Moving overseas advice

Sunniest city in the world

Key takeaways

The sunniest city in the world is Yuma, Arizona, in the United States, which receives around 4,015 hours of sunshine annually.
The sunniest cities in the US are Yuma (Arizona), Phoenix (Arizona), Las Vegas (Nevada), Fresno (California), and Tucson (Arizona).
The sunniest city in Europe is Malaga, followed by Alicante and Murcia, all located near the southeastern coast of Spain.

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What is the sunniest city in the world? | Sunniest cities in the US | Sunniest city in Europe

What is the sunniest city in the world?

The sunniest city in the world is Yuma, Arizona, in the United States, which receives around 4,015 hours of sunshine per year, according to data gathered from the United Nations' World Meteorological Organisation. On average, Yuma basks in 13 hours of daily sunlight during the summer and 11 hours in the winter.

For sun lovers considering a move overseas, below are four other sunniest cities in the world outside the US to provide even more inspiration:

1. Aswan, Egypt

The North African tourist hotspot of Aswan in Egypt receives approximately 3,863 hours of sunlight annually and an astonishing 375 hours of sun during July alone, its warmest month.

Located within the Sahara Desert, Aswan's arid climate produces little rainfall, further contributing to the consistent sunshine. The Egyptian city experiences extremely high temperatures throughout the year, with summer months averaging over 40°C (104°F).

Camels walking on a beach in front of skyscrapers in Dubai

2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Due to its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer and position within the Arabian Desert, Dubai enjoys over 3,500 hours of annual sunlight and a dry, subtropical climate, making it a popular destination for sun-seeking expats.

Between June and September, temperatures frequently exceed 40°C (104°F), accompanied by high humidity levels, making air conditioning essential. In contrast, the winter months offer a more pleasant climate, with daytime temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F).

3. Perth, Australia

Perth, the capital of Western Australia and the country's sunniest city, boasts an impressive average of 3,200 hours of sunshine yearly. This abundance of sunlight is mainly due to its location on the southwestern coast of expat-hotspot Australia, where a Mediterranean climate prevails.

The city enjoys hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. From December to February, temperatures often soar above 30°C (86°F), with cooling sea breezes, known locally as the "Fremantle Doctor", offering welcome relief in the afternoons. Winter brings cooler temperatures and the majority of the city's annual rainfall.

Surfer walking across a beach in Salvador in Brazil

4. Salvador, Brazil

Brazil's coastal city of Salvador basks in around 2,800 hours of sunshine annually, creating ideal conditions for outdoor activities like strolling through the historic Pelourinho district or relaxing on Porto da Barra beach.

Its location near the equator ensures consistent daylight hours and a tropical climate with high humidity year-round. Average daytime temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F), however, the cooling breezes off the Atlantic temper the heat. Rainfall is more frequent from April to July, but even during these months, showers are typically brief and followed by sunshine.

When does the Northern Hemisphere receive the fewest direct rays from the sun?

The Northern Hemisphere receives the fewest direct rays from the sun around the 21st or 22nd of December each year. Known as the winter solstice, this is when the Earth's tilt is furthest from the sun. As a result, daylight hours are at their shortest, and the sun's rays strike the surface at a lower angle. In contrast, during the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives more direct sunlight and longer daylight hours because the North Pole tilts towards the sun.

Yuma takes the top spot, receiving over 4,000 sunlight hours annually, including an astonishing 13 hours daily during the summer.

Sunniest cities in the US

The sunniest cities in the US are Yuma in Arizona, Phoenix in Arizona, Las Vegas in Nevada, Fresno in California, and Tucson in Arizona, according to a 2024 study by realtors Redfin. Each city lies in a state west of the US's Sun Belt region.

The nationwide realtors divided sunniness into the following three main categories:

Sunny: clouds comprise less than 1/8th of the sky
Mostly sunny: clouds comprise 1/8-2/8ths of the sky
Partly sunny: clouds comprise 3/8-5/8ths of the sky

Yuma takes the top spot, receiving over 4,000 sunlight hours annually, including an astonishing 13 hours daily during the summer. In 2nd and 5th place are fellow Arizonans Phoenix and Tucson. In 2024, the state's capital city, Phoenix, registered a record-breaking 113 days with temperatures above 100°F (37.7°C), including seventy days over 110°F (43.33°C). Tucson, a balmy desert city, is a little cooler and wetter than Phoenix due to its higher altitude.

In third place is Las Vegas. Located in the dry and windy Mojave Desert, Sin City has 210 "sunny" days per year and very little rain. The fourth spot is taken by Fresno, in the heart of California's agriculturally fertile Central Valley. The multicultural city is generally hot and sunny throughout the spring and summer. However, fall and winter often include a thick morning fog known as "tule fog", resulting in reduced visibility.

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What state has the most sunny days?

The state that has the most sunny days is Arizona, according to World Population Review's Sunniest States of 2024. The respected data and analytics platform based its results on the average amount of yearly solar energy per square metre of surface area. Arizona received a whopping 5,755 kilojoules per square metre (kJ/m²), followed closely by New Mexico (5,642 kJ/m²) and Nevada (5,295 kJ/m²).

The graph below shows the top 10 sunniest states in the US by their average amount of annual sunlight.

A view over the rooftops of Malaga on a sunny day

The southeastern coast of Spain enjoys particularly sunny weather...

Sunniest city in Europe

The sunniest city in Europe is Malaga, followed by Alicante and Murcia, all located near the southeastern coast of Spain, according to a 2024 study by holiday rental search engine Holidu. Catania, Seville, Cordoba, Marseille, Madrid, Zaragoza, and Athens comprise the remaining top ten.

Holidu based their findings on the average number of sunlight each European city, with over 300,000 inhabitants, received per month between 2009 and 2024. With 280.2 hours of monthly sunlight and an average temperature of 18.8°C, it's no wonder Malaga is a favoured hotspot by tourists and expats alike.

The southeastern coast of Spain enjoys particularly sunny weather due to its Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild winters. Winds like the Levante, Tramontana, and Poniente bring dry, clear skies, further contributing to the region's sunny weather and making a move to Spain a must for those wishing to live in perpetual summer.