10 Airports That Are Perfect for Winter Sun Plane Spotting

Let’s face it, if you live in northern Europe the winter can be pretty bleak, and isn’t very inspiring for heading out to do some plane spotting.

In fact, with the dark, cold weather, it can feel like you don’t add a registration to your logbook or photo to your camera reel for months on end.

But with a little bit of effort, there are some places that are easy to get to and served well by low-cost airlines which offer some winter sun plane spotting, and the benefit of Vitamin D boosting sunshine to get you through the dark months at home.

Here are some ideas of places you may wish to book a quick trip to for some winter plane spotting:

Malaga, Spain

At the heart of the popular Costa del Sol in southern Spain, Malaga is one of the country’s busiest airports and served by most of Europe’s low-cost and leisure airlines. Fares in the winter can be very affordable, and the weather sunny. Expect highs of 20 degrees during February.

Larnaca, Cyprus

Out in the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus remains a warm, sunny place year-round. Larnaca is the island’s busiest airport, and has some interesting airlines flying in regularly from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The most popular spotting location, particularly if runway 22 is in use, is Mackenzie Beach. It is a good place to relax with good opportunities to photography of landing aircraft.

Tenerife South, Spain

The Canary Islands off the coast of Africa are a year-round holiday spot thanks to their warm temperatures and winter sunshine. Because they are a year-round destination they are well served by airlines from across Europe and you can find some affordable prices.

Whilst Tenerife has two airports, South is the busiest and sees better weather than the often fogbound North airport.

Marrakech, Morocco

Popular with low cost carriers such as easyJet and Ryanair, and also a hub for Royal Air Maroc. Marrakech Menara is a joint civil-military base, with the passenger terminals to the south of the runway.

The airport is quite close to the city, so movements can often be seen from its various attractions and hotel rooftops if you are enjoying a holiday in this warm, sunny spot. Spotting is possible from Avenue Guernassa which links the airport to the city – particularly if arrivals are from the east.

Fuerteventura, Spain

Another of Spain’s Canary Islands, Fuerteventura is a busy airport with year-round links to destinations acrosss Europe, as well as year-round sunshine and warmth.

There are good spots for photography and logging from the perimeter track on the east side of the runway, as well as from El Matoral villlage near the terminal.

Faro, Portugal

The main airport serving Portugal’s popular, and sunny, Algarve region is a good option year-round. Many choose to visit in the winter to enjoy the climate and golf. But for spotters, there are good options for logging and photographing aircraft along the perimeter track along the south side of the runway, easily reached by car.

Look out for a derelict Boeing 727, as well as plenty of low-cost and leisure airlines from across Europe.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Another busy Spanish holiday airport, Palma in Mallorca enjoys highs of 17 degrees C during February and March, which is warm enough to be outside.

Always busy, the airport sees many airlines from northern Europe – particularly Germany and the UK – flying in daily. You can rest up at the Hotel Beatriz Playa, which has views of aircraft on approach, or head to the spotting locations along the southern perimeter track.

Madeira, Portgual

One of Europe’s most interesting airports to spot at, thanks to the clifftop location of the runway which often leads to unstable approaches and dramatic landings. The island of Madeira has a year-round mild climate, and can often be very affordable in the winter outside of the busy tourist season.

Airliners arrive from across Europe, with many links to Portugal and the Azores. Spot from the terminal viewing area, or the hillside spot overlooking the airport.

Malta

The island of Malta is always popular with tourists. In the winter it is mild, with little rainfall and plenty of sunshine.

Malta’s main airport is home to KM Malta and a hub for various low cost airlines including Ryanair. It is busy with holiday flights from across Europe, as well as regular flights from Italy and North African countries. Lufthansa Technik also have a base here, bringing in unusual aircraft. Spot from the terminal terrace, or the viewing platform near the runway.

Have you done much plane spotting this winter? Where did you go? Leave a comment below!

World Airport Spotting Guides

For more inspiration on where to go plane spotting, why not try our guidebook World Airport Spotting Guides. This latest update features hundreds of airports in 50 different countries, guiding you to the best spots and explaining what you’ll see. Includes tips on spotting hotels, too.

Buy A Copy Here

Title image: (c) Alan Wilson