COSTA BLANCA, ALICANTE PROVINCE: NEWS

Plastic bags, mini shampoos and wrapped fruit all set to vanish from Spanish shopsThe new EU packaging law lands in Spain this week, reshaping how shops sell everything from fruit to toiletries A sweeping new EU packaging law comes into force across Spain this Wednesday August 12 and it's set to change everything from the labels.. 14/08/2026

Buying a home in Spain with cash is becoming increasingly rare as prices push more buyers towards mortgagesThe proportion of cash purchases has fallen to a five-year low, with rising property prices eroding the savings advantage that once allowed many buyers to avoid borrowing altogether Something is shifting in Spain's property market. Cash purchases.. 14/08/2026

Benidorm's shops are struggling despite a busy tourist season, and traders say something needs to changeThe independent retailers' association has identified various reasons why spending is down this summer  Benidorm's hotels may be doing well this summer, but the same cannot be said for its shops. The Independent Commerce Association of Benidorm.. 14/08/2026

Valencian Community records 20 medical emergencies during solar eclipseMore than 500 people were treated across 14 autonomous communities in Spain The huge crowds that gathered across Spain to watch Wednesday's total solar eclipse led to more than 500 people receiving medical attention, although there were no major.. 14/08/2026

Diesel discount in Spain set to rise to 20 cents in SeptemberThe government is increasing the planned diesel discount after diesel prices across Spain jumped 15.7% in July There’s finally some good news for motorists as the government has just announced that drivers in Spain will get a bigger discount.. 14/08/2026

WATCH! Spain's total eclipse turns into a cloudy disappointment for thousands Thousands watched the skies only to see clouds roll in at the worst possible moment, but southern Spain gets another chance in August 2027   🌘 Murcia ha vivido un momento mágico con el eclipse solar. 🏰Desde las Fortalezas.. 13/08/2026

August 15 is a bank holiday across Spain: Check which supermarkets are openFind out which establishments will be closing this Saturday, the feast day of Our Lady of the Assumption and a national holiday in Spain If you need to do a supermarket run this weekend, you’d do well to check the opening hours before heading.. 13/08/2026

Very warm, a little unsettled but still very much summer: Alicante weekend weather forecast August 13-16Partly cloudy skies with afternoon storm risk inland, temperatures easing slightly and light coastal breezes through the weekend This week opened with Monday's storm warnings, in parts of the Alicante Province, before settling into a calmer, sunnier.. 13/08/2026

Spain is making it much easier to spot spam calls, starting this OctoberFrom Friday October 17, all commercial calls must use a new 400 prefix, making telephone scams instantly identifiable and easier to block If you're fed up with unsolicited calls from companies trying to sell you something, or worse, scammers pretending.. 12/08/2026

British woman dies after parasailing accident off Benidorm beachA sudden change in weather conditions and a snapped rope are believed to have caused the tragedy, which is now under Guardia Civil investigation A 66-year-old British woman has died following a parasailing accident off Levante Beach in Benidorm on Monday.. 12/08/2026

Where you live in Alicante province could determine how long you wait for an operationNew figures show nearly 30,000 patients on surgical waiting lists, with waits ranging from 44 days to nearly five months depending on which hospital you use If you need an operation through the public health system in Alicante province, the hospital closest.. 10/08/2026

Millions across Spain set to witness the country's first total solar eclipse in more than a centuryThe historic event will be followed by the Perseid meteor shower in Spain, making for an unforgettable evening Next Wednesday promises to be one of the most extraordinary evenings Spain has experienced in more than a century as a total solar eclipse.. 07/08/2026

EU brings in new AI rules to make chatbots and artificially generated content easier to spotBusinesses in Spain and the rest of the EU will have to be more open when customers are interacting with AI instead of a real person Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life, whether you're shopping online, searching the internet.. 07/08/2026

Alicante is investing over €2 million to make its forests more resilient to wildfiresAround 100 municipalities across the province will benefit from grants to strengthen fire prevention infrastructure and maintain access routes for emergency services With wildfires continuing to pose a serious threat across Spain this summer, the Alicante.. 07/08/2026

Orihuela Costa park among 22 children's play areas upgraded across the municipalityOrihuela City Council says dozens more children's parks are set to be renovated as part of its ongoing improvement programme   Families in Orihuela Costa have another refreshed place for children to enjoy after the latest round of playground.. 06/08/2026

Alicante tourism reaches post-pandemic high in JulyHotel occupancy climbed to 88.6% as international visitors continued to dominate the province's summer season Alicante's summer season is proving to be a strong one, with hotels and tourist accommodation across the province recording their best.. 06/08/2026

August 9-16 San Roque neighbourhood fiesta in TorreviejaOne of the Costa Blanca’s favourite festivals returns with paellas, carnival and eight days of celebrations One of Torrevieja's most popular summer fiestas is back, with eight days of live music, children's entertainment, great food.. 05/08/2026

New figures reveal the salary needed to buy a home across the Costa BlancaBenidorm is one of Spain's most expensive property markets, while Alicante city and Elche remain considerably more affordable Thinking of taking the plunge and buying a home in Alicante province? The amount you'll need to earn each month depends.. 05/08/2026

Benidorm family reveals why they left an urn of ashes in a supermarket lockerPolice eventually tracked down the owners, who said they'd deliberately left it there during home renovations The mystery surrounding the urn of ashes discovered in a supermarket locker in Benidorm has finally been solved and it turns out the.. 05/08/2026

WATCH: Spearfisher caught using harpoon gun in bathing area on Orihuela CostaOrihuela Local Police say the activity poses a serious risk to swimmers and carries fines of up to €760   A diver was caught red-handed by Orihuela Local Police spearfishing with a harpoon gun in a designated bathing area on Orihuela.. 04/08/2026