Spain is in the grips of a heatwave and it’s unbearably hot outside right now. As we know, only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, and even they might wish to consider staying inside where there’s some refreshing air conditioning when the heat reaches its peak.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun in Spain. There are plenty of activities you can enjoy that will help you to beat the heat.
Here is our full list of ideas for you to save for when it’s just too hot to think for yourself:
Go To The Cinema
There are around 700 cinemas in Spain and they all have air conditioning installed as standard. So you can escape the heat (and escape reality) by sitting in a nice, cold, dark room and watching a movie.
Don’t worry if you’re not a native Spanish speaker: you won’t have to travel far to find one of the 200 cinemas that show films in their original language. And if not, watching a Spanish film is a great way to practice your language skills in an immersive but low effort way.
Let’s Go To The Mall!
Hang out with friends and family members, enjoy the cooling air conditioning, and shop the latest trends. Indulging in a little retail therapy in your nearest mall isn’t just a hobby for teenagers. It’s also a great way to stay cool when it’s hot outside.
There are 574 shopping malls and retail parks in Spain so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. If you don’t know where you’re nearest mall is then a quick google or google maps search for centro comercial will point you in the right direction!
Museums And Galleries
If you’re on holiday in Spain and don’t want to waste your precious holiday hours in the cinema or malls that you could visit at home then why not take the opportunity to embrace Spanish culture? This is a country rich with history and there are over 1,500 museums and galleries for you to explore.
Many of these have air conditioning and, if you’re on a budget, many are free to enter too. What better way to spend a Spanish holiday than by visiting Spanish museums and learning as much as possible about this fascinating country’s rich history?
Some of the best free museums to put on your Spanish bucket list include Madrid's Naval Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum (Malaga), The Picasso Museum (Malaga), Archivo General de Indias (Seville) or the Museo de la Bellas Artes (Valencia).
Beaches And Lakes
One of the first things most people do when it’s hot in Spain is head to the beach. And this is a great way to cool off by jumping in the water and taking a swim. And Spain is a great place to do this. There are 3,552 beaches and 2,500 lakes in the country.
But this activity should come with a caveat: if you are going to be by the beach then avoid the heat of the midday sun. Either find a shaded spot, hire a beach umbrella, or visit early so that you can get out of the sun when it reaches its peak.
Head Straight To The Pool
If you can’t get to the beach then heading to the pool is the next best option. If you aren’t lucky enough to have a pool in your apartment building or complex then google: 'piscina municipal cerca de mí' and the closest pool to your current location should present itself! Pools are both plentiful and affordable in Spain.
If you’re travelling with kids or adrenaline junkies and looking for something a little more exciting then some of the biggest tourist areas of the country will boast their own waterparks. Aqualandia in Benidorm, Aquópolis in Madrid, and Waterworld in Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava in Catalonia are some of the most famous of these in the country.
Relax In The Spa
The final option if you want to submerge yourself in water is to visit a spa. Spain has plenty of spa hotels where you’ll find pools, massages and other treatments, and other facilities too. Many of these spas are located in hotels which means that you can also stop for lunch or a drink in an air-conditioned bar at the same time.
Spas can be expensive, but you’ll often find vouchers and deals on your local Groupon website. These are especially common in the summer months when most people prefer to be outside.
Enjoy Fine Dining
Spain is best known for its al fresco outdoor dining in the summer months, but frankly when the thermometer exceeds 30 degrees, it’s far to hot to be eating outside! You’ve still got to eat though, and there’s no reason not to enjoy Spanish fine dining in the summer months: just make sure you choose a hotel with air conditioning.
Try googling 'restaurantes con aire acondicionado cerca de mí' to find the coolest restaurants in town, and browse menus to find the ones that take your fancy.
Can’t Stand The Heat? Get Out Of The Kitchen!
If you’re staying in one of the hottest parts of Spain and you just can’t stand the heat then head to one of the coolest parts of the county instead.
Some of the coolest parts of Spain in the summer months include Islas Cíes in Galicia, Fuentes del Narcea in Asturias, Lago de Carucedo in León, Aigüestortes in Catalonia, and Zumaia in the Basque Country.
And if all else fails? Just stay home! This is the route taken by most native Spanish people who adjust their schedules to the temperatures and stay at home with a fan or air conditioning to keep themselves as cool as possible.
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