People usually travel for pleasure because they want to get away from the cold and damp city they live in. People want a warmer location for their vacation. They want the sun, sand and the beach! Moreover, folks enjoy fantastic city tours and a cultural experience like no other. Jet-setters want to stuff their faces with exquisite cuisines from foreign countries - but all of that gets washed away, quite literally, with unforgiving heavy rain in one's chosen destination. This list contains popular destinations, capital cities, and some remote areas that rain showers visit the most. Cities where packing an umbrella is a necessity and bringing that new pair of shoes is a no-no!

UPDATE: 2023/07/11 09:55 EST BY REENA JAIN

16 Cities With The Highest Rains In The World

This list has been updated to include more of the rainiest cities in the world, including Whittier, Alaska and Brussels, Belgium, as well as up-to-date information about the cities previously listed in the article. So, why wait, pack bags and head on to enjoy a wonderful rainy vacation!

16 Whittier, Alaska, United States

Buckner Building, Whittier
FairbanksMikeCC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Buckner Building, Whittier, Alaska, United States

When looking for the wettest cities in the world, this small town in the USA is one of the most suitable places. The town receives rainfall for about 200 days of the year, and there is a fair amount of it— 154 inches on average. Fortunately, rainfall is evenly spread throughout the year. However, September to January are the rainiest months; in other months, rain usually falls as a short shower or drizzle.

  • Peak Rainy Season: September to January
  • Things to do in Whittier, Alaska: Explore Whittier Tunnel and Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, Go on Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise, Check out Portage Glacier, Visit Whittier Harbor and Waterfront Park

15 Brussels, Belgium

Grand Palace, Brussels
Photo by Tom Podmore on Unsplash
Grand Palace, Brussels, Belgium 

Another European city that deserves to be included on this list is Brussels, Belgium, which receives more rainfall than the United Kingdom. The rainiest months are July and December, but carrying a fold-up umbrella is advisable even if no rain is forecast to be prepared for late-afternoon downpours or the occasional drizzle. Although the rainfall is high, the humidity level is quite moderate.

  • Peak Rainy Season: July and December
  • Things to do in Brussels: Visit Grand Place, Explore Atomium, Check out Manneken Pis, Go to Belgian Comic Strip Center, Find out what is Mini-Europe

14 Mawsynram & Cherrapunji, India

Mawsmai Caves, Meghalaya
NomratasahaCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mawsmai Caves, Meghalaya, India

India is full of natural wonders - and water falling from the sky is absolutely one of them in some parts of the country. When it comes to the highest rainfall a city gets on average, the winning cities are in India - which was actually the most vacation deprived, according to a study a few years ago. Still, there are two places in the country's northeast where rain is embraced as just another tourist attraction, yet Mawsynram is considered the most rainy city in the world.

A visitor can brag about it to their friends after staying in the villages of Mawsynram and Cherrapunji because they've been to the wettest place on Earth! Cherrapunji holds the Guinness World Record for the highest monthly rainfall. For tourist spots, check out the Mawjymbuin Caves and Krem Dam in Mawsynram and the impressive Nohkalikai Waterfalls in Cherrapunji. These two villages are close to each other, so two birds, one stone, right?

  • Peak Rainy Season: May to September
  • Things to do in Cherrapunji: Mawsmai Cave Exploration, Living Root Bridges Trek, Nohkalikai Falls Sightseeing, Double Decker Living Root Bridge Visit, Eco Park and Thangkharang Park Excursion

Related:10 Hidden Destinations In India That Every Tourist Should Visit

13 Debundscha, Cameroon

Chutes de la Lobé Kirbi Cameroon
via Shutterstock
People in a boat at Chutes de la Lobé in Kirbi, Cameroon

Among Cameroon's charming destinations is Mount Cameroon - an active volcano and the highest peak in Central Africa. At the foot of the mountain is a small town called Debundscha. This place is one of the areas in the world with the highest volume of rain. Located in southwest Cameroon, the rainy village faces the South Atlantic Ocean.

Although India holds the Guinness World Record, the average annual rainfall in Debundscha is 394 inches, with Mawsynram at 375 inches and 392 inches for Cherrapunji. A tourist can visit the historic German lighthouse in the little city rumored to be haunted, and it's been standing there since 1904.

  • Peak Rainy Season: May to October
  • Things to do in Debundscha​​​​​​​: Visit Mount Cameroon, Explore Limbe Wildlife Centre, Take a scenic drive along Ring Road, Discover the Botanic Garden of Limbe, Experience the breathtaking Debundscha Waterfalls

Related: Top 10 Prettiest Destinations In Africa

12 Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen, Denmark
Photo by Febiyan on Unsplash
A pathway in Copenhagen, Denmark

Denmark is a European country located north of Germany and south of Norway. Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark, it's also known to be a city always visited by rain. Copenhagen is a famous tourist destination mainly because of the Tivoli Gardens and Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid statue.

The average annual rainfall in the city is 46 inches, and the least rainy months, if thinking of having the driest possible visit, in February and March. If it's a clear day and planning to visit the City Hall Square or the Stroget, be cautious and still bring an umbrella.

  • Peak Rainy Season: June to August
  • Things to do in Copenhagen: Visit Tivoli Gardens, Explore Nyhavn (New Harbor), Discover the treasures of the National Museum of Denmark, Wander through the beautiful Rosenborg Castle Gardens, Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Christiania (Freetown Christiania)

Related: 10 Things To Do In Copenhagen If You Only Have 24 Hours

11 Singapore

View of Sentosa Gateway, Singapore
Photo by Anh Tuan To on Unsplash
City view of Sentosa Gateway, Singapore

Singapore's residents would always advise their visiting tourist friends to bring an umbrella with them. No matter which of the many Singapore neighborhoods to explore, visitors will find they all have one thing in common: across the city, there are only two seasons - wet and dry, where the dry season is still riddled with rainfall. The average rainfall in Lion City is 94 inches, but a lot of rain never stops the hordes of tourists that visit the city every year.

Upon landing here, travelers are already in a tourist spot, the world-class Changi Airport. Take selfies with the Merlion statue in Merlion Park with a nice view of the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Then before going home, get to enjoy the #1 airport in the world once again.

  • Peak Rainy Season: December to March and June to September
  • Things to do in Singapore: Explore Gardens by the Bay, Visit Sentosa Island, Have fun at the Marina Bay Sands, Spend some time at the Universal Studios Singapore, Check out Chinatown

Related: 10 Underrated Things You Should Put On Your List Of Things To See & Do In Singapore

10 Monrovia, Liberia

Beach in Congo Town, Monrovia
Shutterstock
Beach in Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia

Monrovia is Liberia's capital city, a country bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and the Atlantic Ocean in West Africa. Apart from being Liberia's capital, Monrovia is also known as the wettest capital city globally, with an annual average rainfall of 179 inches. There are also plenty of tourist attractions in the town, probably not more than the rainfall travelers will experience when they're there. Have a West African cultural tour in the Liberian National Museum, visit the abandoned and creepy Hotel Ducor, and take a wildlife trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve.

  • Peak Rainy Season: May to October
  • Things to do in Monrovia: Explore Liberian National Museum, Visit Waterside Market, Enjoy the beaches of Liberia, Discover the Ducor Palace Hotel, Experience the nightlife in Monrovia

9 Podgorica, Montenegro

Podgorica, Montenegro
ines lukicCC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Old Town, Podgorica, Montenegro

Montenegro is a country in Europe that faces the Adriatic Sea in the west and looks to Italy on the far horizon. Out of all the reasons to visit Montenegro, its capital city, Podgorica, is one of them - but not its rain levels, though!

Located in the southern part of the country near the northern border of Albania, Podgorica is seriously wet during November and December with its 64 inches of average annual rainfall. If planning a trip to Montenegro, travelers might want to steer clear of these months. Otherwise, it will be harder to visit Montenegro's top tourist attractions, such as the Ribnica Bridge, the Center of Contemporary Art, Lake Skadar, and the Plantaze Winery.

  • Peak Rainy Season: July and August
  • Places to visit in Podgorica: Millennium Bridge, Old Town (Stara Varoš), Clock Tower (Sahat Kula), Lake Skadar National Park, Petrović Palace Museum

Related: These Scenic Islands May Be Some Of Italy's Best-Kept Secrets

8 Hilo, Hawaii, United States

Aerial view of Hilo
Shutterstock
Aerial view of Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo is the rainiest city in Hawaii. It's so rainy here that it not only the rainiest city in the United States but also among the most rainy cities in the world. It has an unbelievable annual average rainfall of 136 inches. It's located on the Upper East Side of the Big Island of Hawaii and has a nice uninterrupted view of the blue waters of the North Pacific Ocean.

Of course, one of the best things to do in Big Island is seeing Hilo's top attractions, including two of the prettiest waterfalls on the planet: the Rainbow Falls and 'Akaka Falls. The kids will love the Imiloa Astronomy Center and the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo. Hilo's rainiest months are March, April, November, and December.

  • Peak Rainy Season:
  • Things to do in Hilo, Hawaii: Visit Rainbow Falls, Explore the Akaka Falls State Park, Take a scenic drive along the Hamakua Coast, Relax and swim at Richardson Beach Park, Discover the wonders of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Related: Lush Farms And Scenic Overlooks: Here's What To Experience On This Road To Hana Sightseeing Tour In Maui

7 Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei City
Via: Timo Volz on Unsplash
Taipei City at Sunset

Suppose the United States has a Tornado Alley that destroys properties in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and other neighboring states. In that case, Taiwan is devastated every year because it is located in Typhoon Alley. The city of Taipei is Taiwan's capital, and it's located on the northern tip of the island. The average annual precipitation is 101 inches, and it gets hit by typhoons at an average of four every year.

Although there are plenty of things for first-timers to do in Taipei, one of the most notable tourist sites in the city is Taipei 101, a skyscraper that towers over everything. Don't forget to visit the National Palace Museum and Yangmingshan National Park for nature lovers!

  • Peak Rainy Season: July through August and October to March
  • Places to visit in Taipei: Taipei 101, National Palace Museum, Shilin Night Market, Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan), Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Related: Visit These Places In The Philippines If You're A First-Timer

6 Borongan, Philippines

Cathedral in Borongan
LeocvlauzonCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A beautiful cathedral in Borongan, Philippines

If people think Taipei, Taiwan had it bad, they can think again. Typhoon alley swallows a big part of the Atlantic Ocean and covers Taiwan, but in the middle of typhoon alley, right in its eye, is the Philippine archipelago. This sublime nation of over 7,000 islands is a tropical paradise, with many budget-friendly spots in the Philippines attracting backpackers and deep-pocketed tourists alike. However, even the most idyllic spots on the planet don't escape the rain, despite being breathtakingly beautiful!

The Philippines and its Instagram-worthy places ranging from picture-perfect beaches and vibrant coral reefs to rainforests and energetic cities experiences an average of 20 typhoons a year - and the capital city of the province of Eastern Samar, Borongan City, is hit almost every time. The average annual rainfall in this city is 162 inches. Ironically, most of the tourist attractions in Borongan City are beaches and islands.

So, be sure to visit the place in the driest season, which typically runs from February to June (though a few wet days usually occur in April). Still, whether it's raining or not, the Philippines is one of the best places to snorkel in the world (and scuba dive, too), which travelers can enjoy even when it's raining (so long as the waves aren't too harsh, of course!)

  • Peak Rainy Season: Between October and March
  • Things to do in Borongan: Soak in Sulangan Beach, Visit Balangiga Church and Museum, Explore Linao Cave, Take a scenic drive along the Baybay Boulevard, Enjoy local delicacies at the Borongan City Public Market

Related: 10 Of The Best Beaches In The Philippines For A Tropical Escape

5 Bergen, Norway

Bergen, Norway
Photo by Lachlan Gowen on Unsplash
Sunset in Bergen, Norway

With its 80 inches of rainfall, Bergen in Vestland County in Norway is wet, wet, wet. Of course, this Norwegian city doesn't quite see the colossal rains of others on this list, its falling waters are still quite impressive. Branded "The City of Rain", Bergen experiences an oceanic climate, wherein its rains are evenly spread during the year - a whopping 270 days of rain on average annually, in fact. Given its intense amount of rain in comparison to others on the continent, Bergen has earned itself the wet crown as the rainiest city in Europe.

  • Peak Rainy Season: April through July
  • Places to visit in Bergen: Bryggen Wharf, Fløyen Mountain and Funicular, Bergen Fish Market, Bergenhus Fortress, Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene

Related: Norway Guide: Everything First-Timers Should Not Miss Out On

4 Mawlamyine, Myanmar

Mawlamyine, Myanmar
talachan monCC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Stunning panorama of Mawlamyine, Myanmar

Situated in Mon State in Myanmar, Mawlamyine is a lovely coastal city and serves as one of the country's major seaports. Situated on the banks of the Salween River, the city's rainy season egins around the beginning of May and lasts right through until the middle of October - a duration lasting almost half the year ar around five and a half months!

This region's 188 inches of average annual rainfall takes place throughout this wet season, making it a very hot, sticky, and rainy time to visit this stunning tropical nation with gorgeous beaches and excellent scuba diving destinations.

  • Peak Rainy Season: May to October
  • Things to do in Mawlamyine: Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock), Thanlwin Bridge, Win Sein Taw Ya Reclining Buddha, Mawlamyine Strand Road, Seindon Mibaya Kyaung Monastery

Related: A Travel Guide To Myanmar: Tourists Should Plan Their Trip Around These 10 Things

3 Quibdó, Colombia

Quibdó, Colombia

Diego Tirira from Quito, EcuadorCC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Quibdó, Colombia, one of the rainiest cities in the world

The equatorial line is usually the hottest part of the planet, but it is where the countries that experience a lot of rainfall and precipitation are located. One such country is Colombia (indeed, with its ties to the infamous Escobar estate) as it is right above the imaginary line.

One of the cities that has it bad in terms of rainfall is Quibdó. It's located in northwest Colombia, just a little to the southwest of Pablo Escobar's hometown of Medellin. Quibdó has a heavy average annual rainfall of 289 inches. For intending visitors, two of the best tourist sites in Quibdó are the Malecon Quibdo and the San Francisco De Asis Cathedral.

  • Peak Rainy Season: June to September
  • Places to see in Quibdó: Iglesia de San Francisco (San Francisco Church), Museo del Oro Quibdó (Quibdó Gold Museum), Parque Centenario (Centennial Park), Mercado de Quibdó (Quibdó Market), Paseo del Río Atrato (Atrato River Promenade)

2 Tutunendo, Colombia

Tutunendo
KarestinCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tutunendo, Colombia

Tutunendo in Colombia is located in the municipality of Quibdó. However, the town is different from the previous entry because the city of Quibdó is 8 miles away from Tutunendo. The city has an average rainfall of 463 inches every year, and it is the rainiest town in South America.

  • Peak Rainy Season: Mid-June to December
  • Things to do in Tutunendo: Explore Tutunendo Nature Reserve, Visit Cascada de Tutunendo (Tutunendo Waterfall), Take a boat ride along Rio San Juan, Hike through the lush rainforest trails, Discover the local indigenous culture and traditions

1 San Antonio de Ureca, Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea's Jungle and ocean
Shutterstock
Aerial view Equatorial Guinea's Jungle and ocean

San Antonio de Ureca lies on the island of Bioko in Equatorial Guinea. It is almost located on top of the Equator, which is the primary reason why the region receives such heavy rainfall. San Antonio de Ureca is the rainiest location on the African continent; in fact, the area receives around 418 inches of average rain every year - a colossal amount!

  • Peak Rainy Season: March to May and September to November
  • Things to do in San Antonio de Ureca: Swimming, fishing, spotting wildlife and enjoying natural beauty at Monte Alén National Park