Weather in Costa del Sol in April

How April compares

April is the 7th warmest month of the year in Costa del Sol. Within Spain it is 56th of 87 (Spain in April). Against London's average high of 13.5°C in April, Costa del Sol is 5.2°C warmer by day and 6.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in April

The typical April day in Costa del Sol peaks at 18.7°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 21.9°C or more. Roughly 1 in 100 days top 25°C. Nights average 12.0°C; one night in ten drops to 9.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest April day here reached 30.6°C (2017-04-15) and the coldest night 4.0°C (2019-04-06).

Rain in April

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 7 days with 1 mm or more, 44 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest April was 2000 with 172 mm, the driest 2001 with 1 mm. Humidity averages 70%.

Sea temperature in April

The sea averages 15.8°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 15.2°C to 16.4°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (23.0°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 7.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:44 and sets about 20:52 local time in mid-April. Average cloud cover is 43%.

Is April a good time to visit Costa del Sol?

April is not the strongest month here: mild days. The best months for Costa del Sol on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Comfortable daytime warmth, but keep a layer handy

An average high of 18.7°C makes April better suited to being out and about than seeking shade from strong heat. The warmer days reach around 22°C or more, but days reaching 25°C are rare, so summer clothing alone would be a gamble. Take lighter clothes for warm afternoons, plus a jumper or jacket for the evening. Nights average 12°C, and the coldest can fall to around 10°C or below. This suits travellers who find summer heat tiring; it is less convincing if your main aim is to feel properly hot throughout the day.

Enough sunshine to plan around, with some rain

April brings about 7.4 hours of sunshine within 13 hours of daylight, giving you plenty of daylight for outdoor plans without promising clear skies throughout. There are about 7 rainy days, so a light waterproof is a sensible addition to your bag. Keep plans flexible rather than making every day depend on dry weather. The balance is useful for a spring break: there is scope for sunny afternoons, but rain is a real possibility rather than something to dismiss. If reliable dry weather is essential to your enjoyment, April's mix may feel too uncertain.

Better for sitting by the sea than swimming

The sea averages 15.8°C, which is cold rather than merely refreshing. Even a warm afternoon does not make the water warm, so separate the idea of pleasant beach weather from comfortable swimming. April can work for sitting by the sea when conditions suit, with a layer ready as the air cools, but it is a poor fit if long swims are central to your holiday. The sea's year-to-year range is only 15°C to 16°C, so hoping for a much warmer April sea is not a sound basis for booking. Treat any dip as optional.