News and views for the area ‘South of Granada’ including Lecrin, Alpujarra, Costa Tropical, etc.
Summer ‘furnace’ is finally over – enjoy September in La Alpujarra
Jo Chipchase (aka “Calamity Jo”) has had an “average” summer this year She can’t wait for September in La Alpujarra, …
Órgiva’s “loco” chilli eating contest ends summer with a bang and whimper
THE ALPUJARRAN town of Órgiva, on Saturday 30 August, hosted the 11th run of it’s ‘loco’ and ‘picante’ annual event …
Will EU energy rules make your property unsellable by 2030?
Mathew Wood from Hola Properties, headquartered in Lanjarón, explains what incoming EU energy rules mean for buyers and sellers… IT’S …
Planeta Bass Festival takes over Granada’s Los Beremejales 19-20 Sept
The two-day “inaugural run” of the new Planeta Bass Festival will bring a range of bass music to Camping Los …
Dog Days: how to survive August in Spain
THE “dog days” of August in Spain (associated with the ‘Dog Star’, Sirius) are upon us – with soaring temperatures …
Wildfire watch: forest fires affect La Alpujarra (and Tarifa)
WITH PARTS of Spain under yellow AEMET weather warnings for high temperatures, and people (and ‘campos’) parching in the August …
Granada and Costa Tropical Property market update August 2025
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties – headquartered in Lanjaron – gives the lowdown on what’s happening in the Granada and …
Summer balls: Canal Sur airs the game of pelota in Cáñar
THE MUNICIPAL plaza of the charming ‘Villa de Cáñar’ – yesterday attracted a film crew from Andaucia’s public broadcaster, Canal …
Spain’s Costa Tropical property market report – July 2025
Our resident real estate expert – Mathew of Hola Properties, headquarterd in Lanjarón – on the latest Costa Tropical property …
Did the earth move, darling? Alpujarra residents barely notice recent earthquake while in bed
JUST WHEN old guys in village bar would be enjoying their first ‘sol y sombra’, at 7:13 a.m. on Sunday, …
Shakes on a plane: is there a media agenda re air disasters?
IF there’s anything the British tabloids enjoy when they don’t have a Royal scandal or a celebrity downfall to report, …
Holiday rentals in Spain: what new government rules mean for owners
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties – headquartered in Lanjarón – explains why it is vital for property owners to comply …
Calamity Jo’s summer Spanish fiesta survival kit
NOW that we no longer have to live through the Glastonbury Weekend – from over 2,000 miles away, in Andalucia …
Costa Tropical property market report – June 2025
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties – headquartered in Lanjaron – gives the latest update about the increasingly attractive Costa Tropical …
Concerns over summer ‘urgencias’ heathcare in La Alpujarra
THE long-awaited “Hospital for La Alpujarra” – a project requiring input by the Junta de Andalucia – seems to be …
Review: Highs and Lows of San Juan in Lanjarón 2025
By Jo Chipchase – ex Lanjarón resident, 50-plus ‘fiestera’, and horse rider…. MY FAMILY lived in Lanjarón for over a decade, …
Review of Corpus Granada 2025
THE CORPUS CHRISTI festivities are over 500 years old…. and that’s how old some revellers of Granada proabaly feel after …
Emission impossible – why the Granada ZBE (LEZ) is doomed to fail
WE’VE BEEN here before, haven’t we? For example, two previous examples of “doomed to fail” Spanish law implementations spring to …
Camping Órgiva – family-friendly oasis in La Alpujarra 2025
IF YOU’RE looking to relax in a beautiful Alpujarran campsite with reasonable prices, a fresh swimming pool (the first to …
ICO scheme mortgages in Spain: a seller opportunity in 2025
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties – heaquarterd in Lanjarón – explains the benefits of ICO scheme mortgages, backed by the …
In rural Spain, are gender roles like ‘Alpha Males’?
Jo Chipchase draws on personal observation to explore gender roles in rural Spain… WHEN British women move to rural Spain, …
Avoid unwanted Ryanair cabin bag fines this summer
RECENTLY, passengers flying from to or from Málaga Airport are reporting problems with the new Ryanair cabin bag sizers, which …
Spain horoscope for Gemini New Moon
Astrologer, Kim La Rue, explains the impact of the Gemini New Moon on your alternative Spain horoscope… THE GEMINI New …
The perennial problem of lost dogs in La Alpujarra
Jo Chipchase explores the problem of lost dogs (or stolen) that recurs annually, with no obvious solution, upsetting many owners …
Tourist licences in Andalusia are not transferring when a property changes ownership
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties – heaquartered in Lanjarón – explains the situation with tourist licenses in our area… THE …
Property market in Granada & Costa Tropical – update for May 2025
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties, headquartered in Lanjarón, reveals the latest about the property market in Granada region….. As we …
Alternative Spain horoscopes for Scorpio Full Moon
Resident astrologer, Kim La Rue, explains Sun and Rising Sign Spain Horoscopes using Whole Sign Houses THE potent Scorpio Full …
IN PICS: Rustic Festival in Lanjarón – second edition, 9-11 May, 2025
THE RUSTIC FESTIVAL in Lanjarón took place over the weekend of 9 to 11 March. Now in its second year, …
Granada’s rough diamond gets a polish… but is Órgiva being gentrified?
Jason Heppenstall – original founder of The Olive Press, back in 2006 – revisits Órgiva and reports on its major …
IN PICS: Cruces de Mayo in La Alpujarra 2-4 May
SPRING always sees colourful religious spectacles in Spain. After ‘Cristo’ and the week of Semana Santa, (April), there’s more! The …
Spain’s blackout of electricity and communications – what can we learn from it?
MY INTRODUCTION to the major blackout affecting Spain, Portugal, and parts of France was a low-key one. It was the …
IN PICS: the abstract nature photography – focusing on flora – of Letyza Luna, from Granada
Letyza Luna, photographer and fine artist from Granada, produces a range of fresh and vibrant abstract nature photography works, edited …
Selling your cortijo in Órgiva or La Alpujarra? How to avoid scaring buyers with simple steps…
Mathew Wood from Hola Properties – headquartered in Lanjarón – gives his top tips on preparing your rural ‘cortijo’ for …
IN PICS: Órgiva in La Alpujarra hosts the 28th ‘Hecho en la Alpujarra’ artisan fair to celebrate local craft, food, and culture
ÓRGIVA is hosting one of its main spring events, coinciding with Semana Santa (Holy Week). The market town, ‘Capital of …
IN PICS: The celebration of Domingo de Ramos in Órgiva, La Alpujarra, starts the Semana Santa week with palm fronds, flowers, and blessings
WHETHER or not you are religious – or Catholic – the spectacle of (Palm Sunday) Domingo de Ramos in Órgiva, …
Full Moon in Libra – April 13, 2025: the Healing Power of Harmony, horoscopes Spain
The latest on the Zodiac forecast from our resident astrologer, Kim La Rue… check out your horoscopes Spain! THIS Full …
Property market report Granada and Costa Tropical – April 2025
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties – headquartered in Lanjarón – gives the latest lowdown on market trends. These include tourist …
REVIEW: The historic Cristo in Órgiva exploded into action with constant fireworks, some rain, and a few sore heads!
THE ‘Festividad del Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración’ (Cristo for short) in Órgiva – occuring 10 days before Semana Santa …
Are the dreaded okupas in Spain facing the end of the line?
Mathew Wood from Hola Properites – headquartered in Lanjarón – explains how new laws make life easier for property owners …
What you need to know about Capital Gains Tax in Spain when selling property in Andalucia during 2025
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties, headquartered in Lanjarón – explains the latest on Capital Gains Tax in Spain. SELLING a …
The Solar Eclipse in Aries (9°) – a cosmic rite of passage – horoscopes Spain
Our resident astrologer, Kim la Rue, divulges what the lastest cosmic alignment means for our lives… keep abreast of horoscopes …
SUCCESS STORIES: Sustainable street wear business from Granada – Zen Riders Club – goes viral and international after recent launch, with mother and daughter duo at the helm
STARTING a new clothing brand is no easy feat. Despite the challenges of capturing customers in a market saturated by …
OPINION: The EU survival kit advice on stockpiling 72 hours worth of supplies would probably cause a shortage of loo roll (if taken seriously)
WE’VE BEEN here before, haven’t we? Before the advce about the EU survival kit! Anyone who remembers the beginning of …
Soportújar: the village that created a ‘witchy theme park’ is now the most Googled destination in La Alpujarra of Spain’s Granada
THE white village of Soportújar, in Granada region, has made itself famous for becoming the Alpujarra’s favourite ‘theme park’ based …
Drivers are facing misery during 2025 – with more motoring laws in Spain, “express multas”, and a lowering of drink drive limits that overly target women
RECENTLY, Spain has become more complex and expensive for motorists. This year, various initiatives will make our life more difficult …
Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Virgo on March 14 – a practical reset for La Alpujarras’ wild souls – horoscopes Spain
Our resident astrologer, Kim la Rue, tells us all about the Pisces New Moon…. and keeps you informed about horoscopes …
Market statistics for property in Granada Spain and Costa Tropical – March 2025
Mathew Wood from Hola Properties – headquartered in Lanjarón – divulges the latest statistics for property in Granada Spain. The …
Storm Jana fills Malaga’s reservoirs and Granada’s ski slopes
THE second week of March has seen “the heavens open”, drenching southern Spain with much-needed ‘agua’. As with previous storm …
Market update for property in Granada Spain and Costa Tropical, March 2025 – an upsurge in investment, prices, and US buyers
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties, based in Lanjarón, divulges the latest trends in the local property market… THE property market …
IN PICS: Día de Andalucía weekend and carnaval in Cáñar and Órgiva
ANDALUCES and Andalucas are traditionally proud of their autonomous community, and the long weekend of 28 February was used to …
