Show Notes
Spain's summers have always been hot, but in recent years the heat has become more intense, lasting longer and affecting everyday life in ways many people don't expect. In this episode of Spainfully Honest, Catherine and Paul talk about what it's really like living through a Spanish heatwave. They share the routines they've adopted over the years, from keeping the house cool and sleeping on hot, humid nights to knowing when it's safe to head outside and why many Spanish people completely change their daily schedule during periods of extreme heat. The conversation also discusses how different parts of Spain experience the heat and whether air conditioning is always the answer. In this episode How daily life changes during a heatwave Keeping your home cool without relying on air conditioning Making the most of shutters, fans and natural ventilation Coping with hot, humid nights Choosing the best times of day to be outdoors Why Spanish summers revolve around avoiding the midday heat Practical tips for driving and travelling in extreme temperatures The difference between inland and coastal heat How Spain's summers are changing
Editor's note: During the episode, we mention temperatures of around 52°C. This refers to land surface temperature measured by satellite, not the official air temperature. Land surfaces such as roads, rocks and rooftops can become much hotter than the surrounding air. The highest official air temperature recorded during the late June 2026 heatwave was 42.9°C, measured in Lleida on 22 June 2026, according to Spain's meteorological agency, AEMET. Here are links to some of the episodes we mentioned: Episode 16: Unmissable Spanish Property & Furniture Tips: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4bMmv1FZWV4HOznYExpT4N?si=mvEX71MDQeOl3obaFrep6w Episode 49: What Summer in Spain Is Really Like: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4FVZrpjdcRZq7V6NUSl7f8?si=V7yIjoqbSUmJCJ7QMiNcDw Here is a link to the PAPS end of summer ball event so you can support them! (9) If in the area why not join us - Support Abandoned Dogs/PAPS in Spain | Facebook As always thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, make sure you hit subscribe and follow us on socials so you don’t miss what’s coming next. And if you want to keep the conversation going, come and join our Discord community here: https://discord.gg/wTGrjpVQh — it’s where we all hang out, swap stories, and chat all things Spain. Or if you’ve got a story to share, a guest suggestion, or just want to say hi, you can always email us at [email protected]
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