Expat Mark Danby, who moved from Stockport to Spain's Costa del Sol, has shared his strategies for coping with the region's intense summer heat, where daytime highs average 32°C and nights remain stifling at 22°C. In a new video, he explains that adaptation is key to living comfortably in such a climate.
Adapting daily routines to beat the heat
Mark walks his dog Suzy earlier in the day to avoid the peak heat and keeps his shutters closed against the blazing sun. He ensures Suzy has ample water and lets her rest on cool tiles indoors. 'I think she's probably adapted better than I have,' he jokes.
As the evening cools, life on the Costa del Sol comes alive. 'The promenade fills up, the restaurants all get busy. Families come out and children are playing late into the evening. Life doesn't just stop, it just moves with the weather,' Mark explains.
Shifting perception of temperature
Mark notes that his body has acclimatised over time. 'When I first arrived, 25° felt hot. Now, 25° feels absolutely lovely. Back in the UK, 25° was almost a heatwave, or at least it used to be. But here, it's just a nice day for a walk with Suzy. Your body adjusts. Your routine adjusts. Even your idea of what feels hot changes.'
Embracing the local rhythm of life
Mark emphasizes that living on the Costa del Sol is different from being on holiday. 'On holiday, you try to fit everything into seven days. You're walking around in the hottest part of the day, sightseeing, carrying bags, trying to make every minute count. Of course, it's going to feel hot. But when you live here, there is no rush. You naturally drift into the local rhythm of life.'
Flexibility to escape the heat
Mark also highlights that residents are not trapped in the heat. 'If August isn't really your favourite month, you're not trapped. Some people head to the north of Spain where the climate is completely different. Others use August to visit family back in the UK. That does make a lot of sense. If you live in Spain all year round, you don't have to treat August as your main holiday. You can enjoy the Costa del Sol for the other 10 or 11 months. And if you want a cooler break, you've got options.'
