Málaga, on Spain’s southern Mediterranean coast, enjoys a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with mild, sunny winters and hot, dry summers. The city boasts over 2,900 hours of sunshine annually, low rainfall, and warm sea temperatures, making it an attractive destination for beachgoers and outdoor enthusiasts almost year-round.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Málaga’s climate is defined by hot, dry summers and mild, relatively rainy winters. Summers (June–September) are typically hot and sunny, with average daytime highs of 30–32°C, though heatwaves can push temperatures above 40°C. Nights remain warm, and sea breezes help temper the heat. Rain is rare in summer, and humidity is moderate, though the ‘terral’ wind from inland can bring brief, intense heat. The Mediterranean Sea warms to 24–26°C by July and August, perfect for swimming and water sports.
Winters (December–February) are among the warmest in Europe, with average highs of 17–18°C and lows of 7–9°C. Snow is extremely rare, and most winter days are sunny, though rain is more likely between November and March. Even in the coldest months, daytime temperatures often reach 17°C or higher, and the sea remains swimmable for the hardy. Spring and autumn are transitional, with pleasant temperatures (20–27°C), fewer crowds, and occasional rain showers. Málaga receives about 470 mm of rain annually, mostly in late autumn and winter, and enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year. Winds are generally gentle, with occasional stronger gusts during storms or terral events.
| Average climate data for Málaga, Spain | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 22 | 18 | 16 | 29 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 10 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 24 | 24 | 35 | 27 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 26 | 33 | 30 | 236 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 8 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 77 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 72 | 72 | 73 | 70 | 66 | 61 | 60 | 61 | 66 | 70 | 69 | 71 | 68 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 19 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 26 | 25 | 28 | 25 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 26 | 19 |
| Average UV index | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
The best time to visit Málaga is from April to June and September to early November, when temperatures are warm but not extreme, crowds are smaller, and rainfall is minimal. These months are ideal for sightseeing, enjoying the beach, and outdoor dining, with long, sunny days and comfortable evenings.
The least favourable time to visit is late July and August, when heatwaves can bring temperatures above 35°C and crowds peak at beaches and attractions. Rain is rare, but the intense heat and humidity may be uncomfortable for some. Winter is mild, but rain is more frequent from November to March.
Málaga’s annual average temperature is about 18°C. January is the coldest month (highs 16–17°C, lows 7–9°C), while August is the hottest (highs 30–32°C, lows 20–22°C).
Rainfall averages 470 mm per year, with most rain falling from November to March. Summer is very dry. Snow is extremely rare in Málaga, with only a few historic snowfalls recorded.
The Mediterranean Sea is warmest from July to September, with average temperatures of 24–26°C. Swimming is comfortable from June to October.
Málaga enjoys about 2,900–3,000 hours of sunshine annually. July is the sunniest month, with over 11 hours of sunshine per day, while December is the least sunny but still pleasant.
Winds are generally gentle, coming from the sea, but the ‘terral’ wind from inland can bring brief, intense heat in summer. Occasional storms bring stronger gusts, especially in winter.
Yes, Málaga has some of the warmest winters in Europe, with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine. It’s a popular destination for those seeking winter sun and outdoor activities.
Pack light clothing, sun protection, and swimwear for summer. Bring a light jacket or jumper for spring, autumn, and cool evenings. An umbrella is useful in winter, though rain is usually brief.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (28.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (14.6 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 20.8 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (22.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (9.9 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 15.6 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (23.5 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (15.6 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 18.9 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is March (34.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (2 mm). Over the whole year there are 235.6 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (11.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (2.3 days). Over the whole year there are 77.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is March (72.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (60.2 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 67.6 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (13.8 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 11.2 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is March (28.2 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (6.7 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 18.5 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 10.9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 7.9 h). Over the whole year there are 8.9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 7). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, November and December (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.1.
