While Britain plunges into the dark depths of pre-winter gloom, southern Spain still offers a rather appealing alternative. Fancy swapping your thermal undies for something a bit more dignified? Read on…
As I sit here on the terrace of a charming café in Nerja, nursing a perfectly acceptable cortado and watching locals go about their business beneath a surprisingly blue November sky, I can’t help but feel slightly smug. Back home, my friends are posting dreary photos of fog-shrouded school runs and complaining about having to scrape ice off their windscreens at ungodly hours. Meanwhile, I’m debating whether SPF 30 might be overkill for my afternoon stroll.
But what exactly can you expect from Costa Del Sol Weather November? Is it worth booking that late autumn escape? Allow me to share my experiences to help you decide if Spain’s “Sunshine Coast” lives up to its name when Britain’s gone distinctly gloomy.
The Weather: A Pleasant Surprise
Costa Del Sol Weather November is something of a revelation for us Brits used to enduring the beginning of our long, dark winter. Daytime temperatures typically hover between 15-20°C (59-68°F), with the mercury occasionally climbing higher on particularly blessed days. It’s what we might optimistically call “British summer weather” on a good day – comfortable walking-around temperatures without the need to constantly mop your brow.
Nights are considerably cooler, dropping to around 10-12°C (50-54°F), so you’ll want layers for evening strolls along the promenade. If you’re staying into December, you’ll notice the drop then too.
The sea temperature sits at about 17-18°C (63-64°F) – a bit bracing for lengthy swims but perfectly manageable for a quick dip if you’re feeling brave (which, after a glass or two of local vino, you might well be).
You can expect around 5-6 hours of sunshine daily, which feels positively tropical compared to the measly ration doled out back home. That said, November is technically the start of the rainy season, with 6-8 rainy days on average. When it rains in southern Spain, it tends to mean business – dramatic downpours rather than the half-hearted drizzle we’re accustomed to – but these rarely last long before the sun makes its triumphant return.
Packing tip: Think layers! T-shirts for sunny afternoons, light jumpers for mornings, and a decent jacket for evenings. Chuck in a compact brolly and light raincoat for those occasional downpours, and don’t forget the sunglasses – the winter light can be surprisingly intense.
Things to Do: Beyond Beach Lounging
With pleasantly mild temperatures and fewer tourists cluttering up the place, November is perfect for actually experiencing the Costa del Sol rather than simply roasting beside a pool. Here are my top recommendations:
1. Historic Town Wandering
Without summer’s sweltering heat making you dash from one air-conditioned sanctuary to another, November is ideal for properly exploring the region’s charming historic centers. I spent a delightful day getting lost in Marbella’s casco antiguo (old town), its whitewashed buildings adorned with cascading geraniums, without a single bead of sweat rolling down my back. Absolute bliss.
2. Málaga Art and Culture
The provincial capital deserves far more attention than it typically receives. With the summer hordes long gone, November offers a civilized opportunity to visit the Picasso Museum, CAC (Contemporary Art Center), and the impressive Carmen Thyssen Museum without having someone’s sweaty elbow in your ribs. I practically had the Alcazaba fortress to myself one Tuesday morning – try finding that kind of solitude in August!
3. Sierra Hills Hiking
The comfortable temperatures make November arguably the best month for exploring the region’s stunning natural landscapes. The hike from Mijas to the peak of Pico Mijas was challenging enough to justify that extra helping of paella, but not so strenuous that I feared for my decidedly average British fitness level. The autumn light cast a magical glow over the landscape, with views stretching all the way to Africa on clear days.
4. Ronda Day Trip
This dramatic cliff-top town is utterly spectacular, and November’s relative lack of tour buses means you can actually appreciate the famous Puente Nuevo bridge without photobombing someone’s holiday snaps. The drive through the mountains was particularly stunning, with autumn colors creating a tapestry of russets and golds against the evergreen pines.
5. Golf Paradise
If you’re the golfing sort, you’ll be pleased to know November sees the region’s numerous courses in prime condition with green fees considerably lower than high season. My husband managed to secure a tee time at Mijas Golf Club with just one day’s notice – something that would have required the planning skills of a military operation in summer months.
6. Tapas Crawl in Traditional Bars
With fewer tourists about, local bars and restaurants have time to breathe – and actually chat with customers. I spent a memorable evening hopping between traditional tapas joints in Fuengirola’s Los Boliches district, where the bartenders seemed genuinely pleased to recommend their favorite dishes and proudly explain local specialties. Berenjenas con miel (fried aubergine with honey) became my new obsession.
7. Nerja Caves Exploration
These spectacular caverns are far more enjoyable without the summer queues and stuffiness. The natural air conditioning that makes the caves a welcome respite in August becomes a cozy haven from November showers. The vast underground chambers with their dramatic stalactites and stalagmites were all the more atmospheric for being relatively uncrowded.
Festivals and Events: Local Culture Comes Alive
November offers several opportunities to experience authentic Andalusian culture:
All Saints’ Day (1 November) is an important festival when Spanish families traditionally visit cemeteries with flowers to honor their ancestors. While this might sound somber, the atmosphere is often surprisingly warm and celebratory – quite different from our typically British awkwardness around such occasions.
San Martín Day (11 November) is celebrated in various towns with traditional food festivals, often centered around roasted chestnuts and the year’s first tastings of new wine. I stumbled upon a delightful celebration in Estepona where locals were only too happy to include this slightly confused Brit in their festivities.
Día del Flamenco (16 November) celebrates Andalusia’s most famous cultural export with special performances throughout the region. I caught a show in a tiny bar in Mijas Pueblo that was far more authentic than the touristy affairs offered in summer – passionate, raw, and utterly mesmerizing.
Harvest Celebrations continue into early November in some inland villages, with opportunities to participate in grape and olive harvesting experiences. The Olive Oil Museum in Benalmádena offers special tastings of the new season’s pressing – surprisingly interesting, even for someone whose olive oil knowledge previously extended only to “the one in the green bottle from Tesco.”
Practical Tips for November Visitors
Accommodation prices drop significantly from summer rates, but many places remain open. I booked a sea-view apartment in Benalmádena that would have cost nearly triple in August. That said, some smaller hotels and restaurants in very tourist-dependent areas may close for the season – check before booking.
Car hire is almost essential if you want to explore beyond your resort. Public transport services reduce frequency in winter months, particularly in smaller towns. I used DiscoverCars to collect at Málaga Airport and paid about a third of summer rates.
Restaurant hours shift slightly in winter, with lunches often starting later (around 2pm) and dinners earlier (from 7:30pm rather than 9pm) as locals adjust to shorter daylight hours.
Pack a proper raincoat – not just a flimsy emergency poncho. When it rains in Andalusia, it means business. I was caught in a sudden downpour in Mijas that had me sheltering in a souvenir shop for nearly an hour, emerging with both a damp cardigan and a questionable flamenco doll I absolutely didn’t need.
Check opening hours before setting out – some attractions operate on reduced winter schedules from November onwards. Monday closures for museums become more strictly observed outside high season.
The Final Verdict
As my week in the Spanish sunshine draws to a close, I find myself wondering why more Brits don’t consider Costa Del Sol Weather November as a perfect antidote to our pre-winter gloom. With pleasant temperatures, reduced crowds, lower prices, and a more authentic experience, it ticks all the boxes for an autumn escape.
So while your neighbors are turning up their heating and muttering about Christmas coming too soon, you could be sipping rioja on a sun-dappled plaza, feeling rather pleased with your life choices. Just remember to post plenty of sunny photos on social media – maintaining friendships while also inspiring furious jealousy is quite the balancing act!
Have you visited the Costa del Sol in November? Drop me a comment below with your own tips and experiences!
