{"id":16056,"date":"2025-02-27T11:19:23","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T11:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorersagainstextinction.co.uk\/blog\/?p=16056"},"modified":"2025-02-27T11:19:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T11:19:24","slug":"best-european-destinations-for-early-season-sunshine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorersagainstextinction.co.uk\/blog\/best-european-destinations-for-early-season-sunshine\/","title":{"rendered":"Best European Destinations for Early-Season Sunshine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you\u2019re looking to take a romantic break on the continent, and you want to enjoy the sunshine while you\u2019re doing it, then you don\u2019t have to wait until summer is underway. There are a number of destinations, most of which are in the south, which receive plenty of sunshine as early as Spring. Travel at this time of year, what\u2019s more, and you\u2019ll tend to benefit from lower prices and sparser crowds, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But exactly which destinations are worth thinking about?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the-algarve-portugal-sun-kissed-beaches-and-charming-towns\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Algarve, Portugal: Sun-Kissed Beaches and Charming Towns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The south coast of Portugal is best known for its assortment of gorgeous beaches and wonderful little villages. The area gets plenty of sunshine throughout the year, making it a fairly safe bet for those looking for a summer holiday experience in spring. While you\u2019re in the area, you might go for a long hike amongst the cliffs and hillsides, before venturing into one of the area\u2019s many market towns to sample some of the local seafood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"mallorca-spain-mediterranean-bliss\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mallorca, Spain: Mediterranean Bliss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, and one of the most popular destinations in the world among British tourists \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/travel\/news-and-advice\/wetherspoons-chain-pubs-europe-holiday-benidorm-mallorca-b2685625.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">so much so that Wetherspoons is even considering opening a branch or two there<\/a>. It\u2019s easy to see where the appeal comes from: the beaches are pristine, the water is crystal clear, and there\u2019s a well-developed infrastructure for tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re visiting off-season, then you\u2019ll avoid the major downside of Mallorca, which is the crowding. You can stroll around some of Palma\u2019s beautiful historical sites, go hiking around the countryside, or go diving around the coast. Flights to this part of the world tend to be extremely affordable, making it a great destination for would-be holidaymakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"crete-greece-ancient-wonders-and-sunny-shores\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crete, Greece: Ancient Wonders and Sunny Shores<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the more famous of Greece\u2019s many islands (as well as being the largest), Crete offers a number of compelling features. There are amazing archaeological sites, <a href=\"https:\/\/knossos-palace.gr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">like the Palace of Knossos<\/a>, as well as stunning beaches, like those found on Elafonissi, to the south. The latter is a protected nature reserve, and can be accessed on foot when the tide is low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While you\u2019re on the island, you might pay a visit to one of the many tavernas. There, you\u2019ll be able to explore authentic cuisine. When it comes to accommodation, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.villaplus.com\/destinations\/villas-in-greek-islands\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">it\u2019s difficult to beat a villa on the Greek islands<\/a>, which will provide you with the convenience you get at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"cyprus-island-of-aphrodite\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cyprus: Island of Aphrodite<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, there\u2019s Cyprus. This island nation is steeped in history and myth, and provides plenty of amazing beaches, as well as a compelling nightlife. You might explore the Troodos Mountains on foot, or stroll along the beaches at Limassol. The country\u2019s largest city, Paphos, is home to a number of historic sites, too \u2013 and these are worth visiting at any time of year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Image: Unsplash, Mallorca, Nick Otronic<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re looking to take a romantic break on the continent, and you want to enjoy the sunshine while you\u2019re doing it, then you don\u2019t have to wait until summer&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":16057,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[200],"tags":[683,684,682,681,685],"powerkit_post_featured":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Best European Destinations for Early-Season Sunshine - Explorers Against Extinction<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover European destinations which receive plenty of sunshine in Spring. 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