Community
Stories from the Costa del Sol expat community
Culture
Michel Doing Spain Solo: Garlic, Missing Post and a Premature Christmas
What begins as a simple trip to the post office turns into a day of garlic-laden breakfast, missing bank cards, premature Christmas shopping and unexpected kindness. For Michel Euesden, it's another reminder of why Spain is home.
What's On
Visit Soportújar, the Village of the Witches
Hidden in Granada's Alpujarra mountains, Soportújar has transformed itself into Spain's Village of Witches. From broomsticks and haunted streets to its spectacular Night of the Witches celebration, here's what visitors can expect.
Culture
Growing Up in Spain: Why Moving Back to Britain Would Mean Leaving Home
My parents brought me to Spain when I was six. Now, raising three multilingual children, I understand just how much that decision gave me — and why I'd struggle to leave it behind.
Culture
Flying Cars? We Haven’t Mastered Indicators.
Flying cars are apparently the future, but Michel Euesden isn't convinced we're ready. From Costa del Sol roundabouts and missing indicators to Christmas kindness and remembering a much-loved friend, she asks whether we should focus a little more on the people around us.
Culture
Thirty Years in Spain. Too Spanish for England. Still Too English for Spain.
Thirty years in Spain. Too Spanish for England. Still too English for Spain. Benjamin George reflects on growing up on the Costa del Sol, finding his identity between two cultures and the question he still gets asked: “When are you going home?”
Culture
Working in Spain: Can You Live on €1,300 a Month?
Can you afford to work in Spain on €1,300 a month? Benjamin George explores Costa del Sol wages, rising rents, hospitality jobs and the cost of living.
Culture
Red Bull Light and Five Chips: The Year That Nearly Broke Me
Starting over after 60 wasn't on Michel Euesden's wish list for life in Spain. But in a year that nearly broke her, friendship, faith and five homemade chips helped her find her appetite for the future.
Culture
Been Around the World… Came Home a Marriage Referee!
Red Bull Light, two penthouses and the Englishwoman with the nails. After a whirlwind of travel, Spanish bureaucracy and unexpected marriage mediation, Michel Euesden discovers that life after separation can lead to some extraordinary new opportunities.
Culture
Sex Clubs & Swingers’ Clubs in Spain | Michel Does Spain Solo
Michel Euesden explores sex clubs and swingers' clubs in Spain, comparing attitudes to marriage, affairs and consent with her trademark humour.
Culture
Spain’s Housing Crisis: Where Was Your Heart? | Michel
Michel Euesden reflects on Maricarmen Abascal’s eviction, Spain’s housing crisis, loneliness and why home and community matter more than ever.
Culture
Estepona Says Farewell to American Rocker Danny Vaughn
After 12 years living in Estepona, American rock singer Danny Vaughn and his wife Melissa have relocated to the countryside near Vélez-Málaga. But there's little time to settle in, with Tyketto embarking on a European tour following the release of their latest album, Closer to the Sun.
Culture
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?
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
Living 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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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?
Culture
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?
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
Could Venezuela's Frozen Gold Help Earthquake Victims? The UK Dilemma Explained
As Venezuela struggles to recover from devastating earthquakes, renewed attention has turned to billions of dollars' worth of Venezuelan gold held by the Bank of England. Could those frozen assets help fund reconstruction, or will politics continue to stand in the way of humanitarian relief?
Culture
Could 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.
Food & Drink
Makai Beach Mijas Costa: Tibbi Aquila Does It Again
Makai Beach Mijas Costa
Culture
Wild Boar Wars in Mijas: When a Quiet Dog Walk Became the Costa del Sol Grand Prix
Michel wanted one quiet, drama-free evening with her Pomeranians. Then an enormous wild boar appeared—and the streets of Mijas became the Costa del Sol Grand Prix.
Culture
Michel Does Spain: One Englishwoman, a dark Málaga road and a very confused Guardia Civil officer.
Driving in Spain at night should have been a simple 37-minute journey home. Instead, Michel battled a Spanish hospital car park, a homicidal satnav and a Guardia Civil officer who accidentally became her personal escort through Málaga.
Good News
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.
Culture
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?
Culture
MICHEL DOES SPAIN: BRANDY FOR BREAKFAST, GIN BY THE BUCKET AND BUBBLES AT 3AM
Drinking Culture in Spain: Brandy for Breakfast and Gin by the Bucket
Culture
Tea and Coffee in Spain: The Tea Bag Spain Boiled Alive
Thirty years ago, Spain offered coffee three ways, tea almost no ways at all and brandy whenever anybody fancied it. Michel arrived in red lipstick, impossible heels and a cloud of Giorgio—and attempted to explain a proper British brew in her very best Spanglish.
Culture
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.
What's On
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.
Good News
Full 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.
Good News
Wi-Fi, Visas and Viva España: Rediscovering Real Life in Spain After Brexit and Lockdown
After COVID, Brexit, digital nomads and enough online coaches to fill a Marbella networking lunch, Spain reminds us that real life is still found in coffee, chaos, community — and a very patient María with a set of keys.
Culture
FLYING CARS, FLYING PIGS — AND STILL NO BLOODY WATER BILL
Life in Spain after thirty years together was never going to untangle itself overnight. But between Spanish bureaucracy, missing water bills and technology that refuses to recognise me, going solo in Mijas has become an adventure fuelled by Red Bull Light, custard creams and a determination to keep laughing.
Culture
Michel Doing Spain Solo: Garlic, Missing Post and a Premature Christmas
What begins as a simple trip to the post office turns into a day of garlic-laden breakfast, missing bank cards, premature Christmas shopping and unexpected kindness. For Michel Euesden, it's another reminder of why Spain is home.
What's On
Visit Soportújar, the Village of the Witches
Hidden in Granada's Alpujarra mountains, Soportújar has transformed itself into Spain's Village of Witches. From broomsticks and haunted streets to its spectacular Night of the Witches celebration, here's what visitors can expect.
Culture
Growing Up in Spain: Why Moving Back to Britain Would Mean Leaving Home
My parents brought me to Spain when I was six. Now, raising three multilingual children, I understand just how much that decision gave me — and why I'd struggle to leave it behind.
Culture
Flying Cars? We Haven’t Mastered Indicators.
Flying cars are apparently the future, but Michel Euesden isn't convinced we're ready. From Costa del Sol roundabouts and missing indicators to Christmas kindness and remembering a much-loved friend, she asks whether we should focus a little more on the people around us.
Culture
Thirty Years in Spain. Too Spanish for England. Still Too English for Spain.
Thirty years in Spain. Too Spanish for England. Still too English for Spain. Benjamin George reflects on growing up on the Costa del Sol, finding his identity between two cultures and the question he still gets asked: “When are you going home?”
Culture
Working in Spain: Can You Live on €1,300 a Month?
Can you afford to work in Spain on €1,300 a month? Benjamin George explores Costa del Sol wages, rising rents, hospitality jobs and the cost of living.
Culture
Red Bull Light and Five Chips: The Year That Nearly Broke Me
Starting over after 60 wasn't on Michel Euesden's wish list for life in Spain. But in a year that nearly broke her, friendship, faith and five homemade chips helped her find her appetite for the future.
Culture
Been Around the World… Came Home a Marriage Referee!
Red Bull Light, two penthouses and the Englishwoman with the nails. After a whirlwind of travel, Spanish bureaucracy and unexpected marriage mediation, Michel Euesden discovers that life after separation can lead to some extraordinary new opportunities.
Culture
Sex Clubs & Swingers’ Clubs in Spain | Michel Does Spain Solo
Michel Euesden explores sex clubs and swingers' clubs in Spain, comparing attitudes to marriage, affairs and consent with her trademark humour.
Culture
Spain’s Housing Crisis: Where Was Your Heart? | Michel
Michel Euesden reflects on Maricarmen Abascal’s eviction, Spain’s housing crisis, loneliness and why home and community matter more than ever.
Culture
Estepona Says Farewell to American Rocker Danny Vaughn
After 12 years living in Estepona, American rock singer Danny Vaughn and his wife Melissa have relocated to the countryside near Vélez-Málaga. But there's little time to settle in, with Tyketto embarking on a European tour following the release of their latest album, Closer to the Sun.
Culture
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?
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
Living 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.
Culture
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.
Culture
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?
Culture
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?
Culture
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.
Culture
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.
Culture
Could Venezuela's Frozen Gold Help Earthquake Victims? The UK Dilemma Explained
As Venezuela struggles to recover from devastating earthquakes, renewed attention has turned to billions of dollars' worth of Venezuelan gold held by the Bank of England. Could those frozen assets help fund reconstruction, or will politics continue to stand in the way of humanitarian relief?
Culture
Could 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.
Food & Drink
Makai Beach Mijas Costa: Tibbi Aquila Does It Again
Makai Beach Mijas Costa
Culture
Wild Boar Wars in Mijas: When a Quiet Dog Walk Became the Costa del Sol Grand Prix
Michel wanted one quiet, drama-free evening with her Pomeranians. Then an enormous wild boar appeared—and the streets of Mijas became the Costa del Sol Grand Prix.
Culture
Michel Does Spain: One Englishwoman, a dark Málaga road and a very confused Guardia Civil officer.
Driving in Spain at night should have been a simple 37-minute journey home. Instead, Michel battled a Spanish hospital car park, a homicidal satnav and a Guardia Civil officer who accidentally became her personal escort through Málaga.
Good News
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.
Culture
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?
Culture
MICHEL DOES SPAIN: BRANDY FOR BREAKFAST, GIN BY THE BUCKET AND BUBBLES AT 3AM
Drinking Culture in Spain: Brandy for Breakfast and Gin by the Bucket
Culture
Tea and Coffee in Spain: The Tea Bag Spain Boiled Alive
Thirty years ago, Spain offered coffee three ways, tea almost no ways at all and brandy whenever anybody fancied it. Michel arrived in red lipstick, impossible heels and a cloud of Giorgio—and attempted to explain a proper British brew in her very best Spanglish.
Culture
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.
What's On
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.
Good News
Full 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.
Good News
Wi-Fi, Visas and Viva España: Rediscovering Real Life in Spain After Brexit and Lockdown
After COVID, Brexit, digital nomads and enough online coaches to fill a Marbella networking lunch, Spain reminds us that real life is still found in coffee, chaos, community — and a very patient María with a set of keys.