Marbella Weather by Month: Best Time to Visit (2026 Guide)

Thirty degrees. A sea breeze from the Strait of Gibraltar. The terrace of a chiringuito still warm at 10 PM. That's Marbella in July — but it's not the only time worth visiting.

Marbella gets 325 days of sunshine a year. The real question isn't if the weather is good — it's which kind of good suits your trip. Golf? Late spring. Beaches? August. Quiet luxury without the crowds? October.

This guide breaks it down month by month with real temperatures, sea conditions, and honest advice on what each season is actually like.

Jump to: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec · FAQ

Marbella Weather at a Glance

Month	High °C	Low °C	Rain (mm)	Sun hrs/day	Sea °C
Jan	17	7	65	6	15
Feb	18	8	55	6	15
Mar	20	10	45	7	16
Apr	22	12	35	8	17
May	25	15	20	10	19
Jun	29	18	8	11	22
Jul	33	21	2	12	25
Aug	33	22	3	11	26
Sep	28	19	18	9	24
Oct	24	15	45	7	21
Nov	20	11	55	6	18
Dec	17	8	60	5	16

Sources: WorldWeatherOnline, ClimatesToTravel, Holiday-Weather.com

Best Month For…

Beach & swimming → July or August (sea hits 25–26°C) Golf → April, May, October (not too hot, courses green) Value + fewer crowds → May or September (same sun, lower prices) Nightlife & events → July (Marbella Festival season peaks) Quiet luxury → November or February (hotels half-empty, prices drop 40%) Families with kids → June or September (warm but not 33°C brutal)

Month by Month Guide

January

🌡️ 17°C high · 7°C low · 65mm rain · 15°C sea · 6 hrs sun

January is Marbella's quiet season. Most beach clubs are shut. The Golden Mile is calm. Hotel prices hit their yearly low — a room at a 5-star property costs roughly half what you'd pay in August.

That said, daytime temperatures regularly reach 17–18°C. Outdoor lunches happen in t-shirts. The old town is genuinely pleasant without summer queues.

Best for: Golf (courses are quiet), city breaks, anyone who hates crowds. Avoid if: You came for beach weather. The sea is 15°C and the evenings drop to 7°C.

February

🌡️ 18°C high · 8°C low · 55mm rain · 15°C sea · 6 hrs sun

Almost identical to January but with a noticeable psychological shift — almond trees bloom in the hills above the Costa del Sol, and the light gets sharper. Carnival (Carnaval) usually falls in February, which adds street energy to Marbella's old town.

Still off-season. Prices remain low. If you're planning a luxury villa stay in Marbella, February bookings often come with 20–30% discounts on weekly rates.

Best for: Couples wanting a quiet escape, golfers, Carnaval. Avoid if: You need 25°C pool weather.

March

🌡️ 20°C high · 10°C low · 45mm rain · 16°C sea · 7 hrs sun

Spring arrives in March. Temperatures climb above 20°C regularly. Rain is still possible but less frequent than winter. Beach clubs start opening for the season — usually around Easter (in 2026, Semana Santa runs March 29 – April 5).

Semana Santa brings crowds and atmosphere to the old town but can spike hotel prices for that specific week.

Best for: Spring hiking in the Sierra Blanca, cultural visits, early beach season.

April

🌡️ 22°C high · 12°C low · 35mm rain · 17°C sea · 8 hrs sun

April is one of the best months on the Costa del Sol. Temperatures are warm but not oppressive. The sea is cold for swimming but perfect for water sports. Golf courses are in excellent condition — if golf is your reason to visit, April or May is the answer. See our guide to the best golf resorts on the Costa del Sol for courses worth booking in spring.

Post-Easter, crowds thin out and prices return to normal.

Best for: Golf, hiking, outdoor dining, first beach trips of the year.

May

🌡️ 25°C high · 15°C low · 20mm rain · 19°C sea · 10 hrs sun

May is arguably the hidden sweet spot of the Marbella calendar. 25°C days. 10 hours of sun. Sea temperatures finally warm enough for a swim. And summer crowds haven't arrived yet — Puerto Banús is still walkable.

Hotels and villas cost significantly less than June. The 5-star hotels in Marbella often have May deals that disappear by mid-June.

Best for: Almost everything — beach, golf, dining, sightseeing, value. Avoid if: You specifically need 30°C+ temperatures.

June

🌡️ 29°C high · 18°C low · 8mm rain · 22°C sea · 11 hrs sun

Summer begins properly in June. The sea reaches 22°C — warm enough that you stop noticing it. Beach clubs open fully, and Puerto Banús fills up. Nightlife moves outdoors.

Early June (before the 20th) still has shoulder-season pricing. After that, rates jump sharply as European school holidays begin. Book yacht charters at Puerto Banús at least 3–4 weeks ahead — the better boats fill fast.

The Night of San Juan (June 23rd) is worth planning around: bonfires on the beach, fireworks, the whole coast out celebrating.

Best for: Families (warm but not extreme heat), beach clubs, early summer nightlife.

July

🌡️ 33°C high · 21°C low · 2mm rain · 25°C sea · 12 hrs sun

Peak. Everything is at maximum — sun, crowds, prices, energy. The sea hits 25°C. Marbella Beach Club and Ocean Club are at full capacity by 11 AM. Evenings are warm until midnight.

This is the month Marbella was built for. But it comes with trade-offs: peak prices across hotels, villas, and experiences. The city gets loud, especially around Puerto Banús on weekends.

If you're visiting in July, book everything in advance. Luxury villas in Marbella for August weeks are typically full by April.

Best for: Beach hedonism, nightlife, yacht life, the full Marbella experience. Avoid if: You dislike heat above 30°C or busy beaches.

August

🌡️ 33°C high · 22°C low · 3mm rain · 26°C sea · 11 hrs sun

Statistically identical to July but with one difference: the sea peaks at 26°C, the warmest of the year. Spanish domestic tourism also peaks — Marbella fills with Madrileños and Sevillanos alongside the international crowd. It gets genuinely busy.

Best for: Sea swimming, Marbella's beach clubs, the full summer carnival atmosphere. Avoid if: You want space, quiet, or value for money.

September

🌡️ 28°C high · 19°C low · 18mm rain · 24°C sea · 9 hrs sun

The best-kept secret in Marbella's calendar. September has almost identical temperatures to June but the crowds have gone home. The sea stays at 24°C — warmer than June. Hotel rates drop 20–30%. Beach clubs thin out enough that you can actually get a sunbed.

For couples and anyone who values experience over social proof, September beats July and August.

Best for: Couples, solo travellers, anyone who did the math on value.

October

🌡️ 24°C high · 15°C low · 45mm rain · 21°C sea · 7 hrs sun

Autumn proper. Still warm — 24°C is a London heatwave. Golf courses are in top condition as the heat breaks. The sea is still swimmable at 21°C. More rain than summer months but typically in short sharp bursts, not all-day drizzle.

October is ideal for a more relaxed, slower Marbella. Restaurants have space. The coastal walk from Marbella to Puerto Banús is genuinely enjoyable.

Best for: Golf, hiking, food tourism, post-summer recharge.

November

🌡️ 20°C high · 11°C low · 55mm rain · 18°C sea · 6 hrs sun

November is when Marbella empties and the expat community sighs with relief. Daytime temperatures of 20°C are pleasant for walking and outdoor dining. Evenings require a jacket.

Rain increases significantly. Some beach clubs close. But if you're not a beach-first traveller, Marbella in November has a genuine charm — less polished, more real.

Best for: Long-stay visits, property seekers, anyone escaping Northern European winter.

December

🌡️ 17°C high · 8°C low · 60mm rain · 16°C sea · 5 hrs sun

Cold by Marbella standards, warm by most of Europe's. The old town gets Christmas lights. Restaurants run festive menus. The coastal walk is empty and peaceful.

Hotel prices are at their annual minimum — December (excluding Christmas week) is the cheapest time to experience Marbella's 5-star properties. A good moment to experience places that would otherwise be out of budget.

Best for: Winter breaks, Christmas visits, budget luxury.

FAQ

What is the best month to visit Marbella?

May and September offer the best combination of warm weather, warm sea, and manageable crowds. July and August have the best beach weather but come with peak prices and busy resorts.

Is Marbella warm enough to visit in winter?

Yes — daytime temperatures stay around 17–20°C from November through February. It's not beach weather, but outdoor dining, golf, and sightseeing are all perfectly comfortable.

What is the hottest month in Marbella?

July and August are equally hot, with average highs of 33°C. Sea temperatures peak in August at 26°C.

Does it rain much in Marbella?

Marbella averages 500mm of rain per year — less than London gets in four months. Most rainfall happens between October and March. June, July, and August are almost completely dry.

When is the sea warmest in Marbella?

August sees the warmest sea at 26°C, followed by July (25°C) and September (24°C). The sea remains swimmable — for most people — from June through October.

Is Marbella good for golf year-round?

Yes. The best months for golf are April, May, October, and November — mild temperatures, courses in good condition, and no extreme heat. See the best golf resorts on the Costa del Sol for the top courses.

→Best 5-Star Hotels in Marbella — where to stay once you've picked your month
→Marbella Beach Clubs: Full Guide 2026 — the clubs worth booking in advance for summer
→Luxury Villas in Marbella — villa rentals by season and budget
→Malaga Weather by Month — planning the wider region? See how Marbella compares to Malaga city