If you needed another reason to love Athens, here it is: the Greek capital has been ranked among the 10 sunniest cities in Europe, according to new research by holiday rental portal Holidu.
Analysing weather data from World Weather Online, Holidu ranked European cities based on their average number of sunshine hours per month. Athens came in at 9th place, with an impressive 261.45 hours of sunshine per monthand an overall sun score of 8.84 out of 10.
And honestly, anyone who has spent time in Athens knows that the sunshine is one of the city's greatest assets.
Athens: Where Autumn Still Feels Like Summer
While much of Europe starts preparing for cooler temperatures and shorter days as summer comes to an end, Athens continues to enjoy plenty of sunshine well into autumn.
According to the research, Athens has an average temperature of 18.38°C, while daytime highs can reach around 28°C in September and approximately 23°C in October.
This makes early autumn one of the best times to experience the city. The intense summer heat begins to ease, the streets become more comfortable for exploring, and you can still enjoy many of the things that make an Athenian summer so appealing — including outdoor dining, rooftop drinks and, of course, a swim in the sea.
From the Acropolis To The Athens Riviera
One of the things that makes Athens particularly special is how much you can fit into a single sunny day.
You can start your morning exploring the Acropolis and Parthenon, wander through the picturesque streets of Plaka and Anafiotika, stop for lunch at a traditional taverna and then head towards the Athens Riviera for an afternoon by the sea.
And unlike many European capitals, Athens gives you the opportunity to combine a major city break with a genuine beach experience without leaving the metropolitan area.
The result is a destination where history, culture, food, city life and the Mediterranean coast all come together, with plenty of sunshine as a backdrop.
Athens In The European Sunshine Top 10
Athens placed 9th overall, surrounded by destinations that are famous for their sunny climates.
Spain dominates the ranking, with Cartagena taking first place, followed by Málaga, Seville, Alicante and Murcia. Catania in Sicily came sixth, while Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Córdoba occupied seventh and eighth place respectively.
Athens was followed in tenth place by Palma de Mallorca.
The Top 10 at a Glance
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Cartagena, Spain – 282.18 sunshine hours/month
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Málaga, Spain – 277.78 hours
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Seville, Spain – 271.53 hours
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Alicante, Spain – 278.58 hours
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Murcia, Spain – 276.10 hours
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Catania, Italy – 272.38 hours
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Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain – 247.24 hours
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Córdoba, Spain – 266.23 hours
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Athens, Greece – 261.45 hours
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Palma de Mallorca, Spain – 257.24 hours
With Athens sitting comfortably inside the top 10, the research adds another reason why the capital remains such an attractive destination for visitors — particularly those looking to extend their summer well into September and October.
So, Is Athens Α Good Autumn Destination?
Absolutely.
The combination of warm temperatures, long sunny days, fewer summer crowds and easy access to the sea makes autumn an especially appealing time to explore Athens.
Whether you're visiting the Acropolis, enjoying coffee in a neighbourhood square, discovering the city's food scene or taking a spontaneous trip to the coast, there's a good chance you'll be doing it under blue skies.
And while Athens may not have taken the number one spot, 9th sunniest city in Europe is certainly something worth celebrating. ☀️
About Τhe Research
The ranking was produced by Holidu, using data from World Weather Online. The research considered European cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants and analysed average sunshine hours per month based on data from 2009–2026. Average temperatures were also included as a secondary data point, with sunshine hours and temperature normalised to produce an overall score out of 10.
To read more, please visit: holidu.co.uk
