7 expert tips for surviving the hot Terral wind in Malaga

Have you heard? The Terral is coming! But are you prepared?!

Temperatures around 40 degrees might sound like heaven, but this dry wind makes for an especially unpleasant time and can come in episodes of anything between a few hours to a few days.

So, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.

Here are 7 top tips for surviving Terral in Malaga!

1) Keep your house cool (and dark!)

There won’t be much respite outside, so make sure your home is Terral-proof by closing all your windows and blinds so that your place stays cool.

While you came to Spain for the wonderful sunshine, that sun is what’s going to bring the heat so you might have to sacrifice your wonderful views for a few days.

If you have air conditioning, lucky you! But do check the consumption of your A/C to avoid any unexpected bills next month!

2) Do your errands in the morning

If you have to do the grocery shopping or any other errands, try to do them as early in the day as possible. If it’s already past 2pm, forget it!

Avoid going out between 2 and 7pm to avoid the very real risk of sunstroke.

3) Always use sun protection

If you do choose to go out take a sun hat and sunglasses with you. Don’t forget the sun cream too!

You might find the idea of carrying a Spanish-style ‘abanico’ hand fan a bit embarrassing, but any real ‘malagueño’ doesn’t leave home without one during Terral. They do work!

4) Stay hydrated!

Hydration is essential during Terral.

Always carry a bottle of water with you (preferably not too cold) and drink as much as possible, even if you’re not thirsty.

While an ice-cold beer might be tempting, alcohol actually dehydrates the body. In fact, it encourages the elimination of water through urine and increases the level of sweating.

5) Take a dip in the sea

It’ll be very busy, but no doubt one of the best ways to avoid the heat is to head to the beach take a dip in the sea – especially as the water won’t be freezing cold!

6) Go to a shopping centre

Malaga has many shopping centres and the best part is that they all have air conditioning.

Spend a cool day shopping and buy some new summer clothes!

7) Take the chance to visit another city

This may sound a bit extreme, but the Terral only affects Malaga and its surroundings.

So, if you’ve been planning on going to Granada, Cordoba or further afield, maybe now’s the time to do it.

Daryl Finch

Daryl is the co-founder of Malaga Guru. He is a copywriter, editor and translator who moved to Malaga a decade ago having first fallen in love with the city on his Erasmus year. After working for many years at local expat newspaper SUR in English, Daryl gained expert knowledge in life from the perspective of foreign residents and decided to co-found this site in 2016.