If you are in need of your next dose of vitamin D after the dreary winter months and are not sure where to go, look no further. Holidu, the holiday rental portal, has analysed data from World Weather Online to find the European cities where the sun shines the most. Read on to discover the ultimate travel guide to escape the rainy spring weather.

1. Cartagena, Spain – avg. 283 sun hours per month

With an average of 283 sun hours per month, Cartagena in Spain ranks in first place as the sunniest city in Europe. Located in the southeast region of Murcia, this historic port city is considered by some to be a Spanish hidden gem, since tourists often visit more well-known cities such as Barcelona and Valencia instead. However, Cartagena has a lot to offer, from its 1st century BC Roman Theatre and charming old town, to its Concepción Castle offering scenic views of the city and harbour. All of this comes with the added bonus of limited tourist crowds!

2. Alicante, Spain – avg. 279.2 hours of sun per month

Another win for Spain, the beautiful city of Alicante ranks in second place with an average of 279.6 sun hours per month. Alicante is a particularly popular holiday destination thanks to its location on the Costa Blanca, making it known for its white sandy beaches and pleasant weather. Apart from relaxing on its beaches, tourists can enjoy Alicante’s Old Town full of picturesque white houses, the Santa Bárbara castle overlooking the coastline and city, as well as the city’s vibrant nightlife.

3. Malaga, Spain – avg. 279.3 hours of sun per month

Rounding off the top 3 is yet another Spanish city – Malaga, with 279.3 average sun hours per month. As one of the oldest cities in Europe and the birthplace of legendary artist Pablo Picasso, Malaga is not only known for its beautiful beaches, but also for its historical and cultural sites. The Alcazaba of Malaga, a stunning Moorish fortress dating back to the 11th century, as well as the Picasso Museum are must-visits in this vibrant city. The nearby cities of Ronda, Granada and Cordoba are also ideal day trip destinations for those wishing to explore more of the Andalusia region.

The top 10 ranking is completed by:

4. Murcia, Spain | 277.0 sun hours per month
5. Granada, Spain | 274.4 sun hours per month
6. Catania, Italy| 273.7 sun hours per month
7. Sevilla, Spain| 273.4 sun hours per month
8. Cordoba, Spain | 268.2 sun hours per month
9. Marseille, France| 266.1 sun hours per month
10. Madrid, Spain| 265.4 sun hours per month

Other sunny spots in Europe

If none of these top 10 destinations tickle your fancy, fear not, as there is an abundance of other options for you to choose from. Perhaps the beautiful island of Majorca? Where sun, sea, sand and sangria can be enjoyed all day long. Holiday rentals in Majorca are gorgeous too, some boasting private pools, well-kept gardens and sea views – tempted?

Another great choice would be to head to Greece, where you will also be met with beautiful landscapes, fascinating history and some of the most mouth-watering food in Europe.

Interested in some more weather information?

You can also find on Holidu our research and information about the snowiest cities in Europe and the rainiest cities in Europe.

Methodology:

All European cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants were considered. This ranking was made using data from World Weather Online. The average number of sun hours per month in each city for the years 2009 to 2025 was extracted. With this data from World Weather Online, we then calculated the overall average number of sun hours per month using the average from each month of the year. The average temperature (via World Weather Online) was also collected as a secondary data point, but not used as a ranking metric.