Brits often seek out sunny destinations that offer plenty of rays and high temperatures – but which is the sunniest?
Research looking into 50 destinations across the world analysed the locations on several factors.
Experts looked into the amount of sunlight, healthy diet, time in nature, quality of sleep and physical exercise in each area.
The results were compiled into the Holiday Happiness Index by holiday site BookRetreats.com, and the best spot for sunshine has been revealed.
One destination came out top, and it is a long-haul flight away from the dreary UK skies.
Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, ranked as the sunniest destination and sees an impressive 3,577 hours of light a year
Dubai ranked as the sunniest and sees an impressive 3,577 hours of light a year, Travel + Leisure reports.
Located in the United Arab Emirates, holidaymakers can bask in between eight to 10 hours of sunshine a day.
The city can easily reach mid-to-high 30s in the summer months, meaning tourists will be facing balmy weather as well as the sun.
Even January, which is typically one of the UK’s coldest months, is a mild 19 degrees in Dubai.
It’s packed with luxurious shopping malls and dazzling skyscraper landscapes to explore.
The top 10 sunny destinations Dubai, UAECairo, EgyptDoha, Qatar Los Angeles, USAOrlando, USALisbon, PortugalDelhi, India Athens, GreeceSantiago, ChileMadrid, Spain
The city recently ranked third on TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025 list, where the travel site revealed the most popular destinations from the last year.
TripAdvisor recommended watching a performance at the Dubai Opera, or for a more thrilling adventure, hopping in a hot air balloon above the desert.
As for other sunny destinations, Cairo placed second and boasts 3,477 hours of sunshine a year – totally to 300 days of sunlight each year.
Doha ranked third, followed by Los Angeles and Orlando rounding off the top five.
Elsewhere, Lisbon, Delhi, Athens, Santiago and Madrid made the top ten sunny destinations.
Holidays in Dubai: What our travel expert says
The most high-profile Emirate needs little introduction, writes Annabelle Thorpe.
Blazing out from a million Insta feeds and TikTok videos. But Dubai remains hugely popular with Britons for a reason.
There are glittering beaches, hotels for every budget and constant new attractions popping up that make it seem different every time you visit.
The key is to pick the right neighbourhood as a base: the Palm Jumeirah has the pick of luxury, romantic resorts; Downtown Dubai is ideal for first-timers (close to the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall); and Deira is a great choice for those on a budget or wanting to be near the traditional souks and historic districts.
In recent years Dubai has become a much more walkable city, whether strolling the palm-lined Marina promenade, filled with shops and restaurants, ambling along the Canal Boardwalk or around the heritage neighbourhood of Al Seef, set along Dubai Creek.
A sunset tour on an abra (a traditional wooden ferry boat) is a great way to start an evening, while the city’s numerous rooftop bars and restaurants are a perfect location for a romantic dinner for two.
What else? Dubai offers everything from skiing (inside the Mall of the Emirates) and surfing to shopping and sky-high viewing platforms at the Burj Khalifa.
The only problem is how to fit it all in (and still find plenty of time for the beach).
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The sunniest place on Earth revealed – and it boasts over 3,500 hours of sunshine per year
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