Costa del Sol’s love affair with the sun – it’s warm here pretty much around the clock – means that there’s basically no bad time to visit. But we’ll admit, there are better times than others, depending on the holidaymaker. October boasts a culture-heavy festival, while May offers a quiet atmosphere that screams romance. If you want to experience the very best of Costa del Sol, see what the following months and activities have to offer…
For festivals – February
Carnival celebrations are as huge in Spain as they are across the world, and Costa del Sol follows suit. If you want an international festival experience, you can’t really go wrong with Carnival, as it’s a week-long event packed with fancy dress, parades and parties in the street. In Costa del Sol, the biggest Carnival celebrations happen in Cadiz and Malaga, though you’ll find smaller celebrations up and down the coast. To really fit in, you’ll want to bring a costume – the more elaborate, the better.
For couples – May
We recommend May as an optimal time for couples to visit Costa del Sol because the region will be just teetering on the high season. That means everything will be up and running – restaurants, watersport facilities and seasonal activities – but without all the crowds. In short, you’ll have maximum alone time potential but with the full array of Costa del Sol fun – and, mostly importantly, sun. That means romantic Mediterranean views without the hustle and bustle.
For nature lovers – June
Visiting this part of Spain in June means you’ll have all the right heat but not the scorchers that days in July and August can sometimes afford. Hikes up Benalmadena’s Mount Calamorro won’t leave you sweating buckets, and even if you get to the top a little out of breath, there’s the cable car to take you back down. Reaching heights like this rewards you with views all the way over the city and out to sea.
June is also a great time to visit if you like a side of music with your adventures. Down in the Nerja Caves – an underground expanse that stretches for nearly five kilometres, laden with craggy stalactites and stalagmites, including the world’s largest – in the resort of yes, you guessed it, Nerja, the International Festival of Music and Dance takes place. With ballet and live music on the bill, these dark, cavernous rooms take on a whole new beauty.
For families – September
September in Costa del Sol is especially great for families because A) the temps are still warm but not piping hot, B) go early enough and you’ll still fit in a last minute trip before school starts up again, and C) it’s the tail end of high season, so the crowds will have died down again but everything will still be open.
It’s a top time to try out water-born activities like the sea-dwelling Costa Water Park in Fuengirola – it’s essentially an inflatable playground with water instead of chips or sand. And the sea will be warm enough so that if you tumble into the waves, you’re still good to go.
For culture vultures – October
Malaga is the hometown of little known painter Pablo Picasso, only one of the most influential artists of the last century. To honour his achievements in his birthplace, Malaga celebrates Picasso Month every October with special art exhibits, concerts and conferences, usually centered on an aspect of Picasso’s work. Malaga – which is just on the border of Torremolinos – is also fittingly home to a special Picasso Museum that hosts more than 200 pieces of the artist’s work, a feast for any culture lover’s eyes.
When’s your favourite time to hit Costa del Sol? Let us know in the comments below!
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