Tips to keep cool in Seville and avoid sunstroke

Please, make sure you that read the following tips to keep cool in Seville especially if you are travelling with children.

The Seville weather is mild all year round. However, in the summer when the temperatures rise the heat can be almost unbearable and you can suffer from sunstroke.

Keep in mind that at mid-day temperatures can go up to 40ºC (104ºF) or even reach 45ºC (113ºF) during a particularly hot summer. It gets very hot!

So remember how to keep cool… Follow the steps I mention above, use some common sense and you’ll be fine.

Here’s are some suggestions of what you should do during the long and hot Seville summers.

 

Prepare yourself and apply some practical tricks

  • Don’t forget to put sunscreen on and wear a hat (it’s better if it covers your neck).
  • Wear natural fabrics (eg. cotton, linen or silk) and light colors that don’t absorb the sun’s rays.
  • Keep your feet fresh and free wearing sandals or thongs.
  • Place a frozen bottle of water (remember, no soft drinks) on your neck to cool yourself.
  • Try to be on the street in the early morning and late in the afternoon. Stay indoors (your accommodation will be fine) around lunch time.
  • Enjoy a typical Spanish siesta. I bet you can improve our ancestral sleeping method.
  • Always rest in the shadow.
  • Look for a fountain and literally soak yourself in it!
  • Put some ice in your hat or cap and wear it again.

 

Drink and eat!

  • Drink lots and lots of water! Sevillanos will be just as thirsty as you so don’t worry. You’ll find tons of places, stalls and shops to buy a bottle of water.
  • Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they act as a diuretic. You’ll need to use the bathroom more ofter which provokes further dehydration.
  • So… no soft drinks, coffee or spirits.
  • Eat loads of fruit (anything will do but it will be easier to find melon and watermelon as it is the season).
  • Or you can always try with some ice-cream. Seville has a couple of excellent ice cream shops.

 

Take advantage of cool places

Alameda de Hércules

Alameda de Hércules is the large boulevard lined with bars, where Seville’s hip and alternative crowd go, be it for a casual day drink or to party the night away. In the middle of the square there are water jets spraying water in every direction, some lighter sprays and others with more force. When the afternoon heat gets too much, I have seen many a happy child walk through the water sprays and enjoy a moments relief (in 40+ degrees you don’t stay wet for very long!).

The Guadalquivir River

Perhaps you are looking to cool off but not actually get in the water? During the summer months it feels like the whole of Seville flocks to the river in hope of catching a bit of cool breeze coming off the water. Parks like the Jardines de Chapina are great places to take the picnic rug and sit in the shade for the afternoon, and bars alongside the river like those at Calle Betis in Triana are a spot to go for a drink, perhaps a cocktail or two.

If you really want to be adventurous and get on the river, Pedalquivir has pedal boats for hire which means you too can get out on the river. Although you may see local kids jumping in the river and swimming, I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s much better if you enjoy it from the pedal boat!

Isla Mágica

Isla Mágica is a complex compromised of a theme park with plenty of thrill seeking rides, and Aqua Mágica, a water park, which calls itself La Playa de Sevilla (Seville’s beach). Aside from water slides, toboggans, and a large aquatic playground for kids, there is also Playa Quetzal, a large wave pool, and Río Lento, a tranquil “river” swimming area with a light current. The ticket is sold as a joint ticket for the whole complex, so Isla Mágica presents itself as a perfect opportunity for a whole day of family fun.

Aquopolis

Aquopolis has the perfect solution to cool off, and have a bit of fun while doing so! This place is perfect for all ages, as the water park features not only several water slides, but swimming areas for those seeking a more relaxing form of enjoyment. Aquopolis is open from 12:00 to 20:00 every day during the summer months, making it a great place cool down after a hot morning sightseeing.