According to a recent study conducted by Holidu, a search engine for vacation rentals in Europe, Italy remains a paradise for lovers of light, but with marked differences between north and south.
The “Sunniest Cities 2026” survey
The “Sunniest Cities 2026” survey analyzed the country’s 50 main locations, based on the average monthly hours of sunshine recorded between 2012 and 2026. Among Italy’s major cities, Rome stands out as a virtuous exception. The capital ranked ninth overall, boasting an average of 246.21 hours of sunshine per month. This is a remarkable result, as Rome is the only major Italian city to make it into the prestigious “Top 10, “ which is otherwise dominated by smaller cities or those located on islands.
Compared to other large urban areas, the gap is clear: Naples follows closely behind, ranking 12th. Turin is the top city in the north, but ranks only 16th. Milan and Florence lag far behind, ranking 34th and 43rd respectively, with significantly less sunshine than the capital.
The Podium and National Analysis
While Rome shines in Lazio, the national record remains firmly in the hands of Sicily. Syracuse wins the gold medal with an average of 272.61 hours per month, followed by Catania and Cagliari in Sardinia. Puglia defends itself admirably with Andria and Bari closing out the top 5. At the opposite end of the ranking are the cities of the north and mountainous areas. Aosta closes the ranking as the least sunny city, with only 170.20 hours, or 102 hours less sunlight per month than Syracuse.
Climate and Costs: The Tourism Factor
In addition to brightness, the study examined temperatures and accommodation costs for the month of February 2026. Here too, Rome ranks high in terms of economic outlay: with an average price of €161 per night for a vacation home, the capital is among the most expensive cities in Italy, surpassed only by Bolzano (€192) and Milan (€165). However, the combination of high hours of sunshine and temperatures that are not as harsh as in the north (Aosta reaches 6.50 degrees, while Sicily exceeds 18-19 degrees) makes Rome one of the most attractive destinations for winter and spring tourism.