The airline has named the top country to visit, especially for ‘ideal’ weather during summer holidays
09:07, 08 May 2026Updated 09:08, 08 May 2026
It’s not Spain, Portugal or Greece(Image: Getty)
TUI has shared which country is the “best” to visit for warmth and sunshine during summer, as part of its latest ‘ideal weather holiday guide’ research. The data comes as Brits enjoy a taste of warmer weather and blue skies. However, forecasters warn the sunshine won’t last, with rain set to return by the end of the weekend and throughout next week.
With uncertainty at home, holidaymakers are looking abroad for guaranteed sunshine. TUI claims searches for “best family holiday destinations abroad” have surged by 5,000% in the past month, according to Google Trends.
The latest insight from TUI’s family-friendly travel experts brings new weather analysis of over 150 European destinations. They have revealed which country offers the most appealing weather conditions for family getaways, based on historical data.
Of all the countries analysed, TUI’s research named Turkey as the European country with the most “ideal” weather historically during the summer holidays. The airline says it has an average temperature of 27°C, low wind speeds, and minimal rainfall.
For Brits looking to escape rain completely, TUI says Gibraltar has the least rainfall during the summer holiday months at just 0.05mm. It’s also only a 2.5-hour flight from the UK, making it the third closest destination on the list.
TUI says Turkey has the most “ideal” weather historically during the summer holidays
In terms of cities and towns, Dalaman in Turkey ranked as the city with the best summer weather conditions. It has high temperatures of 28°C, with light winds and little to no rainfall.
TUI’s best historic weather conditions for 2026 family holidays
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
TUI says Turkey has the best weather conditions
Turkey ranks as the country with the best overall weather conditions for a 2026 family getaway, according to TUI’s latest research, with an “ideal” weather score of 8.70 out of 10. When looking at past weather around the summer holidays, TUI says Turkey boasts “pleasant” temperatures averaging 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.
aAccording to TUI’s research, Turkey has an “ideal” weather score of 8.7 out of 10
The airline also claims that Turkey offers the “perfect conditions for exploring, all under the reliably warm, blue skies – making it an ideal location to take the family this summer”. In terms of specific destinations in Turkey for heat and sun, it took nine of the top 10 spots in TUI’s research.
TUI said: “Leading the ranking are Dalaman and Gocek, both achieving an impressive Ideal Weather Score of 9.36 out of 10. With the top 10 Turkey destinations averaging 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.”
TUI’s runners-up include Cyprus and Greece
Close behind and earning 8.57/10 in TUI’s weather holiday guide, Cyprus ranks second and “stands out for its pleasant and balanced climate”. With mean temperatures of 27.45°C, light winds, and “barely any rainfall”, TUI says the country 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 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.
Natalie Johnson, Global Product Manager of TUI Holiday Villages, said: “Turkey consistently stands out for its dependable sunshine, which makes it a strong option for families planning a summer holiday. For many parents, having everything close to hand in the heat makes life easier – whether that’s the beach, the pool, or activities that help keep the kids entertained.
“Cyprus, which ranks second, consistently offers long, sunny days and warm temperatures that are perfect for families wanting to spend as much time outdoors as possible, so families staying at Holiday Village Aliathon can enjoy not only one of the biggest pools in Cyprus, but hundreds of activities for the whole family too, with everything from archery to zorbing included.”
She added: “And rounding off the top three is Greece, which is known for its reliable sunshine and gentle sea breezes, creating ideal conditions for both relaxing and exploring. At Holiday Village Atlantica Rhodes, the onsite waterpark makes it easy to cool off, whilst our Aerial Adventure course well and truly ticks off the ‘exploring’ box for families.
“Our huge range of facilities and activities is designed to make summer holidays simple and stress-free. For Brits keen to uncover what weather conditions will be when they travel, they can check our TUI weather guide, which gives insight into the average weather conditions each month.”