Spring is a great time to travel if you want to avoid the crowds that many of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations attract during the summer months.
But one drawback of traveling in Spring is that you are unlikely to enjoy the exceptionally high temperatures that are near-guaranteed during the summer months.
Ready to feel the sun on your face? If you want a sun-filled spring vacation but don’t know where to go then new research can help.
GuestReady, AirBnB’s management company, has conducted new research to find the sunniest cities in Europe. The research looked at all of the most popular cities in Europe and discovered which boasted the most hours of sunshine, on average, during the spring.
Here are the top six sunniest European destinations to visit this spring:
Murcia, Spain
Murcia boasts an incredible 346 hours of sunshine on average per month, but it has so much more to offer visitors than just sunny skies. The Cathedral of Murcia is one of the most impressive and imposing in Spain, whilst Monteagudo Castle dominates the skyline.
As well as its baroque architecture, one of the other things that Murcia is best known for is its food. Sit in the pavement cafes dotted around the Plaza de las Flores and enjoy the sunshine with a coffee or tuck into tapas in tiny bars.
It’s only about a 50-kilometer drive to the coast from Murcia, and if you don’t have a car, then public transport in the region is excellent. So on particularly sunny days, why not consider heading to the beach and topping up your tan?
Catania, Italy
Located on Sicily’s east coast, Catania is an ancient port city that is not a well-known tourist destination but is well worth visiting.
Catania is loaded with personality, and there are many historical attractions to enjoy in the city. But one of the main reasons to visit Catania is to explore the enormous Mount Etna – the tallest active volcano in Europe. The volcano looms over the city, dominating its skyline.
Catania is well-known for its abundance of exceptional seafood restaurants. Why not head to La Pescheria weekday fish market, which supplies the restaurants, and is a rowdy and exciting experience?
Tirana, Albania
Visitors can enjoy 2526 hours of sunshine a year when they visit Tirana. The capital of Albania, this is a lively and bustling destination best known for its unique blend of architectural styles. Ottoman, Fascist, and Soviet-era constructions all sit comfortably side by side.
The perfect location for a sun-filled city break, visitors to Tirana can enjoy riding a cable car up Mount Dajti and taking in the spectacular views or head to the breathtaking architecture of the Hajji Et’hem Bey Mosque.
Once you’ve spent the day sightseeing, it’s time to hit the town, and you won’t be disappointed: Tirana is famous for its lively nightlife scene. Known as the party capital of Albania, you will be spoiled for choice of places to party. Why not head to Folie Terrace, the most famous nightclub in Tirana?
Alicante, Spain
With an average of 349 hours of sun each month, Alicante is a popular destination for travelers hoping to spend some time in the sun.
Located in southern Spain on the famous Costa Blanca, Alicante receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and gets incredibly crowded during the summer months, making sunny spring the best time to explore this traditional Spanish town.
Culture vultures can wander through the narrow streets of its old town, Barrio de la Santa Cruz, whilst those hoping to soak up as much sun as possible can head down to Alicante’s mile-long beaches.
Often known as the vacation destination of celebrities, Alicante is a great place to visit, but it’s the spot if you’re looking for a secret escape or hidden treasure.
Zaragoza, Spain
You can enjoy an average of 2,690 hours of sunshine a year in Zaragoza, and the city, which overlooks the Ebro River, is best known for its folklore, local cuisine, and exceptional historic landmarks.
Visitors travel from all over the world to explore the Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These buildings look particularly impressive when the sun is shining on them!
The site is made up of the Basílica del Pilar, La Seo Cathedral, and the Aljafería Palace.
If you don’t enjoy exploring historical attractions, there’s still much to enjoy in Zaragoza: It is an incredibly beautiful city with stunning aesthetics and a lively atmosphere.
Las Palmas, Spain
Las Palmas is situated on the island of Gran Canaria and boasts a year-round tropical climate. You can enjoy an incredible 2812 hours of sunshine here.
Its location just 131 miles away from the African coast means that Gran Canaria attracts year-round sun-seekers, and you can swim in the ocean here no matter what the time of year.
For this reason, it should come as no surprise that Gran Canaria’s biggest attractions are its beaches. These are a mixture of black lava and white sand beaches, depending on the part of the island you explore.
The capital city Las Palmas is also a major stop for cruise ships, attracted by its duty-free shopping.
