Are you looking for a sunny place to settle or to visit? Europe holds some of the most beautiful gems in the world. However, visiting Vienna or Berlin in winter? That looks a lot less appealing than if you were to go in the summer. Five cities experience the most sun on average within the year and can you guess in which country they're located? No, it's not Austria or Germany. You see, it's all about Spain when it comes to sunshine.

This article aims to shed light on the top 15 cities that experience the most sun day in and day out across the year and then dive into the top five list, which starts with Cartagena, Alicante, Malaga, Murcia and Granada. So, without further ado, pop your suncream on and jump into this hot topic.

The Top 15 Sunniest Cities

If you're not sure where exactly to travel on your next trip, you're in luck because Holidu revealed the 30 sunniest European cities, so if you want to increase the chances of there being sunshine, then you should absolutely consider one of these 15:

  • Cartagena
  • Alicante
  • Malaga
  • Murcia
  • Granada
  • Catania
  • Sevilla
  • Cordoba
  • Marseille
  • Madrid
  • Saragossa
  • Athens
  • Palma de Mallorca
  • Nice
  • Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Although it would be fantastic to dive into detail about each of these stunning cities, if it's a lot of sun that you're after, then you are going to want to look at the top five, starting with Cartagena.

Cartagena

This is a city that is worth visiting. It has more than 3000 years of history, which means that with every sunny step you take, you're taking in years and years of ancient Spanish history. Its Roman ruins still somehow stand tall even though they are from the 1st century BC. There are so many different museums and cathedrals you can visit for the moments when you want a little shade from the delightful heat. They have a lovely port area that you can access by driving slightly south, which is great to get you a little out of the city and get a cool sea breeze going. You could say that this city perfectly blends a city escape with water and history. With an average of 19.1 degrees and 283 sun hours per month, what's not to love about Cartagena?

Alicante

A gem of a city. Situated in the southeastern Costa Blanca and the capital of the Alicante province, this city is a special one. It has some newer areas but people mainly go for its own town, which is known as Barrio de la Santa Cruz. It has many narrow streets that you can walk endlessly. Most are actually built in circles back from war times, where the hope was to confuse any traitor who entered and make them get lost and never find their way. When it comes to sightseeing, this is quite a plus, as getting lost in the sunny city of Alicante is a dream come true. With its colorful houses, there is so much brightness to this city and this is what makes it one of the best holiday destinations in Europe.

Malaga

Malaga is known for three big things: its old town, historic sites and golden beaches. Yes, you heard that right, the sun really does come in handy in Malaga, as the beach is a must. They proudly boast quite a few different beaches and all of them are better than the first. If you prefer to use the warm weather to have a spirited old town walk, that is also a great option. There are so many things to see, such as the Malaga Cathedral, Alcazaba, Castillo de Gibralfaro and the list goes on. The point is, whether you want beach, old town or city, Malaga has it all.

Murcia

If you're going to Murcia, you must go see one show-stopper, which is the Plaza Cardenal Belluga. You have never seen a plaza so beautiful. If all you did in Murcia was park yourself on a bench at this plaza and watch how the locals and the tourists intermingle, how friends make plans to meet and how restaurants boast their local cuisine, you will have seen it all. With the glistening sun shining down on you, with a perfectly blue sky above, what could be worse? The city's baroque and Gothic style makes for interesting architecture and the city's attempt to modernize some areas creates an interesting mix between old and new. 

Granada

A majestic place to spend time. As the fifth sunniest city in Europe, you won't believe how magical this place is. Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, this city is known for its medieval architecture. When you visit Granada, you see the world properly for the first time as there is such an interesting mix between nature, people and the land. It's something you have to see in person. 

It's Always Sunny

These are the five cities in Europe that you can truly say are almost always sunny. If you're looking for a tan the whole year long, why not spend a month or two in each and live the dream? There are so many activities that you can do when you're visiting and having the blue skies and sunny days above and ahead are a real treat. So, which of these holiday destinations in Europe are you off to first?