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In search of eternal summer: Spain and Italy lead the list of Europe’s sunniest cities, giving travelers a unique chance to enjoy comfortable sunny weather for much longer than the typical three months. According to SchengenVisaInfo, these countries take the top spots in a list of 30 of the continent’s sunniest cities, proving that sunshine and warmth can be within reach here almost all year long.
Sunny-day champions are Spain and Italy across the ranking.
#1 Alicante — 349 days, about +19°C.
Sicily shines: Catania and Messina appear near the top.
Made for a longer season: city breaks, seaside walks, and mild temperatures.
Beyond Spain & Italy: France, Albania, Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria, Switzerland are also included.
A ready-made shortlist for anyone looking for “a place under the sun”.
Ranking: 30 of Europe’s sunniest cities
1. Alicante, Spain - 349 days, +19°C.
2. Catania, Italy - 347 days, +20°C.
3. Murcia, Spain - 346 days, +20°C.
4. Malaga, Spain - 345 days, +20°C.
5. Messina, Italy - 345 days, +19°C.
6. Valencia, Spain - 343 days, +20°C.
7. Nice, France - 342 days, +17°C.
8. Las Palmas, Spain - 341 days, +20°C.
9. Granada, Spain - 341 days, +17°C.
10. Palermo, Italy - 340 days, +19°C.
11. Seville, Spain - 340 days, +21°C.
12. Zaragoza, Spain - 340 days, +17°C.
13. Marseille, France - 339 days, +17°C.
14. Barcelona, Spain - 339 days, +18°C.
15. Palma de Mallorca, Spain - 337 days, +19°C.
16. Tirana, Albania - 336 days, +17°C.
17. Rome, Italy - 336 days, +18°C.
18. Athens, Greece - 335 days, +20°C.
19. Madrid, Spain - 335 days, +18°C.
20. Naples, Italy - 334 days, +19°C.
21. Bari, Italy - 333 days, +19°C.
22. Turin, Italy - 331 days, +14°C.
23. Valladolid, Spain - 329 days, +14°C.
24. Sofia, Bulgaria - 327 days, +12°C.
25. Zurich, Switzerland - 326 days, +11°C.
26. Verona, Italy - 323 days, +16°C.
27. Lisbon, Portugal - 321 days, +18°C.
28. Venice, Italy - 317 days, +16°C.
29. Milan, Italy - 313 days, +16°C.
30. Florence, Italy - 310 days, +16°C.
This list is a real treasure for anyone searching for a place under the sun. Whether you prefer Spain’s scenic coastlines or Italy’s historic corners, every city on the list promises warm memories and plenty of sunny days.
Source: unian.net
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What to do
Plan a “long season”. These cities can be great in spring, autumn, and even winter, not just during peak summer.
Mix sea + city. Many top destinations let you combine beaches with old towns, museums, and food markets.
Go for a sunny weekend. Pick one of the top-ranked cities and do a 2–3 day reset with bright light and mild temperatures.
1-day itinerary
Morning — a seaside (or riverfront) walk and coffee in the sun. Midday — explore the city center: architecture, markets, museums, or a viewpoint. Evening — a local dinner and a short stroll during golden hour.
2-day itinerary
Day 1: promenade + city center + dinner with a sunset view.
Day 2: beach or park in the morning, then a slow wander (markets/streets), and in the evening — a cultural stop or an old-town walk.
How to get there
Choose a city from the list and match flights to your dates: many sunny cities are well-connected or have airports nearby. For inspiration, start with the Admiral.Travel links included in the text (Spain, Italy, France, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Portugal, plus cities like Nice, Barcelona, and Bari).
FAQ: Europe’s sunniest cities
What does “349 sunny days” mean in the ranking?
It’s an indicator of how many days per year are sunny, according to the ranking’s source.
Which cities look warmest by average temperature?
Near the top you’ll often see +19…+21°C (for example Seville +21°C; Catania and Murcia +20°C).
Why do Spain and Italy dominate the list?
Many cities there have mild climates and a high number of clear days throughout the year.
Is this list only useful for summer travel?
Not necessarily — it’s meant to highlight places where pleasant weather can last well beyond peak season.
Are there non-coastal cities in the top 30?
Yes — Madrid, Zaragoza, Turin, and Valladolid are good city-break examples.
Which French cities are included?
Nice and Marseille appear in the ranking, both with plenty of sunny days.
How do I choose a city for a sunny weekend?
Start with the top-ranked places and pick the one with the easiest flights for your dates and budget.
Is temperature the only thing I should look at?
It’s better to combine average temperature with sunny-day counts and your travel style (sea vs. city).
Which “classic” Italian cities are on the list?
Rome, Naples, Palermo, Milan, Venice, and Florence are all included.
Are the Balkans represented in the ranking?
Yes — Tirana (Albania), Athens (Greece), and Sofia (Bulgaria) are listed.
How can I use the list to build an itinerary?
Pick 2–3 cities near the top and combine: promenade + old town + food + a relaxed day outside.
Where can I explore more destinations like these?
Open the Admiral.Travel links in the article (Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Portugal, etc.) for more ideas.
