Expat Mark Danby has outlined the lifestyle changes he has made to cope with the scorching temperatures that are a regular feature of life on the Costa del Sol. In a new video, he explains that adapting is key to living comfortably in the Spanish heat.
Adapting daily routines
Mark walks his dog earlier to avoid the hottest part of the day and keeps his shutters closed against the sun. 'The real question isn't just whether Spain gets hot,' he says. 'The real question is how you live when it does. And the answer is you adapt.'
Later in the evening, life picks up again. '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 adds.
Acclimatisation over time
Mark's dog Suzy flops on cool tiles indoors during the hottest parts of the day and always has plenty of water. 'I think she's probably adapted better than I have,' he jokes. But Mark has acclimatised too: 'When I first arrived, 25° felt hot. Now, 25° feels absolutely lovely. Back in the UK, 25° was almost a heatwave. But here, it's just a nice day for a walk.'
Living vs. holiday mindset
Mark notes that living in Spain 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.'
Options for escaping the heat
Mark, originally from Stockport, points out 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.' He adds: '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.'
Average summer temperatures on the Costa del Sol range from daytime highs up to 32°C, with nights reaching 22°C. The UK has also experienced a heatwave, with 35.5°C recorded in Wisley, Surrey, at the end of last week.
