I love a sunny holiday and although I'm not one for lying on a beach all day, every day I do love eating outside, warm walks with a sea breeze and wafting around in a floaty dress. We travel to Cyprus frequently because we have friends and family there but in recent years have also been to Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Turkey.
Last year we cruised the Norwegian Fjords and I fully expected to be cold but we actually enjoyed hot weather hitting 30 degrees at some points. Locals told us this was quite unusual for such a length of time!
If you are thinking of booking a break and want some sun and no rain, the latest insight from TUI’s family friendly travel experts brings new weather analysis on over 150 European destinations to reveal which country boasts the most appealing weather conditions, based on historical data, for your 2026 family getaway.
Key findings:
Of all the countries analysed, Türkiye has the most ideal weather conditions historically during the summer holidays, with average temps of 27°C, low wind speeds and minimal rainfall.
For Brits looking to escape rain completely, Gibraltar offers the lowest amount of rainfall during the summer holiday months at just 0.05mm, and it’s also only a 2.5-hour flight from the UK, the third closest destination on the list.
When breaking down the countries into cities and towns, Dalaman in Türkiye ranked as the city with the best summer weather conditions, with high temps of 28°C, with light winds and little to no rainfall.
Türkiye has the best weather conditions
Türkiye ranks as the country with the best overall weather conditions for a 2026 family getaway, with an ideal weather score of 8.70 out of 10. When looking at past weather around the summer holidays, Türkiye boasts pleasant temperatures averaging a whopping 27.57°C, barely any rainfall, and light winds - the second lowest of all the countries analysed, suggesting it is the best location to visit to avoid the rain completely. Türkiye offers the perfect conditions for exploring, all under the reliably warm, blue skies - making it an ideal location to take the family this summer.
Close behind and earning a strong 8.57/10 in TUI’s ideal weather holiday guide, Cyprus ranks second and stands out for its pleasant and balanced climate. With bold mean temperatures of 27.45°C, light winds, and barely any rainfall, it offers ideal conditions for making the most of days outdoors, whether relaxing by the coast or heading out to explore.
Ranking third for best summer holiday weather is Greece, which scores 7.60/10 for overall ideal weather and boasts a mildly mean temperature of 25.98°C. This Mediterranean gem combines long sunny days and gentle sea breezes with breathtaking coastal scenery along the Aegean and Ionian seas. Families can unwind on family-friendly beaches or wander through charming historic towns.
Türkiye hotspots dominate the ranking for ideal weather conditions for 2026
When diving into specific hotspots in TUI’s ideal weather holiday guide, destinations in Türkiye took nine of the top 10 spots, highlighting the country as the clear frontrunner for reliable sunshine and standout summer conditions. Leading the ranking are Dalaman and Gocek, both achieving an impressive Ideal Weather Score of 9.36 out of 10.
All the top 10 Türkiye destinations average temperatures hovering between 28°C and 26°C, minimal rainfall across all destinations, and consistently light winds, these resorts offer the kind of settled, sunny conditions holidaymakers look for when planning a 2026 getaway.
Last year we travelled to
Side in Türkiye and we did indeed enjoy hot sunny days and balmy evenings. At the hottest point of the day we headed to a shaded cafe and enjoyed the hospitality of the locals.
We went on two
boat trips and spent a lot of time in the pool, braved the Dolmuş (the local buses) which were so cheap, and explored the huge market at Manavgat after seeing the famous waterfall.
If you are still wondering about weather for your holidays, here's a handy chart compiled by TUI to help you find your ideal destination.
# | Destination | Mean Rainfall (mm) | Mean Wind Speed (m/s) | Mean Temperature (°C) | Ideal Weather Score /10 |
1 | Türkiye | 0.34 | 2.49 | 27.57 | 8.70 |
2 | Cyprus | 0.34 | 2.67 | 27.45 | 8.57 |
3 | Greece | 1.55 | 2.88 | 25.98 | 7.60 |
4 | Portugal | 0.77 | 2.46 | 23.15 | 7.42 |
5 | Gibraltar | 0.05 | 3.59 | 24.02 | 7.21 |
6 | Bulgaria | 0.89 | 2.62 | 23.24 | 6.87 |
7 | Italy | 2.06 | 2.57 | 24.33 | 6.84 |
8 | Croatia | 2.23 | 2.21 | 22.91 | 6.30 |
9 | Spain | 1.31 | 4.37 | 24.45 | 6.26 |
10 | Malta | 3.30 | 3.81 | 26.53 | 6.09 |
Disclaimer: I was not paid or otherwise rewarded for sharing this information.
