Mama MálagaPostsSeasons & MonthsAugust in the Costa del Sol

August in the Costa del Sol

July 26, 2024

Last modified on: December 4, 2024

Table of Contents

August in the Costa del Sol is a time full of events, beaches, high temperatures and more events. It is non-stop – shows, movie nights, fairs, jazz, lyrical theater, crafts markets… you imagine and you can find it in the Costa del Sol. Let’s dive in!

The weather in August in the Costa del Sol

It is hot, sunny and mainly, sunscreen time. The UV index is quite high, as are temperatures. In August, locals run away from the Costa, looking for somewhere less hot; those who stay, behave like vampires, going out of home only after sunset. Ironically, this is the time of the year with more tourists around! If you are coming in August, make sure to take care of your skin, and don’t forget to drink a lot of water (between other drinks. Or even without the other drinks). Enjoy the summer, but take your sunscreen, hat and sunglasses to enjoy it too!

Weather-related data for August in Malaga (data from Weather2travel):
🏊 sea temperature: +23^oC
🌅 Sunrise times: 07:24 am (August 1) – 07:48 am (August 31)
🌙 Sunset times: 09:24 pm (August 1) – 08:47 pm (August 31)
🌼 Average number of daylight hours: 14
☀️ Average number of sunshine hours per day: 11

The weather information above is for Malaga (city), but as the towns are so close together, you can extend this information to the surrounding areas as well. Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella and Estepona, as well as Rincón de la Victoria, Torrox and Nerja, should not differ much.

What to pack for August in the Costa del Sol

Over the years I’ve been living in the Costa del Sol, I’ve taken a lot of pictures. In many of them – as you would expect – there are people around. Here are a few of those pictures, each and every one taken on August of previous years, where you can see what people are wearing. The goal is to give you a good idea of what to pack to feel cozy on August in the Costa del Sol! You can click on each image to enlarge it. 😉

August in the Costa del Sol - Benalmadena's promenade

August in the Costa del Sol - Benalmadena Pueblo

Remarkable Dates

There is only one national holiday this month: it is on August 15, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, a day when you can expect the commerce to be closed. But because August is a rather unusual month – with all tourism-dedicated facilities working on overload and the rest of the economic activities closed for vacations – you may not even notice the holiday.

Both Benalmadena Pueblo and Malaga celebrate fairs in August, so you can expect some of the commerce to be closed on those locations during their respective fair dates.

Events in August in the Costa del Sol

Cultura en la Calle in Benalmadena

Benalmadena takes advantage of the rainless weather of the summer months to promote Cultura in la Calle (culture in the street), a series of cultural events that happen in the open. Musicians performing on the park or on squares, Flamenco dancers by El Bil Bill Castle, circus performances and even movie shows on the beach are in the menu – all for free.

August in the Costa del Sol - Cultura in la calle — Movie night in Malapesquera beach, parte of Cultura en la Calle 2024.

Moraga Carnavalera in Marbella

Carnival in August? Yes!!! In Marbella, it happens every year! It is usually in the beginning of August, on the beach, with dance performances and, well, sardines skewers, because this is the Costa del Sol!

Noche Viva in Fuengirola

One night per year, in August, Fuengirola stays awake. It’s the Noche Viva (live night), when every square in the city, every main street and every park becomes a large stage. There are parades, music and dance shows, martial arts, sport performances and even live painting and fashion shows. And probably more! All hapenning at the same time, in different parts of Fuengirola! And the commerce doesn’t stay behind: many shops open and offer special discounts during this night. Crazy, right? You don’t wanna miss this one. Check our list of culture and entertainment guides (down in this post) for the dates of the next edition.

Related post:
Neighborhoods of Fuengirola

Feria de Benalmadena Pueblo

Benalmadena’s fairytale white-washed and cutest Pueblo will have its fair from August 14 to 18. It sure is smaller than Malaga’s; it is also adorable and much less crowded. It is a must if you are in the Costa these days, even more if you would rather avoid huge crowds, but still are in for a beautiful, cultural and fun event with plenty of local food. 😉

Feria de Malaga

August is the month to be in Malaga, because this is when Malaga Fair happens! Every year, it gathers more than a thousand artists to participate in the event – It’s a Malaga-sized fair! This is the main event in the Costa del Sol (maybe in the planet?) this month; it is well worth a visit – by train or by taxi or uber; don’t try to park there.

Verbena de Los Pacos in Fuengirola

A Verbena is a local party, usually organized by (and mainly for) a given neighborhood. It is a very traditional celebration, with music, dance, shows and foood. It is also a confraternization among neighboors and a colective celebration of a place and its lifestyle; a bit like a local, mini-feria. Los Pacos traditionally celebrates a verbena in August, in the Plaza Suomi. If you are around, it is very much worth participating!

Canela Party in Torremolinos

The ‘Canela Party’ festival happens yearly in Torremolinos in the end of August. In this festival that lasts for 4 or more days, several independent bands perform to an audience in costumes. It is a mix of costume party with shows – and it’s big. Check the video on Canela Party to see if you are one of the thousands that enjoy it!

August in the Costa del Sol - Canela party

Zoco Árabe in Benalmadena Pueblo

In the end of the month, Benalmadena Pueblo has its Zoco Árabe. It’s a beautiful event that revives the muslim influence and tradition on the culture of present day Andalusia. It mixes street market and gastronomy, plus workshops, parades, musicians, belly dancers and even birds of prey!

August in the Costa del Sol - a street in the Zoco Arabe — Zoco Árabe in 2024

Culture and Entertainment guides

The best places to look for events (yearly or not) are the official monthly entertainment guides of the Town Halls websites and their Facebook counterparts. Some cities update them more frequently than others, and usually information is posted just a few days before the event itself; despite that, they are the most complete source of information about cultural (and sometimes not so cultural) events in each city. Below, a super useful list:

For Malaga city: Visita Málaga guide and Facebook
For Torremolinos: Torremolinos Cultura guide and Facebook
For Benalmadena: Benalmadena guide and Benalmadena Cultura
For Fuengirola: Fuengirola guide and Agenda Fuengirola
For Mijas: Mijas and Cultura Mijas
For Marbella: Marbella and Cultura Marbella
For Estepona: Cultura Estepona and Facebook

Conclusion

There is a lot going on this August! This month has plenty of cultural events, music festivals, fairs, and markets that cater to every taste. Whether you’re a fan of jazz, flamenco, Arab pop, rock tributes, or simply love to explore local crafts, there’s something for everyone. The combination of high temperatures and lively activities means you’ll experience the region at its most dynamic and festive.

Anywhere you are in the Costa del Sol, there’s always something exciting just around the corner. Stay hydrated, protect yourself from the sun, and enjoy all that this beautiful region has to offer during its most bustling month. Enjoy your summer in the Costa del Sol!