It’s no secret that many expats are attracted to Spain for its enviable weather.
However, the country’s climate is diverse and can vary widely from coast to coast, and particularly between the north and south.
But one town in Malaga proudly claims to have ‘the best climate in Europe’, and the data to back it up.
The municipality in question is Torrox, and inland gem that is popular among British expats and tourists.
The town of around 20,000 people sits on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol, where it boasts a uniquely mild subtropical microclimate found nowhere else on the continent.
Torrox sits just 40km from Malaga city, on a coastal strip where the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra de Almijara work in tandem to moderate the weather throughout the year.
The mountains form a natural barrier, blocking cold winds blowing from inland, while the sea acts as a thermal cushion – cooling the area in the hottest months and retaining warmth when winter arrives.
The result is a level of climatic stability that both locals and visitors find remarkable.
Mild winters, gentle summers
The numbers speak for themselves, with an average annual temperature of around 18C, almost no frost, warm but manageable summers and winters that feel more like spring.
Maximum summer temperatures rarely stay above 30C for several consecutive days.
At a time when extreme weather is increasingly common across Europe, Torrox offers a kind of endless, moderate summer that has become one of its strongest natural assets.
Scientific backing
To validate its claim as home to Europe’s best climate, the local council commissioned studies from MeteoGroup, an international forecasting company.
Analysts examined temperature averages, seasonal variation, hours of sunshine and overall climatic stability.
Their conclusion found that Torrox enjoys one of the most balanced and gentle microclimates in Europe, reinforcing the town’s long-standing slogan.
A year-round destination
This exceptional climate has made Torrox a magnet for European visitors – especially retirees seeking bright winters and gentle summers.
Torrox Costa, with its wide beaches and seaside promenade, offers laid-back living by the water.
Meanwhile Torrox Pueblo, a whitewashed hillside village, preserves its Andalusian character with narrow streets, sweeping viewpoints and traditional homes climbing the slopes.
Its lighthouse, perched at the edge of the town, is one of its most photographed landmarks.
The surrounding landscape boasts hiking trails between the Almijara mountains and the Mediterranean, secluded coves, and a local cuisine defined by fresh fish such as fried jureles, hearty migas, ensalada arriera and warming fennel stews for the cooler months.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
