Chase the sun: Europe's sunniest cities revealed, with Alicante topping the list
Using data collected from the "World Weather Online" service from 2009 to 2021, Holidu has listed the sunniest European cities. The ranking is based on comparing the average monthly sunshine hours recorded in 300 of the continent's most populous and popular cities.
Plenty of sun to enjoy
Fans of the sunbathing and natural vitamin D should consider a trip to Alicante, which is recognized as Europe's sunniest city. In this Spanish town, locals can expect an average of around 349 sunny days a year, along with an average temperature of approximately 68 degrees F. Alicante not only offers a fantastic climate, but also boasts beautiful sandy beaches, top-notch hotels, and an appealing city center. A flight from Poland to Alicante takes about three hours with round trip tickets typically starting from around $120.
Securing the second position is the Italian city: Catania, nestled directly at the foot of the famous volcano Etna and home to a unique baroque-styled old town. With only around two days less sun per year than Alicante, this Italian metropolis is a close contender. The third spot was clinched by the southern-Spanish city of Murcia, which draws many water sports enthusiasts.
Top 10 sunniest cities
Spanish and Italian cities clearly dominate the top of the list. The top ten sun-drenched cities also include:
- Malaga (Spain)
- Messina (Italy)
- Valencia (Spain)
- Nice (France)
- Las Palmas (Spain)
- Granada (Spain)
- Palermo (Italy)
In the next set of ten, cities from other countries like Tirana (Albania), Athens (Greece), and Sofia (Bulgaria) feature. Moreover, in the third group, you can find Zurich (Switzerland) and Lisbon (Portugal).
Source: Holidi
