Estepona weather by month

When to go to Estepona

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 (116 mm, about 9 rainy days) and July the driest (1 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 22.0°C and coolest in February at 14.8°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Gibraltar Airport (GIB, 36 km from Estepona) takes roughly 2 h 54 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 Estepona between 1991 and 2020 reached 42.5°C on 1 August 2020; the coldest fell to 1.3°C on 28 January 2005. In August one day in ten tops 33.7°C and about 52% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 6.8°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was December 1996 with 468 mm, against a December average of 116 mm.

Winter into spring: mild afternoons, cool water

December, January and February average 16°C by day, so winter suits outdoor plans that can shift around showers rather than a swimming holiday. January and February nights average 10°C: bring a jacket and layers rather than relying on afternoon warmth. December and January each average 9 rain days, making a waterproof useful. March edges up to 18°C, April reaches 20°C and May feels noticeably warmer at 23°C. That makes late spring a better choice for spending longer outside in lighter clothing, though evenings still need a layer. The catch is the sea: even in May it averages 17°C, so warm air does not yet mean comfortable swimming for everyone.

Summer: the driest weather, with a midday heat trade-off

June offers a useful balance: days average 27°C, nights 19°C and rain is infrequent, leaving plenty of scope for outdoor plans. July and August are hotter, both averaging 30°C by day, so move anything active towards the morning and leave room for shade at midday. July has the most sunshine at 13 hours daily and is the driest month, but that is not a guarantee of completely rain-free weather. August nights average 23°C, which may feel warm for sleeping. For swimming, the sea rises from 19°C in June to 21°C in July and 22°C in August. Choose later summer if warmer water matters more than avoiding heat.

Autumn: September keeps the warmth, then rain becomes a bigger factor

September is the strongest autumn choice for a beach-focused stay: daytime averages remain at 27°C and the sea holds at 21°C, matching July's water temperature without matching its daytime heat. Nights average 20°C, so evenings remain relatively warm. October drops to 23°C by day, still appealing if you prefer gentler warmth, but its 8 rain days make flexible plans more sensible than expecting uninterrupted sunshine. The sea averages 19°C, cooler than September but warmer than in spring. By November, daytime averages fall to 19°C and nights to 13°C. Pack layers and a waterproof, and treat swimming as an optional extra rather than the basis of the trip.