For most places in Europe, winter extends from December to February. Temperatures are known to reach a minimum of around -41 to -50 degrees Fahrenheit. The season can be considered dark by a few hours of sunshine in some countries and the days are considered shorter than the nights. There are some cities that benefit from considerable sunshine, even if it is winter. There is a lot to see and do in Europe, even in winter, including Christmas markets in several cities. The figures mentioned are based on the average number of hours of sunshine that each city received in January. 2018.
The sunniest cities in Europe
Nice, France
Nice is a city in the south of France. The city had an average sunshine of 158. The climate in Nice is a warm, summer Mediterranean climate which makes winters mild. The minimum average temperature is around 41 ° F. Nice attracted the attention of European upper-middle-class families who, in the 12th century, used to spend their winters there because of the pleasant climate. The city would be a great destination for people who plan to visit Europe during the winter, and they would prefer to get some sun.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, Spain. Barcelona experiences a humid subtropical climate and the climate is pleasant all year round. Snow is scarce in the city due to the city’s proximity to the warm sea and the lowest average temperatures are between 59 ° F and 48 ° F. Barcelona is one of the most prosperous cities in the world and is an important tourist center in Europe. Barcelona is one of the ten most visited cities in Europe in winter.
Athens, Greece
Athens is the capital of Greece and is known for its sunny weather. The city covers an area of 15.04 square miles and is one of the oldest cities in the world. Athens has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers, and it rains less than in other parts of Greece. The lowest average temperature recorded is 20.3 ° F. Athens is a charming city with many ancient Greek buildings which constitute a tourist attraction. Athens is one of the most popular destinations in Greece. The Greek necropolis is one of the biggest attractions in the city.
Other cities that reached the top 10
Turin, Italy, Bucharest, Romania, Lille, France, Vienna, Austria, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Paris, France and Dublin constitute the eight remaining cities which still benefit from considerable hours of sunshine in winter. All cities received at least an average of 60 hours of sunshine in winter. January is considered the coldest month in most European cities. Despite the weather, winter can be a great time to visit Europe for budget travelers, as it is considered to be the slow period in the tourism sector. Cities would make wonderful holiday destinations if you like a little sun and would still like to experience winter in Europe.
10 of the sunniest cities in Europe in winter
| Rank | City | Sun hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nice, France) | 158 |
| 2 | Barcelona, Spain) | 149 |
| 3 | Athens (Greece) | 129 |
| 4 | Turin (Italy) | 112 |
| 5 | Bucharest (Romania) | 71 |
| 6 | Vienna, Austria) | 70 |
| 7 | Lille (France) | 66 |
| 8 | Amsterdam, Netherlands) | 63 |
| 9 | Paris, France) | 62 |
| 10 | Dublin, Ireland) | 59 |