Arriving
NIE, padrón, residency: the order that would have saved us months
NIE number, empadronamiento and residency document on the Costa del Sol — the order we did it in, what belongs in the folder, and how it works with children in tow.
Family life on the Costa del Sol
Five by the Sea
Two adults, three girls (6, 8 and 10) and a daily life somewhere between the town hall queue and an afternoon on the beach. We write down what we wish someone had told us.
Our family year
What the twelve months actually feel like here — sea, school, fiestas, weather.
- JanSchool in full swing, hills green, beaches empty. The best hiking month.
- FebAlmond blossom inland. Carnival in Málaga and Fuengirola.
- MarEaster build-up, school enrolment window, first properly warm days.
- AprSemana Santa: two weeks off and half of Andalusia on the move.
- MayThe loveliest month. Warm, quiet, everything in bloom. Ferias begin.
- JunSchool ends around 22 June. The sea turns swimmable, evenings stretch out.
- JulHolidays, heat, full beaches. We go out early morning or late afternoon.
- AugFeria de Málaga, street parties, 35 °C. The month you mostly swim through.
- SepSchool starts around 10 September. Water still warm, beaches empty again.
- OctOur favourite month for day trips. Swimming is usually still on.
- NovRain season starts. The flat becomes a topic (see our winter piece).
- DecChristmas lights in Málaga, nativity scenes, Three Kings on 6 January.
Arriving
NIE, padrón, residency: the order that would have saved us months
NIE number, empadronamiento and residency document on the Costa del Sol — the order we did it in, what belongs in the folder, and how it works with children in tow.
Arriving
Paediatrician, A&E, health card: how we sorted healthcare for three kids
The public health system in Andalusia, your assigned paediatrician at the centro de salud, private top-up cover, emergency numbers and pharmacies — from the daily life of a family of five.
Arriving
Car, licence, ITV: the admin nobody warns you about
Registering your driving licence, importing or buying a car, ITV roadworthiness tests, insurance, municipal car tax and child seat rules in Spain — from a family on the Costa del Sol.
Choosing a school, enrolling, language
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School & kids
School & kids
State, concertado or international: how we chose a school
Spanish state school, concertado or an international school on the Costa del Sol — cost, language, daily rhythm, and what matters when you have three children of different ages.
School & kids
School enrolment in Andalusia: deadlines, points, supplies, comedor
How escolarización works in Andalusia, which documents count, how the points system allocates places, and what comedor, aula matinal and school supplies really cost.
School & kids
How our three learned Spanish — and how long it really took
Realistic timelines for how children aged 6, 8 and 10 learn Spanish, what helped, what didn't, and what happened to German at home.
Renting, winter, money
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Daily life & home
Daily life & home
Renting with three children: what we checked the second time round
Long-term rentals on the Costa del Sol: contract types, deposit, running costs, urbanización or town centre — and the checklist we now take to every viewing.
Daily life & home
The winter nobody mentions: cold, damp and unheated
Why the Andalusian winter is harsher indoors than out, what helps against damp and mould, how we heat and what it costs.
Daily life & home
What a family month on the Costa del Sol actually costs
An honest cost breakdown for a family of five on the Costa del Sol: rent, electricity, food, school, car — and what is cheaper or dearer than in northern Europe.
Weekends, rainy days, mountains
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Days out & beaches
Days out & beaches
The most relaxed beaches for small children
Which Costa del Sol beaches actually work with small children — shallow entry, shade, playground, parking. Plus wind direction, jellyfish and the best time of day.
Days out & beaches
Rainy days with three children: what actually works here
It does rain on the Costa del Sol, mostly between November and March. Our tested list for rainy days with children: museums, caves, indoor halls and a few ideas that cost nothing.
Days out & beaches
White villages with children: short distances, big effect
Day trips into the hinterland of the Costa del Sol with children: which pueblos blancos work, how long the drive can be, hairpin bends and travel sickness, parking and the right time of day.
About us
Who is behind Five by the Sea, why we write anonymously, and what you can and can't expect here.
About us