What’s the weather like in Malaga in May?
Is it raining a lot and is it already warm and sunny?
I’m sure you have many questions before booking your trip, and this post will answer them all.
How do I know?
I’ve been living near Malaga since 2020 and have seen all weather conditions and seasons in the city.
With those insights, I can share lots of practical tips and recommendations that will make your trip much more enjoyable!
Let’s get into it!
Is May a Good Month to Visit Malaga?
Let’s get the most important question out of the way:
YES! May is one of the best months to visit Malaga!
This time of year, the weather is pretty mild, and with only a few rainy days around, you are guaranteed great weather on your trip.
Malaga is the perfect destination for your spring break or trip thanks to abundant sunshine, lower tourism activity and affordable accommodation prices.
May marks the last month of the spring – at the end of the month, you can expect higher tourist activity in the city and the prices are also increasing slowly, with June to September being the high season on Costa del Sol.
Overview: Weather in Malaga in May
- Average Day Temperatures: 18.5 C (65F)
- Average High Temperatures: 24 C (76F)
- Average Low Temperatures: 14 C (58F)
- rainy days: 3 days
- average daytime sunshine hours: 8 hours
- sea water temperature: 18 C (64F)
Average Temperatures in Malaga in May
In May, you can expect enjoyable temperatures in Malaga, with an average of 18 – 20C.
Even though that doesn’t seem like a lot, it feels much warmer if you’re in the sun. Closer to the end of the month, the temperatures climb to mid or high-twenties.
If you’re planning your trip in May, you should also note the nighttime temperatures. The early mornings and late evenings are still pretty chilly, so you shouldn’t pack just summer clothes.
May is the perfect month of the year to explore the popular tourist activities since it’s not too hot to spend all day in historical sights, and you can also enjoy a lot of outdoor fun, like a bike tour of Malaga or hop on board a catamaran cruise.
How Hot is Malaga in May
May is certainly not the hottest month in Malaga, but the temperatures are hot compared to the rest of Europe. Most importantly, you can expect plenty of sunshine, making the low 20C feel much warmer.
Rainy Days in Malaga in May
In May, you can expect, on average, three to five rainy days in a month, but this will vary year on year.
In general, even if the weather forecast predicts rain, it’s not usually an extended period where it would rain from the morning till the evening. Those types of weather conditions are more frequent in the winter months.
The rain in May is usually just a shower that passes through the city quickly and doesn’t extend for more than a day or two.
Quite often, the shower will clear up in a few hours, and you will have beautiful sunny weather for the rest of the day.
If you find yourself in Malaga on one of the cloudy or rainy days, there are plenty of activities you can still enjoy, check my list below.
Sea Temperatures in Malaga in May
The average sea temperature in May is around 18C (64F), which may be too cold for most people to swim in.
The temperature of the Mediterranean Sea in the spring months is influenced by how warm the winter is, and typically it’s at its warmest at the end of the summer.
Travel Tips for Visiting Malaga in May
Planning your trip in May is pretty easy, as you don’t have to worry about the weather too much, pack too much warm clothing, or plan around massive crowds at the main sights.
Here are some of my travel tips for May:
- May is the perfect month to explore the usually crowded historic sights of Southern Spain – check my suggestions below for the day trip options
- You will need to pack some layers and light autumn clothing with you for this trip – morning and evenings are still cold, so a lighter jacket will be very handy.
- Don’t forget sun protection – the sun may not be strong in May, but you can still burn your skin easily
- Get tickets to monuments online in advance – it saves you a lot of time waiting in the line
- Prepare for the occasional rainy day by checking my list of indoor activities below.
Things to do in Malaga in May
So what should you do on your trip to Malaga? Here are some recommendations for the best activities!
Outdoor Activities in Malaga
- Electric Bike sightseeing tour of Malaga
- Visiting Gibralfaro Castle
- Tuk tuk tour of Malaga
- Torqual Antequera National Park (tour with transport and 3km hike)
- Taking a tour of the Alcazaba of Malaga
- Day trip to the famous Caminito del Rey from Malaga
- Discovering the old town as part of guided walk
Indoor Activities in Malaga
- Picasso Museum (must see!)
- Visit the Malaga Cathedral
- Local Arab Bath Experience – Hammam Al Andalus
- Picasso’s Birthplace Museum at Plaza Merced
- The Atarazanas Food Market
- Carmen Thyssen Art Museum
- Authentic Flamenco Show
- Centre Pompidou for modern art
Activities for Kids in Malaga
- Cars & Fashion Museum (I was surprised how much I liked it!)
- Museum of Imagination
- Sea Life in Benalmadena (short train ride from Malaga)
- LEGO Exhibition just outside of Malaga (short taxi journey)
- La Conception Botanical Gardens
- Bioparc in Fuengirola (short 40 min local train day trip)
Suggested Day Trips from Malaga
- Malaga to Ronda day trip – great to visit this time of the year
- Nerja & Frigiliana day trip – the essential ‘white village’ of Andalusia
- Day trip to Gibraltar – must do while staying in Malaga!
- Day trip to Granada with Alhambra tour – one of the most important cities & monuments of Southern Spain
- Day trip to Tangier, Morocco – for those who want to venture further out of Spain
- Day trip to Tetouan, Morocco – another beautiful part of Morocco
- Day trip to Seville – includes tickets to the Royal Alcazar
Traveling from Malaga
If you’re planning to do a bit of exploring outside of Malaga, I have some detailed transport guides ready to help you plan your trips!
These include practical tips for using public transport and options to book a day trip with a local travel company.
Malaga To Cordoba Day Trip: 4 Best Travel Options
Malaga To Granada Day Trip: Expert Travel Tips
Malaga To Ronda Day Trip: Tickets & Tips
Malaga to Cordoba Train: Tickets & Travel Tips
Day Trip To Gibraltar From Malaga: Expert Travel Tips
Málaga to Seville: Tickets & Tips For 5 Best Transport Options
Malaga To Seville Day Trip: Best Transport Tips
Caminito Del Rey Day Trip From Malaga: Tickets & Tips
May Weather in Malaga: Frequent Questions
Here are some frequent questions about the weather conditions in Malaga in May. If you didn’t find your question answered, you can leave a comment under this article and I will be happy to answer it.
Is Malaga warm in May?
Yes, Malaga is very warm in May. The conditions are a little different each year, but on average, you can expect very warm temperatures compared to the rest of Europe, and very few rainy days.
Is Malaga worth visiting in May?
Yes, Malaga is worth visiting in May! It’s one of the last spring months when you have lower tourism activity, prices in the city are still affordable, and most importantly, you have great weather whole month, with plenty of hours of sunshine each day.
Can I swim in Malaga in May?
Yes, you can swim in the sea in May, if you’re comfortable with the average sea temperature around 18C (64F).
Explore More in Malaga
How to Spend One Day in Malaga: the Highlights Tour
Best Day Trips from Malaga by Bus: Travel Tips from a Local Expat
What to Do in Malaga? Best Travel Tips from a Local Expat
Best Day Trips from Malaga by Train
Immerse Yourself in Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou, Malaga
13+ Brilliant Things to do in Malaga, Spain (Tips from a Local Expat)
Malaga Cathedral: The Unfinished Masterpiece
13+ Stunning Photography Locations in Malaga, Spain
Is Malaga Worth Visiting? All Your Questions Answered
Southern Spain Travel Planning Guide
Is it safe to drive in Spain?
YES! The roads in Southern Spain are generally in very good condition, with modern highways connecting the biggest cities. To rent a car, I highly recommend Discover Cars, which will get you the best deals on your car rental for your trip.
WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO DRIVE?
PUBLIC TRANSPORT — Southern Spain has a well-established and modern network of trains and buses. To get the cheapest bus or train tickets, take a look at Omio to find the timetables and prices.
DAY TRIPS — If you don’t like the hassle of using public transport, local travel companies offer many day trip options from almost all the destinations in Southern Spain. You can check them out here.
WHERE SHOULD I BOOK MY ACCOMMODATION?
BOOKING.COM — I have been using booking.com for all my trips in Spain and abroad, and have never had any negative experiences. Their reviews are very accurate and you get the best deals even on apartments, not just hotels.
ARE THERE LUGGAGE STORE OPTIONS IN THE CITIES?
YES — If you would like to leave your luggage behind to explore the city on your last day, before heading to the airport, you can use Radical Storage service, which lets you book luggage storage options in almost all the destinations in Southern Spain.
DO I NEED TO BUY A LOCAL SIM CARD FOR THIS TRIP?
YES – You can, of course, use your own card if you have roaming data available. If you want to avoid surprising extra charges from your operator, you can use a service like Airalo, where you can buy digital packs for e-sim cards, avoiding the hassle of sourcing local physical sim cards and extra roaming charges anywhere you go.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.