Lifestyle in Spain

The Costa Tropical is home to some of Andalusia's most distinctive coastal landscapes, featuring dark pebble beaches, small coves nestled beneath cliffs and long urban stretches of sand.

From the air, it resembles a giant stone wave frozen beside the Mediterranean, its form tracing the curve of the coastline and creating a striking image within the urban landscape.This is not a sculpture, but the seafront promenade along Poniente Beach in Benidorm.

Halfway between Murcia and Almería lies a secluded cove bathed in crystal-clear waters, rich in marine life and framed by rugged cliffs. It is a unique place to relax in shallow waters and enjoy an unspoilt natural setting. Want to discover the secrets of its seabed in an accessible way?

Almería pairs dry Mediterranean weather, city conveniences and access to the Cabo de Gata coast with housing costs that remain below Spain’s larger coastal cities.What is living in Almeria like?

This bonkers festival in Valencia comprises truckloads of tomatoes and people willing to paint the town red. Literally.

The UK was Spain’s largest international tourism market in June 2026, while the Balearic Islands received the biggest share of overseas visitors during the month.The figures show a varied picture across Spain’s main visitor markets and destinations, with growth in several regions and source countrie

Travelling to Tenerife with your dog is becoming increasingly easy thanks to the beaches designated for canine access.

Spain received 9,7 million international tourists in June 2026, a 2.9% increase compared with the same month in 2025. This figure is on track to help break the record of nearly 97 million visitors in 2025.

A red day in Spain is the everyday name for a public holiday, usually printed in red on calendars. It can affect a viewing, school plans, deliveries, train timetables and the slightly heroic task of getting paperwork done.Spain does not operate on one single holiday calendar.

Spain’s gender pay gap in hourly earnings was substantially wider for part-time employees than for full-time staff in 2023, according to figures published by the National Statistics Institute, INE.The data also show that women were more concentrated in lower salary brackets.

High temperatures do not necessarily mean putting your hiking boots away until autumn. Across Spain, there are riverside forests, gorges, waterfalls and mountain lakes where cooler conditions make it possible to enjoy the outdoors even during the height of summer.

Near the town of Osuna in Seville lies Coto de las Canteras, a quarry that the Turdetani people began exploiting more than 2,000 years ago and which has now become the largest natural amphitheater in Spain after being restored in 1999 following centuries of neglect. Local sculptor Francisco Valdivia played a key role in shaping the landscape we see today. Between 2004 and 2006, he created a series of sculptures and reliefs modeled after Iberian works.

Spain has topped InterNations’ 2026 Quality of Life Index for the fifth consecutive year.

The 2026 Málaga Fair is just around the corner. The city is preparing for another edition of its August celebrations, featuring nine days of activities, including the Historical Parade, fireworks, fairground attractions and free concerts.

With the arrival of summer, beaches become an obsession for many travelers, topping the wish lists of those who dream of unwinding by the sea. To help identify these truly special spots, the international platform ‘The World’s 50 Best Beaches’ publishes an annual ranking of the 50 best beaches in the world. The 2026 edition once again brings together the world’s best beaches, including two Spanish ones: Cala Macarella in Menorca and Playa de Cofete in Fuerteventura.

Spain’s population stood at a record 49.8 million residents on 1 July 2026, after increasing by 104,178 people in the second quarter.The provisional figures from Spain’s National Statistics Institute, the INE, show that growth came from an increase in the foreign-born population, while the number of

Pedro Porro is enjoying the standout period of his career. The Tottenham full-back, a key figure in the Spanish national team’s set-up, played a decisive part in the 2026 World Cup semi-final against France, scoring one of the goals that secured Spain’s place in the final.

There is a stretch of northern Spain where the sea has carved arches into the cliffs, small harbours still organise the day, and green hills meet the shoreline.

When people think of camping, they often picture tents and caravans. However, some destinations have transformed the concept into a luxury holiday experience. One such example is La Ballena Alegre on the Costa Brava, recently named Spain’s best campsite for 2026 and the fourth best in Europe. Combining a beachfront location with designer accommodation, premium facilities and resort-style services, it proves how outdoor tourism can successfully combine nature, comfort and high-end hospitality.

Mallorca can be a brilliant place to settle into island life, particularly for people who want reliable sunshine, easy access to the sea and a proper year-round city in Palma de Mallorca. There is a sizeable international community, but day-to-day life still runs more smoothly with some Spanish or Catalan, especially beyond Palma and the resort areas. The big trade-off when living in Mallorca is housing: prices have climbed sharply, and summer traffic, seasonal crowds and limited long-term rentals can test even the most patient resident.

Black volcanic rock drops into clear Atlantic water, pine-scented paths lead towards cloud-covered ridges, and the coast is dotted with seawater pools rather than long rows of sun loungers.

Coastal developments built on sloping sites present a significant architectural challenge, requiring designers to decide not only how homes should sit within the terrain but also how they can be integrated into the surrounding landscape.

Following his goal in the World Cup final, Ferran Torres is currently one of the most talked-about figures in Spanish football, also due to the attention he generates off the pitch.

David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia is closely associated with the desert landscapes of Jordan, but Spain also played an important part in the 1962 film. Spanish locations were used to create Aqaba, Cairo, Damascus and other settings in T. E.

The province of Valencia will once again boast more than 30 Blue Flag beaches along its coastline in 2026. The Valencian coast combines well-established urban beaches with quieter stretches away from the main tourist centres.