Europe's most weatherproof autumn city breaks revealed

Europe's most weatherproof autumn city breaks revealed

• There are still plenty of options for autumn sunshine without flying far from the UK
• Travel industry professionals reveal the destinations most likely to deliver sunshine and fewer rainy days this autumn

UK travellers looking to squeeze in one last dose of sunshine before winter may want to look at the flamenco-loving south of Spain, according to a new ranking of popular short-haul destinations.

Malaga came top after Post Office Travel Insurance analysed average September and October temperatures, rainfall, sunshine hours and flight times from the UK, beating Athens and Seville to the number one spot.

With average autumn temperatures of 24°C, just 38mm of rainfall across both months and 9.5 hours of daily sunshine, Malaga offers the strongest combination of warm weather and reliable conditions among all destinations analysed.

Europe's most weatherproof autumn city breaks

1. Malaga
2. Athens
3. Seville
4. Palermo
5. Valletta
6. Dubrovnik
7. Nice
8. Lisbon

The research found that several European destinations continue to enjoy temperatures above 24°C well into September and October, making them ideal for travellers who want to avoid peak-season prices and crowds without sacrificing good weather.

Seville recorded the highest average autumn temperature in the ranking at 28.9°C, while Athens experienced just 56mm of rainfall across September and October, helping it secure second place overall.

The destinations also offer plenty beyond the weather, with autumn visitors able to enjoy events such as Valletta's Notte Bianca celebrations, the Athens International Film Festival and Dubrovnik's Good Food Festival.

Adam Edinburgh, Head of Post Office Travel & New Products, commented:

"2026 may have been declared the hottest UK summer on record by The Met Office, but if you love the sun, you love the sun. The good news is there are plenty of options nearby to help you avoid the typical British autumn rain.

"Wherever you're planning to go, looking at the average weather for the month is a more reliable gauge of temperature and rainfall than glancing at the current forecast. If you want to add some financial protection to your trip, you might want to consider getting travel insurance before you go."

To find out more about Post Office Travel Insurance, visit: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-insurance

ENDS

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