Best time to visit Marbella

European retreats don't come much better than Marbella, a Mediterranean paradise for all the family. Marbella is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and is also a hub of fantastic cultural adventures for you to enjoy. But when is the best time to visit Marbella? We look at the weather, the events and the things to do that may sway your decision on when to book your holiday in glorious Andalusia.

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Marbella Weather

Keep a check on the weather

When is the best time to visit Marbella? A visit to Marbella is lovely all year round but you may be seeking something warmer that allows you to frolic on the beach without extra clothing. Between June and September are the obvious months for the highest temperatures which can reach a sweltering 31C. The sea itself remains very swimmable all the way to November when the region hits peak rainy season. But who cares about rain if you are under the water?

With a welcoming Mediterranean climate, even a post-Christmas visit in January can be tempting when temperatures can reach 18C. The springtime offers the perfect balance of warmth and relief from the sun. Expect 21C if you visit around April or May. Autumn offers an equally fine balance with other benefits we will look at soon.

Mixing temperature and tourists

For some people, the crowds of summer are off-putting and diminish the pure Marbella experience. If you are one of those holidaymakers who prefers their beaches less busy, choose a time of year when the weather is still glorious but the queues are shorter for the popular restaurants and everything is slightly more chilled. We would recommend September and October when you will find the sea to still be very accommodating in terms of temperature but the main bulk of tourists are already at home getting a little depressed about ever darkening evenings. After the 15th of September the Spanish holiday period is over and things return to normal in the country. Even better, the prices go down at this time of year meaning you can enjoy the brilliant local attractions at a lower price. Service quality can also go up from staff who are less harassed and love to welcome visitors at one of the best times to visit Marbella.

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Festive Months

Holy Week

April
Like much of Spain, the days around Easter are spectacularly celebrated in Marbella. Holy Week, or Semana Santa, will provide you with processions through the street that are colourful and full of passion. Do not expect every shop to be open but there is an atmosphere that is hard to find at any other time of the year. So if you are interested in this, April is the best time to visit Marbella.

The Main Summer Fair

June
Marbella’s patron Saint Bernard gets his very own festival in the summer and the celebrations last for an entire week. Expect the best in local food, drink, dancing, arts and fun to be on full display at a great time for family visits. There will be fireworks on the beaches and parties that last long into the night. The locals dress up in Flamenco gear and you can join in yourself by purchasing a cheap outfit from a local shop. Best get practicing those dance moves.

La Noche de San Juan

June
Fire and water are at the forefront on June 23rd as Saint John’s Festival runs from day to night with massive bonfires, parades of huge papier mache figures and locals jumping into the sea to purify the soul. You should enjoy the 24 hours of fiesta from one of the beach clubs that normally put on a special party to mark the occasion and, for the young at heart, it will be a night of vibrant brilliance that’s spectacular even for Marbella.

Virgen del Carmen

July
Do you enjoy a festival at sea? It is the turn of the fishermen and women in July to celebrate their very own patron saint. A much-loved effigy is paraded through the streets and then on a boat strewn with flowers. A mass held before the processions sees Marbella’s oldest retired fishman receive a special prize. The seafood seems to taste even more special during this time and is certainly one of the best months to visit Marbella.

The San Pedro Alcantara Fair

October
Celebrations for another patron saint, St Peter, means another big festival in Marbella. Look for the fair in the centre of the city that stretches into the night and all the usual fun and frolics that take place in the cobbled streets of the old town. As it takes place in October, this is a great choice for those who want to celebrate fiesta without sweating so much.

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What to do

Enjoying nature

Beyond Marbella lies magnificent countryside to be explored either on foot or maybe a 4x4 tour that Club Med Magna Marbella can organise for you together with an expert guide. Andalusuia has unspoilt landscapes, charming villages and lots of local food and wine to be enjoyed on the way.

Local Ojen is an eco-reserve and a wildlife refuge that is home to many plants and animals that promise a magical experience for all travellers, a true fairytale forest. The best time to visit? All year is good in this part of the world although once again the boiling summer months may put off those who want to do their walking in lower temperatures. Autumn and springtime are perfect times to book.

Going for the golf

A visit to Marbella’s Golfing Valley should be on the agenda of every swinger at some point in their life. The sheer range of the courses and the beauty they offer has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. And for most of the year round this will be done under sunny skies meaning it is always the best time to visit Marbella.

The choice of when to go is up to you but remember that the summer months can get very hot and you could spend your round wiping away sweat rather than putting balls in holes. The mild temperatures of spring and autumn means you can fully appreciate the amazing courses while enjoying weather that helps you bring your A-game to the fairway. The choice is yours and remember that the greens will be faster after being hard baked by a long Spanish summer.

Christmas in Marbella

Many of us want to use our Christmas holidays to get away from domestic issues and all the stress that surrounds the festive season. A holiday in Marbella could be the answer with a 17C temperature, better weather and brilliant things to do,

The children will not be disappointed as there is a very Christmassy feel to the city with lots of markets, fairy lights and chestnuts roasting over street fires. The squares in particular look spectacular at this time of the year and it can feel even more festive than back at home. And nobody does a nativity scene like the Spanish.

New Year is also an amazing time to visit Marbella. You can turn up to glamorous parties without having to wear a coat. Forget buying an expensive ticket and take part in the public celebrations full of ringing bells and fireworks. On New Year's Day itself a public concert can be enjoyed to keep the sense of excitement going for longer.

How about ski-ing?

Remarkable as it may seem, it is possible to enjoy a ski holiday when based in Marbella and even in the springtime. Just a three hour journey from the main city you will find yourself at the top of Sierra Nevada, Andalusia’s main ski resort. It is not just a nod to ski-ing either with over 100 runs that cover everything from beginners to ski-ing experts. There are all the facilities you would expect from a leading European resort including chair lifts and equipment hire.

The best time to go to Marbella for skiing is in November but you can find powder from as late as May. Head down the mountains later for a dip in the sea. And don't forget to visit Sierra Nevada during the summer months for amazing views and beautiful nature.

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Discover Club Med

Club Med Magna Marbella

Open from May to mid-December, Club Med Magna Marbella offers you the best base for your stay in Marbella whatever time you visit. Our resort is based at the foot of the Sierra Blanca mountains which makes it only a short walk to the main city but also provides a personal oasis of twelve acres which means even at the height of the tourist season you can find your own pace and space.

If the main bars are bustling then chill out on the beach club themed lagoon zone. Reserve a table at the Tierra Gourmet lounge or Suenos restaurant where you will be able to enjoy the local food included in your all-inclusive price. With loads to do for families, and the opportunity to keep the kids busy while you relax, book your holiday at Club Med to fully enjoy the glories of Southern Spain.