Malaga in December

Malaga is synonymous with summer.

Mention the Costa del Sol and most people will think about long, sunshine-filled days. Perhaps relaxing by the beach, watching breathtaking sunsets, sipping sangria poolside, tucking into delicious tapas, exploring the whitewashed cobbled villages under bright blue skies… but here at Bromley Estates, we don’t think it should be reserved solely for the dog days.

Southern Spain is a fantastic destination all year round.

With the winter season on the horizon, here our in-house specialists outline some of the best things to do in Malaga in December and explore why, as a beautiful spot to visit – regardless of the time of year – it’s a great place to invest in a holiday home or relocate as an expat.

Enjoy the winter sunshine

‘Costa del Sol’ literally translates as the ‘Coast of the Sun’.

Why? Because Malaga and other towns along the coastline are always sunny, even during the autumn and winter. In fact, it has one of the best year-round climates in Europe.

Winter is typically gentle and pleasantly warm. In December, you can expect an average daytime temperature of 17˚C, and very little rainfall (90mm). Plus, sunshine levels are still great (5-6 hours per day on average) and the sun doesn’t usually set until about 6pm.

Which means, there’s plenty of opportunity to spend quality time outside, enjoy your favourite ‘summer’ activities and make plans without fear of disruption or having to check the forecast.

Relax at the beach

Lots of people visit Malaga in December to enjoy Mediterranean beachside living.

The sea can be a little cooler at this time of year, hovering around the 15-17˚C mark. But this is still much milder than many other European destinations, and is perfectly pleasant for taking a dip in the midday sun. Even in the height of winter, it’s possible to relax on the beach, take a boat ride, and sit and people-watch and enjoy delicious seafood at a nearby chiringuito.

Play a round of golf  

In the Costa del Sol, it’s always golfing season.

With sunnier days and warmer temperatures than most other EU countries, golfers can enjoy their hobby year-round. Affectionately dubbed the ‘Costa del Golf’, it’s home to the highest concentration of golf courses in Europe – most of which are open 365 days a year.

Some of the best and most popular in the province of Malaga include Real Club de Golf El Candado, La Cala Resort, Chaparral Golf Club and Los Naranjos Golf Club.

Go skiing at Sierra Nevada

Enjoy hitting the slopes? It’s worth checking out Sierra Nevada.

Just a 2-hour drive inland and you’ll leave the sunny beach behind and arrive at this incredible ski resort. As one of the widest and most attractive ski areas in Southern Europe, it’s home to stunning snow-capped mountains – with over 130 unique skiing trails (including the highest in Spain), plus a wide range of bars and restaurants right at the foot of the slopes.

The perfect place to enjoy your favourite snow sports in a privileged setting.

Visit a museum

For the odd day that it may be a little overcast.

Málaga has a range of marvellous museums that are certainly worth a visit, including Museo Automovilístico y de la Moda (Automobile and Fashion Museum), Museo del Vidrio y Cristal de Malaga, Museo de Malaga and Picasso Museum Malaga – to name just a few.

Visiting the city’s cathedral at this time of year can also be particularly special, as a beautiful nativity scene is available to view from around 2^nd December until after Christmas.

Get into the Christmas spirit

Visiting Malaga in December doesn’t mean you have to give up Christmas – far from it! You’ll find there are plenty of festive celebrations and Christmas activities to enjoy in the region.

One of the biggest attractions is Malaga’s Christmas lighting, which is considered some of the very best in Europe. Calle Larios is the highlight, with the entire street covered in a giant canopy of Christmas lights – but the whole city is bedecked with twinkling and sparkly decorations.

Málaga also has some fantastic Christmas markets to explore.

You’ll find the largest along the Paseo del Parque, to the east of Plaza de la Marina, where you can purchase everything from handmade trinkets to delicious festive treats. But as well as in the city centre, you can also find markets in the main squares of most towns along the coastline.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve

The fun doesn’t stop at Christmas.

Throughout the Costa del Sol, New Year’s Eve is celebrated in the main squares of almost all municipalities – with fantastic street entertainment and fabulous food and drink.

In Málaga, the main event usually takes place in Plaza de la Constitución in the city’s old town – where crowds of people gather to watch the magnificent show, enjoy live music and dancing, sip champagne and enjoy the traditional 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight.

Visit Malaga every December (and more!)

Visiting Malaga during the autumn and winter months provides a unique opportunity to explore the coastline, enjoy a very pleasant sunny climate and experience everything this region usually has to offer (plus a lot more!) – all without the hassle of the big summer crowds.

Whether you’re looking for an idyllic winter escape for you and your family, would like to invest in a rental property that makes a profit year-round, or are interested in relocating permanently, a property for sale in the Costa del Sol could be the perfect retreat – and we’re here to help find the right home for you.

As a leading real estate agency in the area, we have a comprehensive portfolio of villas, apartments and townhouses – with something to suit all needs, preferences and budgets – and are always on hand to offer our expert assistance. The first step is to simply get in touch.

Either give us a call on +34 952 939 460 (+44 208 068 7606) or, if you prefer, send an email to in**@br********************.com and we’ll respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.

Further insight into the Costa del Sol in winter can also be found in our previous blog.