When the sun sets at half past four in the Netherlands at the end of December, it is still light for almost two more hours in Estepona. It is one of the reasons we, Bianca and René, love being in our apartment in winter. We spent two weeks there in December, over Christmas and New Year, and another time four weeks in November. And honestly: the low-season months might be our favourite time of the year.
Winter sun on the Costa del Sol: why we love it
If you are looking for winter sun in Europe, the Costa del Sol is an easy choice. The coast is sheltered by the mountains, the sun shows up often, and Málaga airport is only an hour’s drive from Estepona.
The numbers are clear. In December the average temperature in Estepona is 15°C (day and night together); in the Netherlands, where we come from, it is 4°C. In December and January the daytime highs are around 18°C. And the sunshine: the Málaga weather station records an average of 161 hours of sun in December. In the Netherlands that is 56.
Costa del Sol weather in December (and the other winter months)
This is roughly what you can expect in the months we have spent there:
- November: daytime around 21°C, evenings ~14°C, sea ~19°C, plenty of sun
- December: daytime 20°C, evenings ~12°C, sea ~17°C, mostly sunny, chance of a shower
- January: daytime 18 to 20°C, evenings ~11°C, sea ~16°C, sunny, chance of rain
- February: daytime 18 to 20°C, evenings ~11°C, sea ~16°C, sunny, chance of rain
- March: daytime around 20°C, evenings ~13°C, sea ~16°C, already lots of sun
On a sunny day you will easily be at around 20°C or above, which is wonderful in December and January. In the sun it feels even warmer, so a T-shirt and shorts (flip-flops) are often fine.
In the evening it does cool down: think roughly 14 to 15°C. It usually does not get colder than about 12°C, so a cardigan or a jacket is always enough.
What about the rain? Now and then, but we have had little trouble with it. Many Decembers in recent years were warm and dry, with sun day after day. If there is a grey or wet day, have a coffee on a covered terrace, visit a town or simply take a rest day. What we often see is clouds staying over the mountains behind Estepona while the sun shines by the sea. It rarely gets properly cold.
More daylight than back home
On 21 December, the shortest day, Estepona has more than nine and a half hours of daylight: the sun rises at 8:28 and sets at 18:08. In Amsterdam that is 7 hours 39 minutes, with sunset at 16:28 (London has 7 hours 48 minutes). That is two extra hours of daylight on exactly the same clock, because Spain is in the same time zone as the Netherlands and most of Europe. It makes a world of difference. You can still go out in the afternoon instead of the day being over.
A beach day in December
If the sun is out, you can simply turn it into a beach day. On New Year’s Eve people were sitting in folding chairs by the sea. The water itself is cool, around 17°C in December, but a fresh dip is perfectly possible and we took one too. Afterwards you dry off in the sun with a beer at the beach bar. You can read more about the beaches in and around Estepona in our article Beach days in Estepona: from our terrace to the sea.
Quiet and friendly: more locals, fewer tourists
In winter the beaches and the promenade of Estepona are much quieter. You do not have to fight for a sunbed or a table. And it feels friendlier too, we think: mostly people from Estepona itself are out and about. They stroll along the promenade after dinner, have coffee and greet each other. It feels like a town where people actually live, not a seaside resort.
Christmas and New Year in Estepona
Christmas in Spain and New Year are a celebration, and it is mostly about the food. Restaurants have special menus and the old town is full of lights. For Spaniards Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) is the most important evening, and presents traditionally come on 6 January, from the Three Kings.
At midnight, tradition in Spain is to eat twelve grapes, one with each chime of the clock. On the promenade in Estepona there were fireworks afterwards. We walked back with everybody else through the streets.
On 5 January there is the Three Kings parade, the Cabalgata de Reyes Magos. We just missed it, but it is on our list. According to the Estepona town council, in 2026 the parade started at 17:00 from the town hall, with twelve floats and 16,000 kilos of sweets. So if you want to be there, stay until at least 5 January.
Perfect for doing things: hiking, cycling and visiting towns
Winter weather here is perfect for getting out. Too warm for a coat, too cool to sweat. We have hiked in the Sierra Bermeja, the mountains right behind Estepona, and in March we cycled along the coast to Puerto de la Duquesa.
Visiting towns is also lovely in winter, without the summer heat and crowds. Estepona itself, Marbella, and Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas are all easy day trips.
Our favourite places in winter
And then a terrace. Our favourite restaurant in Estepona is La Bulla: for us the best restaurant in town. You can enjoy original tapas dishes and they have a fantastic wine list. We also eat well at El Rincón Toscano and Galpón 22. For a drink we usually go to Vinilo, Don Reinaldo or Coopers Pub.
Spend the winter in Casa Calida Brisa
Our apartment is made for winter: air conditioning and heating, fast Wi-Fi and ethernet, your own parking space in the garage and a terrace with sea views. The complex pool is open from May to October. In winter the beach is our swimming pool.
Staying two months or longer in the low-season months (November to March)? We have a special rate. Request a long-stay rate and you will receive a personal offer. Just want a few weeks? Check rates and availability.
