How to enjoy Autumn on the Coast: In five easy steps

There's more to the Costa del Sol than sea and sun... and Autumn's the best time to discover it

So October’s here and summer is, if not officially then at least psychologically, over. If this was your first summer on the Costa del Sol, or even if you’re a, ahem, seasoned campaigner, it pays to know what to expect in the coming months.

Which means rainy, blustery days? Don’t bet on it.

Autumn on the Costa del Sol is actually rather lovely, and here are five ways to make the most of it…

1. Chase the rays
Sunbathing is different in Autumn. In the sunshine it feels much the same: you still need suntan lotion. You still need to position yourself slightly south-facing. And you still need a solid pair of sunglasses. But there are subtle differences. If a cloud ambles its way across the sky, inconsiderately coming between your bare flesh and the sun, then it can get rather chilly, rather quick. And those solid, squat shadows that you paid little attention to before? Now they’re longer; they reach out to you, creep up on you and arrive at weirdly oblique angles. So if you’ve got some sunbathing left in you, be prepared for this shadowy assault.

2. Adjust your commuting time
Whether you drive to work or rely on public transport, your morning and evening commute takes on a different complexion in Autumn. For most countries, the summer lull is followed by the September surge as children return to school, students mope off to Uni and holidaying staff return to work. For the Costa del Sol, it’s the opposite. Buses packed with lotion-smothered, sunburnt short-wearers are no more. The roads are calmer. Tailbacks are more the Manx Cat variety, and getting about is far less stressful. So why not give yourself an extra 10 minutes in bed?

3. Head for the hills
How many times have you promised yourself that you will tackle the La Concha mountain, only to be dissuaded by the searing sunshine or a flash storm? Well that’s only sensible I guess. But October on the Costa del Sol brings settled weather and slightly cooler temperatures, meaning the (relatively gentle) trek up the rear of that mountain becomes infinitely more appealing. It’s rewarding too. The views from the top are breathtaking, and the rewards upon descent – a cold beer, a chilled bottle of wine overlooking the Mediterranean – taste better than ever.

4. Don’t buy that coat just yet
There will come a day in October – maybe even in the first week – when the clouds gather, the temperature drops below 15c for the first time in ages, and the wind whips a Med-cooled chill across the Coast. When this happens it is tempting to head to the Mall and go shopping for a winter coat. After all, last year’s one is… erm, where, again? And you deserve a treat. But hold your horses: many a coat has been bought in haste, worn the very next day then shook immediately off as the mercury surges past 20c and stays there for a week. So wait. Wait until it’s a bit chilly for at least five days straight. You might have to wait until December, though. Speaking of which…

5. Don’t think of Christmas
If you’re a Brit abroad then this time of year can usually be summed up in the following sentence: “I can’t believe they’re stocking Christmas stuff already!” The ‘they’ are supermarkets and yes, you can believe it because it happens every year. But not in Spain. Christmas is less intense, more drawn out and family-oriented. Which means the supermarkets don’t go (quite literally, in the dry fruit aisle at least) nuts quite so early. Which means you can enjoy Autumn for what it is: a peaceful transition from the heat and hustle of the summer and the brief but enjoyable winter.

So pull up a sunlounger, keep an eye on the shade and pour yourself another drink – Autumn on the Costa del Sol is a fine time indeed!