July in the Costa del Sol
July in the Costa del Sol is vibrant! The sun is at its peak, there are lively festivals and endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. This Mediterranean paradise, known for its stunning coastline and charming towns, comes alive in July with the height of summer, drawing visitors from around the world. Whether you’re basking under the intense summer sun, partaking in local celebrations, or exploring cultural events, July in the Costa del Sol promises an unforgettable experience. With temperatures soaring and the sea invitingly warm, every moment spent here is a celebration of summer’s best.
The weather in July in the Costa del Sol
July brings the height of summer to the Costa del Sol, with scorching temperatures and clear skies perfect for lazy days on the beach and balmy evenings spent sipping cocktails under the stars. From festivals to outdoor adventures, there’s no shortage of excitement to be had in this sunny paradise. With temperatures soaring into the high 30°C (90°F), July is all about staying cool and refreshed on the Costa del Sol’s golden shores. Seek shade under a colorful parasol, take a dip in the sea, or build sandcastles with the kids – the options are endless when it comes to beachside fun. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and reapply sunscreen regularly to protect your skin from the intense summer sun.
In July, the average high temperatures in the Costa del Sol are around 30oC and happen between 17:00h and 19:00h; the average lows are around 20oC, in the early morning, around 7:00h. It is hot! There is little chance of rain, but there may be strong winds.
Weather-related data for July in Malaga (data from Weather2travel):
🏊 sea temperature: +22oC
🌅 Sunrise times: 07:03 (July 1) – 07:23 (July 31)
🌙 Sunset times: 21:40 (July 1) – 21:25 (July 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.
Related posts:
Sensational Costa del Sol – the place of the best holidays
How is the weather on the Costa del Sol (month by month)
Summer on the Costa del Sol
What to pack for July 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 July 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 July in the Costa del Sol! You can click on each image to enlarge it. 😉
Related post:
Summer on the Costa del Sol
Remarkable dates in the Costa del Sol on July
There are no national holidays on July 2024, nor holidays specific to Malaga province. There is a local holiday, though; Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola have a holiday on July 16, in honor of the Virgen del Carmen (Our Lady of Carmen).
Other especial dates are those of the ferias of Estepona, in the beginning of the month, and La Cala de Mijas, in the end. Some of the commerce may be closed on those dates in each town.
Related Post:
Malaga holidays 2024
Events in July in the Costa del Sol
Feria de Estepona
Estepona hosts its main feria in the beginning of July. The poster of the 2024 edition gives a hint of what we can expect of this mega event – flowers and flowers everywhere. Can you imagine the garden of the Costa del Sol even prettier? Plus music, food, culture, fun and all the joy of a Feria!
Related posts:
The Amazing Ferias of the Costa del Sol
Feria de Estepona 2024 – full of surprises
Folk Festival in Torremolinos
Every July, Torremolinos hosts a folk festival showcasing traditional dance and costumes of different Spanish areas. The event usually includes a parade and dance presentations. Check the Cultural and Entertainment Guides for Torremolinos (down in this post) to know when and where the next Festival Folclórico de Torremolinos will take place.
Veladilla de la Virgen del Carmen
Many of the towns along the Costa del Sol used to be fishing villages before the tourism boom started in the 1960s. For that reason, it is no surprise that the day of the Virgen del Carmen (Our Lady of Carmen), July 16, the patron saint of the sea and of the sailors, is celebrated all over the Costa del Sol. Each town developed its own traditions regarding the saint.
In Torremolinos, a mass is customarily held on the morning of the 16th in the Our Lady of Carmen Church, in La Carihuela, followed by concerts and a procession in the afternoon, which transports the statue of Our Lady of Carmen through the streets and to the sea, in a boat. The statue is then returned to the shore and to its church.
In Benalmadena, the tradition is that divers collect Our Lady of Carmen statue, that rests under water, and bring it ashore, around the area of Benalmadena’s harbor. The image is then transported to Benalmadena’s Our Lady of Carmen Church, in Benalmadena Costa.
In Fuengirola, the event is concentrated in the area of Los Boliches. A procession of sailors take the statue of the Virgen del Carmen to the sea; while the sailors are in the sea, carrying the statue, there is a fireworks display.
In these three towns, there are also events and celebrations in honor of the Virgen del Carmen on the days that lead up to July 16; sometimes, starting from the beginning of July. The towns may even publish a full program of activities! If you are in the Costa in the first half of July, there is almost certainly some event related to the Virgen del Carmen going on.
San Pedro Alcantara Flamenco Singing Festival
The traditional San Pedro Alcántara Flamenco Singing Festival happens yearly in July in San Pedro de Alcantara, Marbella. A great opportunity to enjoy some of the best artists of the genre!
Feria de La Cala de Mijas
La Cala de Mijas fair happens in the end of July. Expect a lot of music, dance, food and a beautiful funfair all set in the lovely seaside La Cala de Mijas. Here is the cover of the 2024 program; see the program of the La Cala de Mijas Fair 2024, in English, here. Beautiful!
Related posts:
The Amazing Ferias of the Costa del Sol
La Cala de Mijas Fair 2024 – colorful and by the sea
Culture and Entertainment guides
The best places to look for cultural events beyond the yearly events 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
From the festive Ferias de Estepona and La Cala to the traditional Virgen del Carmen processions, July is filled with events that showcase the region’s vibrant spirit. There’s something for everyone! Embrace the warmth, the culture, and the festivities that make July on the Costa del Sol a truly magical time of the year.