Does It Snow In Malaga? 6 Best Places To See The Snow!

Malaga is famous for its over 300 days of sunshine, blue skies and mild temperatures in the winter, so is it possible to see the snow in Malaga?

While you won’t see snow in Malaga City, you can see snow in places within the province of Malaga.

I’ve lived in Malaga most of my life and haven’t seen snow. We enjoy pretty mild winters compared to many other European countries, and that’s one of the reasons travellers love visiting Malaga in winter.

If you’re determined to see snow on your winter getaway in Malaga, I’m going to tell you some places where it’s possible to enjoy the snowfall.

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Table of Contents

Does it snow in Malaga?

It’s very difficult to see snow in Malaga City and its coastal towns like Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Marbella.

It hasn’t snowed in Malaga City since 1954. A cold wave hit Spain and reached the city. The thermometer marked -3.8 degrees Celsius, and that was the only time Malaga was covered in snow. It was very odd to get such low temperatures, so it surprised everyone.

Malaga’s location and Mediterranean weather make it very unlikely to have snow.

However, Malaga province isn’t only surrounded by sea but also by mountains. Some of these mountains are quite tall, and precipitation is much more likely.

Most times, you’ll need to travel to the mountains or inland towns to see snow in Malaga during winter.

Beautiful places to see snow near Malaga

These are stunning places to see snow near Malaga. However, it’s important to know that some of them won’t be easy to access due to their location and the snow.

If you plan to go, I highly recommend following the same rules you would normally follow for a hike – wear appropriate clothing and shoes, take food and water and ensure your phone battery is full.

It’s always important to check the weather conditions and if there are any warnings before heading to these places.

1. El Torcal de Antequera

Impressive rock formations at Torcal de Antequera, Malaga, Spain. — Rocks at El Torcal de Antequera

🚘 Distance from Malaga city: 52.1 km (32.4 miles) – 55 minutes drive

You won’t always see snow in Torcal de Antequera, but it’s sometimes possible. In the case of snowfall in El Torcal, you’ll likely find its roads closed, and you’ll need to access it on foot from the visitor centre.

Walking in El Torcal de Antequera is always a unique experience because of its rock formations, rugged floor and stunning scenery, but it’s even more magical with snow.

After spending time at El Torcal, I highly recommend visiting Antequera town. It’s truly underrated, but worth exploring.

2. Sierra de las Nieves

Sierra de las Nieves, Malaga. — Snow in Sierra de las Nieves in Malaga

🚘 Distance from Malaga city: 64.2 km (39.9 miles) – 1 hour and 10 minutes drive

Sierra de las Nieves is a beautiful mountain range in Malaga. The name of these mountains gives you a hint that it snows there, as it’s called “The Snow Mountain”. Its peak is above 1900 feet above sea level, and the first precipitation is usually snow.

The only way to see the snow in Sierra de las Nieves is by getting closer to the peak. There are a few hiking routes, but the easiest starts from Yunquera, and the most difficult starts from Tolox.

Don’t be surprised if some roads are closed when you turn up; the police close vehicle access to these roads because of the high number of people who turn up when they hear of snow in Sierra de las Nieves. So be prepared to walk!

3. Sierra Bermeja

A view of Sierra Bermeja in Estepona. — A view of Sierra Bermeja

🚘 Distance from Malaga city: 101 km (62.76 miles) – 1 hour and 15 minutes drive

Sierra Bermeja is one of the best places to see snow in Malaga. Despite its proximity to the Mediterranean, it’s usually the peak that snows the most.

The easiest way to access Sierra Bermeja is from the road that goes from Estepona to Genalguacil and Jubrique. From any of these towns, you can access the Natural Park.

In Sierra Bermeja Natural Park, you can visit Venta El Refugio before heading to the highest point.

4. Serranía de Ronda

Mountain views from Ronda viewpoint. — Serranía de Ronda

🚘 Distance from Malaga city: 108 km (67.1 miles) – 1 hour and 25 minutes drive

Another place to see snow in Malaga province is near the inland villages of Ronda. When the temperature drops, there is a high chance of snow in this area.

You can either enjoy the snow in the Genal Valley or spot it in the peaks that can be seen from towns like Cartajima.

5. Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama

Canyon overlooking the mountains at Balcon de europa in Nerja, Malaga, Spain. — View of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Mountains from Balcón de Europa, Nerja

🚘 Distance from Malaga city: 112 km (69.59 miles) – 2 hours and 20 minutes drive

Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama is a mountain range that has spectacular peaks reaching more than 1,500 metres. It isn’t easy to hike there as it’s surrounded by steep gorges, crags and steep slopes.

If you love a challenging hiking trail, you can hike to Sierra Tejeda, which is between Malaga and Granada provinces. For some reason, there’s always more snow in the part that belongs to Granada.

However, if you aren’t up for a hike, if it snows in the area, you can easily spot the peaks covered in snow from the famous Balcón de Europa in the whitewashed town of Nerja. I absolutely love the contrast of the crystal clear sea and snowy peaks.

6. Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain. — A view of Sierra Nevada Mountains

🚘 Distance from Malaga city: 168 km (104.4 miles) – 2 hours drive

Sierra Nevada is the most popular ski resort in Southern Spain. Although it isn’t in Malaga, it’s a two-hour drive, which isn’t that bad for a day trip. However, I recommend staying a weekend in Sierra Nevada if you love skiing.

The snow season in Sierra Nevada is from December to May, but the best times to ski in Sierra Nevada are January to March. January is the coldest month, so you can expect more snow.

Frequently asked questions about snow in Malaga

Has it ever snowed in Malaga?

Yes, it snowed in Malaga between the 3rd and 4th of February 1954.

When does it snow in Malaga?

You can see the snow in towns near Malaga from January to March.

What are the winters like in Malaga, Spain?

Winters in Malaga are usually dry, mild and sunny.

Conclusion: Does it snow in Malaga, Spain?

Whilst it doesn’t snow in Malaga City, you can find inland towns and mountains near Malaga, where it usually snows.

If you want to see the snow, it’s better to head to Sierra Nevada, where snow is always guaranteed during the winter, or these Spanish destinations.

Do you have any questions about visiting Malaga in winter? Drop your questions below!

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Things to do before visiting Malaga

Book cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport with Skyscanner.
Check out tours and activities in Malaga with Get Your Guide.
Book a free walking tour in Malaga with GuruWalk.
Travelling around Costa del Sol? Check and compare car rentals with Discover Cars.
Buy travel insurance for your trip. This is a must for any trip!

Does it Snow in Malaga? 6 Best Places to See the Snow!