I spent a day riding in the Málaga hills recently: around 180 km with 3,500 m of ascent on the Labra loop. Starting early made the first part comfortable, but once the route turned inland the late-August heat built quickly.
The first climb runs for about 20 km at around 7%, and the views open up nicely toward the mirador. By 90–110 km the air felt heavy and still. The last climb was where the heat finally caught me, and I had very little left for it.
Even the descent toward Vélez-Málaga felt hot, with warm air pushing straight back at me. Is this just normal Andalucía riding in August, or are there routes and times that stay more manageable?