Things to do in Málaga in winter, rain or shine
In winter, Málaga changes pace: less beach, more strolls in the sunshine, museums just a few minutes’ walk away and late afternoons that call for somewhere warm. This is our guide to enjoying the city centre from November to February.
By the Premium Massage Málaga team
What’s the weather like in Málaga in winter?
According to the climate normals of AEMET, Spain’s national weather agency, for Málaga Airport, highs between December and February hover around 17–18°C and lows around 7–9°C. On average it rains on five to seven days a month, and even so there are some 160–180 hours of sunshine each month (AEMET, climate normals 1981–2010).
In practice, at midday in the sun a long-sleeved top is all you need; once the afternoon fades it cools down quickly, especially by the sea. And one thing that surprises visitors from further north: many houses and flats in Málaga have no central heating, so indoors can feel colder than outside at midday.
What to pack
Layers: a T-shirt or a light jumper for the day, a jacket for the evening and something that will stand up to a downpour. And comfortable shoes, because the centre is best explored on foot and the polished paving of Calle Larios gets slippery in the rain.
If the sun’s out
- The paseo del Parque and Muelle Uno, out to la Farola lighthouse and the beach at la Malagueta.
- The Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre, a few minutes from the Cathedral. If you still have the energy, the climb up to Gibralfaro Castle rewards you with some of the best views in the city.
- A sunny terrace at lunchtime, which is when it’s most welcome in winter.
What to do in Málaga when it rains
The beauty of the centre is that almost everything is close by. From the Cathedral, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to:
- The Museo Picasso Málaga, in the Palacio de Buenavista, with work by the painter who was born in this city.
- The Museo Carmen Thyssen, with 19th-century Spanish painting in a 16th-century palace.
- The Museo de Málaga, in the Palacio de la Aduana: fine art and archaeology under one roof.
- The Cathedral, this time from the inside, two minutes from the room.
- The Mercado de Atarazanas, the city’s central market, open in the mornings from Monday to Saturday, with its great stained-glass window and its stalls of fish, fruit and olives.
Before you go, check each place’s opening hours on its website: they change with the season, and some close one day a week.
The Christmas lights on Calle Larios
From late November to early January, Calle Larios is draped in lights, and on most evenings there are several light-and-music shows; the City Council publishes the times each year. It draws big crowds, especially at weekends: if you’d like to enjoy it in peace, go to the last show or on a weekday. The room is just a step away, on Calle Strachan.
An afternoon plan for two
For a Monday, a Friday or a weekend, which is when the room is open:
- 13:30 · A leisurely lunch in the historic centre.
- 16:00 · A museum, or a stroll around the port if the sun comes out.
- 17:30 · Your experience at Premium Massage Málaga: a 60- or 90-minute massage for two, in a room all your own.
- 19:30 · The lights on Calle Larios (late November to early January; check the show times first) and dinner nearby.
The experience for a winter afternoon
By the fireplace is the one that suits winter best: crackling logs, the light of the fireplace, the scent of lemon, cinnamon and clove, and chai tea to finish.
If your back is tired from all that walking, the Volcanic experience adds the warmth of basalt stones. And if it’s summer you’re missing, Sounds of the sea takes you back to the shore. A guide to all six experiences.
Getting to the room
- From the airport: the Cercanías C1 commuter train reaches Málaga Centro-Alameda station in about twelve minutes; from there, the room is less than a kilometre’s walk.
- From María Zambrano station: about twenty minutes on foot, or two stops on the metro, from El Perchel (next to the station) to Atarazanas, about five minutes’ walk from the room.
- By car: the historic centre is pedestrianised. There are public car parks a few minutes away, such as the one at Plaza de la Marina. Málaga has a low-emission zone, so check beforehand whether your car is allowed in.
The address is Calle Strachan 4, 5th floor, 29015 Málaga. Open in Google Maps.