A Weather Analysis Found the Mediterranean Spots With the Most Sunshine Through Fall to Keep Summer Vibes Going

The sunniest of them all: Izmir, Türkiye

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With 295 hours of sunshine in October and 25 sunny days per month in the winter, Izmir, Türkiye makes for the perfect destination for those who want to get very far away from the cold and the rain.

With a nickname like “The Pearl of the Aegean”, you know this city is going to be good. For one, it’s got 390 miles of coastline and 49 Blue Flag beaches where you can make the most of the weather and sunbathe, swim, or partake in water sports. Also, because it’s been continuously inhabited for 8500 years, it’s packed with historic sites including the city’s agora and the aqueducts of Kızılçullu. Izmir is also very close to the immensely famous and very impressive archeological sites of Ephesus and Pergamum, two ancient Greek cities listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites that anyone would be remiss not to check out.

Second best: Valencia, Spain

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While everyone is heading for Barcelona, go a little further south on the Balearic Coast, and make your way to the city of Valencia, where there’s a total of 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. Visit in October and you’ll be rewarded with 275 hours of sunshine and an average temperature of 77 degrees. In November and December, when everyone at home is bundled up in woollen hats and thick socks, it’s also pretty good, with 247 hours of sun and an average high temperature of 68 degrees.

Valencia is located on the coast so, of course, you can spend all your time getting a tan on the 12 miles of beautiful beach, but you should probably also check out the city’s impressive sighs. The Valencia Cathedral, home to the Holy Chalice, no less, should be on your must-see list, along with La Lonja (the Silk Exchange) a Gothic monument listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the beautiful Central Market, the biggest market with fresh produce in Europe. The City of Arts and Sciences, a gigantic and futuristic cultural and architecture complex, shouldn’t be missed either.

Bronze medalist: Tunis, Tunisia

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Tunis, the largest city and capital of Tunisia, located on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, is one for the sun-seekers. Visit in October and enjoy 272 hours of sunshine and an average high of 79 degrees. In November, the temperatures hover around 70 degrees and there are 218 hours of sun. Even throughout the winter the weather stays extremely clement with an average of 27 sunny days per month.

La Marsa Beach is a good place to make the most of the good weather, but the huge UNESCO-listed Medieval Medina, with its souqs and monuments, should really be your first stop. A visit to the archeological site of Carthage, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, should also be pretty high on your list of priorities, along with the colorful Zitouna Mosque, which is best observed from the rooftop at Café Panorama in the Medina.

Other Mediterranean destinations with over 200 hours of sunshine per month in fall and winter

• Athens, Greece: 265 hours of sun in October on average, and about 220 monthly hours of sunshine in November and December
• Valetta, Malta: 263 hours of sunshine in October and more than 209 hours of sun in November
• Marseille, France: 262 hours of sun in October on average, and around 239 hours per month throughout the winter