Winter on the Costa del Sol
Panoramic view of Málaga – By Kiban, via Wikimedia Commons
For those of you wishing for a warm winter vacation, Costa Del Sol is the ideal place to start searching for your destination. Located in the most southern part of Europe, it also offers the diverse history, the attractions and the sunniest weather for a perfect warm winter holiday.
The temperatures here are among the highest in Europe during winter time, at a medium of 12 Celsius degrees during daytime. So if you’re planning to trade a white Christmas for a golden one, you’re looking at the right place, as the sunny beaches in the area are always ready for guests.
The Treasures of Costa Del Sol
The birthplace of Pablo Picasso and home town of Antonio Banderas, Málaga is definitely a city worth visiting. While you’re here, you can go the Interactive Museum of Music, which hold the world’s greatest musical instruments collection, you can get lost in the tight shady cobbled streets in the center, or you can go to the top of the city and visit the Moorish Alcazaba.
If you like landscapes, you can visit Ronda, a great city built all the way up into the mountains, from where you can have a great view, or you can visit the oldest bullring in Spain.
Puente Nuevo in Ronda – By Bert, via Wikimedia Commons
Benalmadena and Torremolinos are two cosmopolitan towns just right if you have children. There, you have the possibility to go up to Calamorro Mountain with the cable car, explore the Sea Life aquarium, or try international cuisine.
Fuengirola is the most popular destination in the area, with 7 kilometers of sandy beaches, a stunning Arab fortress, a Biopark with live animals in great natural surroundings lots of activities for you to choose from.
Estepona is a charming port city, and it’s rustic cobbled streets are a really nice place to spend your time in.
Marbella is more for the shoppers and spa lovers, as living here will surely make you feel like a true celebrity. There are lots of boutiques and shops around, and Puerto Banus is full of luxury yachts, so there are great views to be seen here.
For a more authentic Spanish experience, head on to Nerja, a town built on a hill right by the sea. There, you can visit the Balcony of Europe, or just enjoy the diverse and rich Spanish culture.
Things to do while you’re here
Pinchos – By Marcus Hansson, via Flickr
Spanish cuisine is something you should definitely try. Go out for some Tapas, Pinchos, Paellas or Wine Tasting, Fresh Fish or Seafood cooked in so many different types. There are also a lot of international restaurants in the area, so make sure you discover a bit of everything, it will be worth it.
Costa del Sol also offers really good shopping opportunities. There is a wide range of shopping centers around, but the local markets are also full of gems for the shoppers out there. Almost every town holds a weekly local market where you can find both cheap and great quality clothing or souvenirs.
Costa del Sol is also known as Costa del Golf, as it is the greatest destination in Spain for this sport. So if you’re a fan, there are unlimited options for you to choose from all across the coastline, with great facilities and surroundings.
Costa del Sol is also the home of Flamenco, so you can book a ticket anytime for a unique musical and dancing experience, as it is a great cultural heritage in Andalucia which you should not miss.
Christmas in Málaga – By kainita via Wikimedia Commons
Spend Christmas in Costa del Sol! All the towns here will sure make you feel the holiday spirit, even without the snow. The lights and decorations are wonderful, and the traditions are completely different here. In Andalucia, Santa doesn’t bring gifts, the Three Kings do, in January, and the Christmas Tree is less important than the Belén (the nativity) carefully gathered in every home and shop.
And in case you really miss the snow, the Sierra Nevada ski resort is just 168 kilometers away from Málaga, so you can hire ski equipment and hit the slopes for the weekend. Then just get back to the warm part of your Holiday.
Temperatures in Costa del Sol
The temperatures can get as high as 16 Celsius degrees in December, with the sea temperature about the same. There are a medium of 5 to 6 hours of sunshine a day, so you can soak up the sun and enjoy your time here.
Although during the daytime the weather is all right, keep in mind that the nights can get cold. Most houses in the area are not built with double glazing or central heating, and the floors are mostly marble, so find try to find a holiday home with a fireplace. It will not only make your stay here cozy and romantic, but it will also keep you warm during the nights.
You should know that the sea temperature is quite low, somewhere around 10 degrees during the winter. Swimming might be tempting, especially by the seaside, so if you really want to go swimming then you should search for heated pools. Some Hotels have them and you can go for a swim without having to worry you might catch a cold.
If you’re planning long outdoors activities, keep in mind that the weather here can be quite unpredictable, although there are low chances of rain overall. Heavy showers can occur during January, but they don’t usually last long. If a cold front comes from the Atlantic, it could bring long lasting pouring rains, so make sure to check the weather ahead so your plans go smooth, just as your holiday should be.
