Marbella in Autumn, Winter and Spring - delightful & sunny

The Ambiance

During the week, it's business as usual as Spaniards go to work and the streets are filled with smartly dressed gentleman and dressed-to-kill women. At weekends, the Paseo Marítimo (promenade) is alive with Spanish and ex-pat families. It's great for strolling, running, skating, cycling or just for a good chat. Call at one of the charming cafes or traditional tapas bars. The chiringuitos alongside the promenade serve a great selection of delightful food and drink. In summer you can only do this in the early morning and late evening to avoid the beating sun, but out of season, this can be enjoyed at any time of day. Sunrise and sunset are often the most beautiful times of day. In autumn, winter and spring, sunrise is not too early and sunset arrives before we are tired out. The warm evenings makes eating out below the stars a treat. You’ll mostly be surrounded by the local Spanish people, probably in family groups, having a good time. This delivers the perfect opportunity to soak up some traditional Spanish culture in the restaurants and flamenco bars of the Old Town.

Weather

Escape the rigours of a Northern European winter! Because the resort is sheltered by the high peaks of the Sierra Blanca behind it, the climate of Marbella is milder than other locations in southern Spain.

April, May and June in Marbella are just delightful for a sunny holiday. Marbella's temperatures are seriously beginning to climb. This time of the year, Marbella is an excellent choice of holiday destination for anyone looking to enjoy some out of season sunshine. In May for example, you can expect to see around 9 hours of sun per day with day temperatures reaching 23°C (74°F).

Similarly in September and October, the sun continues to shine. It remains hot until the end of September. Even in October you can expect 7 hours of sun per day with similar temperatures to May - 23°C (74°F).

Winter is different; March and November are the wettest months with up to 7 days of rain per month. However, the rain, although heavy, soon dispels and you would be unlucky not to get 5 or 6 hours of sun per day on average even in January. It is still a lot better than the cold wet days in Britain and other parts of Europe that’s for sure.

Autumn, winter and spring can provide better weather for those outdoor activites like golf, fishing,walking, horse back riding etc.

See our guide to Marbella’s amazing micro-climate.

Low out of season rates

Take advantage of out-of season rates to extend your holiday to 3 or 4 weeks – a proper break. For instance, our apartment for 4 persons will cost you £600/week in summer, but can be as low as £250/week in the winter months.
Flights too are much reduces off-season. They can be up to 50% cheaper.
You get more for your money visiting Marbella away from the peak season.

Are there still things to do off-season?

Be careful when booking apartments that are in complexes mainly owned for holiday letting. Off-season, these places can become lifeless and isolated. Luckily a large number of Spanish people live on our complex. This means the complex is looked after properly and it is not deserted off-season. You are still able to see friendly faces, helpful bar staff and the restaurants on site do not close. Also being on the Golden Mile, the local restaurants never close and the local transport runs as normal.
Check out our activities information.

Christmas Time

Christmas in Marbella is a very exciting time as the city lights up with Christmas decorations. Although you are unlikely to see snow and frost, you will be enchanted as you walk through the decorated Plaza de los Naranjos and other squares around Old Town Marbella. Usually the weather is warm and sunny in Marbella, but chilly in the evenings.
Only around 25% of bars and restaurants close between 22nd December until 10th January. Most remain open. All shops are open as normal but close early on December 24th, Shops closed on December 25th. On 7th January almost everything is closed. See our Christmas guide to Marbella

Easter Time

This is a holiday that lasts anywhere from one week to 10 days and dates back to the 16th century when it was decided that Easter processions would be the best way to depict scenes from the story of the fall and rise of Jesus. Parades traditionally start on Palm Sunday and end on Easter Sunday, with the most dramatic and solemn occurring on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. See our Easter Guide to Marbella

Visit Anadlucia

1. Travel to nearby towns

Andalucia is full of towns and villages where life goes on throughout winter.  Ronda has a dramatic gorge and superb tapas bars. Malaga retains its appeal even during low season, thanks to the number of locals living and working there. Mijas is like a giant balcony overlooking the Costa del Sol. Explore some charming little villages when you can have the hilltop roads all to yourself. Take a hearty rustic lunch somewhere off the beaten track.

2. Easy access to Andalucia’s landmark cultural sites

The Alhambra Palace in Granada and the Mezquita moque-cathedral in Cordoba are two of the greatest UNESCO Heritage Sites in the world.  Both can be packed in summer, but visit in winter and you will have more time, space and peace in which to enjoy attractions like these.  The Arabic-inspired palace set against a deep blue winter sky is something to be seen. Cordoba can reach over 40 degrees in summer, so a winter visit is a real treat.

3. The Coast

Nerj to Almunecar is a strip of coastline dotted with many of southern Spain’s best beaches. Here you can find wild, national park-style beaches around Cabo de Gata, jet-set beach bars around Marbella, small bijou marinas like Cabopino,  the smart set at Sotogrande and the extreme sports crowd and kite surfers in Tarifa.

4. The Ski Slopes

Just above Granada are the Sierra Nevada mountains that are the second highest range in mainland Europe. The ski season opens at the end of November and the area is famous for its sunny slopes.  The Sol y Nieve ski station is just  half an hour’s drive from Granada and one and a half hours drive to the coast. Sol y Nieve sits at 3300m high and the resort hosts world class ski and snowboarding events. Why not ski in the morning and relax on the sunny beach in the afternoon before hitting the clubs at night.