Seasons of Change: Notes from the Costa del Sol - Part 1 Autumn on the Calendar, Summer on the Beach

When we moved to Spain’s Costa del Sol, I thought the biggest changes would be obvious — the sunshine, the sea, the food. But as the months have passed, I’ve discovered that the real changes are quieter, woven into the rhythm of daily life. From swimming in September, to learning the mañana lifestyle, to shopping at small markets and greeting neighbors in the street — each moment feels like an invitation to slow down, notice, and savor.

This three-part series is a glimpse into how life here has reshaped me:

1. Autumn on the Calendar, Summer on the Beach – A September day at La Herradura, and the surprising ways the seasons feel different here.

2. Learning to Live Like a Local – From wardrobe shifts to the mañana lifestyle, and what it means to slow down.

3. Daily Rhythms, Spanish Style – Small rituals, open windows, and the unexpected joy of savoring everyday life.

I hope you’ll join me for these reflections on what it means to adapt, adjust, and truly live in a new place.

Sometimes the calendar says one thing, but life says another. Here on the Costa del Sol, autumn may have officially arrived, but the Mediterranean sun has its own idea.

My daily footwear. This way, I can walk into the water anytime I want.

It’s late September, which means autumn has officially arrived in the northern hemisphere. But here on the Costa del Sol? Well, yesterday my husband and I spent the afternoon at the beach, soaking up the sun at our favorite chiringuito. We rented a cabana, ordered a round of beers, wine, and tinto de verano, and let the day drift by in easy conversation with friends.

And yes, even I got in the water! Those of you who know me know what a big deal that is. I’m not a fan of cold water — swimming in it or drinking it — and I definitely don’t like not being able to reach the bottom. But La Herradura Bay was calm, the water crystal clear, and it felt almost like the Mediterranean itself was coaxing me in.

Calm waters on a warm Autumn day at La Herradura bay.

It’s funny when I stop and think about it. As a kid, I had no fear at all. I’d dive down to the bottom of the deep end to scoop up pennies, or push off into a handstand with my feet sticking straight out of the pool. I never worried about breathing or depth or anything at all. Somewhere along the line, though, I lost that ease. These days, I usually prefer to keep my head above water — literally and figuratively.

The cabana we rented at our favorite chiringuito!

Still, that’s the beauty of living here: autumn might be on the calendar, but it looks a lot like summer in real life. While friends back in the States are pulling out sweaters and sipping pumpkin spice, I’m floating in the Mediterranean sun, learning again that seasons don’t just belong to the weather — they belong to us, too.

Life here continues to surprise me in the best ways. Tell me — what does autumn look like where you are? Are you pulling out sweaters and scarves, or still holding on to a bit of summer? I’d love to hear in the comments.

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This post is part of my "Seasons of Change" series about adapting to life on the Costa del Sol. So stay tuned — in the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing more about how we’re learning to live like the locals here in Spain!

You can read the next reflection here.