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30. Genoa, Italy -

Genoa, the capital of one of the most powerful maritime republics for over 700 years, from the 11th century to 1797, enjoys an average 215.0 hours of sunshine per month and an average monthly temperature of 14.2°C (57.56°F). Pictured is Piazza De Ferrari, the city's main square.

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29. Padua, Italy -

Padua is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Padua, founded in 1222 and where figures such as Galileo Galilei and Nicolaus Copernicus taught or studied. The city basks in 219.2 hours of sunshine per month and enjoys an average monthly temperature of 14.6°C (58.28°F). Pictured is the historical center of  Padua, the blue roof of Palazzo della Ragione clearly visible.

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28. Porto, Portugal -

The second largest city in Portugal, Porto is world renowned as the global center of the port wine trade: the first wines known by this name were shipped in the second half of the 17th century. An average 219.3 hours of sunshine bathes the city per month, while the average monthly temperature is 15.6°C (60.08°F). A pair of traditional rabelo boats, used for centuries to transport port wine from the Douro Valley to the city's cellars, are pictured on the river.

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27. Milan, Italy -

Milan, the second-most-populous city in Italy after Rome, receives an average 220.1 hours of sunshine per month, while monthly temperatures hover around 14.2°C (57.56°F). Pictured is the 15th-century Castello Sforzesco.

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26. Bologna, Italy -

An average 222.2 hours of sun per month bathes Bologna, while average monthly temperatures linger around 14.7°C (58.46°F). This aerial view of this city shows the beautiful Piazza Maggiore.

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25. Valladolid, Spain -

Valladolid is known for the 1550–1551 Valladolid debate, the first moral debate in European history to discuss the rights and treatment of Indigenous people by European colonizers. The city receives an average 232.1 hours of sunshine per month, with monthly temperatures on average around 12.8°C (55.04°F). Pictured is the Academia de Cavalaria.

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24. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain -

Often referred to simply as Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands, enjoys an average 233.1 hours of sunshine every month. Monthly temperatures rarely dip below 19.9°C (67.82°F). Among the city's visitor attractions is the 16th-century Catedral de Canàries.

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23. Lisbon, Portugal -

On average, the sun shines over the capital city of Portugal 237.6 hours per month, while the average monthly temperature is 16.9°C (62.42°F). Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, first settled in 1200 BCE. Above all else is Castelo de São Jorge, the splendid views from which take in the city and river below.

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22. Turin, Italy -

The capital city of Italy's Piedmont region, Turin receives on average 241.1 hours of sunshine per month. The average monthly temperature is 12.4°C (54,32°F). One of Turin's most recognized landmarks is the Mole Antonelliana (a mole in Italian is a building of monumental proportions). It houses the Museo Nazionale del Cinema (National Museum of Cinema).

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21. Messina, Italy -

The harbor city of Messina in Sicily is warmed by an average 241.7 hours of sunshine per month. Monthly mercury levels, meanwhile, average out at 18.2°C (64.76°F). Messina is one of the Mediterranean region's cruise ship tourism hubs.

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20. Naples, Italy -

Naples is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city in Italy, after Rome and Milan. Founded by the Greeks in the 1st millennium BCE, Naples is warmed by an average 242.9 hours of sunshine per month, while the monthly temperature averages 17.6°C (63.68°F).

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19. Montpellier, France -

The French city of Montpellier is a Mediterranean crossroads known for its significant Spanish population, heritage, and influence. Sun hours average 247.1 per month, with temperatures averaging 15.8°C (60.44°F). Pictured is Place de la Comédie.

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18. Palermo, Italy -

The Sicilian capital is bathed by an average 247.4 hours of sunshine per month, with a corresponding temperature of 17.9°C (64.22°F). Palermo is noted for its history, culture, architecture, and gastronomy.

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17. Rome, Italy -

Rome is generally considered to be the cradle of Western civilization, its history spanning 28 centuries. The "Eternal City" soaks up an average 247.5 hours of sun per month, with temperatures averaging out at 16.7°C (62.06°F).

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16. Bari, Italy -

Southern Italy's most important city, the Adriatic seaport of Bari absorbs an average 248.9 hours of sunshine per month, with temperatures never lower than 17.7°C (63.86°F) for much of the year.

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15. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain -

Santa Cruz is the capital of the island of Tenerife, a European vacation hot spot. Sunshine falling here averages 251.1 hours per month. Temperatures are equally balmy, with a monthly average of 20.4°C (68.72°F).

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14. Nice, France -

Nice receives an average 252.5 hours of sunshine per month. The city, located on the French Riviera, also enjoys an average monthly temperature of 15.2°C (59.36°F). Pictured is the city's famous Promenade des Anglais next to the beach.

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13. Palma de Mallorca, Spain -

Palma de Mallorca, the capital and largest city of the Balearic Islands, boasts 259.0 hours of sun per month. A very agreeable monthly temperature of 18.3°C (64.94°F) also keeps things warm and dry.

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12. Athens, Greece -

Athens' recorded history spans over 3,400 years to make the Greek capital one of the most fascinating and historic cities in the world. Sunshine hours average 261.6 per month, while the average monthly temperature lingers around 18.4°C (65.12°F).

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11. Zaragoza, Spain -

The astonishing 17th-century Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar is one reason to visit Zaragoza. Another is the weather. The city receives on average 264.5 hours of sunshine per month, complemented by an average monthly temperature of 15.5°C (59.9°F).

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10. Madrid, Spain -

Madrid can bake during the summer months, but the amount of sunshine falling on the Spanish capital generally averages 265.4 hours per month. Meanwhile, the average monthly temperature levels out at around 15.6°C (60.08°F). Pictured is the ornate Palacio de Cibeles.

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9. Marseille, France -

Located in southern France on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is overlooked by the landmark basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde. Sun time over this busy port city averages 266.1 hours per month. The average monthly temperature is 16°C (60.8°F).

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8. Córdoba, Spain -

Home to notable examples of Moorish architecture such as the 13th-century Mezquita-Catedral, Córdoba is also renowned for its authentic flamenco. Average monthly sunshine falling over this Andalusian city adds up to 268.2 hours, while the temperature averages a comfortable 18.6°C (65.48°F).

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7. Seville, Spain -

Spain's Andalusia region also embraces equally historic Seville, a city whose visitor attractions include the Real Alcázar de Sevilla and Catedral de Santa María de la Sede. The sun over Seville shines an average 273.4 hours per month, while the temperature averages 19.3°C (66.74°F). Pictured is Plaza de España.

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6. Catania, Italy -

Catania in Sicily is a busy sea port overshadowed by Mount Etna, one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe. Heating things up further is sunshine, which falls over Catania an average 273.7 hours per month. The average monthly temperature is 18.6°C (65.48°F).

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5. Granada, Spain -

Back in Spain's Andalusia region, Granada receives an impressive 274.4 hours of sunshine per month. Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the city's average monthly temperature lowers to a cool 15.5°C (59.9°F). Pictured is the magnificent Alhambra.

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4. Murcia, Spain -

Founded in 825 by the Moors, Murcia is located on the Segura River and is roasted by hot summers but benefits from mild winters. Average sun hours number 277.0 per month. The average monthly temperature is an agreeable 18.4°C (65.12°F).

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3. Málaga, Spain -

Málaga is one of Europe's top holiday destinations on Spain's Costa del Sol. It lies third in the table of sunniest cities, averaging 279.3 hours of sun per month and recording on average a monthly temperature of 18.9°C (66.02°F). Besides a collection of stunning beaches, Málaga is celebrated as being the birthplace of influential artist Pablo Picasso.   

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2. Alicante, Spain -

In second place is Alicante, which lies on Spain's Costa Blanca. The city broils in an average of 279.6 sun hours per month, while monthly temperatures average 18.5°C (65.3°F). Pictured is a view of Alicante's lofty Castillo de Santa Bárbara. The city's cathedral is visible bottom left.

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1. Cartagena, Spain -

And Spain wins again, with Cartagena ranking in first place as the sunniest city in Europe. Cartagena averages an enviable 283.0 sun hours per month. The average monthly temperature, meanwhile, is a cozy 19.1°C (66.38°F). The city is famed for its 1st-century BCE Roman amphitheater and charming old town.

Sources: (World Weather Online) (Holidu) (Sur in English)

See also: Europe's most picturesque small towns and villages

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