Set on Granada’s Costa Tropical, Motril enjoys a privileged microclimate: mild winters, summers tempered by the sea breeze, and more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. You feel this gentle weather day to day: bright mornings almost year-round, warm sunsets by the sea, and a landscape that invites you outdoors. Thanks to this climate in Motril, the city is an appealing destination all twelve months, whether you’re after beaches and water sports or you prefer hiking, local cuisine, and the surrounding subtropical crops.
In this guide you’ll learn how to read the weather report to plan your days, what to expect in each season, and the best moments to dive into the Mediterranean. You’ll also find practical tips so the weather always works in your favor—from making the most of poniente days to what to pack for nearby trails. Looking for ideas to round out your visit? Check out our guide to what to do in Motril.
Climate throughout the year
Winter (December – February)
A Motril winter feels more like a continuation of a mild autumn than true Iberian cold. Average highs hover around 12–13 °C and lows seldom dip below 8 °C, letting you stroll at any hour with nothing heavier than a light jacket. Rain arrives as gentle Atlantic fronts—between 18 mm and 26 mm per month spread over seven or eight days—enough to freshen the air without disrupting daily life. There are roughly ten hours of daylight and sunsets over the harbour paint photogenic orange skies.
Spring (March – May)
Spring comes early and lively. March opens with highs of 14 °C and nights around 10 °C; by May temperatures reach 19-20 °C and the sea tops 18 °C, making the first swimsuit-only dip common before month-end. Although March is statistically the wettest—about 42 mm—showers are brief, leaving the Contraviesa hills especially green. As the season advances, sunshine climbs from twelve to nearly fourteen hours a day—a gift for hikers and cyclists.
Summer (June – August)
Summer in Motril combines moderate heat with near-total drought. Mean highs sit at 23 °C in June and stabilise around 26 °C in July and August; nighttime lows stay above 18 °C thanks to the sea’s thermal buffering. Rain is practically absent: July averages 3 mm and August barely 8 mm, with fewer than four wet days all summer. In exchange, the sun shines eleven to twelve hours daily and Mediterranean waters reach 23–24 °C, turning the coastline into a natural water-park.
Autumn (September – November)
Summer warmth lingers well into September, with highs above 23 °C and the sea still balmy. October slides gently to 21 °C and November marks the true return of wet weather: roughly 39 mm of rain and about eight showery days, enough to recharge aquifers and nourish subtropical crops. Nights cool (12-17 °C), the UV index falls and clear waters make this the best season for coastal diving. With nine to eleven hours of light, days remain long enough for a morning beach session and a rural getaway in the afternoon.
| Month | Max temp (°C) | Min temp (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.8 | 8.9 | 18 |
| February | 12.8 | 8.8 | 26 |
| March | 14.3 | 10.1 | 42 |
| April | 16.4 | 11.8 | 22 |
| May | 19.4 | 14.7 | 15 |
| June | 22.8 | 18.0 | 7 |
| July | 26.1 | 20.7 | 3 |
| August | 26.3 | 21.2 | 8 |
| September | 23.3 | 18.8 | 18 |
| October | 20.8 | 16.5 | 25 |
| November | 16.1 | 12.2 | 39 |
| December | 14.2 | 10.2 | 33 |
Sea temperature and beach life
Annual water evolution
The Mediterranean off Motril ranges from about 15 °C in mid-January to nearly 25 °C in mid-August. From January to March the water barely exceeds 16 °C, so most swimmers limit themselves to shoreline walks or sports with thin neoprene. From May onwards the sea regularly surpasses 18 °C and the chill disappears, officially opening the “swimming season” that lasts from June to October. July and August hit peak values—around 24-25 °C, with historic highs close to 28 °C—before dropping very slowly through September (≈ 23 °C) and October (≈ 20 °C). Thanks to that thermal inertia, you can still swim without a wetsuit in late October, long after other Mediterranean areas have cooled down.
Recommended beaches by season
When the water warms up, the two broad sandy stretches of Playa Granada and Playa Poniente become family epicentres: both offer showers, lifeguards and a seaside promenade with easy access for strollers and reduced mobility, guaranteeing full services even in peak season.
At the start of spring or in deep autumn, when the sun is still generous but crowds are thin, the small cove of La Joya provides crystal-clear waters and near-total quiet; its wild character—no beach bars or promenade—preserves an intimate, photogenic atmosphere that’s perfect for reading, snorkelling and silence.
Safety and shoreline services
From June to September the Town Council deploys a watch system with lifeguard towers, rapid-response boats and medical staff at main entrances; every morning rescuers raise the flag that shows sea conditions (green, yellow or red) and warn of rip currents. Playa Granada and Poniente also provide amphibious chairs and wooden walkways for users with reduced mobility, while El Cable, west of the harbour, remains dog-friendly all year.
Water activities and optimal moments
The best period for paddle sports runs from May to early October, when the water surface typically dawns like a mirror and temperatures exceed 20 °C. Windsurf and kitesurf fans prefer the afternoon levante that strengthens in April-May and again in September, bringing sustained gusts above 15 knots without the sweltering heat of midsummer. Diving peaks in October, when the sea stays at 20 °C but turbidity drops after the summer calm, offering visibility beyond ten metres at spots such as La Joya or La Rijana. For every discipline, local yacht clubs and surf schools publish updated reports and halt activity when the flag turns red, ensuring fun never compromises safety.
Best time to visit
High season and low season
Tourist activity peaks from mid-June to late August, when sea temperatures hover around 24 °C, the sun reigns for more than eleven hours daily and hotels, beach bars and watersport schools operate at full capacity. These are the busiest months and therefore the most expensive for accommodation and flights. From November to February, however, Motril slips into relative calm: highs rarely fall below 14 °C, rain is intermittent and cultural events move indoors; it’s the ideal window for travellers seeking tranquillity and reduced rates without giving up gentle coastal walks.
Weather events and festivities to note
The festival calendar affects both crowd levels and hotel availability. In mid-July the fishing district of Varadero celebrates the Fiestas de la Virgen del Carmen with maritime processions and beach concerts; in early August the Patron Saint Festivities of the Virgen de la Cabeza fill hotels for a full week. October and November introduce the year’s first rainy fronts; although precipitation stays moderate, it’s wise to book nautical activities for the morning and save afternoons for cultural visits or local cuisine.
Prices, deals and savings by season
Booking early is essential in high season: travel-comparison sites show that the average price of a three-star hotel can double between May and July. In winter, many holiday apartments offer discounts for long stays aimed at European remote-workers chasing mild weather; some include a gym, coworking space and garage as extra incentives. Spring (March-May) and early autumn (September) offer the best value: stable climate, fewer visitors and themed packages that bundle lodging and activities at reduced cost.
Local phenomena and practical tips
The daily choreography of sea breeze and terral
In Motril, the thermal contrast between sea and land triggers an almost clockwork wind cycle. From around 11 a.m. until sunset the sea breeze sets in: cooler air over the water flows toward the coast to replace air rising over the warming land. After midnight the process reverses; the land surface cools quickly and denser air flows back seaward as a terral. This cycle, documented in marine meteorology for decades, explains why morning strolls are usually calm while afternoons, especially in spring, fill with kites at Playa Poniente.
Levante, poniente and how to read them in the forecast
Beyond the daily breeze, two regional winds set the coastal agenda. The levante blows from the east and can reinforce the sea breeze enough to create two-metre swells; yellow-flag days often match this pattern. The poniente, by contrast, arrives from the Atlantic bringing cooler, drier air that tames summer humidity; when it dominates, the sea flattens like a mirror and visibility extends several kilometres—a treat for photography and rod-fishing. Checking the wind rose in recommended apps helps predict whether the afternoon calls for surfboard or sun-lounger.
Micro-climates between mountains and coast
Just ten kilometres from the harbour, the south face of Sierra Lújar registers nights five degrees cooler than the plain and shelters tropical crops under plastic that harness solar radiation while shielding against salty dew. By contrast, the centre of Torrenueva, at the foot of the cliff, enjoys wind-free dawns when the rest of the coast wakes up to haze. This mosaic of micro-climates explains how a hiker might need a wind-breaker at the Conjuro viewpoint while, minutes later, a swimmer enjoys 23 °C water in La Joya.
How to check the real-time forecast
Official, reliable sources
The Spanish State Meteorological Agency publishes an hourly Motril bulletin with temperature, wind, humidity, pressure and precipitation probability for the next seven days. The same page gives live readings from the nearest rain gauges and anemometers—handy for seeing whether breeze or rain has reached your area.
Complementary mobile apps and websites
To keep the forecast in your pocket, install at least one app with a solid reputation in Spain. Two proven options:
- Eltiempo.es — quality data and integrated radar maps.
- Windy — interactive layers for wind, swell and pressure, ideal if you sail or kite.
Understanding alerts and symbols
AEMET warnings are colour-coded:
| Colour | Risk level | Example in Motril |
|---|---|---|
| Green | No risk | Light breeze and calm sea |
| Yellow | Low | 45 km/h gusts or 15 mm of rain in 1 h |
| Orange | Significant | 4 m waves or very intense showers |
| Red | Extreme | Exceptional situation—strong levante or torrential rain |
Setting alerts for your activity
- Water sports: set alerts for gusts > 20 knots and wave height > 1.5 m.
- Hiking: enable lightning-storm warnings within a 10 km radius.
- Agriculture: get notifications for Saharan dust risk that may affect subtropical photosynthesis.
Many apps let you create “rules” with triggers so your home weather station can close awnings, switch on de-humidifiers or send an SMS when temperatures critical for mangoes and avocados drop.