The Sunniest Countries in Europe

An often overlooked factor but one of the most important factors for happiness is, you guessed it, sunshine. Vitamin D is created in the skin when it is in direct contact with sunlight, and vitamin D is crucial to promote bone calcium and retain phosphorus. Beyond the internal workings of vitamin D, many also call it the ‘happy vitamin that comes from the sun’ because as almost everyone will know, a few moments in the sunshine can not only immediately boost one’s mood but also create a lasting sense of joy throughout the day. The warmth and happiness qualities associated with sunshine are what have made many travelers keen on finding countries in Europe. 

A recent study was published which outlined the countries that receive the most sunlight, plus the cities therein, which is what this article aims to share. A handy guide for those travelers seeking the sun!

Sunny Spain

The country that has the sunniest city is located in Spain. It is true that Malaga is Europe’s sunniest city, with an average of 280.20 hours of sunshine per month. If you divide that by an average of 30 days per month, Malaga experiences roughly 9.30 hours of sunshine per day. Seeing as daylight is usually only around 10 – 12 hours, this is a massive amount of sunshine. Other cities that boast sunny days are Alicante, Murcia, Madrid and the list goes on. Out of the top 30 cities that bear the most sun, nine of them are in Spain. 

Sunshine suits Spain and for travelers looking to soak some of it up, you are in for a treat as there is much you can do in terms of warm outdoor activities in this beautiful country. Travel along the coast and find some of the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen, rent a bicycle and cycle through the small roads of one of the cities while watching the sunset above you or simply grab a fresh ice cream and park yourself along one of the many beach promenades.

All Roads Lead to…Italy

The saying goes “All roads lead to Rome” but if you take a look at where the sunshine points, there are actually 10 cities that boast stunning summery weather, including Rome. Italy is a breathtaking city that experiences vast amounts of sunshine. The days feel super long during the summer months, as the sun is early to rise and late to set, just like the people of Italy, where the party gets started early in the morning over a crisp espresso and baked goods and lasts until late at night over a carbonara pasta with a glass of red wine. There are many wonderful things you can do in Italy. Go south to visit some of the most beautiful beaches, stay in the center to partake in hot city days or travel north to Milan and wear your most fashionable summer dresses.

Viva France

One of the countries that experiences a lot of sunshine in Europe is France. There are two cities in particular that you must visit if you are looking for a date with sunshine and these are Marseille, Nice and Toulouse. Marseille is on the bigger side and you might have heard about the famous soccer team that comes from there, which is quite a fun thing to do on a summer’s day – go and watch a live and local soccer game. Nice and Toulouse are much smaller but have the perfect environment for sunny days. Nice boasts some of the most beautiful beaches on which restaurants actually have a designated space on the beach where they have stunning lounges lined up for guests. 

Conclusion

There are so many beautiful places to visit if you are looking for some extra vitamin D. The ones mentioned above are the highest ranking in sunshine but do not forget to visit Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Croatia, Hungary or Slovakia if you are looking for more spots for your next summer destination.