High, mid and low season on the Costa del Sol: when a holiday flat makes its money
More than half of the year's income comes in between mid-May and the end of August. Which months fill up, which do not, and why the coast does not empty completely in winter.
Reviewed on 22 September 2026 · By the team at Torremolinos Gestión Vacacional, more than ten years managing holiday rentals · Markdown version · Versión en español
Short answer: in a Costa del Sol holiday flat, 52 % of the year's income comes in between 19 May and 31 August, and 40 % between 20 June and 31 August alone. The rest is spread across Easter, long weekends, September-October and a quieter but not empty winter season. That changes how prices are set and how you plan your own use of the flat.
How is the year spread?
| Period | How it behaves | Average nightly rate (Costa del Sol, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| January – February | Low. Long winter stays (pensioners from northern Europe, work) | €48 – 52 |
| March – April | Mid. Easter fills up at a high price; the rest, mid | €57 – 69 |
| May – June | Rising. Long weekends, good weather, first groups | €83 – 103 |
| July – August | High. Practically full all month at the highest prices of the year | €126 – 164 |
| September – October | Mid-high. Very good for couples and older guests; the sea is still warm | €90 – 70 |
| November | Low | €109 (average distorted by long bookings) |
| December | Mid. Christmas and New Year fill up; the rest is weak | €49 |
Annual average nightly rate charged: €85. These are averages across flats of all types; an interior studio and a penthouse with views move well below and above.
Why does this matter?
- For pricing: a flat with a fixed price all year loses money in August (undercharges) and stays empty in February (overcharges). The price has to move every week. We explain it in Pricing and seasons.
- For your use of the flat: every week you block in July or August costs the equivalent of three or four weeks of February. If you want to use it, June and September are the best compromise: good weather, mid prices.
- For expectations: if you start in October, the first months look nothing like what the full year will say. Do not judge the business until you have been through a summer.
Does the coast empty in winter?
Not completely. Torremolinos and Benalmádena have a winter of longer stays (two weeks, a month) by people escaping the cold, plus relocated workers and airport-related visitors. Prices drop a lot, but the flat does not stay empty if the price is right and long stays are accepted. Fuengirola behaves similarly; Málaga city is the most stable all year because of urban tourism.
Which specific dates should be on the calendar?
Easter, the May long weekend, the Málaga Fair (August), the San Miguel Fair in Torremolinos (late September), the Pilar and Constitution long weekends and Christmas. On those dates prices go up and so do minimum stays.
How do we use this?
With the history of several seasons we know what percentage of the year each week makes and adjust prices and minimum stays before demand arrives, not after it has passed. If you want to see how your flat would look month by month, ask us for the estimate.