If you want all the benefits of a major city but also the beaches to relax on, Malaga may be better and if you want a more relaxed, laid back approach with more walks, restaurants and tourist hotspots, Marbella could be a perfect option.
As a holiday destination Malaga rates as one of the cheapest in Spain and most visitors are pleasantly surprised how little everything costs in the capital of the Costa del Sol. But if you're on a budget, there are ways of making your holiday in Malaga even cheaper.
The old town of Malaga - the historical center and heart of the city. The old town of Malaga is very compact, it is easy to get around on foot in one day. Plaza de la Constitución has been the heart of the old quarter since the founding of Malaga. Until 1812 Constitution square was called plaza Mayor.
A port city that epitomises the Andalusian lifestyle, Malaga is best known for its most famous son – artist and sculpture Pablo Picasso. Dressed in golden beaches and an inviting Old Town, Malaga is loaded with history.
Although there is a beach, and cruise ships stop here, it's not a resort. The tourist presence is not overwhelming like in the smaller towns along the coast. Despite being a real city of over half a million inhabitants, Málaga is well laid out and pleasant to explore. The friendly locals are a bonus.
Málaga city has once recorded snow in the 20th century, on February the 2nd, 1954. Annual average relative humidity is 66%, ranging from 59% in June to 73% in December. Yearly sunshine hours is between 2,800 and 3,000 per year, from 5–6 hours of sunshine / day in December to average 11 hours of sunshine / day in July.
Even if it rains during some days, Malaga enjoys one of the warmest winters in Europe, with around five hours of sunshine on average per day. January is the coldest month of the year, and during the night, temperatures can really drop and the sea winds and humidity add a chill factor.
Where to Stay in Malaga: Best Areas and Neighborhoods
- Downtown Malaga, the Old City. El Centro, as it is known to locals, is one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Malaga.
- Calle Larios.
- Málaga Train Station – Maria Zambrano.
- Soho.
- La Malagueta.
- Ciudad Jardin.
- Pedregalejo.
- El Palo.
Places to Visit in December:
- Shimla. Shimla | #1 of 30 Best Places to Visit in December.
- Sonamarg. Sonamarg | #2 of 30 Best Places to Visit in December.
- Auli. Auli | #3 of 30 Best Places to Visit in December.
- Goa. Goa | #4 of 30 Best Places to Visit in December.
- Manali. Manali | #5 of 30 Best Places to Visit in December.
- Mylapore.
- Kutch.
- Tawang.
From 27th November 2020 to 6th January 2021.For the spirit of Christmas imbues every corner of the streets of Málaga.
Spain will most definitely be cold during December. However, just how cold depends on the region in which you visit. You can expect Madrid to be particularly chilly with highs around 50°F/10°C and lows in the high 30s (Fahrenheit).
Where is hot in December
- Cancun (30.4 °C)
- Dominican Republic (29.6 °C)
- Barbados (29.5 °C)
- Brisbane (28.2 °C)
- Cape Verde (26.4 °C)
- Melbourne (25.5 °C)
- Lanzarote (22.2 °C)
- Tenerife (21.9 °C)
Spain enjoys a Mediterranean climate, which means scorching days and balmy nights between June and August. Most of the rainy days (and snowfall in the mountains) are from December to February. Spring and autumn are generally the most popular times to visit Spain, as temperatures are pleasant enough for sightseeing.
The daily average temperature ranges from 12 °C (53.5 °F) in
January to 26 °C (79 °F) in August. Here are the average temperatures.
Climate - Malaga (Andalusia)
| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
|---|
| January | 16 | 61 |
| February | 15 | 59 |
| March | 15 | 59 |
| April | 16 | 61 |
In Málaga, the summers are short, hot, humid, arid, and mostly clear and the winters are long, cool, windy, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 45°F to 88°F and is rarely below 38°F or above 97°F.
In winter, temperatures are around 18 degrees Celsius (64°Fahrenheit) on the coast and in the Canary Islands around 23 degrees Celsius (74°F). The north of Spain has to do with a maritime climate which means that both summer and winter months are mild with relatively high rainfall.
Features of Costa del Sol weather in January are moderate daytime temperatures – usually fluctuating between 15°C (59°F) and 20°C (68°F) –, low precipitation and sunlight until at least 6/6:30pm.
How to Make the Most of Malaga in November
- All that jazz. Get ready to sit back, relax and enjoy some smooth sounds!
- Take a coffee break. Fall is officially the start of coffee season.
- Take a walk by the beach. Summer is over, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the beach!
- Check out a museum.
- Enjoy tapas at the market.
The water in the Alboran Sea, as is known the Mediterranean Sea in the area of Malaga, is still cold in April and May; however, you can see many bathers enjoying their first bath. If you were wondering if the sea water is cold for a swim in April, the answer is that it is a little cool for locals, but the bath is nice.
Alongside its beautiful beaches, Malaga can also offer turquoise lagoons, crystal clear rivers and stunning natural pools. So grab that towel and get exploring, as we take you through some of the best places to go swimming…
You can swim in the sea during all the year, but what about temperatures? The temperature of the sea in October is very similar to what you can find during September in Malaga, being even higher than July. Maybe colder than in August, but for a quick bath it will be fine.
Would you like to enjoy a holiday on the coast, but without the intense heat of the summer months? It's all possible in Spain. The Costa del Sol and the Cabo de Gata in Andalusia, the Canary Islands, and the Costa Blanca are all destinations where you'll find a climate of eternal springtime practically all year round.
10 Warmest Places in Europe in Winter - December, January & February
- Fuerteventura, Canary Islands.
- Lanzarote, Canary Islands.
- Tenerife, Canary Islands.
- Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.
- Malaga, Spain.
- Limassol, Cyprus.
- Madeira, Portugal.
- Alicante, Spain.
Andalusia is the hottest area in Spain and the whole of Europe. Cities such as Seville and Cordoba average above 36 degrees in the summer. Seville is the hottest city in Spain, with an annual average of 19 degrees.
Seven seaside towns you need to know about in Spain
- Altafulla, Catalonia. Looking for a sleepy seaside destination to melt your modern stresses, and give you a sense of blissful rejuvenation?
- Es Grau, Menorca.
- Hondarribia, Pais Vasco.
- Isla de la Toja, Galicia.
- Peniscola, Castellon.
- Ribadesella, Asturias.
- Salobreña, Granada.
The Costa Blanca enjoys an idyllic climate, with warmer winters than the more northern Costa Brava, but without the scorching heat that can be uncomfortable typical on the Costa de Sol.
Overall, weather in December is characterised by chilly, windswept days with the occasional rainstorm. Averages shift only slightly over the month, from December 1 highs of 14°C (57°F) and lows of 3°C (37°F), to December 31 highs of 13°C (55°F) and lows of 1°C (33°F).
Best places for winter sun
- CAPE VERDE. Head to Cape Verde and explore this group of islands floating off the west coast of Africa.
- GRAN CANARIA. This Canary Island is one of the UK's favourite destinations for a winter sun holiday, and for good reason.
- MALDIVES.
- THAILAND.
- COSTA RICA.
- ST LUCIA.
