With as many as 320 sunny days a year, winter on the Costa del Sol is like spring. The mild temperatures make it possible – even enjoyable – to take a stroll on the beach, eat al fresco with views of the sea, or go shopping. If you are a country travel enthusiast, come and unveil the hidden charms of hinterland Málaga: white villages with deeply-rooted traditions, hearty food and amazing landscapes.
Málaga’s great weather invites visitors to do outdoor sports in winter, choosing one of the 28 natural areas available. You can go hiking, mountain climbing or river canoeing.
Get lost in the Spanish fir groves in Sierra de las Nieves, explore the cave of La Pileta and, after your busy day out, spend the night in a country house or hotel where every detail has been taken care of. They are the perfect supplement to your hinterland experience in Málaga.
A land of contrasts
Málaga is a land of contrasts, and they get sharper in winter, as the coastal areas keep you warm and the sierras are decorated with snowy peaks. The best views of this show of nature are offered at the snow pits in Puerto de los Ventisqueros.
If you are more of an urbanite, you will find lots of interesting activities in Málaga City: the Theatre Festival, several musical programmes, museums, churches and art exhibitions. The city’s cultural life has options to suit everybody’s taste.
Scattered across the province, leisure centres are the perfect choice for your family holidays. Zoos, aquariums, go-kart tracks, a cable car and even an ice rink by the sea are waiting for you in Benalmádena, Fuengirola and Estepona.
Hinterland activities
The interior of Málaga Province can deliver wonderful experiences too, as you join locals in their deeply-rooted traditions. The Migas Festival in Torrox or the Procession of Our Lady of Rondeles in Casarabonela are but two examples. For an unforgettable culinary treat, try an eighteenth-century coaching inn or order a hearty mountain dish in a traditional tavern.
In February, Carnival celebrations warm the Costa del Sol up with parades and an all-pervading festive atmosphere. To see it for yourself, head for Málaga or Nerja. In Alozaina, Carnival is very special: it is celebrated with flour – not used in the kitchen exactly! The images are bound to stay with you for ever.
