Activities in Malaga in August (with Insider Tips)
Malaga in August is synonymous with summer holidays, intense heat, lively festivals and late nights.
If you plan a trip to Malaga in this summer month, I’ve got you covered.
In this article, I share my honest opinion on visiting Malaga in August, along with the best activities and tips as a native of the city.
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Is Malaga in August worth visiting?
I’ll be completely honest with you, as much as I love my hometown, I would say August is one of the worst months to visit Malaga.
Why? It’s crowded with not only national but also international tourists who come with children at this time of the year. The airport is busy, the beaches, and literally everywhere.
At the same time, it’s very hot! You can expect temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius (104°F), and if you are unlucky, you’ll experience a few days of terral, a very warm wind blowing from North Africa.
While the sound of Malaga Fair is great, it isn’t for everyone and some places close because they take time off during the fair.
Overview of the weather in Malaga in August
- Maximum temperature: 35 degrees Celsius (95°F), but it can be up to 40 degrees (104°F) during heatwaves
- Minimum temperature: 23 degrees Celsius (73,4°F)
- Humidity: 63%
- Days of rain: 0
- Sea temperature: 23°C and 24°C (73°F to 75°F)
Things to do in Malaga in August
1. Attend Feria de Malaga
The Malaga annual fair is one of the reasons many travellers, especially nationals, come to the city. It’s the biggest event. This festival lasts seven days, so yes, a week of festivities and parties.
The feria is celebrated during the day and night. The day fair takes place in the city centre, in Calle Larios and its surroundings. People come either dressed in typical costumes or not, to eat, drink and dance.
Bars and restaurants have special dishes, and everyone drinks Cartojal, Malaga sweet white wine. You can expect dances and a lively atmosphere! The day fair is for adults.
The evening and night fair is celebrated next to the Congress Palace, which can be seen from the motorway.
This large space is set up a few days before the fair, with plenty of stalls, rides, and a stage for concerts.
While this is the evening fair, it’s the one to go to with children, as there are rides and attractions for all ages.
The stalls are the go-to place to eat, drink and dance all night long. Most people don’t leave until early in the morning.
For this year, 2026, the fair will run from Saturday, 15th of August to Saturday, 22nd of August.
2. Spend time at the beach
With very high temperatures, you’ll definitely want to schedule some time to spend at the beach.
There’s no shortage of beaches in Malaga. La Malagueta Beach is the most popular due to its location, a stone’s throw from the city centre.
It’s super convenient, and I love it at other times of the year, but it gets really busy in August. Most tourists go there.
If you’re looking for a beach with a local vibe, I would head west to beaches like La Misericordia.
Nevertheless, the best beaches aren’t in Malaga city. I would recommend coastal towns like Nerja, Benalmadena and Marbella.
3. Go on a river walk
If you love hiking, I would pick spring or autumn over summer because you have more options, and you don’t need to worry about the heat as much as in August.
Unfortunately, July and August are the worst months for nature. You can’t rule out the chances of fire, and these are difficult to tackle in the heat.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t go on walks. Opt for coastal or river walks.
I’ve done some river walks with my family, but if you don’t know the area, I highly recommend doing these with a guide.
For example, the Benahavis river walk is amazing, and companies like Marbella Adventures offer this experience.
4. Kayak at Maro Beach
Another fun activity for adventurers is kayaking, and the best place to do so is Nerja, more specifically, Playa de Maro.
It’s a small but beautiful beach with crystal-clear water and a waterfall.
While you can access the beach by public transport, driving there will take you less time and give you more flexibility.
5. Have espetos at a chiringuito
Having espetos at the chiringuito has always been one of my favourite activities to do in the summer in my hometown.
If you’ve never heard of the word “espeto” and you’re wondering what it is, it consists of a skewer with grilled sardines.
I have early memories of my grandad taking me to the beach restaurant and ordering espetos until I couldn’t eat more.
While you can have these outside the summer, May to August are the best months to eat sardines, as it’s when fishermen catch the best.
Pedregalejo and El Palo neighbourhoods are the top places to enjoy sardines and fried fish in the summer.
6. Spend the day at the waterpark
Whether you travel with your group of friends or family, going to the water park is such a fun activity.
At only a 20-minute drive from Malaga, it’s Aqualand Torremolinos, the largest waterpark on the Costa del Sol.
It’s the most expensive, but in my opinion, it’s the best as it has the most attractions, from a wave pool to a jacuzzi and incredibly high slides!
As you can imagine, it gets busy, so you might want to consider paying extra to have your own float. Otherwise, you’ll have to queue twice for some attractions.
7. Explore Malaga museums
While this is a year-round activity, visiting the museums is a great way to learn something new and escape the heat, especially during the sunnier hours, as they all have air conditioning.
If you’ve researched what to do in Malaga, the Picasso Museum is one of the first activities that pop up.
I do think it’s worth visiting, but Malaga has many more interesting museums that many travellers don’t even know exist.
For example, the Malaga Wine Museum, which includes a free wine tasting with your entry ticket, the Glass Museum, such a hidden gem, and the Automobile Museum Málaga.
There’s a museum for every interest and person.
8. Go shopping
If shopping is one of your favourite activities, take advantage of the sales which are from early July to the end of August.
Calle Larios has plenty of main high-street shops, but other places I recommend shopping are Larios Shopping Centre, El Corte Inglés and Plaza Mayor.
The latter is my favourite as it’s the biggest and it also has bars, restaurants and a cinema.
You can get to Plaza Mayor by taking the Cercanías train (line C-1) towards Fuengirola.
In addition, if you’re looking for unique souvenirs or gifts in Malaga, check out the street markets. Muelle Uno, Malaga’s port, hosts a summer market where you can find plenty of lovely items and clothing.
9. Sip cocktails at rooftop terraces
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy some of the best city views from a rooftop terrace. The vibe is incredible and even better at sunset. It’s simply magical.
Many rooftop terraces have live music and entertainment at this time of the year.
Rooftop bars like Hotel Alcazaba Premium even have special cocktails for the season and host small contests where you can win prizes.
If you aren’t into cocktails, why not order a glass of tinto de verano or sangria!
10. Book a sunset cruise
One of the best activities to do in the summer months is a sunset cruise. It’s a beautiful way to end the day.
There are different sunset boat trips across Malaga and the rest of the Costa del Sol, from those with live DJ and drinks to more chilled ones for families and couples.
You can take one in Muelle Uno or head to Benalmádena and Fuengirola, where you have more chances to see wildlife like dolphins.
For a more upscale experience, consider the ones in Puerto Banus, Marbella.
11. Attend Muelle Uno free events
Malaga Port has something going on most times, but Christmas and summer are when you’ll find more activities.
The best thing about these events is that most are free, so it’s possible to find budget-friendly activities in Malaga if you know where to go.
In July, you can expect free cinema nights at Muello Uno, whereas they hold concerts in August. The summer market is available in both months.
What to wear in Malaga in August
Packing for a holiday to Malaga in August is quite straightforward. Take light and breathable clothes, avoid dark colours, and pack your swimwear and sunscreen.
For more information on what to pack, see my full guide to packing for your trip to Malaga. It breaks down what to pack by month and different scenarios, too.
Conclusion
Visiting Malaga in August can still be good, but only if you don’t mind crowds and high temperatures.
I would pick September over August, but I understand August might be the only month you get time off, and the kids are out of school. If you have flexibility, I’d strongly recommend coming to Malaga in a different month. At least from my personal experience as a Malaga native.
If you’d like more local advice on visiting Malaga and its surroundings, you can either join my Facebook group or book a call with me to discuss your holiday.
Enjoy your trip!
Cristina
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