--- title: "Costa del Sol weather by month: when to visit Benahavís and Marbella" url: "https://paraisogolfretreat.com/blog/costa-del-sol-weather-by-month" locale: en published_at: 2026-10-12 updated_at: 2026-10-12 generated_at: "2026-10-20T04:25:27.937Z" slug: costa-del-sol-weather-by-month category: Travel Info author: Mex Smits --- # Costa del Sol weather by month: when to visit Benahavís and Marbella _2026-10-12 · by Mex Smits · Category: Travel Info_ A month-by-month guide to Costa del Sol weather from our apartment in Benahavís: average air and sea temperatures, rain and sunshine, crowds, what's open, golf conditions, what to pack and the best time to visit Marbella for beaches, golf, hiking or winter sun. Costa del Sol weather is a big part of why people come to this stretch of Spain: mild winters, warm springs, hot dry summers and long golden autumns, with close to 3,000 hours of sunshine a year at Málaga Airport. But each month feels different, and the best time to visit depends on whether you want beach days, golf, hiking or simply winter sun. We run El Paraíso Golf Retreat, a self-catering apartment in Urb. El Paraíso in Benahavís, between Marbella and Estepona, so this is our month-by-month guide to the weather here and what it means for your trip. You'll find a quick table first, then a section for each season with notes on every month, the best time to visit Marbella for different kinds of trips, how Benahavís differs from the beach, and what to pack. If you're reading this for an autumn trip, our separate guide to [Málaga weather in October and November](/blog/costa-del-sol-in-october-november) goes into those two months in much more detail. ## Costa del Sol weather month by month These are long-term averages, so treat them as a guide rather than a forecast. Air temperature, rain and sunshine figures are the AEMET (Spanish state weather agency) 1991 to 2020 normals for Málaga Airport, the official station for this coast. Sea temperatures are multi-year satellite averages for the water off Marbella. Temperatures in Marbella, San Pedro and Estepona are very similar to Málaga on most days, and this stretch of coast is sheltered by the Sierra Blanca and Sierra Bermeja mountains. | Month | Average high | Average low | Sea | Rain | Sunshine | | --------- | ------------ | ----------- | ---- | ------------------------- | -------------- | | January | 17°C | 8°C | 16°C | 62 mm, about 5 rainy days | 6 hours a day | | February | 18°C | 8°C | 16°C | 56 mm, about 5 rainy days | 7 hours a day | | March | 20°C | 10°C | 16°C | 66 mm, about 5 rainy days | 7 hours a day | | April | 22°C | 12°C | 17°C | 41 mm, about 4 rainy days | 8 hours a day | | May | 25°C | 15°C | 18°C | 23 mm, about 3 rainy days | 10 hours a day | | June | 29°C | 19°C | 21°C | 4 mm, rarely rains | 11 hours a day | | July | 31°C | 21°C | 23°C | almost none | 11 hours a day | | August | 32°C | 22°C | 23°C | 3 mm, rarely rains | 10 hours a day | | September | 28°C | 19°C | 22°C | 25 mm, about 2 rainy days | 9 hours a day | | October | 24°C | 15°C | 20°C | 61 mm, 4 or 5 rainy days | 7 hours a day | | November | 20°C | 11°C | 18°C | 77 mm, about 5 rainy days | 6 hours a day | | December | 18°C | 9°C | 17°C | 88 mm, about 6 rainy days | 5 hours a day | A "rainy day" here means a day with at least 1 mm of rain. Even in the wettest months, rain tends to arrive in short bursts of a day or two, followed by clear blue skies. ## Crowds, what's open and golf conditions by month | Month | Crowds | What's open | Golf conditions | | --------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | | January | Quiet | Restaurants and shops open as normal; some beach clubs closed | Good, with cool mornings; low season green fees | | February | Quiet, busier at half term | As January; carnival events in some towns | Very good; tee sheets start filling | | March | Moderate; busy around Easter | Most terraces and many beach bars back in action | Spring peak season | | April | Moderate to busy | Almost everything open | Spring peak season | | May | Moderate | Everything open; beach clubs in full swing | Excellent; warm but not hot | | June | Busy | Everything open, long evenings | Early tee times recommended; summer rates start | | July | Very busy | Everything open; summer concerts and festivals | Hot; play at dawn or twilight | | August | Peak | Everything open; book restaurants ahead | Hot; play at dawn or twilight | | September | Busy early, calmer later | Everything open | Warm; busy from mid month | | October | Moderate; busy at UK half term | Most things open, some shorter hours | Autumn peak season | | November | Quiet | Some beach clubs close for the season | Autumn peak season | | December | Quiet, busier at Christmas | Christmas lights and markets in the towns | Mild and quieter; low season green fees | ## Costa del Sol weather in winter: December, January and February Winter here is mild rather than warm. Sunny days of 17 or 18°C are common, perfect for walking, golf and long lunches on a terrace. The catch is the evenings: once the sun goes down it gets chilly quickly, and Spanish apartments are built to stay cool, so pack a jumper. This is also the wettest part of the year, although wet means a few days of rain a month, not grey weeks. ### December: Christmas lights and the most rain December is the wettest month on average, with about 88 mm of rain over five or six days, but it is also when the towns are at their prettiest. Málaga's Calle Larios and the old towns of Marbella and Estepona put up their Christmas lights, and the sun sets just after 18:00\. Expect around 18°C by day and 9°C at night. ### January: the quietest month January is the coolest month, with highs of about 17°C and lows around 8°C. It is the quietest time of year, so roads, restaurants and golf courses are relaxed. Lunch outside in the sun is often still possible, especially on the sheltered coast between Marbella and Estepona. The sea, at around 16°C, is for the brave only. ### February: almond blossom and longer days Costa del Sol weather in February is a touch warmer than January, around 18°C by day, with more sunshine as the days lengthen. In the hills inland the almond trees are in blossom in late January and February. It is a favourite month for golfers and walkers, and UK half term brings a small rise in visitors. The sea is at its coldest in February and March, at roughly 15 to 16°C. ## Costa del Sol weather in spring: March, April and May Spring is our favourite season for active trips. The countryside is green after the winter rain, the days are warm without being hot, and the golf courses are in great shape. It is also one of the best times to visit Marbella if you want to explore rather than lie on a beach. ### March: changeable, with Semana Santa Costa del Sol weather in March is changeable but often lovely: around 20°C on a sunny afternoon, about 10°C at night, and five or so rainy days in the month. Some years March is surprisingly wet, others it feels like early summer. Spain moves its clocks forward on the last Sunday of March, which gives you light evenings from then on. In 2027 Holy Week (Semana Santa) runs from 21 to 28 March, with famous processions in Málaga and smaller ones in Marbella and Estepona. Expect more visitors and higher prices that week. ### April: warm days, cool sea Costa del Sol weather in April is spring at its best: highs of about 22°C, around eight hours of sunshine a day and rain on only three or four days. It is warm enough for shorts and lunch outside, and some people sunbathe on the beach, but the sea is still only about 17°C. April is ideal for hiking, the white villages and a Ronda day trip, and it is peak golf season. When Easter falls in April, book early. ### May: the start of beach season Costa del Sol weather in May feels like early summer, with highs of about 25°C, ten hours of sun a day and very little rain. Beach clubs are open and the evenings are long. The sea reaches about 18°C, which is fresh but swimmable on a hot afternoon. For many people May is the best all-round month: warm, bright and calmer than the summer holidays. ## Costa del Sol weather in summer: June, July and August Summer is hot, dry and reliably sunny, with almost no rain from June to August. Average highs at Málaga Airport are 29 to 32°C, but the coast can feel sticky on calm days, and on some days the terral, a hot dry wind from inland, pushes Málaga above 35°C. The record at the airport is 44.2°C, reached in July 1978 and again in July 2023\. Air conditioning is worth having. Plan beach time for the morning or late afternoon, and save the middle of the day for the pool or a long lunch in the shade. ### June: the longest evenings June is a sweet spot: around 29°C by day, sea temperatures climbing past 20°C and the longest evenings of the year, with sunset around 21:40 in late June. UK schools are still in session and Spanish schools only break up in the second half of the month, so it is a little calmer than July and August. Marbella holds its main fair, the Feria de San Bernabé, in the week around 11 June. ### July: festival season July is hot and very sunny, with about 11 hours of sun a day, highs of about 31°C and warm nights around 21°C. The sea is at its best for swimming, at around 23°C. This is festival season, with open-air concerts along the coast. Golfers should book the earliest tee time they can or play at twilight. ### August: the hottest and busiest month August is the hottest and busiest month, with highs of about 32°C and nights that barely drop below 22°C. Spanish families take their holidays, the beaches and Puerto Banús are at their liveliest, and the Feria de Málaga fills the city for a week in mid August. Book restaurants, beach loungers and car hire well ahead. Up in Benahavís the evenings are a little more comfortable than on the seafront. ## Costa del Sol weather in autumn: September, October and November Autumn is many regulars' favourite time to come. The heat eases, the sea stays warm, prices drop after the summer, and golf season gets going again. ### September: summer without the crowds September still feels like summer, with highs of about 28°C and a sea at around 22°C, warmer than in June. The first half of the month is busy; the second half is noticeably calmer. If it does rain, it is usually a short storm, often late in the month. It is a great month for beach and golf in the same week. ### October and November October brings warm, sunny days of about 24°C, a sea that is still swimmable at around 20°C, and the first proper rain of the autumn. November is cooler at about 20°C by day and around 18°C in the sea, with more rain but plenty of bright days for golf and walking. Both months are peak golf season. For sunset times, what to pack and what to do, see our full guide to [Costa del Sol weather in October and November](/blog/costa-del-sol-in-october-november). ## Best time to visit Marbella and Benahavís There is no single best month. It depends on what you want from your trip: * **Beach holidays:** June to September, with July and August the warmest for swimming. Late June and September give you warm seas with fewer crowds. * **Golf:** March to May and mid September to November for ideal conditions. December and January are cheaper and still pleasant. Our guide to planning a [Costa del Sol golf break](/blog/golf-break-costa-del-sol) covers seasons and tee times, and [golf near El Paraíso](/blog/golf-near-el-paraiso-benahavis) lists the courses close to the apartment. * **Hiking and sightseeing:** February to May and October to November, when it is warm enough to be outside all day but cool enough to walk. Pair it with a [Ronda day trip](/blog/ronda-day-trip-from-el-paraiso), but take a jacket, as Ronda sits at around 750 metres and is several degrees colder than the coast. * **Families:** school holidays decide it for most, but May, June and September give you beach weather without the August peak. Our list of [things to do in Marbella](/blog/things-to-do-near-el-paraiso-marbella) has ideas for every season. * **Winter sun and long stays:** November to March. You won't swim much, but you will get plenty of sunny days in the high teens while northern Europe is grey. * **Best value:** January, February and November, when flights and accommodation are at their cheapest. If we had to pick one answer to the best time to visit Marbella, it would be May or late September: warm, sunny and swimmable, with everything open and room to breathe. ## Benahavís is a little different from the beach El Paraíso sits a few kilometres inland, on the hills below the white village of Benahavís and a little higher than the seafront. Daytime temperatures are much the same as on the coast, but the evening air cools faster once the sun drops behind the mountains. In summer that is a bonus, with more comfortable nights than in a seafront hotel. From November to March it means a fleece for the terrace after dark. Our [Benahavís village guide](/blog/benahavis-village-guide) covers the village itself, including the river walk, which is at its best in the summer months. ## What to pack for the Costa del Sol * **December to February:** layers for the day, a warm jumper or light padded jacket for the evening, a compact umbrella and comfortable walking shoes. * **March to May:** T-shirts and shorts for the day, long trousers and a fleece for the evening. Swimwear from May. * **June to September:** light summer clothes, swimwear, a hat, sunglasses and high factor sunscreen. One light layer for breezy evenings. * **October and November:** summer clothes for warm days plus a jumper and a light waterproof. * **All year:** sun protection. The winter sun is stronger than it feels, especially on the golf course. ## Costa del Sol weather FAQ ### What is the warmest month on the Costa del Sol? August, with average highs of about 32°C at Málaga Airport and the warmest sea of the year at around 23°C. July is almost as hot. ### Is it warm enough to swim in April or May? The sea is around 17°C in April and 18°C in May. Many visitors take a quick dip on a hot day in May, but most people find the water comfortable from June. ### Does it rain a lot in winter? Not in the way it does in northern Europe. December, the wettest month, averages about 88 mm over five or six days, usually in short bursts between long sunny spells. ### Is March a good time to visit the Costa del Sol? Yes, for walking, golf, sightseeing and Semana Santa. Expect around 20°C by day and some rain. It is too early for most people to swim. ### When is the best time to visit Marbella? May and September for beach weather with fewer crowds, March to May or October and November for golf and hiking, and July and August if you want the full summer buzz. ## Plan your stay Whatever the month, El Paraíso makes a calm base with golf views, outdoor dining space and the coast, the mountains and Marbella all a short drive away. Check dates on our [homepage](/) or on the [Airbnb listing](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1444857010046569472). Dutch readers can find this guide in Dutch as [Beste reistijd Costa del Sol](/nl/blog/beste-reistijd-costa-del-sol). _Written by Mex Smits_ Climate figures: AEMET 1991 to 2020 normals for Málaga Airport; sea temperatures: seatemperature.org averages for Marbella (NOAA satellite data). Hero photo: the Costa del Sol coast seen from the air above Marbella, looking east towards Fuengirola, by Mike McBey, via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Litoral%5Fentre%5FMarbella%5Fy%5FFuengirola%5F-%5F50003391192.jpg), licensed [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) (resized).