Best time to visit · Málaga · Spain
The best time to visit Málaga
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Málaga are April to June and September to October, when it is warm enough for the beach without the peak heat and crowds of July and August. Winter is mild and sunny enough for city breaks, with low prices, while Semana Santa and the August Feria are spectacular but busy and expensive.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March, July–August and November
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 31°C (88°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 17°C (63°F))
- Rainiest month
- November (~6 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Seasons
Málaga has one of the mildest climates in mainland Europe: warm, sunny winters, hot summers and very little rain from May to September. A hot inland wind called the terral occasionally pushes summer temperatures towards 40°C for a day or two.
March–May
Spring
Warm, sunny and green, with Semana Santa processions and comfortable sightseeing weather; the sea is still cool.
June–August
Summer
Hot, dry and crowded, with warm sea, beach life and the August Feria; terral winds can bring extreme heat.
September–November
Autumn
Warm sea in September, pleasant October days and the first rains in November, with prices falling.
December–February
Winter
Mild days around 17°C, festive lights on Calle Larios and low hotel prices; too cool for most swimmers.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°C | 8°C | 5 | 16°C | 9.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 18°C | 8°C | 5 | 15°C | 10.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 20°C | 10°C | 5 | 15°C | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 22°C | 12°C | 5 | 16°C | 13.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 25°C | 14°C | 3 | 18°C | 14.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 28°C | 18°C | 1 | 20°C | 14.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 31°C | 21°C | 0 | 22°C | 14.4 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 31°C | 21°C | 1 | 23°C | 13.6 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 28°C | 19°C | 2 | 22°C | 12.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 24°C | 15°C | 4 | 20°C | 11.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 20°C | 11°C | 6 | 18°C | 10.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 17°C | 9°C | 6 | 16°C | 9.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Three Kings parade (5 January) |
| February | Carnival — parades and the 'burial of the anchovy' (usually February) |
| March | Málaga Film Festival — Spanish and Latin American cinema (usually March) |
| April | Semana Santa — Holy Week processions with huge tronos (March or April) |
| May | Noche en Blanco — night of free cultural events (usually May) |
| June | Noche de San Juan — beach bonfires and midnight swims (23 June) |
| July | Virgen del Carmen — sea processions of fishermen's boats, especially in El Palo (16 July) |
| August | Feria de Málaga — week-long summer fair (usually mid-August) |
| November | Christmas lights switched on along Calle Larios (usually late November) |
| December | Christmas light shows on Calle Larios (evenings through December); Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales — traditional folk bands (usually 28 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February and November, and the sights are quietest in January–February and November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Málaga?
The best times to visit Málaga are April to June and September to October, when it is warm enough for the beach without the peak heat and crowds of July and August. Winter is mild and sunny enough for city breaks, with low prices, while Semana Santa and the August Feria are spectacular but busy and expensive.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Málaga?
Usually in January–February and November. Mild, often sunny days ideal for sightseeing and walking, with cool evenings.
+What is the rainiest month in Málaga?
November, with about 6 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Málaga get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 31°C (88°F) and lows of 21°C (70°F).