Costa del Sol weather by month

When to go to Costa del Sol

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: June, July, August, September. December is the wettest month (77 mm, about 8 rainy days) and July the driest (1 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 23.0°C and coolest in February at 14.8°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP, 9 km from Málaga) takes roughly 2 h 48 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Madrid.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Costa del Sol between 1991 and 2020 reached 42.5°C on 1 August 2020; the coldest fell to -2.0°C on 5 February 2018. In August one day in ten tops 32.0°C and about 30% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 5.9°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was December 1996 with 468 mm, against a December average of 77 mm.

Winter and spring: mild afternoons, then a gradual warm-up

December, January and February suit outdoor plans that can move around the weather, rather than holidays built around the beach. December averages 16°C by day, while January and February sit at 15°C, with nights of 9°C. Bring a jacket for evenings and a waterproof layer: January and December each average 8 rain days. March nudges up to 17°C, but still calls for layers when the sun goes in. April's 19°C days make longer spells outdoors more comfortable, though rain remains a consideration. May is the clearer turning point, with 22°C days, 9 hours of sunshine and fewer wet days. It suits travellers who dislike summer heat, but the sea averages just 17°C, so warm air should not be mistaken for warm swimming conditions.

Summer: the driest weather, with warm nights

June offers a useful balance if you want summer warmth without the highest daytime averages: expect 26°C days and 18°C nights, with just 1 rain day on average. The catch for swimmers is a sea temperature of 19°C, still cooler than later in summer. July and August both average 29°C by day, making shade and a quieter pace sensible around midday. July has the most sunshine, averaging 13 hours, and is the driest month. August brings the warmest sea at 23°C, but nights also average 22°C. Choose this period for beach-focused days and warm evenings, rather than sustained activity in the afternoon heat.

Autumn: September holds the warmth, then rain becomes more likely

September is the strongest autumn choice for a mix of swimming and comfortable time outdoors. Days average 26°C and the sea holds at 21°C, warmer than in June, although rain becomes more frequent than in summer. October still offers 22°C afternoons, but its 7 rain days mean it is sensible to keep outdoor plans flexible. The sea averages 19°C, so swimming depends more on your tolerance for cooler water. By November, daytime averages fall to 18°C and nights to 12°C. Pack layers and a rain jacket, and treat beach time as something to fit around the weather rather than the basis of the trip.