Carmen
Travel editor at Reisedrop · 2026-10-02
If you’re looking for winter sun from the Netherlands, 3 options quickly stand out: the Canary Islands, Egypt on the Red Sea, and Cape Verde. They seem similar because all 3 offer winter sunshine, beaches and nonstop flights, but in practice they feel quite different. The main differences are flight time, how warm the sea feels in January, how much wind you can expect, and how often you can fly nonstop from AMS, EIN or RTM. That mix is what really decides which destination suits your trip best.
Flight time: how far do you really want to fly?
The Canary Islands are usually the easiest choice if you don’t want to spend too long in the air. From AMS, and on some routes also from EIN or RTM, travel time is generally clearly shorter than to Cape Verde. Egypt often sits in between, with Hurghada and Marsa Alam as popular Red Sea winter-sun options. Cape Verde feels more like a proper long-haul-style winter break in terms of time commitment. For a one-week trip, that matters: the longer the flight, the more important it is that the destination really matches what you want.
Sea temperature in January: where does swimming feel best?
If warm water matters almost as much to you as sunshine, Egypt often has the edge. The Red Sea is known for relatively pleasant sea temperatures in January, which makes snorkeling and longer swims more comfortable. The Canary Islands are usually cooler in the water that month: fine for a dip if you’re not too picky, but less ideal for spending long stretches in the sea. Cape Verde is often appealing if you want milder Atlantic water, although wind plays a bigger role there in how comfortable the beach actually feels.
Wind and trade winds: sunshine doesn’t always mean beach weather
Many travelers focus on air temperature, but in winter the wind often makes the real difference. In the Canary Islands, conditions can vary a lot by island: sheltered resorts feel very different from exposed coasts. In Cape Verde, the trade winds are something you should factor in, especially on Sal and Boa Vista. That’s great if you like kitesurfing, breezy weather and wide beaches, but less ideal if your main goal is calm sunbathing. Egypt is often more consistent for classic beach days, especially at resorts on more protected stretches of coast.
Nonstop flights from AMS, EIN and RTM
From the Netherlands, frequency matters almost as much as distance. AMS usually offers the widest choice of nonstop flights to all 3 regions, spread across more travel days. EIN and RTM can be very convenient if you prefer a regional departure and a faster airport experience, but the selection is generally narrower and more seasonal. That means the Canary Islands are often the easiest to plan, while Egypt and Cape Verde more often depend on specific rotations. With Reisedrop’s price alert, you can spot exactly when a fare suddenly drops.
Which destination suits which trip?
The Canary Islands fit best if you want dependable winter sun, a relatively short flight, lots of choice and flexibility from the Netherlands. Egypt makes more sense if you really value warmer sea water in January, snorkeling and classic resort weather. Cape Verde suits travelers who want a more tropical feel, accept a longer flight, and don’t mind wind or actively enjoy it. If you’re traveling during Dutch school holidays, always check the official holiday calendars and book early, because nonstop flights from AMS, EIN and RTM become more in demand.
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