Inland Lifestyle

Andalucia is magical as autumn begins

Andalusia in autumn offers the best of both worlds: it is pleasant enough to relax in the sun, yet you can also explore the countryside and the white villages and the ancient cities and not suffer from heat exhaustion. We love the summer months but, after four long hot Spanish summers you also will enjoy autumn and all the traditions that it brings.

THE WEATHER

Summer in Andalucia is hot hotter hottest! On the Costa del Sol temperatures are regularly well above 30°c throughout June, July, and August. More inland means it’s even hotter but, by the time the autumn equinox comes around in late September, the temperatures are already dropping.

While the nights are getting cooler, it is still possible to swim if you are not too sensitive to cooler temperatures. So, if you are after a beach holiday in autumn, Andalusia is your place.

FOOD

Many of the chiringuitos are seasonal but some, in the more popular areas, do stay open throughout the year so al fresco wining and dining by the sea is still a possibility at this time of year. The cooler mornings are also the perfect excuse to start the day with churros con chocolate, the best way to warm up your weekend.

The cooler days of October bring the start of the olive harvest across Andalusia, particularly in the densely planted inland areas stretching from Antequera and Cordoba to Jaen, further west. 

The arrival of autumn means it’s time to say goodbye to gazpacho and starting welcoming stews that is popular and very seasonal in Andalucia. If you have a wander round any local market at this time of year and you’ll see plenty of pumpkins, pomegranates, and mushrooms.

Autumn also means chestnuts roasting on an open fire. By mid-October, they will appear on the street corners of many towns around Andalucia and for just a couple of Euros, you can buy a cone of freshly roasted chestnuts.

THE GREAT OUTDOOR

I love going for long walks but, during the summer, it’s just too hot to do anything too strenuous. However, with the drop in temperature, autumn is the perfect time for getting out and about and exploring.

There are many white villages to spend time in and most of them are ideally located for walking. Alcaucin, for example, has some excellent hiking trails nearby and, once you’ve finished, you can head to the special baths in Banos de Vilo for a relaxing dip.