Fancy sun? These 7 places in Europe are also great in autumn

Wet feet, vitamin D deficiency, short days, thick coats – there are people who love autumn and winter. Others demonize these seasons and long for sun and warmth. I’d love to fly to the Caribbean and brave the darkness on a lounge chair in Switzerland. But we now know that traveling by plane does not have to be a must.

That’s why here are our seven tips for places where it is still sunny even in late autumn. Don’t be alarmed by the travel time: this is the bitter reality of ecological travel if you want sun and warmth in autumn or winter.

In the Sicilian capital there is no trace of winter depression, even in the winter months. With almost 20 degrees in December and the friendly Sicilians, your heart will be warm here. And what else is needed for a pleasant character? That’s right: delicious food. And you will find it on every corner of Palermo. It’s best to try the street food too – it’s worth it. If you long for crystal clear water, you should definitely take a day trip to Mondello. On the home beach of the Palermitans you will feel like you are in the Caribbean.

If we go to Italy, let’s just stick with it. Because we come to Corfu by boat. In the winter months it is much quieter there and once a year you have the sun all to yourself. With pleasant temperatures of around 15 degrees you can let the sun kiss your face on the “greenest island in Greece”. If you prefer to be a bit more active, the best way to help is by harvesting olives, which is done here in winter.

Let’s go a little slower. After such long journeys we are now visiting Marseille. In the second sunniest place in Europe (measured in hours of sunshine), vitamin D supplies can certainly be replenished. The best place to do this is on the 260 meter long sun terrace at the harbour. If you want to treat yourself to the full portion of Marseille, try the legendary Bouillabaisse fish soup.

Rije-what? The Croatian port city may not exactly be the top destination, but it is very easy to reach. And in winter the motto is: let’s go outside! In the cute town and on the boulevard it is not only the sea breeze that blows into you, but also the beautiful beaches. So be sure to pack your picnic mat and, with a bit of luck, enjoy the sun on the clear water.

Madrid is the fifth sunniest place in Europe. There are almost 3,000 hours of sunshine here every year. For comparison: in Zurich it is 1900. In the sunny city you should not miss the flea market “El Rastro”: more than 1000 traders sell antiques and other rarities here. In addition, a walk in Retiro Park is a must, especially in autumn: brightly colored leaves as far as the eye can see!

If you want to avoid the plane and still have some warmth, the easiest way to travel is to Italy. That is why Sardinia should not be missed. In November and December it is still warm up to 16 degrees. The sun shines 8 hours a day – we can only dream of that here in these months. The view of the turquoise sea is definitely better than the view of the gray mist.

This tip is not about a place with a lot of sun, but one for autumn lovers. Because colorful treetops are known to make their hearts beat faster. And probably nowhere else can you admire this better than from Hohenzollern Castle in Baden-Württemberg. The view of the yellow, green, red and almost purple sea of ​​leaves makes you forget the otherwise gray autumn.