10 things to do in Malaga in February

Low season in Malaga continues in the shortest month of the year, but February is still a great month to visit Malaga. Read on for our pick of experiences, tastes, activities and events for inspiration for things to do in Malaga in February.

Join the Carnival Fun

One of the most colourful events in Malaga in the year and the one where you can really let your hair down is Carnival. The 9-days of celebration see singing, dancing, lots of fancy dress, drag queen competitions and general fun.

Carnival 2026 dates are 7 to 15 February.

Make it a fishy month

Most of Spain mourns the end of Carnival with the burial of the sardine, but Malaga buries the anchovy (boquerón). Make one of the things to do in Malaga in February to try some anchovies, pickled in vinegar, deep fried or incorporated into an innovative tapa. If you go for fried, don’t be put off by the bones – boquerones are so small you eat the whole fish.

Go birdwatching

You might be surprised to discover that Malaga is something of a hot spot for birdwatching. And you don’t have to go far to see some interesting feathered friends – parakeets, kestrels and booted eagles fly the city centre skies regularly. For more variety especially towards the end of February, head for the Guadalhorce Nature Reserve.

Read more about birdwatching in Malaga here.

Find your hotel in February

The first half of February is low season in Malaga, so you should be able to pick up some good hotel deals.

To find out which area of the city will suit you when you stay, read our guide to where to stay in Malaga. And for some inspiration on which hotel to choose, read our Malaga hotel recommendations (all tried and trusted!)

Enjoy a bit of art

Make the most of February in Malaga to check out the art museums. Admire Spanish saints at the Carmen Thyssen Museum, feast your eyes on funky 20th-century art and installations at the Pompidou Centre and take a tour around Picasso’s first home as you enjoy examples of his amazing works.

Soak up some rays

The Mediterranean is still on the chilly side, but the weather in February is certainly warm enough to bask in the sunshine and on the beach. Take your towel, pick your spot – the good news is that you’ll have most of the beach to yourself – and catch up on a spot of early sunbathing.

Looking for a beach in the city? Read our Malaga beach guide!

Shop for spring

Retail things to do in Malaga in February include shopping for the new season. Shops in most northern European countries bring in their spring stock in this month, but in Malaga you can buy it and then wear it because it’s warm enough!

Read our Malaga shopping guide for the best places for a spot of retail therapy.

Walk the city

Mostly flat and very compact, Malaga makes a great city for walking. Our website includes a range of ideas for walking tours and for February, we recommend the tour round La Malagueta area. Time your walk with late afternoon and enjoy the sunset over the city from Muelle Uno.

Admire the vertical garden

Fans of Guide to Malaga will know that we’re keen on getting off the beaten tourist trail. So, we propose discovering the vertical gardens as one of the things to do in Malaga in February.

Vertical Garden 1

To find this one, you need to walk down Calle Andrés Pérez, turn left and then right. For better directions and more things to look out for in this part of Malaga, read this

Vertical garden 2

This next one is about 10 minutes’ walk away from the one above. Find it off Calle Ollerías. This verdant gem is one of the great things to see when you explore the northern part of the old quarter.

Take a walk

February is one of the best months to get out walking in Malaga. If you don’t have your own transport or fancy hiking up a mountain, walk a stretch of the Coastal Path.

Known as the Senda Litoral, the path runs over 180km along the coastline of Malaga province from Manilva in the west and Nerja in the east. The path is mostly flat and includes Malaga seafront. Spend a day walking west to Torremolinos or Benalmádena or east to Rincón de la Victoria. Get the bus back to Malaga.

Malaga in February FAQs

Now you know what to do and see this month, here’s the lowdown on what to expect in the second month of the year.

Will it be very busy?

February is usually one of the quietest months of the year except for Carnival week. Expect to have a lot of the monuments and attractions to yourself, especially Monday to Friday. And February is low season for cruise ships in Malaga, with just two days when over 2,000 people disembark.

What’s the weather like in Malaga in February?

Mostly sunny, with a few days of rain. Expect cooler mornings and evenings – temperatures can drop at night, making it fresh first and last thing.

Average temperature 🌞	Average days of rain 🌦	Average sea temperature 👙
18 degrees	5	15 degrees

Statistically, February is one of the wettest times of the year. This means that on average you can expect five days of rain during the month – not many, we know, but you just might choose the wrong weekend for a holiday in Malaga.

But if you do, don’t worry – there’s still plenty of things to do in Malaga. See our recommendations here. And don’t forget that the rain never lasts for long!

Is it warm enough to sunbathe?

In the sunshine (and we mean full sun), it’s warm enough to sunbathe. If you’re in a sheltered spot, you might even wear your swimsuit. Some hotels have heated rooftop pools and loungers out of the wind, a combo that could have you sunbathing in Malaga in February!

The water would have to heated though because the Mediterranean is at its chilliest this month. Don’t expect to see many people in the sea!

What sort of clothes should I pack?

We’d recommend layers, so that you can add first and last thing, and take off at midday when the sun heats things up. If you’re planning to go hiking, cycling or skiing, pack warmer clothes, but you won’t need the thick stuff in Malaga.

What time does it get dark in Malaga in February?

Malaga rarely has less than 12 hours of daylight, even in February. Sunset is at 6.43pm on 1 February and at 7.19pm by the end of the month. Expect it to get dark around 20-30 minutes later.

If it’s low season, will hotel prices be cheaper?

It depends on the dates you choose. Carnival week (7-15 February in 2026) is high season, but outside those dates, February is the cheapest time to find accommodation in Malaga, with most hotels offering great deals especially for mid-week stays.

Is it worth coming to Malaga in February?

If you live in northern Europe and the thought of a cold, dark February is unbearable, then Malaga makes a great option. There’s plenty going on – see our February round-up for details – and plenty of sunny days. See you soon!

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