays: Warm in winter and Travel for seniors.
Your budget tip
Do you know a hotel, a holiday flat or a trick that keeps a week of warmth under 800 francs? Write to me – I check the tips and add the best ones here with your first name.
← All seasonal tips