January in the Costa del Sol

There are plenty of things to do in January in the Costa del Sol. If you are considering visiting in January, you may want to know what to expect of the weather and what you gonna find once you arrive in this part of Spain. To help with that, I’ve checked around the internet – on Facebook and on Google – and chose to answer some of the most common doubts I saw around. I hope it helps! We’ll also focus on the activities and events going on this month, the special food of this month – Roscón de Reyes and the Spanish holidays in January – there is a lot going on!

Related Posts:
Winter on the Costa del Sol – embracing the magic

The main events in early January in Spain are related to Christmas (yep, it is still going strong in the beginning of the month) and the arrival of the 3 wise men from the east, around January 6. If you are coming with kids, the first week of January is special, because this event, in particular, is for them. After January 6, it is for the adults. 

The weather in the Costa del Sol in January

As the cities in the Costa del Sol are close to each other, they are quite similar when it comes to weather. Therefore, the answers in this section are valid for all the area of the Costa del Sol – from Nerja to Manilva, including, of course, Malaga, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas and Estepona.

Is the Costa del Sol cold in January?

The temperature in the Costa del Sol in January stays between +10^oC and +20^oC during most of the afternoon but is lower than that in the mornings and during the night. Defining if that is cold, though, is a bit tricky, as the perception of cold varies from one person to the next. For me, it is cold, particularly when I take my kid to school, in the early morning.

The graphic above is a good indication of what to expect in terms of temperatures. It displays the actual high and low temperatures experienced in the city of Malaga for each day of January 2023, plus the average high and low temperatures of each day, historically. For January 15, 2023, for instance, it shows that the maximum temperature was around +20^oC and the minimum, around +8^oC. The higher temperatures occur between 12:00 and 16:00.

Does it rain in January in the Costa del Sol?

Yes, it does. Here in the Costa del Sol we are actually looking forward to it, as the newspapers everyday mention that the levels of water in the reservoirs are very low, and some actions have already been implemented in order to prevent a drought, such as a prohibition to irrigate lawns and some limits to consumption. The situation is actually worst in Catalonia than in Andalucia, but if it doesn’t rain soon in the Costa del Sol, we may also get in trouble.

According to Weather2travel, the averages for Malaga in the years from 1980 to 2010 was of 14 days of rain in January. Notice, though, that it doesn’t mean that it will be raining the whole day; quite often it rains a bit during the night followed by a beautiful sunshine day. The Costa del Sol in January has many days of beautiful, fully blue skies.

Can you sunbathe in the Costa del Sol in January?

Probably not on the beach, because it can get windy, but you may be able to sunbathe if you are staying in a place with a protected terrace. Then, when temperatures are at their highest – sometime between noon and 4:00 p.m. – you can go to the terrace and enjoy the sunshine safe from the winds.

Other interesting weather-related data for January:
🏊 sea temperature: +15^oC
🌅 Sunrise times: 08:30 (Jan 1) – 08:21 (Jan 31)
🌙 Sunset times: 18:12 (Jan 1) – 18:42 (Jan 31)
🌼 Average number of daylight hours: 10
☀️ Average number of sunshine hours per day: 5

What clothes to bring to the Costa del Sol in January?

Should you bring shorts? Yes, to use at home – they are comfy. You probably will not be sporting them outside though. You should also bring pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a coat. Most of the time I walk around in January I go out with a coat but end up carrying it after a bit of walking, so think in terms of layers that you can take out or put back on as the day progresses. Better a coat than a sweater because coats are easier to remove.

Wool hats, scarves, and gloves only if you feel a lot of cold. I do, but not enough for hats – In the Costa del Sol I wear only ear protectors and a scarf, no gloves either. Kiddo likes gloves. Hubby (that is from Estonia) thinks it’s not winter here and goes out with a light wool coat and that is it. For going out at night, hats, scarves, and gloves are a good idea.

I don’t think you’ll need a bikini at all, but hey – bring one. They take up so little space in the bag that it is worth thinking positive. Also, you know what? This is the perfect season to go visit the Hamman al Ándalus in Malaga, and you would need to bring your swimsuit to go there, so yes, bring it! Nothing like a warm bath and massages when it is cold outside!

In terms of shoes, tennis shoes are your best friend in January. No need for heels (maybe heeled boots if you really like them, but remember that the Costa del Sol is hilly, so it can be difficult (and dangerous) to walk in heels around the area. Beach sandals will probably not be used this month, sorry (except, maybe in the Hamman al Ándalus).

Sunscreen is always a good idea. I’m a fan. Not that you’d need it so much now, the UV level is low in January, but it is a good habit to always wear sunscreen. They sell some in bars, like deodorant bars, that even the most stubborn people (I’m thinking Hubby) may agree to put on, because it is not greasy.

And since we are talking skin protection, you may bring (or get here) some calendula-based cream too, especially if you intend to be out and about during nighttime or early morning. It is very good to protect skin from the cold, and I swear by it from my years in Estonia. In Spain, Kiddo and I apply it sporadically, as it prevents skin reddening.

More about the Costa del Sol in January

Besides weather-related questions, there are a few more that may pop into the mind of people when they consider coming to the Costa del Sol in January. Here are some things you may be wondering:

Does the Costa del Sol close for winter?

No, the Costa del Sol restaurants, shops, cinemas, and cultural venues (mostly) don’t close for winter! Some places open for shorter hours; very few actually close, and still usually for only one or a few weeks during winter, but, you see, most businesses probably could not survive being closed for the whole season.

Moreover, it would be a big loss in profit, considering that besides tourism, the cities in the Costa del Sol have people that live in them, and are consuming all year long. I believe this impression may be rooted on something I experienced myself when I moved to the Costa: the siesta hours, that are way longer than I anticipated.

I moved to the Costa del Sol in January 2022 and for quite a while I thought that a paper shop near my home (well, Airbnb, back then) was closed for good, because I never saw it open when I picked my kid from school, around 16:00 every weekday. Turns out their siesta times went from noon to 5 o’clock! They were open every day (and some of the night)! I just never saw it, until I was told their times by a friend that recommended their services.

A pro tip: check on the door of venues for their opening hours. They usually have a paper informing it; and if they are closed for a few days, it probably will be informed on their door too.

Is the Costa del Sol quiet in January?

Well, I wouldn’t say it is quiet, but it certainly is quieter than in summer. There are pubs to go, nightlife happening, restaurants and events everywhere; it is a matter of looking around, mostly. If you are in a hotel, you can ask what is going on in the city at the reception; on an Airbnb, ask the owners of the place – if they are local, they probably can point you towards what you are looking for.

You can also check the tourism offices, present in every town of the Costa. They are super nice, and even can get you some fliers that give discounts, if there are some around. 😉 To find the closest to you, just go to google maps and type Tourism Office in (name of the city where you’ll be staying). There are plenty!

Is it worth going to the Costa del Sol in January?

In my opinion, yes, it is worth it. If your goals are to leave a colder place, escape snow (and snow shoveling), have more hours of light in the day and avoid the winter blues, and / or to be more active, then yes, it is well worth coming to the Costa del Sol in January. If the expectations include sunbathing and swimming in the sea (or in the pools), then no, you’d have to either wait a few more months or travel somewhere else (Canary Islands, maybe?)

If you have already been to the Costa del Sol during some warmer months, visiting in January may be the opportunity for you to explore some of the places you didn’t see before because you were on the beach. 🙂 January is excellent to walk around, as there are less people, less traffic and the temperatures during daytime tend to stay between 10^oC and 20^oC – quite comfortable to do some sightseeing outdoors.

And there is so much to see around the Costa! It always gets me how so many people have been coming to the Costa for years and have never been to Benalmadena Pueblo or Mijas Pueblo, for instance, two super cute places, easily achievable by bus. January is also prime time to visit the museums, the street markets (yes, they are open!) and the Orchidarium Estepona – where you can actually feel like you are in a tropical country.

Remarkable dates in the Costa del Sol in January

There are two bank holidays in Spain in January:

January 1st, New Years Day, is one of the most celebrated public holidays in the world. You will probably not find supermarkets or banks working on this day; even the Christmas celebrations that are still going on tend to close on January 1st.

January 6th, Día de Reyes, Epiphany, or Three Kings’ Day is a Christian festive day. It is a special date for many Christians as it celebrates how a falling star led the Magi – also known as the Three Kings or the Wise Men – to visit baby Jesus. You can expect banks to be closed. Most supermarkets close on January 6 as well. If you plan to go to a restaurant, it is advisable to check their webpage (or their door!) for information on whether they will be open or not.

Discounts

After January 6, it starts a period of winter discounts in most large retail shops present in Spain – think of Zara, El Corte Ingles, Springfield, Stradivarius, etc. These discounts (rebajas) are generous, reaching to 70%; for this reason, shopping centers become as crowded (or more) than right before Christmas. It is a time to enjoy low prices, if you are willing to face the crowds; even better if you buy online! In theory, the discounts last up to March, but, in practice, the discounted products get sold out long before.

January 17 is not a holiday, but it is an important date in Spain, as it is the day of San Antonio Abad, or San Antón, as he is known in Spain, protector of the animals. Mijas and Benalmadena usually prepare events to celebrate the date.

Related post:
Holidays in Malaga 2024

Food of the month: Roscón de Reyes

Roscón de Reyes is traditional Spanish food associated with the celebration of the arrival of the Three Kings of the East, on January 6th. It looks like a cake-sized donut, made of dough. It usually has a cream filling and is covered in dried fruits and sugar. The idea of the shape and of the colorful fruits is that it imitates a royal crown.

As tradition has it, there is usually a surprise hidden in the dough of the Roscón – a toy, a bean (historically) or something else small, but not small enough that someone could choke on it (hopefully). So, caution is advised – check before eating or feeding it to kids.

The tradition of the Roscon de Reyes dates back to roman times in Spain and is now part of the Spanish culture spread through the Hispanic world. Whoever found the bean or toy back then was crowned ‘the king’ (for a day or so, only among friends or family) and / or had to pay for the Roscón.

In January it is easy to find roscones in bakeries, restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets, particularly in the first half of the month. Have one – or a slice – and join the tradition.

Events in January: Christmas and the 3 wise men!

It may sound surprising, but Christmas in Spain goes all the way to January. The celebrations’ end is marked by the arrival of the 3 Kings, which falls on January 6th on the calendar, but vary a bit from city to city. Therefore, in the first week of January you can still visit Christmas related events, culminating with the 3 Kings’ Parade, which most towns have on the night of January 5.

In the 3 Kings’ Parade, kings, kids and adults on the parade’s cars throw candies to the crowd. This parade attracts many viewers, particularly families, and the kids watching the parades go crazy collecting the wrapped candies that fall nearby. Adults of the crowd become statues, fearing that any movement can result in some little hand being stepped on, while at the same time being hit by candies (and they are not soft)!

On the days before the parade the cities also organize events where kids can send letters to the kings asking for gifts, much like happens before Christmas with letters to Santa Claus.

During this first week of January, you can also visit Christmas markets and Christmas trees, as well as nativity scenes. You can check the complete list for the towns near you on the related posts below, that have the latest Christmas program prepared by each Town Hall translated to English.

If you are going to spend New Years Eve in the Costa del Sol and are looking for a party, check our post about restaurants and parties for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. There are lots of great options there!

Related Posts:
Christmas and New Year in Torremolinos 2023/24
Christmas and New Year in Benalmadena 2023/24
Christmas and New Year in Fuengirola 2023/24
Christmas and New Year in Marbella 2023/24
Christmas and New Year in Estepona 2023/24
2023 Christmas and New Year’s Eve – Restaurants and parties in the Costa del Sol

Events in January: San Antón

In places where the Spanish traditions are closely observed, there may be a celebration of San Antón on the second half of the month. In the Costa del Sol, both Benalmadena Pueblo and Mijas Pueblo tend to observe the date, marking it with a parade dedicated to the animals. Check the links on the culture and entertainment guides below, close to the date, to see if the pueblos have something prepared. 😉

Culture and Entertainment guides

The best places to look for cultural 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

Activities in January in the Costa del Sol

I’ve handpicked several activities that are a bit less advertised, so you can have quite unique January vacations. My two main criteria for things to do in January in the Costa del Sol are: nothing with outdoor water, because it is too cold for that, and lots of food, because food is even better in winter and we have a whole year to get thin before the next Christmas (plus, in Spain it is still Christmas, and vacations are a time to be free!).

I paired that with Olive Oil and Wine – the first because I adore it, the second because it’s perfect for this time of the year; some unique adventures that will make amazing memories and drop the jaws of people back home and, for those rainy days when we feel guilt that we ate too much, indoor activities and visits to museums. But not any museums, dear reader; I picked the funniest and most original ones.

If you are lucky and it is not raining, you can also visit the street markets of the Costa del Sol, that, yes, happen all year long. But if it starts raining too much, I’ve included several activities beyond the Costa del Sol, so that you even have an escape route! I’ll miss you, though. ❤️ Now let’s get to it!

Tapas experiences

There are lots of experiences to be had in the Costa del Sol involving food, and January is the perfect time of the year to enjoy them. Here is a taste of what is coming:

Tapas, the traditional and uniquely Spanish food! Go around the city of Malaga tasting the best tapas the city has to offer. Go in a group and you may get to make friends for the meals and adventures of the next days as well. 😉 The Genuine Wine & Tapas Tour takes you through 4 different bars to try 8 different delicacies and 5 varieties of wines; the Tapas Tasting Tour includes the Atarazanas Market, a historical landmark of Malaga – and it includes wine, too! When in doubt, pick both.

Wine and Olive Oil Tours

Taste some local wine while visiting vineyards in this Wine Tour and Tasting in Manilva, south of Estepona. The tour starts in CIVIMA, a museum of wine and winery in Manilva; then it proceeds to Bodega Nilva, which has several award-winning wines and where the steps from harvesting to bottling will be shown, followed by a visit to Viña del Peñoncillo, a vineyard with panoramic views of the Costa, where tasting will be accompanied by aperitifs. Yum!!!

The visit through LA Organic Estate, near Ronda, will show the process of cultivation and let you see the machinery currently in use to prepare the liquid gold; they then take you to see the olive groves with more than 20 varieties of olive plants from Spain, Greece, and Portugal and, in the end, offer an Olive Oil tasting experience.

The Aceite Molisur Oilve Oil Museum and Tasting takes place close to the Costa, near Alhaurín el Grande. There they have an Olive Oil Museum where they’ll show the evolution of the technique of preparing olive oils, followed by tasting and a visit to Aceites Molisur factory.

There is no better place to learn about Olive Oils than in Spain, in my opinion. Take advantage of the fact that these tours are offered in English and enjoy a delicious visit under the sun, while the rest of the (northern) world freezes. 🙂

Adventures on air, land and underground

The Cueva del Tesoro, or treasure cave, is an archaeological site where remains testifying human presence as early as the Paleolithic Age have been found. Explore the cave with an audio guide to discover cave art and an underground lake in the only marine cave in Europe. Fantastic activity for both adults and kids.

The Torcal de Antequera is an UNESCO World Heritage nature reserve featuring karst landscapes (a type of landscape made of limestone, a soft rock that dissolves over time in contact with water). The area is filled with curious natural creations and beautiful panoramic viewpoints. This English-guided hiking trip lasts about 3 and a half hours.

Get your adrenaline pumping in the Alhaurín de la Torre Zip Line Tour, where you can achieve up to 100 km per hour while ‘flying’ about 1300 meters above ground! For the bravest readers only. Then relax by taking a Quad tour around Mijas, on a mountain route with an English guide. The guide goes ahead in a different quad, showing the route and the beauty of this area.

Off the beaten track Museums and indoor activities

In the Museo de la Imaginación (Museum of imagination, in Málaga) you can immerse yourself (and your family) in optical illusions, while taking the funniest pictures walking on the ceiling or being smaller than your child. Fun for all ages!

For video game lovers, there are two activities in Malaga that are worthy being AFK for. The first is the video game museum OXO, where Atari still lives. The museum is divided into three floors – past, present, and future of video games – and is mostly interactive. It also has a rooftop cafe where to enjoy panoramic views of Malaga. The second is VRFun Malaga, a space to try different games in virtual reality. There are underwater games, zombie fights and even a roller coaster!

Beyond the Costa

If residents’ prays are heard and it starts to rain in the Costa del Sol, you can skip the area with one of these day trips to visit other interesting areas and be back to the comfort of your hotel / Airbnb in a matter of hours:

You can go to the nearby Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas or the famous Caminito del Rey or…

… the world famous Granada or the equally famous Seville or …

… you can even go abroad, to either Gibraltar or Morocco – and come back on the same day!

Conclusion

The Costa del Sol in January is a more exclusive experience, different from the summer months. It is a great time to explore the beauty and culture of the cities without the crowds; to sit by the restaurants and cafes to eat and drink slowly, with the greater service that comes when less costumers dispute the attention of the waiters.

It is also a time without mosquitoes, without any snow and with lots of sunshine – even if the temperatures are not that high. It is a perfect time for coffee, walking, sightseeing, good dinning, and wine.

The activities of this month are so cool, I bet January will become the best month for vacations in the Costa del Sol. If not, almost. The activities listed here may get sold out, so it’s worth checking soon. You can also see a few more things to do in the post about Winter in the Costa del Sol, if you didn’t see it yet, and in the post about free activities in the Costa del Sol (tempting, right?).

If you book activities from the links in Mama Málaga, you help me keep this site up with no extra cost to you. 😉 (Thank you!) I hope you enjoy your vacation in January and come back for more during the year. Eat a lot of Roscón de Reyes and don’t get caught by surprise by the holidays in Spain in January. You are set to have a fantastic time this January in the Costa del Sol!