Costa del Sol winter weather for motorhome travel

The Costa del Sol has one of the mildest winter climates in Europe for motorhome travel: in January the average high is around 17 °C, the average low around 7 °C and there are about 180 hours of sunshine, according to AEMET's climate normals for Málaga airport. It rains little and on few days, with November and December the wettest months. The nights call for a bit of heating, but around midday you'll be outside in the sun.

Here is the Costa del Sol climate month by month, with what each figure means when you live in a motorhome: when you need heating, when it rains, what wind to expect and which months are busiest.

Costa del Sol climate month by month

Data from the AEMET weather station at Málaga airport, 1981–2010. In Torrox-Costa and the rest of the eastern coast the figures are very similar.

Month	Avg. high	Avg. low	Rainfall (mm)	Rainy days	Hours of sunshine	For motorhomers
January	16.8 °C	7.4 °C	69	5,8	180	The coolest month; heating at night
February	17.7 °C	8.2 °C	60	4,8	180	Long sunny days, cool nights
March	19.6 °C	9.8 °C	52	4,0	222	An early spring; watch out for Easter
April	21.4 °C	11.1 °C	44	4,5	244	Very pleasant for touring
May	24.3 °C	14.2 °C	20	3,1	292	Almost summer, still quiet
June	28.1 °C	18.0 °C	6	0,8	329	Hot; high season begins
July	30.5 °C	20.5 °C	0	0,1	347	High summer, shade essential
August	30.8 °C	21.1 °C	6	0,5	316	The hottest month
September	28.2 °C	18.8 °C	20	2,1	255	Gentle warmth and a warm sea
October	24.1 °C	15.0 °C	57	4,4	215	The first rains arrive
November	20.1 °C	11.3 °C	100	5,6	172	The winter visitors arrive; a rainy month
December	17.5 °C	8.9 °C	100	6,6	160	The month with least sun and most rain

Source: AEMET, climate normals for Málaga airport. Rainy days = days with at least 1 mm of precipitation. Over the year there are some 2,900 hours of sunshine and 534 mm of rain.

Winter, December to February

This is overwintering season. Average highs range from 16 to 18 °C and average lows from 7 to 9 °C, although some clear nights get colder. What you notice most in a motorhome:

• Heating at night and first thing in the morning. During the day, with sunshine, you almost never need it. With electric hook-up you can use a small heater and save gas, as long as you don't exceed the power of your supply.
• Humidity. Average relative humidity is around 70% in winter, so it's worth airing the van every day to avoid condensation on windows and in cupboards.
• Rain on just a few days. Between 5 and 7 rainy days a month. These are usually short spells, sometimes heavy, followed by clear days.
• Short days. December is the month with the fewest hours of sunshine, around 160. If you rely on solar panels, you'll notice that more than the cold.

Spring, March to May

In March the highs are already close to 20 °C and the hours of sunshine shoot up: for many, it's the best month of the year. April and May are perfect for walking and trips inland. Bear in mind that Easter marks the start of high season at many aires and campsites, Milucar included, and that it's busier then.

Summer, June to August

Dry heat and hardly any rain: July averages less than one rainy day. Highs exceed 30 °C and nights don't drop below 20 °C in high summer. It's high season, with full beaches and a livelier atmosphere. To sleep well in the motorhome, a pitch with a sea breeze, an awning and cross-ventilation all help.

Autumn, September to November

September is summer without the crowds, with the sea still warm after the summer. In October the rain returns, and November is, along with December, the wettest month, with around 100 mm on average. On the plus side, temperatures stay mild: over 20 °C at midday in November.

The wind: terral and levante

According to AEMET, the most typical winds at Málaga airport are the gusty north-westerly, the terral, and the south-easterly, the levante, which can bring cloud. The terral comes down the Guadalhorce valley, warms up as it descends and reaches the coast very dry. AEMET describes it in its meteorological guide to Málaga aerodrome. In summer it sends temperatures soaring; in winter it brings dry, clear days. In strong wind, roll in the awning.

Coast and inland: two climates an hour apart

The mountains shelter the coast from cold northern air, and the difference from inland is huge. At Granada airport, an hour and a half from Torrox, the average January low is 0 °C and there are about 17 days of frost a month, according to AEMET. That's why winter visitors stay on the coast and only head inland for day trips.

Being so close has its charm: on a clear winter's day you can see the snow on the mountains from the beach and, if you feel like it, drive up to the Sierra Nevada ski resort and come back to sleep by the sea. Season dates and slope conditions are on the official Sierra Nevada website.

For anyone coming from northern Europe, the comparison is clear: on the Costa del Sol, winter is more like a mild spring than a real winter. If you're planning the route from Germany, you'll find the stages in our guide from Germany to Andalusia by motorhome, and the comparison with other areas in our guide to wintering in a motorhome in southern Spain.

From Milucar: the eastern coast's climate first-hand

Milucar is in Torrox-Costa, right on the eastern Costa del Sol, with the beach less than 100 metres away, and is open 365 days a year. A few things about the aire help you cope with rainy days and cool nights:

• Gravel surface and wide access lanes: no mud on your pitch after rain.
• 16 A / 220 V electricity with a CEE plug, paid by metered consumption. Bring your own cable: the hook-up box can be up to 15 metres away.
• Professional washing machine and dryer, handy when the humidity won't let washing dry outside.
• Showers and toilets in several places around the aire, and fast Wi-Fi included for days spent indoors.

And when the sun comes out, which is almost always, the coast is right on hand:

Destination	Distance	Driving time
Torrox-Costa centre	about 2 km	on foot or by bike
Nerja centre	about 7 km	about 10 min
Frigiliana	about 12 km	about 20 min
Málaga centre	about 52 km	about 45 min
Granada (Alhambra)	about 103 km	1 h 25 min
Sierra Nevada (Pradollano)	about 131 km	1 h 50 min

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best month to take a motorhome to the Costa del Sol?

For the weather, March, April, May and September: mild temperatures, lots of sun and little rain. For overwintering, January to March brings more consecutive sunny days than November and December, which are the wettest months.

Is it cold at night in winter?

A little. The average January low is 7.4 °C at Málaga airport, and some clear nights get colder. With heating in the motorhome it's no problem; during the day, in the sun, you don't need it.

Does it rain a lot in winter on the Costa del Sol?

It rains little and on few days: between 5 and 7 rainy days a month from November to January, according to AEMET. Typically you get a spell of rain lasting a day or two followed by several sunny days.

Can you swim in the sea in winter?

Some people swim all year round, but in winter the water is too cool for most. The usual thing is to stroll along the beach and soak up the sun; swimming is really inviting from June to October.

What is the terral?

It's a north-north-westerly wind that comes down the Guadalhorce valley towards Málaga, warms up as it descends and arrives very dry. In summer it sends temperatures soaring; in winter it usually brings clear days.

Come and see for yourself

AEMET's figures are all very well, but you only really understand the Costa del Sol winter when you're having breakfast in the sun next to your motorhome in January. If you'd like to try it, check our rates for the low season and book your pitch at Milucar.