May 15, 2024
Last updated on June 27, 2024
If I were to summarize the summer on the Costa del Sol in two words, these would be “beach” and “ferias”. That’s because with the perfect sunny weather, there is nothing like spending the day on the beach, where you can rent two hamacas (sun loungers) and a parasol (all for around 10 – 15 euros), and enjoy the sand, the weaves, the soft breeze and the warmth of the Costa del Sol. In the evenings, though, there is an equally attractive activity: the Ferias, that happen mostly during summer in the Costa del Sol.
The ferias are amazing celebrations where each city or town celebrates itself! The places really dress up for the occasion: the Town Halls spread special, festive illumination through the streets, and fill the towns with music, dance, theater, funfairs, parties, food, giggles and smiles. The ferias last about a week each and are a uniquely fun part of Spanish way to live. And boy, the Spanish know how to live!
Table of Contents
What to expect of the weather
Embrace the summer spirit and make the most of everything the Costa del Sol has to offer. So, pack your swimsuit, slip on your sandals, and get ready for a sun-soaked adventure you’ll never forget. It is going to be hot, and probably without any rain. Fully blue-sky days ahead! You know what it means, right? Loads of sunscreen and water. Also, cocktails, beer, wine…
June
June marks the beginning of summer in the Costa del Sol, with long days of sunshine and warm temperatures perfect for outdoor adventures (as long as you don’t forget to bathe on sunscreen before leaving home). As the mercury rises, the beaches come alive with sun-seekers eager to soak up the rays and cool off in the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. With average temperatures hovering around 25-30°C (77-86°F), June is an ideal time to hit the beach. You’ll find plenty of options to choose from along the Costa del Sol’s coastline. Pack your sunscreen, beach towel, and sunglasses, and get ready to dive into summer paradise.
July
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 30s°C (90s°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.
August
August is peak season in the Costa del Sol, with scorching temperatures and sun-drenched days perfect for beach lovers. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, or cultural immersion, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the summer sunshine in this vibrant corner of Spain. As temperatures soar into the mid-30s°C (90s°F), August is all about finding your slice of paradise on the Costa del Sol’s golden sands. Stake out your spot on the beach early to secure the best views and enjoy uninterrupted hours of sunbathing, swimming, and beach games. Cool off with a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea, or indulge in a siesta under the shade of a swaying palm tree.
Related post:
How is the weather in the Costa del Sol? (month by month)
Water activities
Beat the heat with a thrilling water sports adventure along the Costa del Sol’s coastline. Summer on the Costa del Sol includes plenty of water activities, from jet skiing and parasailing to paddleboarding and banana boat rides, there’s no shortage of adrenaline-pumping activities to choose from. Head to popular beaches like La Malagueta or La Carihuela and hit the waves, or sign up for a guided tour to explore hidden coves and sea caves with experienced instructors. Below, I listed a few highly rated activities available this summer:
Don’t forget your sunscreen
Amidst the bliss of beach days, outdoor adventures, and leisurely afternoons in the park, it’s crucial to remember one essential item: sunscreen. While it may seem like a small step in your summer routine, the importance of sunscreen cannot be overstated. Protecting your skin should be a top priority during the sunny summer months; the kid’s skin, even more. Long gone are the days when red skin was considered tanned or beautiful. Perhaps it was the advance of science, or maybe just the increase in skin cancer diagnostics; but nowadays red skin means burnt skin. Burnt, not beautiful, certainly not desirable. Good thing it is easy to prevent: use hats, glasses and sunscreen.
Sunscreen acts as a barrier between your skin and the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause damage and premature aging. UV rays are classified into two types: UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, causing long-term damage such as wrinkles, sagging, and age spots. UVB rays are responsible for sunburn and immediate skin damage. Both types of UV rays can contribute to the development of skin cancer over time. Using sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection helps shield your skin from these harmful rays, reducing your risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.
While sunburn may seem like a temporary inconvenience, it can have long-term effects on your skin’s health. Repeated sunburn increase your risk of skin cancer and accelerate skin aging. Applying sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) helps prevent sunburn by blocking UVB rays and allowing you to enjoy the sun safely.
Main events: the Ferias!
The Ferias (fairs) are the main yearly event of a place. It is a long-time tradition in which the town or city celebrates its patron saint with a large party that lasts for days. In modern times, it is also a celebration of the locality itself, with local artists shows and crafts displays. But the fairs never dropped their religious origins; they just added new ingredients to the mix. Nowadays it is at least as much about the place and what it has to offer in terms of entertainment, food and music as it is about the patron saint.
In the Costa del Sol, fairs attract local people, as well as people from neighbor localities and even from abroad; these are huge parties that do what they can to be inclusive: there are often special hours without music or loud noises so that autistic kids can also enjoy; there are activities promoted to the third age group as well as for kids under 5; parties without alcohol (for teens) and with alcohol; religious processions and masses, as well as parties, workshops, shows and so much more. The sky is the limit.
The locality (city, town or neighborhood that is hosting the feria) usually issues a program telling what is going to be where during the feria. They tend to publish these programs very close to the beginning of the feria, though, and only in Spanish. When I find a program, I usually translate it and post it in English; you can find quite a few of them in traveling to the Costa del Sol. These events usually are spread through several venues of the city, and most of them are free to attend. I’ve been to quite a few, and they are always interesting. I find them great.
Things that stand out to me the most in the ferias are: 1) the safety of the events – I’m yet to see a fight -; 2) the amount of people that attend – many, hundreds, maybe thousands of people for each event; 3) how everybody is enjoying their time and 4) how well organized the events are, despite the last minute publicity of the program.
Locals go there in mass, more than tourists, that may not get to know what is happening. I also noticed that most of the venues are not located by the beach or in other areas of great tourist influx; this, and the fact that the programs are in Spanish only, speak to the authenticity of the Ferias.
The summer 2024’s ferias in the Costa del Sol are listed below, in chronological order, with their dates and links to the program’s translations in the blog:
- Feria de San Bernabé in Marbella – 05 to 11/06
- Feria de San Juan in Benalmádena – 23 to 30/06
- Feria de Las Lagunas de Mijas – 26 to 30/06
- Feria de Estepona – 02 to 07/07
- Feria de La Cala de Mijas – 24 to 28/07
- Feria de Benalmádena Pueblo – 11 to 15/08
- Feria de Málaga – 17 to 24/08
A few pictures of past Ferias:
If you are in the Costa del Sol during one of the ferias days, visit it. It will be unique and possibly the highlight of your trip. If you didn’t book your ticket yet, try to choose a location and date that match a Feria. 😉
Related post:
The amazing ferias of the Costa del Sol
Things to do in the evenings without feria
Flamenco & Horse Show
Check the unique Flamenco and Horse show in Torremolinos, a two-in-one cultural activity, which can include also dinner and drinks. 😉
Tapas Trail
Embark on a culinary adventure through the streets of Málaga, sampling an array of mouthwatering tapas along the way. Crispy croquetas and plump olives, succulent Iberian ham and creamy salmorejo – discover the city as you wander through its flavors.
Outdoor Escape Room in Marbella
Explore Marbella while solving clues in this interactive puzzle. A mix of tour and game!
Summer holidays with kids in the Costa del Sol
I’ll share with you a tip I use with Kiddo: we talk and plan trips together. While preparing, we all get to pick a few activities we would like to try at the place we are visiting. Letting him pick a few (usually pre-selected) activities helps building his excitement, which, in turn, improves his behavior. Most of my picks seem boring to Kiddo and vice-versa, but I explain to him that, for everybody to be able to enjoy, we all must be tolerant with each other’s choices.
I acknowledge that I will go to the funfair / pool / Mc Donald’s with him, with a smile, and wait the time it takes; in exchange, I expect he will be at his best behavior when we go watch a dance show or for a long walk by the beach. I make it clear that one activity doesn’t happen without the other, and that if we are going to do what he wants the next day or not depends on his behavior. It works. He is 9 years old and quite well-behaved most of the time. He does complain, still, but I just look at him and he understands that his next adventure is at stake.
By the way, the method works for when we are home as well; in this case; it is the video game that is at risk. Didn’t put his clothes to wash or left the room messy? No Roblox. We talk, he knows what is expected and what the consequences are. And so we roll.
That being said, when planning a family vacation to the Costa del Sol, get ready for an unforgettable adventure filled with sun, sand, and endless fun for kids of all ages. From splash-tastic water parks to thrilling outdoor activities and family-friendly attractions, there’s no shortage of excitement to be had in this sun-drenched paradise. Odds are, there will be activities you all enjoy!
Beaches
With miles of pristine coastline to explore, the Costa del Sol is a beach lover’s dream – and the perfect playground for kids. Pack your buckets and spades and head to family-friendly beaches like Playa de la Malagueta or Playa de Fuengirola, where little ones can build sandcastles, splash in the waves, and soak up the sun to their heart’s content. In Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Marbella there are even playgrounds in the water!
Water Parks
Beat the heat and make a splash at one of the Costa del Sol’s thrilling water parks. From towering slides and lazy rivers to wave pools and kiddie zones, there’s no shortage of aquatic adventures to keep the whole family entertained. Cool off at popular parks like Aqualand Torremolinos or Aquamijas, where adrenaline-pumping rides and attractions await around every corner.
Animal Encounters
Get up close and personal with fascinating creatures from around the world at the Costa del Sol’s wildlife parks and zoos. Take a walk on the wild side at Bioparc Fuengirola, where immersive habitats allow you to observe animals like lemurs, gorillas, and lions in a naturalistic setting. Or visit Selwo Aventura in Estepona, home to a diverse array of exotic species, from elephants and giraffes to crocodiles and tigers.
Indoor activities for kids, teens & parents
When the sun becomes too much, nothing beats an adventure in a place with air conditioner. Take a look at these interactive activities that are sure to take the brightest minds for a spin: explore parallel words with VR, get to know about vintage cars with 007 – that is renewing his license – and about fashion with the iconic Coco Channel, or turn the world upside down in the museum of imagination!
Board games
If your family is into board games, there is a fantastic place you gotta know in Benalmadena. It’s the Casa de la Juventud (Youth House), at Calle Cauce 3. They have 2 floors there; one dedicated to Chess and the other floor, to table games. They have about 200 games; you can play on their tables, with their games, for free! They are open from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm, every Friday and Saturday.
Related post:
Benalmadena for kids!
Accommodation
To pool or not to pool? That’s the question the drought in the province has brought to all of us. Luckily, now we know that both hotel and private accommodations (such as vacation rentals) will be allowed to fill their pools, so summer splashes are guaranteed! Whether you’re dreaming of a luxury beachfront resort, a charming boutique hotel, or a cozy apartment overlooking the sea, you’ll find it all and more along the sun-kissed shores of the Costa del Sol – with or without pool is up to you. 😉
Transportation
Whether you prefer the convenience of public transit or the flexibility of renting a car, there are plenty of options to suit every traveler’s needs.
Public Transit: The Costa del Sol boasts an extensive network of buses and trains, making it easy to explore the region without the hassle of driving. The local bus system connects major cities and towns along the coast, with frequent service and affordable fares. There are even bus cards that give discount on the fares, and are available for anyone to buy. Meanwhile, the commuter train, known as the Cercanías, provides quick and efficient transportation between Málaga and the neighboring coastal towns of Fuengirola, Benalmadena and Torremolinos. There is a card too, with which, if you do 16 trips, you get your money back, making these trips free!
Car Rental: For travelers seeking freedom and flexibility, renting a car is an excellent option for exploring the Costa del Sol at your own pace. Rental agencies are plentiful, with a wide range of vehicles available to suit every budget and preference. With well-maintained roads and clear signage, driving in the Costa del Sol is a pleasure, allowing you to venture off the beaten path and discover hidden gems along the coast.
Taxi and Ridesharing: Taxis are readily available throughout the Costa del Sol, offering a convenient way to get around town or travel between destinations. Additionally, ridesharing services like Uber and Bolt also operate in the area, providing another convenient transportation option for visitors.
Navigating the Costa del Sol’s transportation system is not always a breeze, but with our tips in the blog we hope that you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time soaking up the sun and exploring all that this vibrant region has to offer.
Related posts:
Bus and train cards in the Costa del Sol
Free train tickets in the Costa del Sol – questions and answers
Conclusion
Summer on the Costa del Sol offer endless opportunities for fun, relaxation, and adventure. Choose your holiday style and what you want to do besides going to the beach and enjoying the ferias 🙂 then pack your bags, slather on the sunscreen, and get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime in this sunny paradise.
Next: The best of January in the Costa del Sol
