The best island in Europe for a winter getaway has been revealed by the Met Office. A winter escape becomes attractive for many Brits as the weather starts to get colder and the evenings start to get darker as we head further towards the end of the year. After a record-hot summer in the UK, Brits might get even more withdrawals from the heat and sunshine as we move into winter. So, a winter sun holiday might just be what the doctor ordered.

The Met Office has revealed Lanzarote to be the best European island to visit for an October sun holiday. The popular spot, which is part of the Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa, swells with visitors in the summer months, so much so that it has led to protests from locals complaining about overtourism. However, it is much quieter in October, but still boasts great weather for tourists who are looking to escape the doom and gloom of winter.

Lanzarote’s average temperature in October is 26.8C, making it the hottest destination in Europe at that time of year. Additionally, it enjoys an average of seven hours of sunshine per day in October.

“October is the perfect time to visit Lanzarote if you’re after sunshine, an average of 7 hours daily, and a comfortable peak temperature averaging 26.8C and 19C at its coolest during the night,” the Met Office said.

“Rain during this month is at most moderate, with an average of 11 mm. In comparison to the summer months, the wind speed also drops during October to around 11.1 mph.”

Meanwhile, research from the National Centres for Environmental Information says that Lanzarote only experiences one day of rain in the whole month of October, and that wind speeds can actually be lower than they are in July, when a lot more tourists are on the island.

The best place to visit in Lanzarote in October totally depends on what kind of holiday you are looking for. Puerto del Carmen is popular with Brits who are looking for bustling nightlife and cheap resorts. Meanwhile, more family-oriented holidaymakers tend to go to Costa Teguise.

There is also Playa Blanca, famous for its beaches and known to be a more relaxing destination. For those looking for a more authentic Lanzarote experience, they should consider heading to Arrecife.

Flights to Lanzarote tend to be considerably cheaper in October. Airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet offer flights to and from the island for under £100, making October an attractive month to visit if you are looking to save some cash.

The Met Office has shared its list of the best destinations around the world to visit in October, based on which have the best weather. While Lanzarote was named the best in Europe, it only placed at number 4 in the global ranking.

The Met Office‘s top ten recommendations for sun holidays in October are:

1. Cancún, Mexico — 32.9 °C
2. Marrakech, Morocco — 28.3 °C
3. Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt — 28 °C
4. Lanzarote, Spain — 26.8 °C
5. Cyprus — 26.7 °C
6. Gran Canaria, Spain — 26.4 °C
7. Kos, Greece — 26 °C
8. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — 26 °C
9. Algarve, Portugal — 23.2 °C
10. Rome, Italy — 22.4 °C