Friday 2 October 2026
Maricarmen: How an 87-Year-Old Became the Face of Spain’s Housing Crisis
The eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen from the Madrid home where she had lived for more than 70 years sparked protests across Spain. Her case has become a symbol of a much wider housing crisis — but what is driving it, and what rights do tenants in Spain actually have?
Sunview Park Zip Line Málaga: Michel Takes Flight
Michel Euesden takes on the 1,350-metre Sunview Park zip line in Alhaurín de la Torre and discovers one of the Costa del Sol's most memorable adventures.
Ryanair Faces New Complaint in Spain Over Customer Service Phone Lines
Spanish consumer group FACUA has filed a complaint against Ryanair, alleging that the airline’s customer service phone lines make it impossible for passengers to speak directly to a person — something the organisation argues breaches Spanish consumer law.
By John Charles Smith4 Beachside Restaurants Worth Visiting This Summer on the Costa del Sol
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Simply Spain: We Had No Google. We Had Pepe.
Thirty years ago, Michel Euesden arrived in Spain with no Google, no Spanish, nowhere to sleep and a trailer full of baked beans. Today, AI can plan a new life in seconds — but perhaps the Spain we fell in love with was found in the wrong turns, unexpected conversations and people like Pepe.
OutTonight Sushi & Ramen Guide
Sometimes dinner should take a little longer There are foods you eat because you're hungry. And then there are foods you find yourself thinking about the next day.
Life in Spain: I Moved to Spain, Not Just the Patio
After 20 years beside the Mediterranean, Michel Euesden is discovering that living in Spain means more than maintaining the house and getting through the paperwork. It means saying yes, getting involved and actually enjoying the country on her doorstep.
By Michel Euesden
Life in Spain: Are Expats Really Embracing the Spanish Way of Life?
Spain offers more than sunshine, cheaper tomatoes and a slower pace of life. From family meals and sobremesa to putting down our phones, perhaps the real Spanish lifestyle is about reconnecting with the people around us.
English-Language Theatre, Comedy & Cinema on the Costa del Sol
If you’re missing English-language entertainment, the Costa del Sol has more to offer than you might think — from theatre and musicals to stand-up comedy, literary festivals and films in English.
By John Charles Smith
Helicópteros Sanitarios Costa del Sol: Why I’m a Member
When a medical problem strikes, knowing professional help is only a phone call away can make all the difference. For Costa del Sol resident Michel Euesden, membership with Helicópteros Sanitarios is one thing he simply refuses to live without.
Can British Expats in Spain Vote in UK Elections? What You Need to Know
British citizens living in Spain can vote in UK elections, but problems with registration and postal voting can make exercising that right difficult. With the Conservatives calling for an independent review, the debate over overseas voting is back in the spotlight.
By John Charles Smith
Living in Spain in August: Why You Need to Slow Down and Go Poco a Poco
August in Spain operates by a completely different set of rules. As Michel attempts to juggle work, appointments, dogs, traffic and an ill-advised electric gym session in the Costa del Sol heat, she discovers that perhaps the Spanish have been right all along: sometimes you simply need to slow down.
Read storyLiving Alone in Spain: Why Expat Communities Matter on the Costa del Sol
An unexpected August storm in Andalucía leaves Michel thinking about something more important than flooded terraces and Saharan mud: what happens when expats living in Spain suddenly need help — and why stronger local communities could make all the difference.
By Michel Euesden
From Acapulco to Marbella: The Surprising Story of How Padel Took Over Spain
Padel may have been invented in Acapulco, but it was Marbella that helped introduce the sport to Europe. From the first European court at the Marbella Club to more than 17,000 courts across Spain today, discover how a Mexican invention became one of the country's most popular sports.
Spain's Love-Hate Relationship With Tourism: Is the Costa del Sol Full?
Spain continues to welcome record numbers of visitors, but growing pressure on housing, rents and local communities is fuelling a debate about overtourism. On the Costa del Sol, where tourism is vital to the economy, the question is becoming increasingly difficult: how much tourism is too much?
By Kevin Fraser Park
Why Does the Costa del Sol Feel Quiet Despite Record Tourism?
Spain is heading towards another record year for international tourism, with visitor numbers approaching 100 million. Yet across parts of the Costa del Sol, hotels, restaurants and local businesses are reporting surprisingly quiet periods. So where are the tourists — and is the way they spend their money changing?
Support in Spain: The Essential Help and Advice Website for British Expats
Whether you're newly settled in Spain or have lived here for years, knowing where to turn for help isn't always easy. Support in Spain is a free online resource connecting British expats with charities, public services, healthcare providers and community organisations across the country.
By John Charles Smith
Costa del Sol Summer: Florence, Furnaces and Flannels
Surviving summer on the Costa del Sol takes air-conditioning, patience, excellent healthcare and medicinal custard creams. Florence is clocking off—and Michel is coming back.
Read storyCould Andy Burnham Finally Deliver Compensation for WASPI Women in Spain?
Andy Burnham's arrival in Downing Street has reignited hopes for millions of WASPI women seeking compensation over State Pension age changes. For thousands of British women living in Spain, any policy shift could have a direct financial impact, making the long-running campaign more relevant than ever.
Makai Beach Mijas Costa: Tibbi Aquila Does It Again
Makai Beach Mijas Costa
The Woman Who Decided the Costa del Sol Deserved Better.
Joyce arrived on the Costa del Sol in 1992 with nothing but determination and a pair of scissors. Thirty-three years later, she runs one of the region's most important homeless shelters — and she's only just getting started.
By Xpat.es
Michel Does Spain: Who Cares for Xpats After Surgery?
When Mr E’s latest battle with his inner Peter Pan resulted in eight screws, four supporting frames and 33 clamps, Mrs E became Florence Nightingale once again. But behind the familiar Euesden chaos lies a serious question for everyone living in Spain: who looks after the xpats facing surgery alone?
When Shovit Was a Make of Car: Costa del Sol Traffic Then vs Now
A personal and data-driven look at how traffic on the Costa del Sol has evolved from the 1990s to today, exploring rising vehicle numbers, congestion, and possible solutions.
By Steven Euesden
Best Family Days Out on the Costa del Sol: Top Attractions for Kids in Estepona, Marbella and Fuengirola
Looking for ways to keep the children entertained during the long summer holidays? From roaring dinosaurs and wildlife adventures to zip lines, trampolines and immersive animal parks, here are some of the best family-friendly attractions in Estepona, Marbella and Fuengirola.
Read storyFull Throttle Freedom: What A Harley Ride Through Spain Teaches You About Life
When Spain stopped for football, the roads of Andalucía opened up — and from the back of a turquoise Harley, life suddenly looked faster, funnier and far more beautiful.
By Michel Euesden
Spanish Hospitals: What Expats in Spain Should Really Know
A warm and witty look at Spanish hospitals, healthcare in Spain, family culture, hospital food, language barriers and why expats should look beyond the complaints.