Málaga is a city that has a lot to offer throughout the year. It’s known for its cultural attractions, beach weather, and festivals, making it an excellent destination for a holiday. However, the question remains: when is the best time to visit?
In this article, we’ve outlined the reasons why Málaga is a great tourist destination all year round. We’ve highlighted the cultural events, weather, and natural beauty that you can expect during each of these months. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or a vibrant and exciting holiday, Málaga has something for everyone.
So, let’s dive in and explore what makes Málaga such a fantastic destination throughout the year.
Why you should come to Málaga in January
The first month of the year is one of the quietest for Málaga, making it ideal if you want to visit the city without the crowds.
Málaga has lots to offer in terms of culture during January. There are a variety of museums, like the Picasso Museum, the Carmen Thyssen Museum, and the Museo Automovilistico y de la Moda, and stunning monuments, such as Alcazaba.
You will be able to take in all this culture without the crowds.
One of the main events in January is the Three Kings’ Parade, a family-friendly event where you will see beautiful floats and entrancing dancers and performers.
The parade starts in the late afternoon, going from Málaga’s Port and making its way through the city’s centre. The parade brings the whole city together every year. It’s a must-see if you go to Málaga in January.
Málaga weather in January
The days are rather short in January, with the sun setting at around 6pm. This month is one of the wettest for Málaga, but this only means around 6 days of rain per month.
If you are looking to escape Ireland’s weather in January, Málaga is ideal. Average temperatures are around 17 degrees during this month — about 10 degrees hotter than Dublin at the same time of year!
Málaga in February: carnival celebrations are a must-see
The main event in Málaga in February is, of course, the Carnival. These celebrations last 10 days during the month of February.
The carnival starts with lights being set up in Calle Larios. During the carnival, most festivities take place on the Plaza de la Constitución, where an impressive stage is set up.
During the carnival, you can expect to see fancy dress competitions (great fun for children!), a parade with joyous music and dancers, and a drag queen competition!
The drag queen contest is one of our favourite parts of the entire carnival. During the competition, the drag queens compete to become the next Queen of Málaga. You can expect to see beautiful outfits, huge wigs, and breathtaking performances.
We also love the Battle of the Flowers, where the parade is showered by thousands of coloured flower petals.
The city truly comes alive during the Carnival, offering unforgettable fun to the entire family.
Málaga weather in February
The days are slightly longer and warmer than in January. Temperatures rise to 19 degrees on average. We highly recommend it if you want to escape the cold winter in Ireland!
Málaga blooms in spring – why you should come in March and April
The arrival of spring is when Málaga comes to life: from March, nature is in full bloom and it’s also the nesting season for the birds in the region.
Some of the beautiful flowers you can expect to see are orange blossoms, wisteria, and roses.
Orange blossoms have a lovely smell and perfume the city in spring. Málaga has many orange trees, meaning that you’ll be sure to catch the amazing fragrance as you walk around.
La Concepcion Botanical Gardens is known for its giant wisteria. Flower enthusiasts should all go to this garden in spring!
Although the best rose blooms in Málaga are in May and June, you’ll still see some if you come in spring.
Nesting time happens in spring in Málaga. This means that you will see some of the region’s loveliest birds, such as herons, flamingos, and ospreys. The city is every birdwatcher’s paradise in spring!
Málaga weather in March and April
The days get even warmer and sunnier in spring, with average temperatures of 20 degrees. The sun sets much later because the clocks go forwards at the end of March.
You can expect some rain, but no more than 4 days each month.
For the most adventurous, spring is great for those who want to go to the beach without the crowds. Bear in mind, however, that the water is at 18 degrees in April!
Great beach weather before the peak holiday season – why you should visit in May and June
The months of May and June are wonderful in Málaga, as it’s the beginning of great beach weather.
In May, it’s already warm enough to go to the beach and to stay outside in the evening. Those who love to enjoy rooftop cocktails in the evening are sure to love Málaga in May.
In June, the weather is at a perfect point where it’s warm enough to go to the beach and not too hot to visit the city during the day.
Both months have festivals. In May, you can go to the Málaga Gastronomy Festival, which celebrates all things Andalusian cuisine. The festival lasts a week and hosts a variety of tasting events.
For music lovers, there’s the Tango Festival in June. During the festival, there are many tango concerts at the city’s theatres and loads of free tango performances in the street. The city is really vibrant during this festival.
Málaga weather in May and June
Starting in May, Málaga gets really warm and sunny. In May, temperatures reach 25 degrees and it rains much less. In June, temperatures go up to 28 degrees and there’s almost no rain.
June has really lovely weather with bright sunshine during the whole month.
Peak holiday season – Málaga in July and August
July and August are when Málaga sees the most tourists by far. Not only is it because the weather is great during these months, but also because there are loads of events going on.
In July, there’s the Festival Terral, a music festival that lasts almost 10 days. During the festival, you can expect to see many music and dance performances, both in specialised venues and in the street.
Málaga also has open-air cinema nights on the beach. These events are a great way to experience some of your favourite films in a beautiful location.
In August, Málaga hosts one of the biggest events in Europe: the Málaga Fair. It’s a festival that has almost non-stop events for an entire week. You can see daytime events, with folk music and dance performances in the street, and nighttime attractions, such as rides and fairgrounds.
The Málaga Fair is one of the breathtaking events in Málaga. We cannot recommend it highly enough.
Málaga weather in July and August
July and August are the two hottest months of the year, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees on a lot of the days. You can expect virtually no rain and temperatures that stay consistently above 20 degrees, even at night.
This weather makes July and August prime beach months. With high temperatures and clear blue skies, tourists flock to Málaga’s beaches every month. Bear in mind, however, that July and August are the busiest months.
Cooler weather and calmer beaches – Málaga in September and October
September and October are still great months to go to the beach in Málaga. During this time, the weather is cooler than in the peak season, and it’s the end of the summer holidays, meaning that the beaches are much less crowded.
These months are not only great for relaxing on the beach in cooler weather, but also to experience some of Málaga’s culture.
In September and October, there are lots of temporary art exhibitions around the city. For fashion lovers, there’s Málaga Fashion Week in September, which has a two-day catwalk that goes down the Calle Larios.
In October, Málaga celebrates Picasso’s birthday. Around that time, there are always lots of Picasso-themed events. We highly recommend it to fans of Picasso.
Málaga weather in September and October
The weather is still great during these months, with an average of 28 degrees in September and 24 degrees in October. There might be a bit of rain during this time (2 days on average in September, max 5 in October).
This extremely pleasant weather means that you can make the most of Málaga whilst avoiding the sweltering summer heat.
Fewer crowds and cultural events – Málaga in November and December
November and December are some of the calmest months in Málaga. There is still a lot to see, however.
In November, you can visit the city’s many museums and monuments, or go shopping in some of the city’s famous boutiques.
Málaga is known for its roasted chestnuts in November. They are sold in stalls in the street. If you are looking for other local snacks, we of course recommend chocolate and churros.
In December, Málaga shines thanks to its many Christmas lights. The city is renowned for its Christmas celebrations, making it a great destination for the holidays. If you want to escape the cold for Christmas, Málaga is the place for you.
Málaga weather in November and December
It gets cooler in November, with average temperatures of 20 degrees. This is still very pleasant weather, however. There will be slightly more rain.
In December, you can’t expect more than 18 degrees. This is some of Málaga’s coldest weather, but it is still much warmer than Ireland.
Despite what many may think, Málaga is a city that can be visited at any time of the year, depending on your interests and preferences.
If you’re looking for the best beach weather, the months of May and June are ideal. If you’re interested in cultural events and want to avoid crowds, January and February are perfect. And if you’re looking to experience the natural beauty of Málaga, spring is the best time to go. No matter when you decide to visit, Málaga will not disappoint.
With Trazler, you can book everything you need when travelling from Ireland to Málaga. Our easy-to-use and accessible website lets you book plane tickets, accommodation, and car rentals all in the same place.
At Trazler, we aim to make booking your holiday as stress-free as possible.
We hope you have a lovely time in Málaga!
