Want to Escape the Cold? Here Are the Sunniest, Warmest Seaside Getaways This Winter

According to a January 2026 report on seaside winter getaways, Dubai is the best coastal destination to visit during this cold season. The study by the digital entertainment platform JB examined 30 waterfront cities across the world based on climate, affordability, and entertainment options.

• Dubai is the top choice among seaside destinations for winter, with the warmest  30°C temperatures and over 20 restaurants in every neighborhood to dine out.
• The Maldives experiences the longest sunny days from December to February, with nearly 12 hours of daily sunshine and average temperatures of 27 °C. 
• Southeast Asian getaways offer the best hotel rates during the cold season, with Da Nang listing rooms for just $19 per night while Phuket averages $45.

To identify the best winter seaside destinations, the research measured multiple travel factors in each city, including safety ratings, daily sunny hours during winter months, and average winter temperatures. The study also considered the availability of hotels and their costs, as well as the number of restaurants and entertainment options. By combining these factors, each city received a final score from 1 to 100.

Here’s a look at the top 10 winter seaside destinations:

Destinations	Daily Sunny Hours(winter months)	Average temperature(winter months)	Average Hotel Price (per night in USD)	Number of Restaurants per 10 km2	Entertainment Venues & Activities per 10km2
Dubai, United Arab Emirates	10.2	29.6 °C (85.3 °F)	$97.1	24	13
Phuket, Thailand	11.6	26.77 °C (80.2 °F)	$45.2	73	19
Da Nang, Vietnam	11.2	21.83 °C (71.3 °F)	$18.7	14	9
Maldives, Maldives	11.9	26.9 °C (80.4 °F)	$130	30	2
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates	10.6	20.47 °C (68.9 °F)	$87	26	11
Cancún, Mexico	10.9	24.1 °C (75.4 °F)	$55.2	9	5
Maui, United States	10.9	24.7 °C (76.5 °F)	$279.9	3	2
Essaouira, Morocco	10.2	16.3 °C (61.3 °F)	$38.1	39	111
Lisbon, Portugal	9.4	11.87 °C (53.4 °F)	$45.0	620	49
Hammamet, Tunisia	8.5	20.5 °C (68.9 °F)	$71.6	33	10

You can access the complete research findings here.

1.  Dubai, the United Arab Emirates

• Daily sunny hours: 10.2 hours
• Average temperature: 86°F (29.6°C)
• Average hotel price: $97 per night
• Restaurants per 10 km²: 24
• Entertainment venues per 10 km²: 13

Dubai is the world’s best seaside escape for this winter. Temperatures reach 30°C during the season, hotter than nearly every other coastal city in the winter months. Dubai can also work well for families and solo travelers, reporting one of the lowest crime rates with an 84/100 safety score. Hotels here run about $97 per night on average, half what you’d pay in places like Maui or Costa Navarino in Greece. 

2.  Phuket, Thailand

Phuket ranks second as one of the most affordable winter destinations. Hotel rooms in the city cost just $45 per night, making week-long stays possible without breaking your budget. With 27°C temperatures and 11.6 hours of sunshine daily, visitors here can go swimming and enjoy up to 20 outdoor activities, like island tours or adventure sports. Phuket is also known for its cuisine and offers more than 70 restaurants in every neighborhood. 

3.  Da Nang, Vietnam

Da Nang takes fourth place as the most budget-friendly winter beach city. Hotels cost just $19 per night here, less than what you’d spend on lunch in most Western beach towns. The weather works in your favor too, with comfortable 22°C temperatures and over 11 hours of sunshine for outdoor activities. The low crime rate is another major draw for Da Nang, as the city scores 76 out of 100 in safety index, making it one of Southeast Asia’s most secure coastal cities.

4.  Maldives

The Maldives comes next with the longest sunny days of any winter destination. The island nation gets 12 hours of sunshine daily, giving visitors maximum beach time with 27°C temperatures. Despite its luxury reputation, hotels average $130 nightly, sitting in the mid-range like the Canary Islands. Tourists here can also enjoy local cuisine within walking distance from their hotels, as the Maldives offers around 30 restaurants in every major part of the island.

5.  Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi rounds out the top five as the safest winter getaway. The emirate scores 89 out of 100 on safety measures, showing the lowest crime rate among all coastal cities studied. Winter temperatures sit at 21°C here, cooler than Dubai but still comfortable for beach activities and outdoor dining at more than 2.5K restaurants around the city. Hotels in Abu Dhabi are also more affordable than European alternatives, costing about $87 per night on average.

The CEO of JB commented on the study: 

“Southeast Asia is getting more popular among American and European travelers, and it’s no surprise Da Nang and Phuket made the top five. These cities are actually better to visit during winter; summers there bring rainy seasons that aren’t as enjoyable. The same goes for Dubai, which ranked first. Visiting there during the summer can be too hot, so winter is the better choice.”