Spring, is the season of light and sun. The favourite of so many... Because who doesn't like sunny days? The warmth of its rays revitalizes us, wakes us up and makes our souls happy.
It's no wonder then that those who are tired of the bleak, dark winter months want to escape to sunny places with long days and warm nights.
So if you are looking for cities where the sun is almost guaranteed. Using data from World Weather Online, Holidu, the travel site has tallied up the average number of hours of sunshine per month and created the ultimate guide to finding your next perfect vacation destination, with the sunniest cities in Europe.
This is the ranking, from 11 to 1:
At 11, Seville
The top 11 is completed by the impressive Seville, the capital of the Andalusian region, in the south of Spain. It is a historic city of dreams for lovers of culture, tradition and tasty tapas. Spring is, without a doubt, one of the ideal times to visit them as its temperature is around 23 degrees and the sun has a special shine.
At 10, Palermo
Palermo, the capital of Sicily, enjoys an average of 340 hours of sunshine per month. Rated as a cultural melting pot, this city offers tourists authentic Sicilian street food, the largest opera house in Italy, and many historic buildings listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
At 9, Granada
The mythical Spanish city of Granada enjoys about 341 sunshine per month. The Andalusian city is full of history, romance, magic and beautiful corners. One of the best plans is to walk through the narrow streets of the Albaicín neighbourhood, which will take you to witness one of the most incredible sunsets in the world in front of the Alhambra.
At 8, Las Palmas
This island of the Canary archipelago offers 341 hours of sunshine per month. It is an ideal place during the months of March to June, or between October and November, as temperatures in Las Palmas reach an average of 21 degrees. Playa de Las Canteras, a 3-kilometre long sandy beach, attracts visitors throughout the year.
At 7, Nice
In seventh place, we have Nice, the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department and located on the Côte d'Azur. Nice, with its 342 hours of sunshine per month, offers visitors sandy beaches, excellent bars and restaurants, an abundance of cultural and architectural offerings and, to top it off, fantastic weather.
At 6, Valencia
Valencia is the sixth sunniest city in Europe, with an average of 343 hours of sunshine per month. Located on the southeast coast of Spain, it is a true delight for a city break combined with a beach getaway. You can visit the famous museum of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, or stroll through its streets and squares full of tapas bars.
At 5, Messina in Sicily.
In fifth place, with an average of 345 hours of sunshine per month, is the Italian city of Messina, the third-largest city on the island of Sicily. This city is a thriving cruise ship tourist destination and offers a wide range of beautiful coastlines to choose from as soon as you dock in the city.
At 4, Malaga
This city on the Costa del Sol, with its 345 hours of sunshine per month, is a very popular tourist destination throughout the year, but especially during the hot summer months, for its beaches and its summer leisure activities. In addition, Malaga also has a great cultural offering and the Picasso Museum is a must.
At 3, Murcia
The third place, with 346 hours of sunshine per month, is occupied by Murcia, a city that has a historic centre and wonderful works of architecture, such as Plaza Cardenal Belluga. Nearby, the beaches and coves of the so-called Costa Cálida are an unbeatable sun destination at almost any time of the year.
At 2, Catania
Another Italian city makes an appearance in this ranking. Located on the eastern coast of Sicily, it lies at the foot of the famous active volcano, Etna. It boasts 347 hours of sunshine per month, its baroque old town, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and beautiful beaches where you can enjoy the sun and free time.
And at Number 1, Alicante
Alicante is the sunniest city in Europe! With an average of 349 hours of sunshine per month, this is the ultimate destination for sun-seeking travellers. The city is known for its stunning Costa Blanca coastline, which offers wide public beaches where you can sunbathe on the sand or jump into the water and try out some water sports. As if the sunny weather wasn't enough, Alicante is a beautiful city, with a colourful old town, an abundance of museums, historic sites, a variety of excellent restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.