How to enjoy Marbella in winter

On the Costa del Sol we're so lucky with plenty of bright sunshine and high temperatures. Here's a guide to have a wonderful time here during the winter.

Marbella truly is a perfect year-round destination. We have wonderful weather, lots to do, amazing sports facilities, and options to make even a rare rainy day a lot of fun. However, most people just think of Marbella as a beach destination, and so miss out on this wonderful place in Autumn and Winter, which is such a shame. Read on for our guide to enjoying Marbella in the winter to the full.

Why visit Marbella in winter?

We love Marbella in the winter for its winter sun, great value transport and accommodation and lack of crowds and we think you will too! It’s the perfect time to play sports, hike, mountain bike and generally explore, as the weather is cooler and there are very few crowds.

Christmas in Marbella is magical, with lovely lights, lots of festive events and activities, and amazing shopping too.

Find out more about why visit Marbella in winter.

The weather in Marbella in winter

On the Costa del Sol we are lucky with the weather with plenty of bright sunshine and high temperatures throughout the year. Average temperatures in November see highs of 20⁰C and lows of 11⁰C, dropping slightly in December to highs of 18⁰C. There are on average five rainy days per month in winter, so for the most part it is bright and sunny with blue skies – the perfect winter getaway!

How to dress in Marbella in winter?

Visitors can be surprised by how cool it can feel in the shade, or when night falls and can pack the wrong clothes. When you’re packing, think of layers that can make sure you are comfortable morning, noon and night. What catches you out here is it can be cool in the morning, but by midday it is usually warm and if you’re in the sunshine you’ll probably want to have something with short sleeves. Watch out later on, as it quickly cools down again in the evening, so light shirts, tops or cardigans and light jackets layered up over a short-sleeved top or t-shirt is the best way to be prepared.

How to enjoy Marbella in Winter?

While a trip to the beach is still an option during the winter months, it’s best to think of a Marbella winter vacation as a city break, or an active holiday, rather than a bucket and spade vacation. Here are our favorite things to do:

Discover Andalusian culture

Andalucia is rich in culture and winter trips are made for cultural activities! We’d recommend seeing a flamenco show, and checking out the traditional “zambomba” events over the Christmas period, which combines flamenco culture and Spanish carols and music. You can even learn flamenco during a winter vacation in Marbella, to understand the culture and learn a new skill.

Another interesting cultural aspect of Andalucia is wine making, which has a rich history in this area. You can visit a wine museum in Manilva or Ronda, visit vineyards and learn about the process, and take a wine tour in Marbella. The culture of tapas is a very delicious one to get to know and there are some great tapas tours where you can discover the town, and the cuisine in one.

Visit the art galleries and museums

The Costa del Sol is not known for art galleries, but it should be! If you get a rare rainy day, then head to one of the excellent art galleries on the Costa del Sol. Malaga is the hub for art on the coast, but Mijas and Marbella also have some good galleries and Estepona has some really interesting small museums to explore.

We’d recommend visiting the Picasso Museum, the Carmen Thyssen Gallery and the CAC in Malaga, the Engraving Museum and the Ralli Museum in Marbella, if you love your art.

Enjoy Spanish and international food and restaurants

We have the most amazing restaurants here on the Costa del Sol and lunchtime even in the winter is no problem, as you can usually be outside enjoying the sunshine. However, in the evening it can be trickier, as the temperatures drop you really want to be inside, somewhere which is warm and has a nice atmosphere out of season. These restaurants are not as common, so choose carefully, and don’t be afraid to walk into and out of a few before you find the right place – it’s horrid to feel cold and uncomfortable when you should be enjoying your meal.

We’ve compiled a Marbella restaurant guide with some of our top picks, which you can browse on our website. Out of these, our favorites for the winter would be –

  • Mosh Fun Kitchen if you’re looking for a really lively night out, with music and great food, as this is always buzzing
  • Ta-Kumi for great Japanese food in central Marbella, it has a really nice interior dining space and is very comfortable during the winter
  • Paco Jimenez in Marbella’s Old Town for traditional Spanish food and a cozy dining area complete with an open fire and objects from the family’s history. The team always give you a warm welcome and it’s a lovely home from home feel.
  • Hacienda Patagonica for amazing steak and casual dining with an excellent buzz. It’s always busy in this popular restaurant and the bistro feel is great in the winter.

Take a day trip

When the temperatures are cooler, the crowds are fewer and the traffic is light, it’s a great time to hit the road and visit some of the nearby towns to Marbella. Just a few hours’ drive can take you to some of the most celebrated cities, like Granada, which brims with Andalusian culture, history and charm and of course has the legendary Alhambra Palace and Gardens. Just an hour away you can visit Ronda with its incredible gorge and excellent wines, or the picturesque village of Mijas, which has excellent hiking, an art gallery featuring some of the world’s great painters and even a chocolate factory!

Practice sports and enjoy nature

Sunny winter days are perfect to enjoy some of Marbella’s excellent sports facilities. It is a great time to enjoy one of the 70 golf courses on the Costa del Sol, or to head out into the countryside to hike, mountain bike or horse ride.

One of the most popular activities in the area is hiking the Caminito del Rey near Malaga, a spectacular route which takes you alongside and over the El Chorro gorge, more than 100 meters up.  This is a winter activity that you won’t forget, but it is very popular and availability is limited, so book your tickets and time slot before you arrive on the website.

You can even take a day trip to the slopes for a day’s skiing in the Sierra Nevada mountain range near Granada. We love waking up by the beach and skiing before lunch, it’s an amazing experience.

What is the best time of year to visit Marbella?

As you can see, Marbella is an excellent winter destination, as well as a wonderful place for a summer beach vacation. It really depends what you’re looking for in a holiday to when to come, there really are no bad times to visit.

Where to stay for a winter vacation?

Choosing a rental property gives you the flexibility to chill out at “home” if there’s a rainy day, shop in the excellent local markets and enjoy cooking and dining on the cooler evenings. Some have lovely open fires and others have underfloor heating so you’re warm and comfortable whatever the weather.

Please check with us if you’d like advice on the best properties, or locations for the winter months, depending on your plans and requirements. We have excellent properties right by some of the best golf courses, and others more central if you prefer a city break and our local experts are here to help you make the best decision. Browse our Marbella vacation rentals or contact our team for advice.

DO YOU ENJOY READING THIS BLOG?

SHARE ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA

From Vacation Marbella wants that everyone knows the benefit about staying in Marbella. There are a plenty of activities that you can do with your family, friends or even with you pet. Share the information with everyone and who knows, maybe could join your plans!