Best Beach Destinations for an Evening in the Sun

When summer finally comes around and the days grow longer, the perfect summer holiday calls to us. There’s nothing better in life than the feel of warm sand beneath our feet, the smell of the sea wafting to us while we sip our frozen daiquiris, and the sight of a sunset that makes the world stop for just a moment. The growing popularity of holidays based around golden-hour boat tours and late dinners by the coast is being seen everywhere, and tourists are now planning their trips around these particular experiences.

In this campaign, we aim to rank the 40 most popular coastal destinations across Europe to see which are the most suitable for enjoying a perfect evening in the sun during peak summer months. To do this, we have created the Sunshine Hours Index.

This index has been curated from a range of data, including the weather, the sunsets, beach popularity, and the affordability of the area. Each destination has been given a score out of 100 based on all of these factors. From this, we can identify the best beach destinations and the best places for summer sun.

The ranking also considers both practical and experiential factors. This includes average daily sun hours, rainy days, cloud cover, the wind speed at sunset, and the time the sun sets. We also use TripAdvisor beach ratings and review volume, and the cost of a mid-range meal for two.

At Click&Boat, we believe everyone deserves the holiday of their dreams. So, if you’re wanting to discover the perfect evening beach destinations, read on.

Overall winners: the best destinations for an evening in the sun

Map of the most beautiful sunsets in France, Turkey, Portugal, Cyprus and Malta — *The best destinations to watch the sunset in France, Turkey, Portugal, Cyprus and Malta.*

We have listed below the top 10 destinations in our index, and their total score. Take a look:

Heraklion, Crete, Greece – 81.47/100
Antalya, Türkiye – 74.37/100
Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain – 72.66/100
Zakynthos, Greece – 69.97/100
Faro, Algarve, Portugal – 68.77/100
Marbella, Costa del Sol, Spain – 68.04/100
Ibiza, Spain – 67.91/100
Limassol, Cyprus – 67.41/100
St. Paul’s Bay, Malta – 66.74/100
Mykonos, Greece – 65.63/100

We can see from our data that Mediterranean destinations dominate the ranking, providing the best places for a perfect evening in the sun and beautiful golden-hour moments. Greece and Spain perform particularly strongly, with multiple locations in these countries appearing in the top ranking.

The overall winner of our index is Heraklion, Crete. This is due to its blend of strong summer sunshine, very low cloud cover at sunset, highly-rated beaches and the highest volume of traveller reviews in the study. This makes it the strongest all-round destination for those special evening memories by the sea. And if the glorious water of Greece is your idea of heaven, check out our sunset cruise tour.

The runner-up is Antalya and is a strong value-led option for any tourist. It combines high sunshine hours, calm sunset conditions, and one of the lowest meal costs. Antalya is a perfect destination for those wanting glorious sunsets without spending too much on their evening meals.

Thanks to Ciutadella de Menorca’s long sunny days and good beach ratings, Spain received a strong top-three result. This is also helped by this destination having the most affordable mid-range meal cost in the top 10, with a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costing €30.

The ranking by country and destination

As we can see, a range of different countries make up the top 10. But which countries are the best overall for idyllic summer evenings? Let’s find out!

Greece

Greece is one of the strongest performers in our index, with Heraklion ranking first overall. The other destinations that make Greece such a strong destination are Zakynthos, Mykonos, Fira and Parikia.

The reason Greece is such a hot spot for summer tourists is how well it performs for dry summer evenings, strong sunshine hours, and clear sunset conditions – which is perfect for those golden-hour photoshoots. Also, out of all the summer months analysed, Mykonos, Fira and Parikia all recorded zero average rainy days per month. And if that isn’t enough to show you how amazing Greece is for the perfect summer holiday, we don’t know what is.

Spain

Spain is another major winner of our index, with Ciutadella de Menorca, Marbella and Ibiza all ranking in the top 10, while Palma de Mallorca narrowly misses out in 12th place.

The Spanish destinations are especially alluring for tourists craving long summer evenings, late sunsets, and offer the beauty of a classic Mediterranean summer beach holiday. Places like Marbella, Ibiza and Palma have their own lifestyles connected to them, giving them a strong appeal for anyone wanting to experience the late-night party culture. But if this isn’t to your liking, Menorca offers a more calming island experience with strong affordability.

If you’re looking to jet out on an unforgettable boat trip in Spain, check out our boat hire options and enjoy the summer sun and crystalline waves from the comfort of your own boat.

Türkiye

Due to Antalya ranking second overall in our index, Türkiye is one of the best holiday spots to capture those special sunset views and late strolls by the water.

The reason it ranks so well is its abundance of sunshine, calm evening conditions, low wind speeds at sunset, and its affordability. So, not only will you be able to enjoy a calming evening full of peace and stunning views, but you will not have to worry about expensive meals breaking your bank. A meal in Antalya would cost you an average of €33.15, making it ideal for a cost-conscious summer holiday.

Portugal

The strongest performer in our index from Portugal is Faro in the Algarve, which ranks fifth overall. Other destinations such as Lisbon, Ponta Delgada and Funchal are also featured in the wider list. Though they may not be as high-ranking as Faro, they are still strong contenders for summer beach holidays.

The Algarve itself is Portugal’s strongest beach-evening destination. This is due to its great weather conditions, low rainfall and relatively affordable dining costs. Other places, such as Madeira and Azores, rank slightly lower because of their cloudier sunset conditions and fewer average daily sunshine hours.

Malta and Cyprus

Limassol and St. Paul’s Bay are both included in the top 10, making them one of the strongest island holiday destinations.

Limassol actually has the lowest average cloud cover at sunset in the whole index, making it the ideal spot for those mesmerising evenings when the sun dips so wonderfully behind the horizon. For anyone wanting clear evening skies, Limassol should be first on their list.

St. Paul’s Bay is the perfect all-rounder. With low rainfall, strong sunshine hours, and a host of great beach reviews, this island destination is perfect for anyone looking for a classic, summer beach holiday.

Croatia

Croatia has some of the sunniest destinations in the entire index, such as Vela Luka, Hvar Town, Split and Supetar. But sunshine is not the only thing that makes a perfect summer evening holiday.

Even though these destinations are the highest for overall sunshine, our index also considers rainfall, sunset conditions, beach reviews and affordability. Because of this, the Croatian destinations rank lower than other places as we are not simply exploring which destinations are the sunniest; our index is to discover where the best summer evening experience is, and factors like rainfall and the quality of the sunset play a huge part.

France and Italy

France and Italy both appear throughout our ranking, with destinations such as Ajaccio, Agde, Cannes, Antibes, Marseille, Palermo, Bari, Maiori, Capri and Monterosso al Mare.

These countries have some of the best beaches in Europe, with locations along the French Riviera and the Italian Riviera. These places are gorgeous locations, but due to their higher cloud cover, higher costs, and lower reviews in some areas, they don’t dominate the ranking.

A standout destination, however, is Agde in France. This has one of the lowest meal costs in the index, with an average meal costing tourists €32. Despite this, its higher cloud cover stops it from ranking high in the index.

UK and Germany

UK and German beaches may be popular and well-rated, but they are less reliable for travellers looking for guaranteed summer evening sunshine.

For example, the UK destinations included in our index are Bournemouth, Ryde, Newquay, Plymouth and Ayr. Newquay in particular is an interesting destination to note. Despite it having the highest average beach rating in the entire index, it ranks low due to it having more rainy days, fewer sunshine hours and cloudier sunset conditions. Bournemouth and Ryde also perform strongly for beach ratings, but the same can be said for these destinations.

Unfortunately, German destinations have this same problem. Places like Westerland, Usedom, Bergen auf Rügen and Konstanz all suffer from worse weather patterns and cloudier sunset conditions. This is why when tourists are looking for idyllic summer evenings, they tend to go for the Mediterranean destinations.

Individual index metrics

Now that we’ve explored the rankings by country and destination, let’s dive a little deeper. Here’s how each destination performs across the individual metrics—perfect if there are certain things you value more than others. From golden-hour selfies to warm nights staring up at the stars, each destination has its own strengths and weaknesses. Take a look:

Best destinations overall for sunshine

For this part of the index, we calculated the average daily sun hours across the months of June, July and August. Here are the top-ranking destinations:

Vela Luka, Croatia – 12.9 hours
Hvar Town, Croatia – 12.9 hours
Split, Croatia – 12.8 hours
Supetar, Croatia – 12.8 hours
Antalya, Türkiye – 12.7 hours
Mykonos, Greece – 12.7 hours
Parikia, Greece – 12.7 hours
Bari, Italy – 12.7 hours
Marseille, France – 12.7 hours

On average, Croatian destinations have the longest hours of sunshine. So, for any tourists looking for a holiday filled with long days, and peaceful evenings filled with amazing sunshine, then Croatia is the place to be.

Best destinations for dry summer evenings

Not many people want to travel abroad and experience downpours and days filled with rain, that’s why we have listed the top places in our index for the least amount of rainfall. Take a look:

Mykonos, Greece – 0 rainy days
Fira, Santorini, Greece – 0 rainy days
Parikia, Paros, Greece – 0 rainy days
Antalya, Türkiye – 0.3 rainy days
Faro, Algarve, Portugal – 0.3 rainy days
Limassol, Cyprus – 0.3 rainy days
St. Paul’s Bay, Malta – 0.3 rainy days

It appears that the Greek islands perform especially well for dry summer evenings, with destinations like Mykonos, Fira and Parikia recording no average rainy days across the summer months. If you’re someone who worries about rain ruining their night, then these Greek islands are the perfect place for you.

And why not check out our yacht charter? The lack of rain in these destinations make them perfect for relaxing days at sea.

Best destinations for clear sunsets

When the sun is finally waving goodbye to the world, the view can often be breathtaking. It’s also the time when golden-hour hits, and every selfie looks like a work of fine art. But if a destination has a high amount of cloud coverage at sunset, you won’t get to experience this beautiful moment. Take a look at the destinations in our index that ranked the highest for clear sunsets:

Limassol, Cyprus – 3.4%
Fira, Santorini, Greece – 4.5%
Heraklion, Crete, Greece – 5%
Parikia, Paros, Greece – 5.1%
Mykonos, Greece – 6.3%
St. Paul’s Bay, Malta – 10%
Faro, Algarve, Portugal – 10.5%
Zakynthos, Greece – 11.1%

Limassol is the destination with the clearest sunset skies, making it the perfect spot for late-night walks and golden-hour dips in the Mediterranean sea. Greece also performs strongly overall in this category.

Best destinations for calm evening conditions

When it’s time to watch the sunset, the last thing you need is high wind speeds ruining it. Check out the destinations in our index with the lowest wind speeds at sunset, so you can make sure you will be able to enjoy the golden sights in peace.

Antalya, Türkiye – 4 km/h
Nice, France – 4.5 km/h
Monterosso al Mare, Italy – 4.8 km/h
Palermo, Sicily, Italy – 5.6 km/h
Ajaccio, Corsica, France – 5.7 km/h
Maiori, Amalfi Coast, Italy – 6.6 km/h
Konstanz, Germany – 7.2 km/h
Lloret de Mar, Spain – 7.4 km/h
Dubrovnik, Croatia – 7.6 km/h
Cannes, France – 7.7 km/h

With Antalya having the lowest average wind speed at sunset, we can see why this destination ranks as second in the index overall. Without the threat of high wind, tourists can relax and enjoy the calmness of the warm summer evening.

Best destinations for the latest sunsets

Top 5 European destinations with the latest sunsets — *The 5 European destinations with the longest summer evenings, perfect for extending the golden hour.*

When you are on holiday, you want the evening to feel drawn out and unforgettable. This is why we have listed the destinations with the latest average sunset times. Take a look:

Saint-Malo, France – 9:53 PM
Deauville, France – 9:48 PM
Westerland, Germany – 9:40 PM
Arcachon, France – 9:36 PM
Ayr, Scotland – 9:35:41 PM
Biarritz, France – 9:34 PM
Marbella, Spain – 9:29 PM
Narbonne, France – 9:15 PM
Argelès-sur-Mer, France – 9:13 PM
Newquay, UK – 9:13 PM

The main takeaway from this section is that northern and Atlantic destinations benefit from very late summer evenings, but due to weaker weather conditions, they tend to rank lower overall in the index.

Among the strongest overall destinations, Marbella, Ibiza and Ciutadella de Menorca are especially good for long evenings by the sea. And in these places, you don’t have to worry about rainfall and cloud cover.

Top 5 European destinations with the earliest sunsets — The 5 European destinations where the sun sets the earliest, ideal for extended festive evenings.

Best-reviewed beach destinations

We used TripAdvisor to discover each destination’s beach rating and review volume. Firstly, we focused on the highest-rated beaches. Take a look at our top-ranking list:

Newquay, UK – 4.7
Bournemouth, UK – 4.6
Ryde, UK – 4.6
Westerland, Germany – 4.6
Heraklion, Greece – 4.5
Ibiza, Spain – 4.5
Limassol, Cyprus – 4.5
Hvar Town, Croatia – 4.5
Lisbon, Portugal – 4.5
Ponta Delgada, Portugal – 4.5
Biarritz, France – 4.5

Next, we looked at the most-reviewed beach destinations:

Heraklion, Greece – 32,019 reviews
Fira, Santorini, Greece – 19,665 reviews
Bournemouth, UK – 11,838 reviews
St. Paul’s Bay, Malta – 10,488 reviews
Ibiza, Spain – 10,060 reviews
Lloret de Mar, Spain – 8,243 reviews
Zakynthos, Greece – 7,464 reviews
Mykonos, Greece – 7,342 reviews
Newquay, UK – 6,346 reviews
Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain – 5,473 reviews

These results help show the difference between popular beach destinations and how they ranked in our index. For example, Newquay has the highest beach rating in the study, but ranks lower overall because of weather-related factors such as rainfall and cloud cover. Heraklion, meanwhile, combines strong review volume with strong weather data, helping it rank first overall. This shows that just because a beach is highly-rated, doesn’t mean it’s the ideal spot for a summer evening holiday. There are more factors to consider than a simple TripAdvisor review.

Most affordable beach destinations

Some tourists may be more cost-conscious than others. This is fine, but it’s important to know which places have an average lower meal cost than others. For our index, we calculated the lowest cost for a mid-range three-course meal for two in each destination. Take a look at the ranking below:

Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain – €30
Durrës, Albania – €31.41
Agde, France – €32
Antalya, Türkiye – €33.15
Faro, Portugal – €38
Ponta Delgada, Portugal – €40
Heraklion, Greece – €50
Zakynthos, Greece – €50
Mykonos, Greece – €50
Parikia, Greece – €50
Palermo, Italy – €50
Lisbon, Portugal – €50
Lloret de Mar, Spain – €50

The main standouts from this section are Antalya and Ciutadella de Menorca, as they rank highly overall while also performing well on affordability.

Jonathan Couverchel, Head of Sales at Click&Boat had this to say about summer evening holidays: “Summer beach holidays are often planned around daytime temperatures, but some of the most memorable travel moments happen later in the day, whether that is a sunset swim, an evening meal by the coast or a boat trip during golden hour.”

“Heraklion stands out because it performs consistently well across the board, offering reliable summer sun, very low cloud cover at sunset and strong traveller approval.”

If you’re looking for your next summer adventure, don’t forget to take a look at our range of boat rentals on offer. Your perfect holiday is waiting for you, and what’s a better way to experience golden-hour than from your own hired yacht?

Methodology

The dataset ranks 40 locations, based on their suitability for an evening in the sun. To do this, 8 different factors were used. Once the data for the factors was collected, the factors were then normalised, to provide each factor with a score between 0 and 1. If the data was not available, a score of 0 was given. The normalised values were then combined, to give each location a total score out of 100. The locations were then ranked from highest to lowest, based on their total scores.

The factors used are as follows:

Avg Rainy Days per Month – The average number of rainy days per month across June, July & August, per en.climate-data.org.
Avg Daily Sun Hours – The average number of sun hours per day, across June, July & August, per en.climate-data.org
Avg Cloud Cover at Sunset – The average percentage of the sky cloud coverage during the hour of sunset across June, July & August. Derived from ERA5 hourly data via Copernicus Climate Data Store.
Avg Wind Speed at Sunset – The average wind speed during the hour of sunset, across June, July & August. Derived from ERA5 hourly data via Copernicus Climate Data Store.
Avg Sunset Time – The average time of sunset across June, July & August, per sunrise-sunset.org.
Avg Beach Rating – The average TripAdvisor rating across the top 3 Travellers’ Choice ranked beaches in each destination.
Number of Beach Reviews – The total combined number of reviews across the top 3 Travellers’ Choice ranked beaches in each destination.
Cost of a Mid-Range 3-Course Meal for Two – The total cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (three courses, without drinks). If the listed city wasn’t available on Numbeo, then the closest city with Numbeo data was used.

The factors were weighted as follows: