"Sun instead of snow" is the motto of many Germans. As the booking platform Evaneos has found out, travelers like to spend the winter in warm places. Falstaff TRAVEL presents the top 10 winter travel destinations.
"Warmth instead of ice" is what the booking platform Evaneos calls the current trend in winter travel. According to the study, German vacationers prefer to go to places that offer significantly more sunny days than the local winter. Falstaff TRAVEL presents the top 10 most popular destinations.
While countries such as Morocco and Peru are losing some of their attention, according to the travel platform, Asian countries in particular are continuing to gain popularity. Costa Rica, Sri Lanka and Thailand top the ranking of the most popular winter destinations for German holidaymakers. From December 2025 and until March 2026 in particular, travelers will want to soak up the sun in these countries.
1st place: Costa Rica - a jewel of protected tropical nature
The period from December to April marks the dry season in Costa Rica. The temperatures are a pleasant 29 degrees. The rainforests are in full bloom and the diversity of wildlife, especially the many colorful birds, make the South American country a paradise for nature lovers. Costa Rica, a pioneer of ecotourism, reveals the adventurous, jungle-green side of the Caribbean, for example in the tropical rainforest of the Tortuguero National Park, which can be explored on waterways.
2nd place: Sri Lanka - diverse landscape in the middle of the Indian Ocean
Many come to Sri Lanka - and not just in winter - for the endless, palm-fringed beaches, while others come to enjoy the culture and cuisine or to take an Ayurveda cure. Sri Lanka boasts lush vegetation, tropical forests and rice fields, romantic lagoons and deep green tea plantations. Scattered in between are many historical witnesses: Buddhist and Hindu temples and ancient monuments tell of the island's cultural wealth and unique history.
3. Thailand - white powder beaches and culture
Thailand is known for its tropical beaches, ornate temples and diverse cuisine. In the capital Bangkok, an ultra-modern skyline rises up next to quiet settlements on the canal. Phuket, Thailand's largest island, is certainly still the main destination when it comes to satisfying the longing for sun and beach on cold winter days.
Phuket has everything that travelers could wish for in Thailand: First-class resorts, beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife.
