Climate is probably the first reason that makes anyone from northern Europe consider a move to the Costa del Sol but for some people it could also be a reason to make them regret their decision in the longer term. So what is the climate really like and how will you adjust to it when you actually live here?

A climate of extremes

The climate on the Costa del Sol could be considered to be one of extremes. There are long periods when there is no rain at all and the sun shines relentlessly onto a landscape that becomes more and more arid. June to the end of September is characterised by heat and dust. Then the rains arrive. The arid landscape suddenly bursts into bloom as the dormant seeds of the wild flowers spring back to life. October on the Costa del Sol is almost like spring in the UK.

The scorched grass on the hillsides turns green and there is life again. The very lack of rain, which creates this parched landscape, can also cause spectacular brush fires, which either start naturally or through the carelessness of man. Once more when the rains arrive this scorched earth springs back to life and within a very short period you would never know that there had been a fire at all.

Modern society has eased the problems of lack of rain and it is many years since there has actually been a drought on the Costa del Sol. Today, civilised communities can move water around countries and ensure that life will continue as we expect it to. We also have far more expertise in finding water reserves and drilling wells deep enough to provide water. This was not always the case and, after the Moorish occupation of this part of Spain ended, there were frequent periods when agriculture was difficult. The Moors had expertise in irrigation – their successors did not.