Contents
Winter in Spain: the sea breeze, hours of sunlight, good weather… When the cold months arrive, our bodies crave the sun! Why? Vitamin D is a micronutrient that is not produced by the body and therefore has to be obtained from other sources.
The supply of vitamin D from food is insufficient, so we need to expose our bodies to sunlight every day, especially in winter! That is why spending these months on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, where we enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine a year, is a perfect choice. This is what countries like Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg call overwinteren.
In Spain there are more than 139,000 Germans, more than 65,000 Poles, more than 51,000 Dutch, more than 39,000 Belgians… It must be for a reason, right?
Why spend the winter in Spain?
In case you still do not know why the Spanish coast is the best place to spend the winter, here are a few good reasons, but surely there are many more!
- Nice weather. The good weather on the Mediterranean coast is evident even in the ‘colder’ months. We put it in quotes because genuinely cold days are very rare. According to data from the State Meteorological Agency or AEMET, the average annual temperature on the coast of Malaga is 18.5 ºC, while on the coast of Alicante it is 18.3 ºC. When the Spanish wear a coat and a scarf, you will be wearing shorts, you will see!
- Nature. Thanks to the good weather, you can enjoy the natural surroundings at almost any time of the year. Imagine taking a walk along the beach every day, or relaxing on your terrace overlooking the mountains. Spain is the country with the largest number of certified blue flag beaches (589!) and the country has fifteen natural parks.
- Sports. The natural value of the Spanish coast can be discovered by practicing sports in spectacular natural surroundings. Yoga or beach volleyball on the beach, water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, water skiing…, mountain trails with views that will leave you speechless, bike trails through hidden villages… and, of course, golf. Golf courses on the Costa del Sol are renowned for their quality.
- Services. Living near the sea in Spain does not mean being far from the rest of the world. Coastal areas in the Spanish Mediterranean are comfortable all year round precisely because they are close to schools, shopping centres, supermarkets, airports, hospitals… and very well connected to each other. Mijas, Estepona, Denia, Calpe, Benidorm… these towns have everything!
Places to spend the overwinteren in Spain
Now that you know why it is worth moving to Spain in the winter months, we recommend the places where you can enjoy the sunlight more and better. Time to take note!
Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol, in Malaga, maintains the atmosphere of the most authentic and traditional Andalusia, while it is also cosmopolitan and contemporary. With 185 kilometres of coastline, it is one of the most coveted places due to its beaches and good weather and because it is designed for the comfort of visitors. Theatres, marinas, theme parks, spas, cultural spaces…
Reasons why we love the Costa del Sol…
- Its white villages. If you want to discover rural Andalusia, where tradition and customs are best preserved, visiting the white villages is a must. Both in the interior (Frigiliana, Casares, the villages of the Serranía de Ronda…) and on the coast (Mijas, Nerja, Estepona…), you will find landscapes that seem to be taken from paintings, streets with Arab designs, balconies decorated with flowers…
- Beaches for everyone. The Costa del Sol has beaches for all tastes (many of them have a Blue Flag). There are urban and easily accessible beaches with many services such as those of Malaga, Marbella, Torremolinos…) and others further away and more unspoilt such as those of Velez-Malaga, Torrox and Nerja. Enjoy them all year round, whether it be swimming, reading your favourite novel, walking along the shore, doing yoga in the sand… you decide.
- Golf Course. For green lovers, the Costa del Sol could not be better. Days with many hours of light and good temperature combined with a spectacular natural environment to make the most of every shot. In this article we tell you about the most renowned golf courses in the area.
- Culture. Man cannot live by the sea alone! The province of Malaga is renowned for its important museums and art galleries such as the Picasso Malaga Museum, the Carmen Thyssen Malaga Museum, the Pompidou Centre or the Collection of the Russian Museum. And there is more: Malaga has 784 assets of Cultural Interest that make up an admirable artistic, historical and architectural heritage.
Costa Blanca
Who has not heard of the Costa Blanca? It is the Spanish east coast par excellence, renowned for its miles of fine sand beaches and large towns where life revolves around the sea, such as Benidorm and Torrevieja. Nothing less than 244 km of coast for your enjoyment.
- Golden sand… and more! The ecosystem of the Costa Blanca is very diverse. In addition to the well-known long and fine sand beaches (Benidorm, Cabo Roig, Mil Palmeras, El Campello…) and the coves hidden between cliffs in the Marina Alta in Denia, Javea or Benissa, the Costa Blanca has mountains such as the Montgó and the Sierra Helada, lagoons, salt mines and natural parks: The Montgó, the Oliva-Pego Marsh, the Rock of Ifach and La Mata and Torrevieja Lagoons. And do not forget the marine reserve of Tabarca island!
- Social life. Enjoy outdoor living on the Costa Blanca. Here we love to go out! That is why many of the towns in this area are prepared for those of us who cannot stay still. Restaurants, cafes, bars, karaoke bars, museums, shopping centres… In Altea, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Alicante… Get ready, because you will not have enough free time for everything. Also, try some water sports such as sailing, kite surfing, cable-skiing…
- Corners. Like the Costa del Sol, the Costa Blanca has corners that are not as well known as the beaches, but just as incredible. For example, its castles and fortresses, the inland towns where you can breathe fresh air, the small coastal towns…
- Rice. We cannot forget the king of Alicante’s cuisine: rice. There are many different recipes. Arroz con costra or crusted rice, a banda rice, oven-baked rice… Try them at Mi Casa, Casa Filo or Casa Riquelme.
Coast of Valencia
At Sonneil, we fell in love with the town of Canet de Berenguer, only 20 km from the city of Valencia it is an ideal place for any time of the year. Here you can check out our guide to Canet de Berenguer, one of the most desirable corners of the Valencian Community.
The good life is waiting for you in all these places… At Sonneil, we help you achieve it!
