The many Christmas markets in Munich and the surrounding area make December bearable even for enemies of the German winter. By January at the latest, however, many people are probably wishing they could just get on a plane and fly away to warmer climes. The good thing is that it doesn’t necessarily have to be the Caribbean or the Maldives. There are also places in Europe where you can still experience pleasantly warm temperatures even in winter.
Off to the south, chasing the sun
Summer, sun and sunshine await you on Gran Canaria. The average annual temperature on the Spanish island is a maximum of 23.9°C and a minimum of 19°C. In December, January and February, the thermometer here still reaches between 20.5 and 21.5°C. The water is only around 1 to 2°C colder, which is why you can even go swimming. The Canary Island owes its pleasant temperatures to the trade winds and the Sahara winds. The trade winds cause precipitation in the north in the form of fog, which is why this part of the island is more humid, whereas the south is more strongly influenced by the dry Sahara winds.
So if you value not only warmth but also dryness, the south is the right destination for you. The towns of Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Puerto Rico and San Agustín are particularly popular destinations here. The capital Las Palmas, on the other hand, is located in the north and, with more than 380,000 inhabitants, is the most populous of the island and the Canary Islands in general. Due to the mild temperatures that prevail on the Canary Islands all year round, they are also known as the “islands of eternal spring”.
The almond trees blossom in winter on Gran Canaria
While the trees here are bare in winter and exude a certain dreariness, the almond blossom on Gran Canaria begins at the end of January. White and pink blossoms sprout from the branches of the trees and bring spring fever in the middle of winter. There are around 200,000 almond trees on the island, transforming it into a flowering dream in pink and white. Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh immortalized the splendour in his oil painting “Almond Tree Branches in Bloom”.
To fully enjoy the magnificent natural spectacle, you can go on an almond blossom hike or visit an almond blossom nest. There are some beautiful hiking routes around Tejada and Valsequillo that take you right past the almond trees and allow you to see the sea of blossoms up close. Almond blossom festivals are also held in the same regions, where you can sample almond delicacies. The almond shells are also used to make jewelry.
Culinary highlights on Gran Canaria
One of these almond delicacies is bienmesabe, which literally means “tastes good”. This dessert is an almond cream with egg yolk and honey. Those who prefer something hearty can eat papas arrugadas with mojo sauce. These are jacket potatoes with a salt crust, which are a typical side dish on the Canary Islands. If you like it spicy, eat it with mojo rojo, but you can also opt for mojo verde if you like coriander.
As Gran Canaria is surrounded by the sea, you will of course find a wide selection of fish and seafood dishes here. In the north, Sardina del Norte is particularly popular; in the south, you will rarely find it. Here you can try the parrotfish instead or try the fried octopus.
From Munich to Gran Canaria
If you decide to go on vacation to Gran Canaria, you can book a direct flight from Munich Airport. From here, it takes a little under five hours to arrive in the sun. Prices are relatively cheap at the beginning of the year and thanks to the short time difference of just one hour , you don’t have to worry about jet lag.
Gran Canaria is very diverse and offers you mountains and valleys for hiking as well as the sea and beach. You can choose between a big city or a village, depending on whether you prefer it more lively or quieter. The Canary Island is the perfect place for those who want to escape the winter here.