Budding linguists warned to avoid using these phrases while on holiday in Spain
BEFORE setting off to a new destination, it can be helpful to learn some local phrases to use while abroad. Even during the winter season,
LIFE IN SPAIN: Christmas markets are everywhere once again – but what can their subtle differences teach us about Spanish history and culture, asks FIONA GOVAN
At the Christmas markets that pop up across Spain you’ll still find clues to long treasured traditions that are quintessentially Spanish.
Legendary American architect behind Bilbao’s iconic Guggenheim Museum dies aged 96: Here’s how to best enjoy his masterpiece
THE legendary architect who designed Bilbao’s iconic Guggenheim Museum has died aged 96 following a brief respiratory illness, his chief of staff confirmed on Friday.
Heavyweight fan: How Orson Welles swapped Beverly Hills for Ronda’s bullring
THE story of Ronda’s deep connection to Hollywood begins with a local legend: Cayetano Ordoñez (‘El Niño de la Palma’). Born into poverty, the gypsy
THIS WEEK IN SPAIN: Michael Coy has been diving into the Spanish archives again…
Here are FOUR historical byways which make the first week of December significant Hernán Cortés Though his achievements changed the course of world history, it’s
Gold coins among first treasures recovered from €15 billion Spanish galleon dubbed ‘richest shipwreck in history’
THE first treasures of an 18th-century Spanish galleon dubbed the ‘holy grail of shipwrecks’ have been brought to the surface, with over €15 billion of
ON THIS DAY: Spain permitted female nouns, two legendary singers were born – and a Spanish cinematic classic was released, writes MICHAEL COY
THE English language is wholly and entirely democratic. No-one tells English speakers how to use certain words or what we can and can’t ‘officially’ say.
Can AI pick the lucky numbers for Spain’s ‘El Gordo’ Christmas lottery? – Here’s what you need to know and 5 hot tips
WITH just weeks to go until the much-anticipated 2025 Christmas Lottery Draw, AI has entered the game, offering its predictions on the ‘luckiest’ numbers to
BREAKING: Spain boycotts next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after Israel allowed to compete
SPAIN will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest after Israel was allowed to compete. Earlier this year, Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE said
Shock as two nuns are arrested for flogging priceless works of art from their monastery in northern Spain
TWO former nuns have been arrested in northern Spain after priceless works of art from their rebel monastery were spotted on-sale in an antiques market.
‘Violent, racist, authoritarian’: Acclaimed British historian reminds Spain who Franco really was amid surge in popularity for the dictator
FIFTY years ago this week, Francisco Franco died and Spain’s transition to democracy finally began. But half a century on from his death, is the
Linking the opera Carmen to the Sevilla tobacco factory and a French author
We all have heard of Carmen, the sexy heroine of the opera set in Sevilla. But what’s her connection with nicotine? Michael Coy informs us.
LIFE IN SPAIN: The Deceiver of Seville, Mozart and the modern bullring
WHAT thread connects the Spanish theatre of the 17th century, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the modern bullring? Let’s start with the bullring. If you ever
Spanish Surges to 636 Million Speakers Worldwide – and “One in Three People” Will Speak it if Growth Continues
The number of Spanish speakers around the world has now reached 636 million, according to the newly published November 2025 annual report by Spain’s Instituto
‘Rosalia mania’: Spain’s biggest music star smashes records with ‘exquisite’ new album – with Pedro Sanchez and Catholic bishops among her biggest fans
AN 18-track amalgamation of flamenco, rumba and opera with lyrics in 14 different languages, featuring collaborations with music greats including Björk, Estrella Morente and even
Santiago Calatrava’s futuristic City of Arts and Sciencesin Valencia celebrates its 25th anniversary
VALENCIA’s futuristic City of Arts and Sciences is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Museo de les Ciencies – and it’s still one of Europe’s
MOMENTS IN SPANISH HISTORY: The Siege of Toledo
FOR 68 desperate days in the summer of 1936, around 1,500 people found themselves trapped inside Toledo’s ancient fortress, the Alcazar. How they held out
MOMENTS IN SPANISH HISTORY: The Battle of Trafalgar
IT was one of the most pivotal events in world history unfolded—a moment whose 220th anniversary has just passed. The Battle of Trafalgar, fought between
Madrid’s regional government hands controversial director Woody Allen €1.5 million for new film – but with strings attached
MADRID’S regional government has agreed to invest €1.5 million of taxpayer money into an upcoming film directed by Woody Allen – but the new flick
El Gordo could get even fatter: Ticket sellers for Spain’s Christmas lottery urge government to up prize in line with inflation
SPAIN’S annual Christmas lottery could get even fatter after ticket sellers for El Gordo called on the government to increase the draw’s top prize in
BY DESIGN: From Mallorca’s brutalist concrete bunker to Venice’s frescoed masterpiece, where buying your groceries feels more like visiting an art gallery
THINK all supermarkets look the same? Think again. Across the globe, a handful of architects are turning the humble weekly shop into something extraordinary –
LIFE IN SPAIN: The Frank Sinatra incident in Malaga
ON September 19, 1964, Malaga police slapped Frank Sinatra with a 25,000 peseta fine – around $175 – after the singer sparked a barroom brawl.
The curious history of Halloween in Spain: How today’s traditions come from ancient Celtic rituals
DID you know the curious history of spooky Spain? Learn all about the origins of Halloween’s Celtic origins. Though most souls associate Halloween with glowing
Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia becomes world’s tallest ever church
BARCELONA’S iconic Sagrada Familia has officially become the world’s tallest ever church – almost a century since the death of its master architect. Construction workers
Barcelona to honour legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury with a statue
FREDDIE Mercury, the flamboyant Queen frontman regarded as one of the greatest singers of all time, will be honoured with a statue in Barcelona, the
Swipe Fatigue: Why Spain is falling out of love with dating apps
SWIPE left is slowly being replaced by “dating app fatigue” as the new buzzword around online dating in Spain, according to recent media reports. Apps