With around 330 days of sun each year, the Sun Coast is aptly named. Add to that an average temperature of 22°C, a 100-mile coastline, much of which is beach, and an average sea temperature of 18°C and it’s easy to see why this is one of Europe’s top holiday destinations. The Costa del Sol’s Mediterranean climate features hot, dry summers and mild winters with variable rainfall.  Most of the rain falls in winter and it can last for three or four days, but after that the sun comes out once more.

Sheltered by the Sierra Bermeja mountain range, the area around Marbella has much less rain and is warmer in winter than the west of Andalusia. This mild climate has turned the Costa del Sol into the playground it is today. Even a winter’s day in the Costa del Sol tends to be more than warm enough for a game of golf or tennis, or for just strolling through one of the old fishing villages. January, the coolest month sees average high temperatures of 16°C. And there’s always the sun, which tends to make anything seem more enjoyable.