January
- Max / min
- 16° / 6°
- Sea
- ± 15°
- Sun per day
- 5.6 h
- Rainy days
- 4
The coolest month, but often sunny: ideal for walking and golf.
The area
The weather by month and the best time to visit
Some 2,600 hours of sunshine a year, around 33 rainy days and mild winters. Here is what to expect, month by month.
Sunny, dry and mild
In an average year this corner of Spain gets about 313 millimetres of rain, spread over roughly 33 days. Snow does not occur on the coast and frost hardly ever: about three days a year.
The figures on this page are the official 1981–2010 climate normals from AEMET, the Spanish meteorological agency, for the San Javier Aeropuerto weather station. It lies about 9 kilometres south of the penthouse, also right by the coast.
Climate table
Temperature, sunshine and rain by month
Thirty-year averages measured at the San Javier Aeropuerto weather station, about 9 kilometres south of the penthouse.
| Month | Max | Min | Sea ± | Sun per day | Rainy days | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.0° | 5.5° | 15° | 5.6 h | 3.7 | 42 mm |
| February | 16.7° | 6.5° | 15° | 6.1 h | 3.2 | 27 mm |
| March | 18.5° | 8.4° | 15° | 6.6 h | 3.2 | 24 mm |
| April | 20.4° | 10.2° | 16° | 7.5 h | 2.9 | 23 mm |
| May | 22.9° | 13.8° | 19° | 8.6 h | 3.0 | 25 mm |
| June | 26.4° | 17.9° | 22° | 9.6 h | 1.1 | 7 mm |
| July | 28.9° | 20.7° | 25° | 9.9 h | 0.4 | 2 mm |
| August | 29.5° | 21.5° | 27° | 9.1 h | 0.8 | 7 mm |
| September | 27.5° | 18.9° | 25° | 7.5 h | 2.6 | 39 mm |
| October | 24.0° | 14.7° | 23° | 6.5 h | 3.6 | 39 mm |
| November | 19.8° | 10.0° | 19° | 5.4 h | 4.4 | 47 mm |
| December | 16.9° | 6.8° | 17° | 5.0 h | 4.1 | 30 mm |
| Year | 22.3° | 12.9° | 2621 h | 32.9 | 313 mm |
Source for air, sunshine and rain: AEMET, climate normals 1981–2010, San Javier Aeropuerto station. Rainy day: at least 1 mm. Sea: rounded satellite-based averages for Cabo de Palos, not an official series.
The sea
How warm is the sea?
The Mediterranean is coolest in February and March, at around 15 °C. In June the temperature rises to about 22 °C, and in August the water is warmest at 26–27 °C. The sea stays warm well into September and October.
The shallow Mar Menor warms up faster than the open sea. At the end of September 2026, the official monitoring network still measured 26.5 °C in the lagoon.
We could not find official monthly averages for sea temperature. The values on this page are rounded satellite-based averages for Cabo de Palos.
Month by month
What to expect each month
February
- Max / min
- 17° / 7°
- Sea
- ± 15°
- Sun per day
- 6.1 h
- Rainy days
- 3
Mild and dry. The sea is at its coolest.
March
- Max / min
- 19° / 8°
- Sea
- ± 15°
- Sun per day
- 6.6 h
- Rainy days
- 3
Spring: longer days and about 18 °C in the daytime.
April
- Max / min
- 20° / 10°
- Sea
- ± 16°
- Sun per day
- 7.5 h
- Rainy days
- 3
Pleasantly warm: good weather for cycling and city trips.
May
- Max / min
- 23° / 14°
- Sea
- ± 19°
- Sun per day
- 8.6 h
- Rainy days
- 3
Almost nine hours of sun a day; the beach season starts in late May.
June
- Max / min
- 26° / 18°
- Sea
- ± 22°
- Sun per day
- 9.6 h
- Rainy days
- 1
Summer: 26 °C and sea water around 22 °C. San Juan bonfires on 23 June.
July
- Max / min
- 29° / 21°
- Sea
- ± 25°
- Sun per day
- 9.9 h
- Rainy days
- < 1
The sunniest month, with almost ten hours of sun a day and hardly any rain.
August
- Max / min
- 30° / 22°
- Sea
- ± 27°
- Sun per day
- 9.1 h
- Rainy days
- < 1
The hottest month, with the warmest sea. Summer fiestas on the coast.
September
- Max / min
- 28° / 19°
- Sea
- ± 25°
- Sun per day
- 7.5 h
- Rainy days
- 3
The sea is still warm. The wettest time of year begins.
October
- Max / min
- 24° / 15°
- Sea
- ± 23°
- Sun per day
- 6.5 h
- Rainy days
- 4
Late summer: 24 °C in the daytime. The Fiestas del Pilar in town.
November
- Max / min
- 20° / 10°
- Sea
- ± 19°
- Sun per day
- 5.4 h
- Rainy days
- 4
Almost 20 °C in the daytime. The wettest month, yet only four or five rainy days.
December
- Max / min
- 17° / 7°
- Sea
- ± 17°
- Sun per day
- 5.0 h
- Rainy days
- 4
Mild winter weather at 17 °C, with the shortest days.
Best time to visit
Which month suits you?
A rule of thumb based on the climate figures above.
Beach and swimming
June to September: 26 to 30 °C in the daytime and sea water of about 22 to 27 °C. Late May and October are quieter and still mild.
Golf
October to May, with highs of 16 to 24 °C and only three or four rainy days a month. See golf.
Cycling and walking
Mid-October to May. From November to March, daytime temperatures are 16 to 20 °C. See cycling and walking.
Cities and culture
March to May and October to November. In Murcia city, July and August average 34 °C in the daytime. See day trips.
Festivals
Holy Week in Cartagena, Murcia and Orihuela, the Hogueras in Alicante in June and the Fiestas del Pilar in October.
Peace and lower prices
From November to April the low-season rate applies and the town and coast are quiet. See prices.
Calendar
Festivals through the year
A selection of festivals within about an hour’s drive.
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 5 January | Three Kings parade | Every town, including Pilar |
| Holy Week (2027: 21–28 March) | Processions of International Tourist Interest | Cartagena, Murcia, Orihuela |
| Tuesday after Easter | Bando de la Huerta | Murcia |
| Saturday after Easter | Entierro de la Sardina | Murcia |
| 20–24 June | Hogueras de San Juan | Alicante |
| 23 June | San Juan bonfires on the beach | Torrevieja |
| July | Moros y Cristianos | Orihuela |
| Late July | Habaneras choral festival | Torrevieja |
| August | Summer fiestas on the coast | Mil Palmeras, El Mojón, Torre de la Horadada |
| 14–15 August | Misteri d’Elx (UNESCO) | Elche |
| Second half of September | Carthagineses y Romanos | Cartagena |
| 1–21 October | Fiestas del Pilar, with the float parade | Pilar de la Horadada |
Dates vary from year to year. Check the town’s website before you go.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Pilar de la Horadada in October?
Still mild: an average of 24 °C in the daytime and 15 °C at night, with the sea at about 23 °C. There are three or four rainy days on average.
Can you still sit in the sun in November or December?
Yes. November averages almost 20 °C in the daytime and December 17 °C, with just over five hours of sunshine a day. On the south-facing roof terrace you can comfortably sit in the afternoon sun.
What is the hottest month?
August, with an average maximum of 29.5 °C and the warmest sea. July is almost as warm and is the sunniest month.
When is the best time to visit Pilar de la Horadada?
For the beach, June to September plus late May and October. For golf, cycling and city trips, March to May and October to November are ideal.
Does it rain a lot in Pilar de la Horadada?
No. There are about 33 rainy days a year. The wettest months are September to November; in July there is hardly any rain at all.
How cold is it in winter?
In January, the coolest month, the average is 16 °C in the daytime and 5.5 °C at night. Frost is very rare.
More in the area
Also nearby
Your base on the Costa Blanca
After a day out, the roof terrace is waiting. See when the penthouse is available.