“The southern regions of Europe offer plenty of blue skies, sunshine, and mild temperatures,” writes Lonely Planet.

Lonely Planet has presented the top 10 best destinations in Europe for sunny winter holidays, and Crete is featured in this list.

These 10 destinations evoke summer in winter, according to Lonely Planet. “Europeans do not need to travel far to find places for holidaying in good weather during the winter months,” the publication states.

“The southern regions of Europe offer plenty of blue skies, sunshine, and mild temperatures. Moreover, traveling in the low season means holiday packages at lower costs, as well as exclusive travel experiences, such as beaches and villages without hordes of tourists,” according to Lonely Planet.

Crete ranks 10th on the list, providing moments of tranquility and serenity along with quality services, allowing visitors to enjoy paradise beaches like Elafonissi, explore unique historical sites such as the Palace of Knossos, discover favorite spots in Chania and Heraklion, dine in beautiful restaurants, and have fun in bars and cafes.

Lonely Planet’s List of Sunny Winter Holiday Destinations:

1. Algarve, Portugal
2. Turquoise Coast, Turkey (the southwestern coast starting from Cesme to the Gulf of Antalya)
3. Malta
4. Sicily, Italy
5. Cyprus
6. Seville, Spain
7. Canary Islands, Spain
8. Madeira, Portugal
9. Balearic Islands, Spain (Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza, Formentera)
10. Crete, Greece