ALICANTE NEWS

June 2026 was Spain's deadliest month for heat in recorded history, with more than 1,000 lives lostNew figures confirm 1,028 heat-related deaths last month, the worst June on record, as Aemet declares it the second hottest June since 1961 The figures published this week make uncomfortable reading, particularly for anyone who lived through last month.. 02/07/2026

Spain records its deadliest June for drownings since records beganWith 86 deaths in a single month and summer barely started, experts are urging families to take water safety far more seriously The image is a familiar one at this time of year across Spain: pools full of children, beaches packed by mid-morning, families.. 02/07/2026

July 3-12 Burger Mania, the burger championship, arrives in TorreviejaThe travelling food festival runs from 8pm every evening on Playa de los Náufragos One of Spain's most popular travelling food festivals is heading to Torrevieja this Friday, with Burger Mania setting up on Los Náufragos beach from July..

Spain's Black Flag beaches for 2026: The full list from Murcia to the Canary IslandsThe full list of Spain's most environmentally troubled beaches and coastal areas in 2026 The Mar Menor in 2019   Environmental group Ecologistas en Acción has published its annual beach report and as in previous years, 48 Black.. 02/07/2026

British drug mule, 79, heads straight back to the Costa Blanca after years in jailRoger Clarke, convicted of smuggling £1 million of cocaine from the Caribbean, has posted on social media that he is back in Alicante province Roger Clarke is 79 years old, has served time in Portuguese and British prisons, and has just turned up.. 01/07/2026

Valencian coast hit with six Black Flags despite record Blue Flag haul in 2026Alicante, Valencia and Castellón all feature in Ecologistas en Acción's dreaded annual report The Valencian Community has received a very disappointing six Black Flags in this year's annual report from Ecologistas en Acció.. 01/07/2026

Nearly a million migrants have applied to legalise their status in SpainThe country's biggest regularisation drive in two decades closes with applications far outstripping early estimates Spain's extraordinary regularisation process for undocumented migrants came to a close on Tuesday June 30, after two and a half months..

Spain slashes bus fares by 22% on dozens of national routesThe new 34-corridor network to serve 30 million passengers across 1,682 towns in Spain On the very day petrol and diesel prices are going up, the government has announced the welcome news that bus travel across Spain is set to get cheaper, greener.. 01/07/2026

Buying from Shein or Temu just got a little more expensive as the EU's new parcel tax kicks in tomorrowA €3 customs charge on small packages from outside the bloc came into force on Wednesday July 1, targeting the flood of cheap imports from China If you have ever ordered something in Spain or elsewhere, from Temu, Shein or AliExpress and marvelled.. 30/06/2026

Renfe strike today: 320 trains cancelled across Spain as railway workers walk outThe 24-hour action affects high-speed, long-distance, medium-distance and commuter services, with a second strike day already confirmed for July 15 If you're travelling by train in Spain today, check your ticket before you leave the house. The Railway.. 29/06/2026

AI is becoming Spain’s new trusted adviserFrom shopping and job hunting to investing and checking company claims, artificial intelligence is now influencing decisions for millions of people across Spain Artificial intelligence is no longer just a novelty in Spain. According to a new report by.. 26/06/2026

Spain makes LGBTQ+ conversion therapy a criminal offenceAnyone found carrying out the practices in Spain now faces up to two years in prison rather than a fine Anyone who subjects an LGBTQ+ person to so-called conversion practices in Spain now risks a prison sentence, after Congress approved changes to.. 26/06/2026

Spain now has more than 3,600 speed cameras and the number is still growingNearly 1,000 new devices have been added in five years, with average speed cameras seeing the biggest rise of all If you drive regularly in Spain, the chances are there are significantly more cameras watching you than there were even a year ago. New figures.. 26/06/2026

Ticks are spreading into Spanish cities and experts say vigilance, not panic, is the right responseClimate change and urban wildlife are bringing ticks closer to home than ever before, with two serious diseases now a genuine concern in parts of Spain If you think ticks are something you only need to worry about on a country walk, think again. Spain.. 25/06/2026

Alicante homeowners over 60 could claim up to €10,000 for home improvementsThe funding is available throughout the Valencian Community for accessibility improvements carried out during 2025 Thousands of older residents across Alicante and the wider Valencian Community could be eligible for grants of up to €10,000 to.. 25/06/2026

Space fans in Spain may be able to spot a giant asteroid passing Earth on SaturdayThe space rock will come within 2.56 million kilometres of Earth and should be visible from Spain with binoculars or a small telescope If you fancy a spot of stargazing this weekend you could be in for a treat, as a large asteroid is set to make a.. 25/06/2026

Spain's heatwave sends electricity prices soaring just as bills were already climbingPrices broke through €100 per megawatt-hour this week for the first time since March, with peak evening rates nearly doubling in just a few days If you have been reaching for the air conditioning remote more than usual this week, you are certainly.. 24/06/2026

Spain sets minimum scooter age at 15 and makes helmets compulsory nationwideThe long-awaited changes take effect from October 1, bringing new rules for scooter riders, cyclists and motorcyclists across Spain Electric scooter riders across Spain will soon face a new set of national rules after the Council of Ministers approved.. 24/06/2026

The Spanish town that woke up to temperatures below 10ºC in the middle of a heatwaveDespite the widespread heatwave that Spain is struggling through, this town has managed to become a true oasis of coolness Despite Spain being in the grip of its first major heatwave of the summer, one small town in Cuenca has been enjoying unusually.. 23/06/2026

Valencia Airport celebrates busiest-ever summer with 110 routes and new destinationsNew Scandinavian connections help strengthen Valencia's position as a leading Mediterranean gateway Valencia Airport is preparing for its busiest summer on record, with flights to more than 75 international cities and a growing list of new destinations.. 23/06/2026