SPAIN, this is the best place to live
Passionate, sophisticated Spain is full of wild beauty, deep history and some of the best food you’ll ever eat. Life is a fiesta, and everyone’s invited.
A Life of Adventure
See the latest from Carina’s and Thomas’ travels
WHAT MAKES Life in Spain SPECIAL
01.
Sun that changes your mood
Spain does this weird thing where a normal Tuesday feels lighter. You wake up, the sky is doing its bright-blue show-off routine, and suddenly you are walking more, eating outside more, and saying yes to plans you would ignore back home. The Costa del Sol is especially guilty of this. Even in cooler months, the light hangs around like it has nowhere better to be.
02.
Food that turns into a daily event
Meals here are not fuel, they are a small ceremony. Fresh fruit that tastes like it was picked five minutes ago, seafood that still feels like the sea is nearby, and simple dishes done properly. You do not need a Michelin star address to eat well. You just need a little curiosity and the ability to slow down long enough to enjoy it.
03.
The social rhythm: late, loud, and lively
Spain runs on a different clock. People meet later, stay out longer, and treat everyday life like it is worth sharing. It is not forced or performative. It is normal to see three generations around one table, kids playing nearby, and friends pulling up extra chairs like it is the most natural thing in the world.
04.
Culture that you bump into, not just visit
One minute you are buying bread, the next you are walking past a centuries-old church, a tiny local festival, or a square that has watched history come and go. Spain is full of that old-meets-new feeling. It is modern and traditional at the same time, and it does not ask you to pick a side.
05.
Beaches, promenades, and a lot of outdoor living
The coast encourages you to get outside. Morning coffee turns into a walk. A quick swim becomes a long afternoon. Even if you are not the sporty type, it is hard to resist a seaside promenade when the weather is on your side and the water is right there.
06.
A place that makes you breathe differently
This is the part that is hard to put on a brochure. Spain has a way of lowering your shoulders. You stop rushing. You stop checking the time every five minutes. You start noticing small things again: the smell of orange blossom, the sound of a busy plaza, the last light on the sea. It is not perfect, but it is deeply alive.
Rich in culture and history
Like a grandpa bouncing a baby on his knee, Spain is a mix of old and new, modern and traditional. For the traveler, Spain means many things: Whitewashed villages, massive cathedrals, world-class art, Muslim palaces, delicious paella, sunny beaches, and lively nightlife. You’ll find all those things, but the country’s charm really lies in its people and their unique lifestyle. From the stirring communal sardana dance in Barcelona to the sizzling rat-a-tat-tat of flamenco in Sevilla, this country creates its own beat amid the heat.
ABOUT US
WHO
WE ARE
CU IN SPAIN is our little corner of the internet, created by me, Carina, and my husband Thomas. We moved to the Costa del Sol in 2019 and made our home in La Cala de Mijas. We are Swedish, a bit travel-obsessed, and we love sharing what we learn along the way.
Between us we have spent most of our working lives in the airline world with SAS, plus a few earlier adventures (cargo ships, ski seasons, you name it). I’ve also worked in real estate for years, including around a decade on the Costa del Sol. Alongside local tips and travel stories, we rent out our apartment in La Cala de Mijas, a short stroll from the beach, for guests who want a comfortable base near the sea.
Travel and Spain
Follow us on our excursions and trips in Spain and elsewhere. Particularly our large sailing adventure. First from Tenerife to Fuengirola and the around the Mediterranean sea.
