The 16 European Cities with the Best Weather Year-Round

Nice - France, Airport, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, Airplane, France
© Jareck/ via Getty Images

Written by Kirstin Harrington

Published: November 22, 2023

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The weather across Europe is amazing! Whether you’re looking for a place to vacation or a new livable city, there’s truly something for everyone. Take a look at the European cities with beautiful weather year-round! 

1. Limassol, Cyprus

Cyprus, Europe

The promenade in Limassol allows people to get undeniably magnificent views of Cyprus.

©iStock.com/DedMityay

Starting us off is a city that looks like it belongs on the Floridian coast. Limassol in Cyprus is one of the European cities with beautiful weather year-round. It’s the second largest city in Cyprus and is a great vacation destination. 

Locals love the weather here because the summers feel long, and the weather is idyllic. Spring and fall are short but still deliver plenty of sunshine. Winters in Limassol bring the rain and are overly pretty mild. 

While the southern coast of Cyprus has fantastic weather, many people visit this area for the Cyprus Medieval Museum. This is a great rainy, winter day activity. When the weather is right, the Prokyma Sculpture Park is a must-see.

2. Nice, France

Cote d'Azur France. Beautiful panoramic aerial view city of Nice, France. Luxury resort of French riviera

It hasn’t snowed in Nice since 2018 at the time of writing this.

©Marina Datsenko/Shutterstock.com

Nice is the second largest city in France, second only to Paris. It is part of the French Riviera, which is along the country’s southeastern coast. The summers here are lovely, as the weather rarely gets too hot. 

Winter temperatures rarely dip below 40 degrees. There are nearby luxurious tourist destinations, such as Cannes and Monaco. Nice is affordable in comparison to these much fancier locations without compromising on what it offers visitors.

3. Barcelona, Spain

Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona. The Antoni Gaudi masterpiece has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Barcelona is one of the most livable cities in the world!

©TTstudio/Shutterstock.com

If you’re looking for European cities with amazing weather all year, take a trip to Barcelona. This place is so beautiful that Ed Sheeran wrote an entire song about it! There are just 55 rainy days a year, with the rest of the days being pure sunshine! 

The average humidity in Barcelona is a comfortable 72%. This city is known for its history and culture everywhere you turn. Seeing the soccer team play while you’re there is something just about every one of the 1.6 million people living in Barcelona suggests!

4. Marseilles, France

The aerial view of Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde in Marseille, a port city in France

Many people visit this area of France solely for its architecture.

©Alexey_Fedoren/iStock via Getty Images

Another French city that is perfect for people looking for an urban experience is Marseilles. This destination is just one of the cities in Europe with the best climate. You get to enjoy over 300 sunny days each year in Marseilles. 

During the winter months, the Mistral comes and brings chilly winds. Founded by the Greeks in 600 B.C., this city has no shortage of history and culture throughout. It’s also a wonderful place to spend a day on the beach and relax under the sun’s warmth.

5. Lisbon, Portugal

Aerial view of Sanctuary of Christ the King or Santuario de Cristo Rei on sunny summer day. Christ Statue in Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon has a park that takes up 10% of the municipality.

©Daria Kulkova/iStock via Getty Images

Many avid travelers will argue that Lisbon has some of the best weather in the world. This is yet another European city with roughly 300 sunny days each year. Being on the Atlantic coast, a cool breeze keeps summers from getting unbearably warm.

This city is easy to explore on foot and has some of the most unique residential architecture you’ll find in Europe.

6. Valletta, Malta

Malta has some of the highest population density in the world.

©aappp/Shutterstock.com

We can’t talk about amazing climates without mentioning Malta. Valletta is in the heart of the Mediterranean, providing people with a dreamy climate year-round. There are mild winters, making this a great destination for people who despise the cold. 

If you’re traveling alone, Valletta is an ideal destination, as it’s one of the safest places to travel.

7. Gdansk, Poland

Aerial panoramic view of historical buildings and roofs in Polish medieval town Torun

Nearly 40 million people live in Poland.

©Aleh Varanishcha/ via Getty Images

Another one of the best European cities with beautiful weather all year is Gdansk. Residents and tourists get to enjoy all four seasons in Poland. There is a wide range of climate characteristics throughout the year. 

Summers are usually pretty hot and winters can get quite chilly. You’ll find Gdansk right on the Baltic Sea. There are idyllic beaches and great weather no matter when you visit.

8. Madeira, Portugal

View of cityscape of old town of Coimbra, Portugal

The summers are hot and dry in Madeira, but the cool breeze from the ocean keeps it comfortable.

©Georgios Tsichlis/Shutterstock.com

Did you know that Madeira is a popular place to retire due to the incredible weather? Portugal may offer bustling cities for young professionals, while Madeira is a laid-back city for those looking to relax. 

Because of the ocean, there aren’t extreme fluctuations in temperatures. Summer days have an average of 75 degrees, whereas winter reaches 64 degrees here. This allows for beautiful blooms to grow around the island throughout all seasons! It’s truly a stunning location!

9. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana - Slovenia (Church and river Ljubljanica)

Ljubljana means “beloved.”

©TomasSereda/iStock via Getty Images

In the heart of Slovenia and on the boundary of a variety of climates is Ljubljana. Here you can experience continental, subtropical, and oceanic climate. Summers are balmy and winters are just cold enough. 

Ljubljana has distinct seasons that allow you to enjoy yourself outdoors all year round. This area of Slovenia experiences temperature inversion. This is when cold, moist air gets trapped under the warm air near the ground. 

10. Vienna, Austria

St. Stephan's cathedral on Stephansplatz square, Vienna, Austria

Vienna is becoming a popular city for start-ups.

©Vladislav Zolotov/iStock via Getty Images

Another one of the European cities with lovely weather year-round is Vienna. This is a popular tourist destination, no matter what type of climate you’re looking for. Austria has snowy winters and gorgeous summers. 

Many people enjoy living in Vienna because it has some of the cleanest air on the continent. There are plenty of interesting architectural designs to look at while you’re there. Don’t forget to enjoy the unique coffee culture while you’re in Austria. 

11. Athens, Greece

The Acropolis of Athens, Greece, with the Parthenon Temple on top of the hill during a summer sunset

Athens is Europe’s oldest capital.

©Sven Hansche/Shutterstock.com

Did you know that Athens gets roughly 16 inches of rain per year? It’s a relatively dry country, despite being near the water. Athens is a popular city in Greece for Americans to move to. 

The summers here are long and toasty, while the winters are relatively mild. Overall, this is a stunning city to explore and enjoy, whether you’re a local or a transplant.

12. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Adriatic Sea Dubrovnik landscape.

Dubrovnik banished slavery in 1416!

©Dreamer4787/iStock via Getty Images

One of the most beautiful cities in Croatia is Dubrovnik. It’s among the European cities that have enjoyable weather all year round. Lord Byron calls Dubrovnik the Pearl of the Adriatic with the city near the Adriatic Coast. 

Summers here are hot and dry. When fall comes around, this city gets a plethora of rain. The rainy season is generally from October through December.

13. Chania, Greece

bay of Chania at sunny summer day, Crete Greece with flowers

Less than 60,000 people call Chania home!

©Neirfy/Shutterstock.com

Next, Chania is a city in Greece and is the biggest city on the island of Crete. Here you will find a Mediterranean climate on the northern portion of the island. In the southern region, the climate mimics that of North Africa

The winters are short and mild. There is snowfall on the higher elevations, especially on the mountains. Summers are balmy without being uncomfortably warm.

14. Lucerne, Switzerland

Reuss River

The Reuss River flows through Lucerne, Switzerland.

©Pani Garmyder/Shutterstock.com

Are you looking for one of the European cities that has a mild climate all year? Consider visiting Lucerne, Switzerland. Like other cities in the region, Lucerne offers all four seasons. It’s close enough to the Alps where locals get to experience winter as well. 

With a population of around 82,000, Lucerne is one of the busiest cities in the country. There is everything that tourists and locals can enjoy. The town itself is known for the remarkably preserved beauty of the Middle Ages.

15. Malaga, Spain

Pedestrian embankment in the port area of Malaga

Malaska is the original name for Malaga.

©bbsferrari/iStock via Getty Images

Let’s take a trip to Malaga. This is among the warmest European cities throughout winter. This city in Spain has 300 days of sunshine a year! Malaga sees precipitation around 50 days per year, making it relatively dry. 

While the weather is great in this European city, many visit because it’s the birthplace of the iconic artist Pablo Picasso. With that being said, one thing locals would like visitors to know is that Malaga is one of the most expensive cities in Spain! 

16. Sardinia, Italy

Beautiful spring scenery. Colorful morning scene of Sardinia, Italy, Europe. Fantastic sunrise on Capo San Marco Lighthouse on Del Sinis peninsula. Picturesque seascape of Mediterranean sea.

Italy has over 60 lighthouses along the coast.

©Andrew Mayovskyy/Shutterstock.com

Does 66 degrees sound good to you? That’s the average daily temperature all year in Sardinia, Italy. The summers do heat up quite a bit, but not in an uncomfortable sense. In fact, there’s practically no humidity and a near-constant cover of sunshine. 

The winters get chilly, yet rarely drop below 40 degrees. It does rain a bit in the colder months, but you won’t have to shovel out your car from several inches of snow like other places around the world! This is easily one of the best European cities with amazing weather year-round.

Summary of the European Cities With Beautiful Weather All Year

RankCity
1Limassol, Cyprus
2Nice, France
3Barcelona, Spain
4Marseilles, France
5Lisbon, Portugal
6Valletta, Malta
7Gdansk, Poland
8Madeira, Portugal
9Ljubljana, Slovenia
10Vienna, Austria
11Athens, Greece
12Dubrovnik, Croatia
13Chania, Greece
14Lucerne, Switzerland
15Malaga, Spain
16Sassari, Sardinia, Italy


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About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

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