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We’re big fans of a beach break here at Condé Nast Traveller. Few things compare to shimmying a beach towel across a plush sunlounger, smothered in SPF (of course) and forgetting the hustle and bustle of daily life with a caipirinha in hand.
That said, once we’ve had our fill of club sandwiches and sunburn reigns on the hard-to-reach spot our seaside companion completely missed, we’re prone to itchy feet.
Luckily for Europeans, or the millions of international travellers who descend on the continent for their summer escape, many cities offer the best of both worlds – culture and caipirinhas!
Thankfully, the team at travel booking site Omio have done the hard work for us. Using weather data from Weather and Climate, they’ve published a list of the sunniest capital cities in Europe. Best of all, four of the top five are within easy reach of the beach.
Unsurprisingly, London doesn’t make the top 20 in Omio’s study, basking in an average of 1675 sunshine hours a year. The UK capital ranks 35th of the European capitals surveyed and receives 1,713 fewer sunny hours than the leader. However, Londoners do enjoy more vitamin D than cities including Prague, Amsterdam and Dublin.
5. Madrid, Spain
Average annual sunshine hours: 2,712
The Spanish capital is well known for its long, balmy summers and sharp winters, although chilly days are often pleasantly sunny. While it’s the only capital city in Omio’s top five that doesn’t have a beach within easy reach, there’s no shortage of swimming pools, from the municipal (open May - September) to those set atop the city’s glitziest hotels.
Where to stay: It’s all about the buzzy atmosphere around the emerald-green rooftop pool at BLESS Hotel Madrid, as guests mingle between busy days and late nights while the sun sets over the capital.
4. Athens, Greece
Average annual sunshine hours: 2,773
Greece’s fascinating capital city ranks fourth in the survey, attracting almost eight million travellers in 2024, many of whom are drawn in by the prospect of attraction-hopping in the city before sunning it up on the Athenian Riviera, a 37-mile stretch of beach lined with stunning resorts.
Where to stay: The Dolli, with its rooftop pool, unparalleled views and elegant interiors, tops our list of where to stay, but Monument – the ideal home away from home – also sits among our list of the best hotels in Athens. For a Riviera escape, indulge in spa treatments and lounge around at One&Only Aesthesis before plunging into the Saronic Gulf.
3. Lisbon, Portugal
Average annual sunshine hours: 2,828
We’re big fans of a long weekend in Lisbon, and the excellent number of sunshine hours is one of the main reasons we return time and time again. There’s no shortage of things to do in Lisbon and, once those pesky hills have taken their toll on our calves, there’s a fabulous choice of towns and villages just beyond that lead into the crystal clear sea.
Where to stay: Hotel das Amoreiras is the ultimate boutique bolthole, complete with a tranquil garden terrace and eye-catching decor in bedrooms and social areas.
2. Valletta, Malta
Average annual sunshine hours: 3,030
Malta’s magic has captivated many over the years, with its ancient sites and spectacular modern hotels within touching distance of each other making it the perfect destination for sun-hungry culture vultures.
Where to stay: Check into the Phoenicia Hotel, on the doorstep to the City of Valletta, offering views over the Grand Harbour and several acres of manicured gardens.
1. Nicosia, Cyprus
Average annual sunshine hours: 3,388
Nicosia, Cyprus’s divided capital city, claims the title of the sunniest capital city in Europe with a whopping 358 more sunshine hours on average than the runner-up. From here, visitors are spoilt for choice, with ancient ruins, captivating art galleries and dazzling beaches across both the Greek- and Turkish-speaking sides of the Mediterranean island.
Where to stay: MAP Boutique Hotel is the chicest address in town, with balconies watching over the comings and goings below. From the city, head to Amara, Limassol – a spectacular property with sprawling pools facing the shimmering sea.