Whether it's cold outside or the temperature is climbing, the temptation to drop everything and escape to sunnier climes is never far away.
Wondering where to run off to? Don't worry, we've got you covered.
Here are 12 European beach resorts worth a visit.
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Papagayo Beach, Lanzarote, Spain
Spain's Canary Islands archipelago, sitting off the west coast of Morocco, is a well-known destination for both summer and winter sun thanks to its year-round sunshine, with temperatures reaching around 24°C in November and 20°C in December.
While every one of the islands boasts stunning beaches, Lanzarote is home to what's considered the most striking in the archipelago.
Set among volcanic hills, the shell-shaped Papagayo is the gateway to a series of secluded stretches of white sandy coastline. But its best feature is actually hidden beneath the surface: the waters below the Coloradas bay, which borders Papagayo, are home to Europe's first underwater museum, the Museo Atlántico.
Perfectly positioned right beside Papagayo Beach, Casa Angelina offers a wonderful view over the volcanic landscape, along with fantastic dishes of fresh paella.
The four-star THe Mirador Papagayo hotel sits on Las Coloradas beach and is also within easy reach of Papagayo Beach.
Nearest international airport: Lanzarote Airport, sometimes called Arrecife (ACE)
La Concha, San Sebastián, Spain
Spain's La Concha, also known as Playa de las Conchas, lies within the shell-shaped Concha bay, home to Mount Urgull.
It has even received a royal seal of approval: Queen Isabella II came here for her therapeutic baths on her doctor's recommendation back in the 19th century.
The beach sits in the coastal city of San Sebastián in the Basque Country, which has long been a family favourite thanks to its sands (Playa de Gros is another highlight), not to mention the weather, which is mild and warm all year round.
While it's sunniest here from June to August, the sea temperature in November is still around 15°C.
The three-star Akelarre restaurant, run by Pedro Subijana and overlooking the Bay of Biscay, serves superb eight-course tasting menus.
Built in 1912, the María Cristina hotel stands on the famous La Concha beach and is a favourite haunt of the stars. Past guests include Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis and Julia Roberts.
Nearest international airport: Bilbao Airport (BIO)
Zlatni Rat, Brač, Croatia
The most photographed beach in Croatia, Zlatni Rat sits on the southern coast of the island of Brač, in the Dalmatia region.
This spit of land, reaching out into the Adriatic Sea, is surrounded by a Mediterranean pine grove that holds the remains of an ancient Roman villa.
The wind here means one side takes the full brunt of it, making it a great spot for surfers.
The area enjoys a mild climate all year, though it's worth noting that the winters can be unpredictable. Even so, Croatia is a year-round destination, with plenty of big events taking place over the Christmas and New Year period.
Set in the village of Donji Humac, Konoba Kopačina serves Brač specialities such as vitalac, skewered lamb offal wrapped in lamb.
Made up of 23 suites/maisonettes and 12 rooms, the adults-only Lemongarden is one of the finest hotels on the island of Brač.
Nearest international airport: Split Airport (SPU)
Myrtos, Kefalonia, Greece
Set at the foot of a row of towering limestone cliffs, Myrtos looks like something out of a film, because it is. The stunning beach had a cameo in the 2001 movie "Captain Corelli's Mandolin", and its turquoise waters and white sands are even more breathtaking in person.
Kefalonia is the largest of Greece's Ionian islands, with a warm Mediterranean climate that peaks at 30°C in summer. It stays fairly mild in the shoulder season, with an average high of 13°C, and it's certainly quieter, so you'll have the beach to yourself (well, almost).
Tassia is a family-run seafront restaurant serving quality Greek cuisine made with the finest ingredients from local producers.
Overlooking Sami bay, the stylish Odyssey hotel offers an outdoor pool, a spa and a gym.
Nearest international airport: Kefalonia International Airport (EFL)
Balos Beach, Crete, Greece
Crete isn't just the largest island in Greece, it's also one of the hottest thanks to its proximity to Africa, and it stays fairly warm through November and December.
With a coastline stretching 1,046 kilometres, it's an ideal destination for dedicated beach lovers.
Balos beach and lagoon in Kissamos, Chania, is one of the most scenic spots on the island. It's a protected nature reserve home to around 400 plant species, an estimated 25 of which are endemic to Crete.
The island, once the heart of the oldest European civilisation, is also home to various Minoan historical sites, so there's plenty to see beyond the white sands.
The Gramboussa restaurant, located near Balos, boasts a wonderful view of the neighbouring Kissamos bay and offers a sophisticated menu of traditional dishes.
Styled as an island retreat, the Kaliviani Traditional hotel is just nine kilometres from Balos Beach.
Nearest international airport: Chania International Airport (CHQ)
Grand Sable Beach, Belle-Île-en-Mer, Brittany, France
Set off the coast of Brittany in northwest France, the island of Belle-Île-en-Mer is a paradise for Instagrammers. The "beautiful island" boasts several old fortresses and a magnificent coastline with 60 beaches.
While the choice is vast, the prize for most striking goes to the fantastic Grand Sable beach. Stretching for three kilometres, it's one of the rare convex beaches in Europe and a firm favourite among visitors to Brittany's largest island.
Travellers flock to Belle-Île-en-Mer in the summer months, especially in August, when the annual opera festival takes place. While the island is at its warmest during this period, it sees less rain and much milder winters than the mainland.
The 180° restaurant at the Castel Clara hotel lets guests savour the island's finest produce while taking in a panoramic view of its coastline.
Set on a cliff, the Castel Clara hotel stands on the Belle-Île-en-Mer coast overlooking Goulphar bay and has two restaurants and a spa.
Nearest international airport: Dinard-Pleurtuit-Saint-Malo Airport (DNR)
Porto Santo, Madeira, Portugal
The Portuguese island of Madeira lies in the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 1,000 kilometres from mainland Portugal.
The average temperature here varies little through the year (though it's slightly warmer in summer), but the waves can be better in autumn and winter, making it a great time for surf lovers.
Around the capital, Funchal, there are plenty of dazzling beaches, as well as a wonderful natural volcanic swimming pool in Porto Moniz. Our top pick, though, is on the neighbouring island of Porto Santo, north of Madeira.
This stretch of sand is as tranquil as they come, with plenty of dive sites hiding beneath the water. Christopher Columbus once lived on Porto Santo, and the main town of Vila Baleira is home to a museum dedicated to the Italian explorer, set in his former residence.
Set in the historic fortress of São Tiago, the Do Forte restaurant is one of the finest places to dine in Madeira.
Designed by the renowned architect Ricardo Bofill, The Vine hotel has a spa as well as a restaurant with three Michelin stars.
Nearest international airport: Madeira Airport (FNC)
Chia, Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia's six-month warm season is one of the many reasons it remains such a popular beach destination. The island enjoys sunny weather from May to October, and while it turns cooler in autumn, temperatures at this time of year can still reach 17°C.
While the area has no shortage of beautiful beaches, some of the most remarkable are found in the coastal village of Chia, on the southwest coast.
The main beach here is Baia Chia, which boasts white sand, golden dunes and turquoise waters that are perfect for snorkelling and diving.
Its biggest draw, though, is that it sits in front of a lagoon that serves as a breeding ground for flamingos, meaning you can spot flamingos (and sometimes dolphins) in the distance while you soak up the sun.
The Mirage restaurant serves traditional Sardinian dishes using only local ingredients.
The 41-room Aquadulci hotel is a few minutes' walk from Su Giudeu and Baia Chia beaches.
Nearest international airport: Cagliari Elmas (CAG)
Scala dei Turchi, Sicily, Italy
As on Sardinia, Sicily is not short of stunning beaches, but Scala dei Turchi (which translates as "Stair of the Turks") certainly takes the prize for the most spectacular backdrop.
Mother Nature has shaped the limestone coastline here into what can only be described as a natural staircase, as beautiful as it is dramatic, leading down into the blue waters of the Mediterranean below.
It sits in Agrigento, one of Sicily's oldest cities, on the southern coast. Known as the "City of Temples", it's home to architectural landmarks such as the Doric temples that stand in the nearby Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
While the region is at its hottest in August, the climate is mild all year, so there's really no such thing as a bad time to visit.
Just a five-minute walk from Scala dei Turchi, the Majata restaurant serves local food on the seafront.
The four-star Scala dei Turchi Resort sits just 300 metres from Scala dei Turchi and boasts stunning views of the majestic white rock formation.
Nearest international airport: Comiso Airport (CIY)
Ölüdeniz Beach, Ölüdeniz, Turkey
Set on Turkey's Turquoise Coast, this famous lagoon beach is one of the most recognisable sights in the country.
Surrounded by rugged mountains, its crystal-clear waters have a shade of blue so dazzlingly beautiful that you'll want to dive straight in.
The appeal of the "Dead Sea" (as it's nicknamed) means it's packed with tourists in summer, so visiting in the low season will give you more room to breathe (and sunbathe). Ölüdeniz is also one of the country's best destinations for tandem paragliding.
The Inci restaurant is an authentic Ölüdeniz spot with plenty of Turkish classics on the menu.
The La Boutique Maya hotel is just 700 metres from Ölüdeniz Beach and offers 30 soundproofed rooms.
Nearest international airport: Dalaman Airport (DLM)
Butterfly Valley, Turkey
Because it's a protected area, visitors heading to Butterfly Valley in Turkey's Fethiye have to take a boat trip or scramble down an incredibly steep cliff to reach it, but the undeveloped beach is well worth the effort.
Although it takes its name from the roughly 100 species of butterfly found here between June and September, it's actually a wonderful beach to visit almost all year round. While die-hard beach fans prefer to camp here overnight in tents, there are plenty of accommodation options in central Fethiye, which is popular with families, and in the neighbouring beach resort of Ölüdeniz.
Fethiye's fish market is surrounded by small restaurants where you can have your fish cooked after buying it, making for a unique dining experience.
With just 15 rooms and suites, the luxurious Casa Margot hotel has an ultra-exclusive feel and is perfectly located right in the centre of Fethiye.
Nearest international airport: Dalaman Airport (DLM)
Hammamet Beach, Tunisia
Yes, we're aware that Tunisia isn't in Europe, but when the summer sun sets over the northern Mediterranean, we're happy to stretch the boundaries to include a warmer spot.
Bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara, this North African country is synonymous with golden beaches and sparkling waters. Its main beach town, Hammamet, is nicknamed the "Tunisian Saint-Tropez" for its nightlife and incredible coastline.
The 10-kilometre beach here curves around the Cap Bon peninsula, with plenty of different sprawling stretches. Meanwhile, the medina, enclosed by 15th-century walls, is where you'll find the souks, spice markets, hammams, a cultural centre and the Great Mosque.
Le Barberousse sits high on the medina walls, overlooking Martyrs' Square and the old town, with a varied menu heavy on seafood.
The Sindbad beach hotel rises above Hammamet bay and has rooms built in the Moorish bungalow style, surrounded by a lush garden.
Nearest international airport: Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN)
