Malaga is the capital of the Costa del Sol! Dynamic and festive all year round, the city is also an ideal winter destination! Monuments and museums are open, tourist numbers are lower and the city is alive with celebrations. Here are our tips for discovering the city in winter: activities, weather, temperatures…
Plus information on how to spend Christmas and New Year’ s Eve on site.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Visiting Malaga in winter: is it worth it?
Our review
If you’re looking for a destination to spend a winter in the sun, Malaga seems ideal to us! Although you might think that a seaside destination in winter is incongruous, Malaga has much more to offer than just its beaches. The town boasts a rich architectural and cultural heritage. You’ll be able to explore it in peace and quiet, with far fewer tourists. And since the climate remains mild and sunny, you can also combine a visit to the city with escapades in nature or in the famous nearby white villages! Last but not least, Malaga is dressed in its finest for Christmas, with magnificent illuminations and lots of entertainment!
Benefits
- less tourist traffic and therefore quieter visits,
- it’s easier to park and get around the city,
- temperatures are more bearable than in summer,
- hotels are less expensive,
- almost everything is open,
- there are events and celebrations even in winter!
Disadvantages
- it’s colder and less sunny,
- the beauty of facades and monuments is less visible under grey skies,
- You won’t be able to enjoy the sunshine on a terrace, but rest assured that the lively atmosphere of restaurants and bodegas remains intact, even indoors!
WHERE TO STAY IN Málaga
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the historical center
Hotel Palacio Solecio – see photos and availability
Near the sea, Playa de la Magualeta
Gran Hotel Miramar – see photos and availability
In the Soho district
Hotel Only You Malaga – view photos and availability
Weather, temperatures and conditions
The weather in Malaga is mild, even in winter. Although it can sometimes rain, the climate remains very mild compared to the rest of Central and Northern Europe. Malaga enjoys one of the warmest winters in Europe, with temperatures averaging between 12°c and 19°c and nearly five hours of sunshine a day on average. Note that the coldest and wettest month is November, with a reasonable average of 5 rainy days but an average rainfall of 65 mm.
RENT A CAR IN Andalucia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a compact car, as some villages have very narrow streets!
- Think ofcomprehensive insurance for the same reason
- Book early for choice.
Things to do in Malaga in winter
In Malaga, you can do all the things you’d do in other seasons, starting with exploring the magnificent historical and cultural heritage:
- Visit theAlcazaba, its walls and nooks and crannies,
- Marvel at the Cathedral of the Incarnation,
- Explore the city’s best museums,
- Stroll around the historic center and take advantage of the sales in January!
- Attend a flamenco show or discover the city’s range of shows and concerts
- Enjoy the generous local cuisine at one of our many restaurants, or opt for a gourmet guided tour of the city’s specialties!
Discover all the must-sees in Malaga.
Take advantage of winter and its mild temperatures to go hiking in the heights of Malaga. The choice is yours:
- The vertiginous Caminito del Rey!
- El Torcal de Antequera Nature Park, one of Andalucia’s most beautiful geological wonders, with its enchanting karst landscape.
- The rolling, verdant trails of Montes Nature Park stretch over 4162ha of mountain.
Finally, don’t miss exploring the pueblos blancos, or white villages, nestled in the mountains of Sierra de Grazalema and Serranía de Ronda. While their common feature is the cluster of whitewashed houses, each village has its own unique charm and architecture, which you’ll find in our dedicated article.
Need more inspiration? Read our article on the best excursions from Malaga!
Winter in Málaga, on the other hand, does not offer ideal weather conditions:
- Sunbathing on the terrace,
- Enjoy countless beaches and boat excursions,
- Visit seaside towns like Marbella or Almeria,
- Admire the unobstructed views from Gibralfaro Castle.
How to get to Malaga
To get to Malaga, you can choose from the following options:
- By plane: Malaga airport is served by many European cities. From the airport, you’ll find most car rental companies.
- By car: the city is easily accessible, with major highways like the A-7 and A-45 linking it to other major cities in Andalucia and Spain.
- By train: María Zambrano station is connected to many other Spanish cities, including Madrid in 3 hours and Sevilla in 2 hours (more info on the renfe website here).
- Bus: There are many direct connections from Malaga bus station to other cities in Andalucia (more info on the movelia website here).
- The boat: Although Malaga’s port is primarily commercial, a regular passenger service links Spain to the Maghreb (more info here).
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Christmas in Malaga
Don’t hesitate a single second to come to Malaga to celebrate Christmas! In addition to the fact that the spiritual charge is much stronger than in other European cities, a number of events are organized especially for the occasion:
- Enchanting illuminations adorn most of the city with an incredible atmosphere.
- A Christmas market on Malaga’s harbor where you can buy local specialties and traditional decorations.
- Various sound and light shows: depending on the year, you can enjoy a video mapping show on Malaga Cathedral, an aerial drone show at the port or a musical animation in Calle Larios.
- The Nativity Scene Route: this involves the creation of impressive nativity scene decorations in the town’s various churches, in a number of squares and in other villages in the region.
- Unforgettable festivities: a number of traditional events are held each year, such as the Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales in December, a singing and dancing competition between musical groups, or the Parade des Rois Mages in January (float parade and candy distribution).
We also invite you to take a look at the Cervantes Theatre’s Christmas program, which includes magical shows for children (Swan Lake and the adaptation of Peter Pan, for example – see more here).
New Year in Malaga
Malaga is undoubtedly one of the best cities in Andalucia to celebrate New Year’s Eve! In addition to the festive, joyous atmosphere that the town is famous for all year round, the festive season is also a time for special events, such as fireworks displays from the harbour and concerts and shows.
