Benalmádena and Torremolinos lead summer hotel occupancy in Málaga

Málaga’s hotels remain close to full capacity during the peak summer season. The province ended July 2026 with an average hotel occupancy rate of 89.50%, exceeding both the hotel association’s initial forecasts and the figure recorded during the same month in 2025.

Results varied across the main tourist destinations. Torremolinos recorded the highest occupancy in July, while current forecasts place Benalmádena at the top of the provincial ranking for August. Both municipalities once again confirm their importance within the Costa del Sol’s tourism industry.

Torremolinos led hotel occupancy in July

Hotels in Torremolinos reached 94.85% occupancy during July, the highest percentage among Málaga’s main tourist municipalities.

Mijas ranked second with 92.26%, followed closely by Benalmádena at 91.93%. Fuengirola also exceeded the 90% threshold, ending the month with 90.7% of its hotel capacity occupied.

Below that level, but still recording strong results, were Marbella at 88.6% and Nerja at just over 86.7%. The figures show that demand was distributed across much of the coastline, although the highest concentrations were found in the central Costa del Sol.

July exceeded industry expectations

The provincial result of 89.50% was 1.68 percentage points higher than in July 2025, when 87.82% of available hotel places were occupied.

The performance was also better than initially expected by the Costa del Sol Hotel Business Association, AEHCOS, which had forecast occupancy of 86.37%. Bookings made during the final weeks of the month pushed the eventual result more than three points above that original estimate.

AEHCOS president José Luque described July’s performance positively, noting that the destination not only exceeded expectations but also improved on the previous summer. The association now hopes that last-minute bookings will produce a similar effect in August.

Benalmádena expected to take first place in August

The leading destination is expected to change in August. Current forecasts place Benalmádena in first position with occupancy of 95.22%, a figure close to full capacity.

It is followed by Torremolinos at 93.64%, while Málaga city could reach 90.27%. Fuengirola is forecast to record almost the same result, at 90.25%.

Meanwhile, Marbella is expected to reach 85.78%, still a strong figure but lower than the forecasts for several other major coastal destinations.

August occupancy forecast

Benalmádena: 95.22%
Torremolinos: 93.64%
Málaga city: 90.27%
Fuengirola: 90.25%
Marbella: 85.78%

Provincial occupancy approaches 89%, but remains below 2025

The average forecast for Málaga province during August currently stands at 88.87%. This represents a significant recovery from the estimates made at the beginning of July, when bookings were around seven points behind the previous year.

Despite this improvement, the current forecast remains approximately three points below the 92% recorded in August 2025. Industry representatives believe the final figure will once again depend on travellers booking their holidays only a few days before arrival.

This trend makes it increasingly difficult to produce reliable forecasts several weeks in advance. More visitors are waiting to compare prices, check weather conditions or find special offers before confirming their accommodation.

International visitors continue to drive demand

Overseas tourists remain the main source of hotel demand in Málaga. The international market accounts for 67.8% of hotel guests, compared with 32.2% from the Spanish domestic market.

However, the number of Spanish visitors traditionally increases during July and August, which coincide with the country’s main holiday period. This combination of international and domestic demand allows several municipalities to maintain occupancy levels above 90% during the busiest weeks of summer.

September is also expected to remain strong

Hotel activity is forecast to remain high after August. AEHCOS expects average provincial occupancy of 86.51% in September, although this would still be below the 91% recorded during the same month in 2025.

Benalmádena is also expected to lead the September ranking with 92.14%, followed by Torremolinos at 91.99%. Marbella is forecast to reach 84.81%, while Fuengirola is expected to record 84.55%.

The figures confirm the strength of the Costa del Sol’s leading destinations, while also pointing to a slightly more moderate summer than last year. The behaviour of last-minute bookings will ultimately determine whether August once again exceeds expectations, as July already did.

Information source: La Opinión de Málaga, based on data from the Costa del Sol Hotel Business Association, AEHCOS. Information cross-checked with Málaga Hoy and Cadena SER Málaga.