Frizzy hair and finding parking: What expats find tricky about July and August in Spain

Most expats will tell you that moving to Spain was one of the best decisions they ever made, long warm days, outdoor lifestyle and the Mediterranean diet are hard to beat. However, once July and August arrive, even the biggest Spain enthusiasts admit that a few seasonal frustrations rear their ugly heads. In no particular order…

Intense summer heat

Perhaps the least surprising complaint is the heat itself. Yes, some people thrive in temperatures above 35°C, others find the height of summer absolutely exhausting. Daily life revolves around avoiding the hottest hours. Walks, shopping trips and exercise sessions are often pushed to early morning or late evening, with afternoons spent indoors with shutters closed and fans or air conditioning running.

Traffic, parking and car accidents

As holidaymakers flood into the coastal towns and popular destinations, journeys which normally take 15 minutes can take twice as long during peak season. Finding a parking space near beaches, shopping centres and in your local supermarket can become a daily challenge. The increase in traffic and more and more hire cars on the roads also means a greater risk of bumps and accidents. Local police forces regularly remind motorists to expect heavier traffic volumes during the summer months, particularly on weekends and bank holidays.

Tourists being disrespectful

Many people say they like to see the tourists and the change it brings, and love seeing them enjoying themselves but some residents admit that dealing with the inconsiderate holidaymakers can become frustrating. Common complaints include excessive noise late at night, littering, ignoring local customs and treating residential areas as if they are holiday resorts. Many expats say they understand that people are on holiday and enjoying themselves, but it can be difficult when large groups disturb otherwise peaceful neighbourhoods.

Ants, mosquitoes and flies

Mosquitoes are a major annoyance with locals constantly trying to find different methods to avoiding the itchy red bumps. Ants marching in teams, capable of finding even the smallest crumb left on a kitchen worktop and flies around food also become a nuisance during periods of extreme heat.

Busy supermarkets, unable to get a taxi and having to reserve restaurants

Just swinging into Mercadona for some milk has to be a perfectly timed mission, with longer queues and crowded aisles and the whole outing taking twice as long. Locals’ favourite restaurants that are easy to book during the rest of the year may suddenly be fully booked days in advance. Booking an Uber, that normally takes 3 minutes to arrive, struggles to find a driver and costs much more than your normal fare does the rest of the year.

The cost of air conditioning

If you are lucky enough to have air conditioning it can be a lifesaver, but it often comes at a price. Expats frequently mention a noticeable increase in electricity bills during the hottest months. Older properties can be particularly expensive to keep cool, especially if they have poor insulation or receive direct sunlight for much of the day.

Overflowing bins attracting boars and unpleasant smells

You take one look on Facebook in a local community and you’ll find a photo of overflowing bins. Combine these with the heat and you get the revolting unpleasant smell that makes even the strongest among us gag. In many areas the old food smell and waste on the street attracts hungry boars in search of food for their families.

The high cost of having visitors to stay

Whether people stay with you in your home or book somewhere close by, having visitors albeit wonderful can become very expensive, especially if you have them one after the other. Constantly having your home topped up with food and drink can become very pricey.

One resident in Marbella said “I feel bad saying it because it’s so nice that people want to come and see us, but we struggle so much to go out for lunches and dinner and ice cream constantly. We’ve had to be a bit firmer with what we can and can’t do when we get a few different groups over the 6 week main period”.

Others said they struggled with visitors with their own children. It ends up being such late nights and so much over indulgence day after day, the kids need some downtime. Some admitted they prefer visitors to come in spring or autumn, when the weather is milder and attractions are less crowded.

Harder to exercise and walk your dog

Some said that staying active becomes much more difficult during the peak summer months. Runners, cyclists and walkers often have to head out shortly after sunrise to avoid the worst of the heat, meaning setting the alarm far earlier than they would like. Even for those with the best intentions, the high temperatures can sap motivation and leave people feeling sluggish and less inclined to exercise. Activities that feel enjoyable in spring or autumn can suddenly feel like hard work in July and August.

Dog owners face similar challenges, with early morning and late evening walks becoming the safest option. Pavements can become dangerously hot for paws during the middle of the day, and veterinarians regularly advise pet owners to avoid walking dogs during the hottest hours while ensuring they have access to plenty of water and shade.

Melting make-up and frizzy hair

One of the more light-hearted summer complaints is the battle against humidity and sweat. Getting ready is fine in your air-conditioned room but you can spend half an hour getting ready only for the heat to undo all efforts within minutes of leaving the house. Hair can become frizzy and make-up often struggles to survive a walk in the midday sun.

Of course most people admit that despite the occasional frustration, these seasonal inconveniences are a small price to pay for life in Spain, but everyone is allowed a little moan now and then.