TUI has named the European country with the most “ideal” weather conditions for a summer holiday
It’s not Spain, Portugal or Greece(Image: Getty)
TUI has revealed which destination offers the “best” conditions for warmth and sunshine during the summer months, following its latest ‘ideal weather holiday guide’ research. The findings emerge as Britons savour a spell of milder weather and clearer skies. Yet forecasters caution the pleasant conditions will be short-lived, with wet weather expected to return by the weekend’s close and persist into next week.
Amid the unpredictable domestic climate, holidaymakers are increasingly turning their attention overseas for reliable sunshine. TUI reports that searches for “best family holiday destinations abroad” have rocketed by 5,000% over the past month, according to Google Trends data.
The fresh analysis from TUI’s family travel specialists examines weather patterns across more than 150 European locations. They’ve identified which nation provides the most favourable climate for family breaks, drawing on historic meteorological records.
Among all territories examined, TUI’s study crowned Turkey as the European destination with the most “ideal” summer holiday weather historically. The travel operator highlights its average temperature of 27°C, gentle wind conditions and scarce precipitation.
For British travellers seeking to avoid rain entirely, TUI points to Gibraltar as having the driest summer months with merely 0.05mm of rainfall. It’s also just a 2.5-hour flight from the UK, positioning it as the third nearest location featured, reports the Mirror.
TUI says that according to its research, Turkey offers the best sunshine and warmth during summer
When it comes to specific locations, Dalaman in Turkey emerged as the town boasting the finest summer weather prospects. It experiences warm temperatures of 28°C, accompanied by gentle breezes and virtually no rainfall. TUI’s best historic weather conditions for 2026 family holidays
TUI says Turkey has the best weather conditions
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
Turkey emerges as the destination with the finest overall weather conditions for a 2026 family break, according to TUI’s recent analysis, achieving an “ideal” weather rating of 8.70 out of 10. Examining historical weather patterns during the summer holiday period, TUI reports that Turkey enjoys “pleasant” temperatures of around 27.57°C, minimal rainfall, and gentle breezes – the second calmest amongst all nations studied, indicating it’s the “best” choice for those seeking to dodge the rain entirely.
The travel operator further suggests that Turkey provides “perfect conditions for exploring, all under the reliably warm, blue skies – making it an ideal location to take the family this summer”. Regarding particular Turkish destinations for sunshine and warmth, the country secured nine of the top 10 positions in TUI’s study.
TUI stated: “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.”
The Library of Celsus is an ancient Roman building, built between circa 114-117 AD, and famous travel destination in Turkey
TUI’s runners-up include Cyprus and Greece
Securing second place with a score of 8.57/10 in TUI’s weather holiday guide, Cyprus “stands out for its pleasant and balanced climate”. Recording average temperatures of 27.45°C, gentle breezes, and “barely any rainfall”, TUI describes the island as offering “ideal” conditions for maximising time outdoors, “whether relaxing by the coast or heading out to explore”.
Greece claims third position for optimal summer holiday weather, achieving 7.60/10 for overall ideal conditions and featuring an average temperature of 25.98°C. This Mediterranean jewel delivers extended sunshine-filled days and soft coastal winds alongside stunning shoreline vistas across the Aegean and Ionian seas. Families can relax on welcoming beaches or explore picturesque historic villages.
Natalie Johnson, Global Product Manager of TUI Holiday Villages, commented: “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 went on to say: “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.”