The peak summer season is coming to a close, but if you’re not quite ready to dig out your jumpers and wellies in preparation for autumn, the good news is that there are still plenty of places with warm and sunny weather within a few hours of the UK.
Top of your list should be Cartagena, and not just because the historic port city boasts heaps of beautiful architecture, bustling restaurants and beautiful views.
Sunseekers will also be delighted to know that Cartagena has been tipped as Europe’s sunniest city by travel experts at Holidu, boasting an average of 283 sunshine hours every month. Throw in the fact that temperatures can average 24C in October, and it’s about a three-hour flight from the UK, and it’s easy to see why Cartagena could tick all of the boxes for a long weekend away in the sunshine.
It’s not as busy as the likes of Alicante or Murcia, but it’s not quite a hidden gem as it regularly features on cruise ship itineraries, and regular sailors will no doubt be familiar with the port which can be an ideal base for exploring. MSC Cruises, Marella Cruises and P&O Cruises are just some of the lines that include the city as a port of call.
Getting to Cartagena by air isn’t too difficult either. The nearest airport is Murcia, approximately an hour’s drive away, with flights from £16.62 each way available from the likes of Ryanair and easyJet. Meanwhile you can find a host of holiday homes in the city with the likes of Holidu and Airbnbwhile Lastminute.com has hotels from £40 a night, and TripAdvisor has a useful round-up of the city’s top 10 budget hotels based on reviews.
There’s heaps to see and do while you’re in the city too, thanks to a plethora of gorgeous architecture and fascinating museums. One highlight is the Roman amphitheatre that leaves you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time, not to mention it’s right by the museum that shares some fascinating insights on the city’s history, as well as ongoing project and renovations to sustain the landmark. Meanwhile the ‘Casa de la Fortuna’ aka the House of Fortunes offers another glimpse into what life was like day-to-day for the Romans; history fans won’t be disappointed.
There are some stretches of beaches, but they’re not quite as chamring as the ones you’d find in the likes of Barcelona or Alicante, so if you’ve got images of sitting with a cocktail in front of picture-perfect golden sands, this city won’t necessarily tick all of those boxes.
Still, Cartagena has everything you could want for a city break. You can easily while away a few hours ambling through the shops, stopping off for all-important Spanish fare in the tapas bars, or just enjoying a scenic stroll along the harbour to catch a glimpse of the cruise ships and yachts that make an appearance.
Europe’s top 10 sunniest destinations
- Cartagena, Spain
- Malaga, Spain
- Seville, Spain
- Alicante, Spain
- Murcia, Spain
- Catania, Italy
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Cordoba, Spain
- Athens, Greece
- Majorca, Spain
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