It’s not too late to book a sun-soaked escape for later this month, particularly when one inviting  destination is just four hours from the UK, offering 21C with more than 300 days of sunshine a year.

Within the last few months, it feels as though we’ve only had so much of a glimmer of any sunshine, if that, as the British winter continues to batter the UK with chilly temperatures and grey skies. Yet it doesn’t mean we can’t find some respite from the winter slump.

In a bid to help holidaymakers find their dream winter sun escape, easyJet has put together its ‘Holiday Hotlist’ index after evaluating the average winter temperature, hours of sunshine and flight costs for a range of destinations. From their research, they found that the seaside city of Agadir in Morocco offered blistering rays of sunshine in February, without the hefty price tag.

On average, they found that travellers could bask in more than eight hours of sunshine per day, and buy a pint for an average of £1.75 and a meal for four people for just £34. Not to mention that easyJet flights start from as little as £20.99 to reach the sunny destination, in less than four hours from the UK.

As one of the most popular areas to stay in Morocco, Agadir is located in the southwest and offers stretches of unspoiled golden-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and a catalogue of luxury resorts nestled along the coast. There are a number of bustling bars in the area for a refreshing drink, and gorgeous restaurants in the sprawling hotel complexes.

Aside from the beaches, where visitors can enjoy a number of watersports, there’s the picturesque Agadir Marina with a selection of bars, restaurants and shops. It’s a charming place for a gentle stroll in the winter sun, or an ideal spot to sit outside with a glass of vino simply watching the world go by.

One visitor shared on TripAdvisor: “Great vibes down at the harbour, shops, restaurants, boat trips and jet ski hire, coffee, pizza and beer all sold here thumbs up here.” Elsewhere, there’s the Souk El Had market to explore, which offers a range of traditional products and gifts, or the opportunity to walk to the top of Agadir Oufella for panoramic views across the coast.

If you can tear yourself away from the resort pool, there are plenty of options for fun-packed day trips, including to the desert during a quad bike or camel ride. There’s also the nearby natural pool at River Valley, situated between rocky cliffs and small waterfalls, for an inviting dip.

Holidaymakers can also explore the laid-back surfing village of Taghazout, just a short drive away, or the beautiful city of Essaouira during a day trip. Yet, with its 10km-long pristine beaches and crystal-clear blue waters, you don’t need to wander far from the seaside city of Agadir.

Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK country manager, said: “With many of us ready for a break from grey skies, damp days and chilly temperatures, now is the perfect time to book an escape to warmer climes. easyJet’s unrivalled network for flights and package holidays, offers a fantastic range of family-friendly winter sun destinations across Europe and beyond, from Sub-Saharan islands to Spanish peninsula cities that are all easily accessible and affordable, for those looking to chase the sun on a budget and with ease during the long winter months.”

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