An underrated Spanish city, largely unknown to travellers, has been revealed as one of the sunniest locations in all of Europe, according to recent data.

When it comes to seeking out sunshine in Europe, Spain is often the first destination that springs to mind. The Costa del Sol, with its popular resorts like Malaga, Marbella and Torremolinos, is a favourite among Britons searching for a bit of sun.

However, this unexpected town has recently been crowned as one of Europe’s sunniest cities after experts analysed data from World Weather Online. The ranking, compiled by holiday rental portal Holidu, saw Malaga and Alicante – both bustling with tourists – take the top two spots with an average of 280 hours of sunshine per month.

Surprisingly, in third place, surpassing well-known holiday destinations such as Athens, Palma de Mallorca and Palermo, was the city of Murcia in southeastern Spain. Despite being relatively unknown as a holiday spot, Murcia boasts fantastic weather, averaging 277.7 hours of sunshine per month and a comfortable average temperature of 18.4C.

Murcia remains off the beaten track for many tourists, offering the chance to avoid the crowds while enjoying year-round sunny weather. With its stunning historic centre and numerous day trip opportunities to nearby beauty spots and beaches, Murcia could be the perfect escape for those seeking sunshine without stress.

With average temperatures peaking at around balmy 26C between May and October, Murcia is an ideal destination for those seeking spring sunshine or trying to catch the last rays of summer before autumn sets in.

The city boasts a new airport offering flights to Dublin, Palma de Mallorca, England and Belgium, among other international destinations.

Additionally, Alicante airport is just a 50-minute drive away, making it incredibly convenient for a quick weekend getaway or a longer holiday to soak up all that the region has to offer.

The nearby beaches provide ample opportunities for relaxation, swimming and even some of Europe’s finest scuba diving experiences with shipwrecks waiting to be explored.

Accommodation in the city caters to all budgets, ranging from budget-friendly options to more luxurious stays.

While Murcia secured the third spot on Holidu’s list of Europe’s sunniest cities, Catania in Italy followed closely at fourth place boasting 274.9 hours of sunshine per month.

Spain’s Seville clinched the fifth spot with 273.9 hours of sunshine, followed by Cordoba, also in Spain, with 268.5 hours. France’s Marseille came in seventh with 267.6 hours, while Madrid secured the eighth position with 266.9 hours.

Zaragoza was ninth with 265.9 hours, and Athens in Greece rounded off the top ten with 262.2 hours of sunshine per month.