Keeping cool in Valencia can be difficult during the summer. The months of July and August are particularly hot. Sleepless nights are a common occurrence, especially if you’ve just arrived and haven’t acclimatised!

Below you can find our top five tips for keeping cool during the summer.

1. Keep your windows closed during the hottest part of the day. Make sure your blinds, shutters or curtains are drawn to keep the sun out. Once the sun goes down, make sure to keep the windows open – just be aware that mosquitoes may want to join you during the night!

2. Use fans near an open window. At night time, position your fan near an open window to draw in colder air from outside. If you’re really struggling to sleep, try putting a bowl of ice cubes in front of the fan. You can purchase a cheap fan from the various Chinese shops around Valencia, or find them on Wallapop. For second hand fans, try looking in May or June when many students are leaving the city and are willing to sell second-hand items at a discount.

3. Consider an air conditioning unit. Some apartments come with AC included, but many don’t. However, you can purchase a portable AC unit from shops such as MediaMarkt or El Corte Inglés. These are often expensive, so consider a second-hand unit if you can find one!

4. Take a lukewarm shower or bath before going to bed. Strangely, there is scientific evidence to suggest that cold showers actually warm your body, even if they make you feel colder at first. Try a lukewarm shower instead, as this will cool you down for a longer period of time.

5. Take a siesta! Adopt the Spanish tradition of the siesta if your schedule allows it – this can be a great way to catch up on sleep if you find it too hot during the night. Make sure your windows and shutters are closed and that the room is as dark as possible. Research has shown that optimal nap times are either 20-30 minutes or 90 minutes. The first option acts as a short boost, allowing you to get through the day, and the second sends your body into a full sleep cycle. If you have the time and you’re suffering from many sleepless nights, opt for a 90 minute nap – just remember to set an alarm!