Andalucia is renowned for all year round great weather but Málaga has it´s own secrets for special cycling weather.
Every November we celebrate the Eat Sleep Cycle Anniversary in Málaga. The Eat Sleep Cycle Málaga Hub was set-up in November 2022. The 2024 edition saw beautiful sunshine, I actually suffered a little sunburn!
Eat Sleep Cycle has been running bike tours in Andalucia for around 8 years, personally I have experienced the weather in Andalucia all year round for at least that long.
Andalucia is renowned for all year round great weather. Being at the southernmost tip of Europe (only Southern Portugal beats it) the obvious advantage of being closer to the Equator makes for a hotter climate. However there is more to factor in in Málaga and along the Costa del Sol coast, given that it is nestled between a mountain range and the sea.
The geography provides a mild and stable climate through the Winter which has attracted a healthy Winter tourism market for many years as Europeans and those further afield flee their colder home temperatures to enjoy some of the Málaga sunshine.
Hopefully in this blog I´ll shed some light on the best times to visit Málaga for your cycling holiday.
So what are the best months to visit Málaga to ride your bike weather wise?
Málaga, just like most of Spain, has a hot Summer and cooler Winter. However there is a key and important difference. Whilst the minimum temperatures across most of Europe and even in Girona drop close to 0 degrees celsius and even below freezing, the minimum temperature in Málaga is just below 10 degrees celsius. In fact, the lowest average night temperature is only 12 degrees celsius.
Daytime temperatures throughout the Winter are in the late and early 20 degree Celsius. I kid you not there are people sunbathing in the afternoon all year round!
So what does that mean for cycling?
This climate makes Málaga a perfect destination for a Winter cycling break. When I say Winter I mean November, December, January, February and March are all great months to ride in Málaga with almost guaranteed sunshine.
You should carry a jacket if you like climbing up into the mountains for the descent and you may be surprised how fresh it is coming down compared to the heat you feel climbing up. But once you get to the beach for your ice cream, coffee or even better, beer, you’ll be stripping off to soak up those rays.
Spring and Autumn are also excellent times to ride in Málaga. In Spring, temperatures are rising nicely and the sunshine hours also increase significantly so you can be out on your bike for longer rides. Autumn is actually a lot warmer than Spring since the sea and mountains are still hot from the Summer! September can in fact feel just like Summer!
July and August are the hottest months in Málaga. Here is the secret, because Málaga is on the coast it actually feels fresher than in some inland towns and cities. So if you ride along the coast with the fresh sea breeze, you will love it. Heading into the mountains and things heat up, so ride early for these more epic rides.
Why am I writing this blog?
I want cyclists to realise that Málaga is a perfect Winter cycling escape. At the same time, you can ride in Málaga and Andalucia all year round.
Want to learn more about cycling in Málaga?
Join one of our scheduled trips, book a self-guided package or opt for a custom trip! We have beautiful itinearies which you can enjoy all year around. Contact us for more information.
