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Best European cities for the sun
Searching for your sunshine fix? Check out our top European city picks.
Sunny getaways aren’t always just about kicking back on the beach. Soar off on one of our European city breaks, for example, and you’ll get culture and history by the bucketload. Not to mention, sensible levels of sun to top up your vitamin D and give your mental wellbeing a boost. So, whether you’re looking to sample French pastries in Nice or sip sangria in Spain’s Seville, read on to find our top cities in Europe for the sun.
Once you’re ready to go, check out our best city break deals.
Once you’re ready to go, check out our best city break deals.
Valletta, Malta
Average monthly sunshine: 254 hours
Malta’s capital is one of Europe’s sunniest cities, so it’s a great pick for a short break at any time of the year. The best bit?It’s super easy to navigate – it only covers one square mile – so if you’re on a short trip, you won’t spend the entire time trying to get your bearings. Don’t let its size fool you though – there’s so much to see inside the city walls, with Baroque buildings, palaces and museums all in the mix. St John’s Co-Cathedral gets most of the attention, and between its huge frescoes and gold-plated corridors it’s easy to see why. One last thing, don’t forget to pack your swimming gear – you can hop on a bus from the city and reach St Julian’s golden sands in 20 minutes.
Find out more about our city breaks to Valletta.
Find out more about our city breaks to Valletta.
Istanbul, Turkey
Average monthly sunshine: 182 hours
Over in Turkey, Istanbul is a city like no other. No, really, it’s the only city in the world to cross two continents. The Bosphorus River splits the city into two – one side is Europe, the other’s in Asia. It’s easy to tick off both on a trip here – you can catch a short ferry ride across to the other side, or hop on the subway and get there in five minutes. In the European side of the city, you can eat food familiar from home, go shopping in the likes of Zara and H&M and check out contemporary exhibitions in the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art. Things are more traditional on the Asian side, and it’s well worth a visit to see the contrast. Top tip: make sure you visit on an empty stomach – the restaurants on the Asian side will save you £££s.
Find out more about our city breaks to Istanbul.
Find out more about our city breaks to Istanbul.
Naples, Italy
Average monthly sunshine: 198 hours
A city break in Naples is a sure shot for sunshine at any time of the year – December sees the lowest amount of sunshine, and even then you’ll still have more than 100 hours to get your vitamin D boost. It makes a great base for exploring some of southern Italy’s best bits. You’re only a 30-minute drive, or train ride, from Pompeii where you can wander around the city’s 2,000-year-old streets. Sorrento is around an hour’s drive away, too – home to cute Italian trattorias, boutique shops and seaside bathing platforms. Once you’ve finished exploring, head back to Naples for dinner. If you need some help with what to order, pizza is a great go-to – the city is the birthday place of margarita pizza, after all, so there are plenty of pizzerias on the map.
Check out all the info on Naples city breaks.
Check out all the info on Naples city breaks.
Nice, France
Average monthly sunshine: 215 hours
The French Riviera AKA great weather, huge beaches and luxury resorts. And nowhere fits the bill for all three quite like the city of Nice does. The city’s old town, for starters, is a collection of narrow streets and cobbled squares surrounded by pastel buildings. A morning stroll is a must and Cours Saleya, the city’s main marketplace, is a good starting point. When lunchtime comes around, the whole area transforms into an open-air eatery – you can tuck into everything from traditional French dishes to street food. There’s an impressive art scene here, too. The Matisse Museum and the Chagall Museum are loaded with famous works, like the sculpture ‘Le Serf’ by Matisse and Chagall’s ‘Biblical Message’ collection. Afterwards, when your inner culture vulture is sufficiently filled, there’s a pebbly beach to kick back on.
Find out more about holidays to Nice.
Find out more about holidays to Nice.
Seville, Spain
Average monthly sunshine: 242 hours
Seville, in southern Spain, is a compact city full of sights that’re all within walking distance. A trio of UNESCO World Heritage Sites form a historical hub in the centre of the city, including Christopher Columbus’s tomb. Seville Cathedral is well worth a visit, too – it’s the largest Gothic church in the world. A trip to Seville wouldn’t be complete without some tasty tapas. With over 3,000 restaurants serving authentic dishes, you’re not short of options. Make sure you catch a traditional flamenco show, as well. Triana is the best place to find a flamenco bar and get your toes tapping.
Find out more about holidays to Seville.
Find out more about holidays to Seville.
Porto, Portugal
Average monthly sunshine: 207 hours
In northern Portugal, Porto is a great pick for a summer city break if you don’t fancy working up too much of sweat while you’re away. Despite a very sunny outlook, the temperature doesn’t often go above 25°C, even during July and August. It's also a great choice for a traditional taste of Portugal – the city’s held onto its charm, with authentic Portuguese restaurants, cobblestone lanes and wine cellars all making their mark. Fancy a beach day? You’ve got a stretch of white sand around a 15-minute drive from the centre of the city.
Find out more about city breaks to Porto.
Find out more about city breaks to Porto.
Athens, Greece
Average monthly sunshine: 229 hours
Greece’s capital is up next. Athens is one of Europe’s hottest capitals, with temperatures averaging a toasty 32°C in August. If you want to avoid the sizzling weather, head here in May and October when the mercury sits just above the mid-twenties. Perfect weather for a hike to the Acropolis we reckon. This hilltop icon is home to several different structures, including a temple – called the Parthenon – which was built during the fifth century BC and is dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena. If you’d rather soak up the sunshine on a beach, there are plenty of options within easy reach. Glyfada Beach is a 25-minute drive away and it’s got all you need for days on the coast – soft sand, crystal waters and a collection of beachside bars on hand for drinks.
Get all the info on Athens city breaks.
Get all the info on Athens city breaks.
All set for the city?
Check out all our city breaks.
Or if you need more inspiration, take a look at our round up of the best city breaks, get the info on the best unusual short breaks, or see Europe in a new way on a river cruise.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Alice Baker and Karl Taylor
Last updated: 26.03.2024
Check out all our city breaks.
Or if you need more inspiration, take a look at our round up of the best city breaks, get the info on the best unusual short breaks, or see Europe in a new way on a river cruise.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Alice Baker and Karl Taylor
Last updated: 26.03.2024