Escape the cold by jetting off to any of these destinations where summer never ends. From Malta’s sun-soaked Mediterranean islands to Dubai’s desert metropolis, each locale offers consistently warm weather, azure skies, and sun-drenched adventures any time of year. These far-flung summer paradises – Malta, Tenerife, Los Angeles, Marrakech, Buenos Aires, Florida, Cuba, and Dubai – share a common trait: mild winters and hot, sunny summers.
These eight spots all lie relatively close to the Tropics, ensuring high sun angles and long summers. Oceanic and atmospheric factors further amplify their warmth: for example, the Gulf Stream keeps Florida toasty, the Mediterranean Sea moderates Malta’s winters, and the Sahara’s hot air influences Marrakech and Dubai. In each case, “winter” months still boast mild, comfortable conditions – often perfect for outdoor adventures. For instance, Malta averages 16–18 °C daytime highs in January, while Tenerife’s winter highs hover around 21 °C. Even Dubai stays in the mid-20s Celsius by day in January.
Ocean currents and geography play roles too: the Canary Current and trade winds give Tenerife a subtropical climate, while Florida’s peninsula is warmed year-round by surrounding warm waters. High desert plateaus (Marrakech) or coastal maritime influence (Los Angeles) help prevent extreme cold. These places also often benefit from dry winters: rain falls mainly in a short season, so most months feel summery. The bottom line: each destination has exceptional sunshine (often 250+ sunny days) and warm temperatures nearly all year.
Destination | Avg Winter High (°C) | Avg Summer High (°C) | Rainiest Season | Best Months to Visit* |
Malta (Med) | 16–18 | ~29–30 | Oct–Mar (rain), peak sun Jul–Aug | Apr–Jun, Sept–Oct (fewer crowds) |
Tenerife (Canaries) | ~21 | ~29 | Nov–Apr (some rain), dry Jun–Sep | Apr–Jun, Sept–Oct |
Los Angeles, CA | ~19 (Jan max) | ~24–25 (Aug) | Nov–Mar rains (84–89mm in Jan/Feb); summer (0mm in Aug) | Mar–May, Oct–Nov |
Marrakech, Morocco | ~19 | ~37 | Nov–Feb (brief wet season ~290mm/yr) | Mar–May, Sept–Nov |
Buenos Aires, Argentina | ~16 (July) | ~30 (Jan) | Dec–Feb thunderstorms (~130mm) | Mar–May, Sept–Nov |
Florida (Key West) | ~25 (Jan avg) | ~28 (Aug) | Jun–Oct (rainy, hurricane season) | Nov–May (dry season) |
Cuba (Havana) | ~25 (Dec) | ~28–29 (Aug) | May–Oct (wettest ~821mm/yr) | Nov–Apr |
Dubai, UAE | ~24 (Jan) | ~43–44 (Jul/Aug) | Dec–Feb (25–35mm/mo); almost none May–Oct | Nov–Mar |
Malta is an archipelago in the heart of the Mediterranean. It combines historic cities with postcard beaches. Known as Europe’s sunniest country, Malta averages 300+ sunny days per year. Winter daytime highs still hit 16–18 °C while summers soar to 28–30 °C. Rain is limited to Nov–Mar (light compared to other Med locales). That means nearly every visit feels like summer. The sea temperature seldom drops below 15 °C and often stays pleasantly warm (around 16–18 °C even in winter).
Malta’s long, complex history adds depth to its warm weather. Valletta, the 16th-century capital, was built by the Knights of St. John and is rich in Baroque architecture. UNESCO highlights underscore that Valletta (55 hectares) holds 320 monuments dating back through the Phoenician, Roman and Crusader eras. Nearby, Ġgantija on Gozo (built ~3600–2500 BC) is one of the world’s oldest temples. These ancient stone sights blend with warm climate: you might tour a prehistoric temple and then cool off with a dip in a summer-blue lagoon all in one day.
Sample Activities:
– Snorkeling at Blue Lagoon, Comino (boating and kayak tours)
– Historic Valletta and Mdina tours (museums, palaces, gardens)
– Diving shipwrecks and reefs (clear Mediterranean water)
– Beaches like Golden Bay or Mellieħa Bay (sandy shores, sunsets)
– Visiting Ġgantija Temples (Gozo) and taro field ruins
Tenerife is the largest Canary Island, off Africa’s coast but politically Spain. It has a mild subtropical climate, truly warm year-round. Winter highs average ~21 °C while summer peaks near 29 °C in the south (north side is just a few degrees cooler). Rain is scarce most of the year; January (the wettest month) only gets ~41 mm. You’ll see about 6–10 sunshine hours daily, even in winter. Ocean temps stay in the low 20s °C year-round. In short, Tenerife never really cools down – swimmers and sunbathers abound in December as much as August.
Tenerife’s crown jewel is Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage volcanic landscape. Mt. Teide (3,718 m) is Spain’s highest peak, towering above “a sea of clouds” that often forms around the crater. Teide is the world’s third-tallest volcano when measured from the ocean floor. The park’s stark lunar terrain and pine forests offer surreal hiking and sunset vistas. Elsewhere on the island, Laurisilva laurel forests (UNESCO) blanket parts of the north, adding diversity to the island’s natural attractions.
Sample Activities:
– Teide National Park (hikes, stargazing, cable car to 3,555m)
– Beach outings (Playa del Duque, Playa de las Teresitas)
– Dolphin and whale boat tours (year-round sightings)
– Masca Gorge hike (remote canyon trail to the sea)
– Anaga Rural Park drives (sea cliffs, ancient forests)
– Eat fresh Canarian cuisine (papas arrugadas, local wrinkled potatoes)
LA is the archetypal sunbelt city – sprawling, scenic, and almost always warm Its Mediterranean climate offers mild winters (January highs around 19 °C) and hot, dry summers (August highs ~24–29 °C). Rain is concentrated in Nov–Mar (typically 300–350 mm annually), but summer months like July/August often see no measurable rain.
Southern California’s diverse geography yields endless summer vibes. Palm-lined beaches (Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu) stay beachy well into fall. Iconic hillside hikes (Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon) remain accessible except in rare storms. Urban gems like the Hollywood Bowl or rooftop bars flourish with outdoor concerts and skyline views under warm skies.
Marrakech – the “Red City” – offers an exotic, warm escape year-round. At ~31°N latitude and near the Atlas mountains, Marrakech has a hot semi-arid climate. Winters are mild (January highs ~19 °C) and sunny, while summers are sweltering (July highs average 37 °C, often above 40 °C with low humidity). Rain is scarce – most falls Nov–Mar in short bursts, totaling only ~290 mm per year. Nights cool off quickly in winter (down to ~7–9 °C), providing respite from daytime heat.
Marrakech’s history is as vibrant as its colors. Founded in 1070 by the Almoravids, it became a medieval Islamic capital. The famous Koutoubia Mosque (with a 77m minaret) and adjacent kasbah walls date from the 12th century. Later dynasties added treasures: the Bahia Palace (19th c.), Saadian Tombs (16th c.), and the immense Ben Youssef Madrasa (Koranic school). Much of old-town Medina (a UNESCO site) is unchanged, a walled maze of ochre alleys.
The beating heart is Jemaa el-Fna square – a UNESCO-listed cultural space. By day it hosts food stalls and storytellers; by night snake-charmers, drummers, and street vendors come alive. This open-air “theater” thrills tourists and locals with its medieval blend of music, performance, and scents of spices and grilled meats.
Buenos Aires, the “Paris of South America”, enjoys temperate weather with warm summers and mild winters. Being in the southern hemisphere (34°S), its summer (December–February) is hot and humid. January daytime highs average ~30 °C with frequent afternoon thunderstorms (Jan precip ~134 mm). Winters (June–August) are cool but not freezing: July highs ~16 °C and occasional frosts at night, with about half the rainfall of summer. Year-round, the Atlantic moderates extremes, so even summer nights rarely drop below 19–21 °C. In short, you’ll find easy winter visits (jacket optional by day) and sizzling summers perfect for tango dancing in the streets.
The city is famed for its rich culture. Stroll the Recoleta district to see Evita’s grave and elegant Art Deco buildings. Tour the iconic Teatro Colón (neoclassical opera house) and Prado Museum. Browse the colorful houses of La Boca’s Caminito street, birthplace of tango. When the sun shines (which is most days), Porteños sip coffee at sidewalk cafés, and the parks (Bosques de Palermo) fill with people jogging and picnicking.
Florida lives up to its name. Across the peninsula from Jacksonville to Key West, you’ll find mostly tropical/subtropical climate. Miami/Key West averages ~25 °C in winter and ~28 °C in summer, with the ocean rarely cooler than 22 °C in winter. The wet season spans roughly June–October (daily afternoon thunderstorms are common). Even so, sunny mornings prevail most days. Orlando and northern Florida also boast warm winters (around 20–22 °C highs) and hot summers. The only notable caveat is hurricane season (peaks Aug–Sep), when tropical storms can bring heavy rain briefly.
Florida is the ultimate year-round playground. Warm beaches border both Atlantic and Gulf coasts: think Miami’s South Beach energy or the family sands of Clearwater. Theme parks in Orlando (Disney World, Universal) thrive under year-round sun. The Everglades offer swamp-adventure tours (airboat rides) in warm weather, and spring breakers flock to Daytona. Art and nightlife pulse in cities like Miami and St. Petersburg.
Florida lives up to its name. Across the peninsula from Jacksonville to Key West, you’ll find mostly tropical/subtropical climate. Miami/Key West averages ~25 °C in winter and ~28 °C in summer, with the ocean rarely cooler than 22 °C in winter. The wet season spans roughly June–October (daily afternoon thunderstorms are common). Even so, sunny mornings prevail most days. Orlando and northern Florida also boast warm winters (around 20–22 °C highs) and hot summers. The only notable caveat is hurricane season (peaks Aug–Sep), when tropical storms can bring heavy rain briefly.
Florida is the ultimate year-round playground. Warm beaches border both Atlantic and Gulf coasts: think Miami’s South Beach energy or the family sands of Clearwater. Theme parks in Orlando (Disney World, Universal) thrive under year-round sun. The Everglades offer swamp-adventure tours (airboat rides) in warm weather, and spring breakers flock to Daytona. Art and nightlife pulse in cities like Miami and St. Petersburg.
Cuba basks in tropical warmth with a gentle seasonal shift. Havana averages ~26 °C year-round, with only slight variation. Winter (Dec–Feb) highs are ~26–27 °C and summer (Jul–Aug) ~31–32 °C. Rain falls mostly May–October (especially heavy in September, ~130 mm). Despite summer rains, brief showers cool the air, and sunny periods are still the majority. Humidity is high year-round, so nights remain warm (around 22–25 °C even in January). In essence, Cuba never sees cold weather – it’s beach or city vibes from January through December.
Cuba’s vibrancy lies in its heritage. Explore Havana’s Old Town (Viejo Havana): pastel Spanish-colonial plazas, fortresses, and five-sided Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Cruise on 1950s classic cars along the Malecón at dawn. Sample life in Trinidad, a UNESCO-listed colonial town, or trek to the Sierra Maestra mountains where Castro’s rebels hid. Cuban music and dance culture is intoxicating: from lively street salsa bands to nightly dance clubs in Havana and Santiago.
Dubai epitomizes high-end sun-drenched luxury. It is hot and dry nearly all year. Winter days (Dec–Feb) hover around 24–26 °C, pleasantly mild. But summer is extreme: July/August highs average 43–44 °C, often peaking above 45 °C. Nights in summer remain hot (~30 °C). Rain is minimal – about 100 mm annually, mostly from Nov to Mar (Feb ~21 mm). Practically no rain falls from May through October. Clear skies dominate, and desert humidity varies: near shore it can exceed 80% in summer, inland drier.
Despite the heat, Dubai’s indoor climate control makes winter the tourist high season (Nov–Mar).
Selecting the best “eternal summer” spot depends on your preferences:
Below are some decision-guiding highlights:
Criteria | Best Fits |
Tight Budget | Cuba, Tenerife, Buenos Aires |
Luxury Trip | Dubai, Los Angeles |
Beach Vacation | Florida, Cuba, Malta, Tenerife |
Cultural Focus | Marrakech, Malta, Buenos Aires |
Winter Sun | Buenos Aires, Florida, Dubai (Nov–Mar) |
Avoid Extreme Heat | Tenerife, Los Angeles, Buenos Aires (summer |
