Top tips for hot weather in Malaga

As soon as mid-June arrives so does the hot weather in Malaga. Although the city doesn’t suffer constant high temperatures like other Andalusian cities such as Granada and Seville, it does get very warm (and humid) in the summer.

Read on for some essential tips on keeping cool while you’re on holiday in Malaga.

Time your visit

One of the best ways of avoiding the hot weather in Malaga is to plan your visit outside the hottest months. July and August tend to be the hottest while temperatures are cooler in June and September.

Read more about when’s the best time of year to go to Malaga.

Cool off at the beach

If you can’t avoid the summer (or maybe you love the heat!) and find the mercury soaring when you’re staying in Malaga, head for the beach. The city is lucky enough to have two excellent city beaches – La Malagueta and La Misericordia – both blue flag in 2023 and within easy walking distance of the centre.

If you’re planning to hit the sands, read our Malaga Beach Guide.

Too hot to walk?

Take the No 14 bus from the Alameda Principal to the lighthouse for La Malagueta beach. If you’re heading from the Misericordia, get on the No 7 and once the bus reaches the Tabacalera (home to the Russian Museum and the Car Museum), get off at any stop and walk the block to the beach.

Did you know?

The biggest summer event in Malaga is Malaga Fair, a 7-day party in mid-August.

Take in some cool culture

All the museums in Malaga sit in blissfully cool air-conditioning so they make a great spot to head for when the sun’s scorching down outside. Time your visits to coincide with opening hours – the Museum of Malaga opens first thing at 9am and closes at 3pm in the summer so head here to start your day. The other art museums stay open until at least 8pm in July and August so make for these in the late afternoon and early evening.

If you fancy taking in a film, visit the Albeniz cinema on Calle Alcazabilla with a good choice of original-version films. Note that the air-conditioning here is fierce so you might even be cold during the screening!

Stay in the shade

Malaga has lots and lots of shady spots so there’s no excuse for being in the sun for too long. Take some time out in one of the parks – read about some of the best here.

You can even avoid the hot weather in Malaga when you’re shopping. Calle Larios is covered with giant awnings for the summer, which make browsing the shops much cooler. And the canopies along Muelle Uno have refreshing spray.

Avoid the hottest time of day

Summer temperatures reach their height between 2 and 5pm so it makes sense to stay out of the sun. This is Spanish lunch and siesta time so when in Malaga, do as the Malagueños do – get yourself a table at your favourite restaurant and sit back and relax over a nice long lunch.

Discover where to eat out in Malaga.

Read our reviews of some of the best Malaga restaurants.

Take a snooze

And after your lunch, head back to your hotel or apartment in Malaga for a siesta. Don’t feel guilty about sleeping for a good hour in the day – everyone else is taking an afternoon nap. Now you can see why small shops shut at lunchtime and hardly anyone is out on the streets – they’re all asleep!

Stay hydrated

To ease the hot weather in Malaga, make sure you drink enough. One of the best and healthiest ways is to drink gazpacho. This cold tomato soup, thin enough to drink, comes packed with vitamins, minerals and a dash of salt as well as water. Or try the typically Malaga version, porra antequerana, slightly thicker but just as hydrating.

If juice is more of your thing, head for Julieta Coffee in Puerta Nueva, Santa Coffee in Plaza Enrique Herrero and Bunchit on Calle Alhondiga and Alcazabilla.

And while you’re at the table, try these other typical things to eat in Malaga too.

Cool off in the evening

On the very hottest days in Malaga, it’s best to lie low during the day (the beach is perfect for that) and save your sightseeing and shopping for first or last thing. Shops and many museums in Malaga stay open till late when it’s cooler.

Finish off your evening in Malaga on one of the rooftop terraces. Sip your cocktail and watch the sun go down over the city. Summers don’t come much better than that!

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