fIt’s a fact of life. Anyone whom has stepped foot in Andalucía knows deep in their heart that it is a place to come back to. For many, that feeling is so strong that they decide to change their life completely by moving here (semi)permanently. It’s a 180º change. It is the wisest of us, who decide to proudly embrace the Andalusian lifestyle. If you know, you just simply, know. Stay tuned to read more about the guilty pleasures of living in Andalucía.
Living the Dream
Everyone who has started a new life in Andalusia has secrets they wish they could keep to themselves. Why? Because the more the secrets spread, the less secrets there will be left. Whether it is a restaurant somewhere in a small mountain village. It could be a breathtaking hike with a hidden waterfall. Perhaps they have discovered an artisan shop where they have tasted and bought the best ham and cheese they have ever tasted! Oh… the list is endless.
Of course, we want to share our best discoveries with those we love. But we secretly hope that it stays within the inner circle. Do you recognise yourself in this? Well, this is what living the dream feels like. We feel like Kings and Queens. We feel so proud to call this home that sharing the beauty of the Andalusian lifestyle comes to us like a natural impulse. At the very instant we feel the necessity to tell our friends, or post it on our social media, leave Google Reviews. At the end of the day, we just need the world to know how incredible life truly is in the South of Spain!
Andalusian Lifestyle
We always speak of the thrilling highlights. The endless lunches at chiringuitos enjoying a freshly caught Lubina and sipping on Tinto de Verano. The colourful ferias throughout the summer months. We highlight the many activities we can do outdoors. But, let’s stop for a minute and share the biggest secret of all! The essence of the Andalusian Lifestyle from home.
What is something that feels like a guilty pleasure that we can do right from home? I’ll tell you. The biggest guilty pleasure of all is walking into your garden, looking at the fluttering butterflies, feeling the sun kissing our skin, and checking on how much our tiny cherry tomatoes have grown! Seeing if the beans are ripe for harvesting. Checking if the birds have not eaten our strawberries yet… Being shocked to see how incredibly large the onions have become underground.
Growing your own fruit and vegetables is the biggest bonus of the Andalusian Lifestyle that we often forget to mention. Do you even understand how gratifying it is to know that because of your green fingers, you are not enjoying a delicious home made Gazpacho from self-grown tomatoes. It is absolutely priceless!
Tips to grow your own paradise
In Andalusia’s sunny climate, creating a vegetable patch is easier and more rewarding than you might think. Just picture that moment when, with your morning coffee you step outside to pluck those few strawberries that you knew would be ripe today! Starting your own mini vegetable garden is a delightful way to embrace the luxury of the Andalusian lifestyle. And, it’s so simple, anyone can do it! Here are seven foolproof tips to get you started on your green thumb journey. Soon you can enjoy the freshest produce the Andalusian lifestyle has to offer.
- Start Small & Simple — Begin with easy-to-grow favorites like tomatoes, herbs, or peppers. No need to go big — just a few pots or a small patch will do!
- Pick the Perfect Spot — Find a sunny, well-drained spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Your vegetables will thank you!
- Use Rich, Well-Draining Soil — Mix in compost or organic matter to give your plants a boost. Quick tip: store-bought garden soil usually works great to start.
- Water Wisely & Regularly — Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Early morning watering is best—your plants will stay happy and hydrated!
- Choose the Right Plants for Andalusia — Think heat-tolerant veggies like zucchini, eggplant, and beans. They thrive in our warm Mediterranean climate!
- Keep It Fun & Low-Maintenance — Mulch around your plants to keep weeds at bay and conserve moisture. Gardening should be enjoyable, not a chore!
- Learn & Experiment — Don’t worry if things don’t go perfectly at first. The best part? You’ll learn and get better with each season—plus, fresh veggies are totally worth it!
Over time you will start doing more research, understanding when the best time is to plant certain veggies. And of course, which veggies are right for the season. You will develop a strong relationship with your vegetable patch, knowing when it needs what. When are you starting? You must share your pictures with us!
Danielle Ernstsen | 5th June 2025
