Trash city: Why Madrid needs to take a stand against plastic
British journalist Charles Graham-Dixon looks at the ingrained use of this so-called ‘wonder’ material in the Spanish capital, from the supermarket to the local ‘frutería’
Why an American photographer is fighting for Madrid’s Romani community
Shocked by the level of racism against Gypsies in Spain, Michael Damanti has made it his mission to show that they are not “criminals” but people with names, stories and families
Eco-friendly Barcelona: Trend or truth?
This week on our Trans-Iberian blog, May Ponzo explores the Gràcia neighborhood to see whether locals are genuinely environmentally conscious, or whether new habits are just an extension of a health fad
Why I’m joining the climate protests, and you should too
James Bryce, a Briton living in Spain, may not be an environmental “saint” – he is not a vegetarian, he owns a car, and he flies from time to time. But regular folks like him still can and must do their part to pressure governments into taking urgent action, he argues on our TransIberian blog
Why staying healthy in Barcelona is much easier than you think
Newcomer May Ponzo has been pleasantly surprised to find that there is a booming fitness and health culture in the Catalan capital, with Pilates studios and vegan options on nearly every corner
Could this be the last original craftsman of the Toledo sword?
For centuries, blacksmiths have been making the special blade but today the art has all but disappeared, and only a few remaining artisans, such as Mariano Zamorano, are keeping the tradition alive
How to use English to sound more Spanish
What may have started as a tongue-in-cheek joke among Spaniards has now infected the language: Anglicisms are everywhere. ¡Me da el feeling que va a ser todo muy crazy, bro!
The cycling paradise I found in Madrid
Since moving to Spain, British journalist Charles Graham-Dixon has been pleasantly surprised by the region’s routes, which are frequented by amateurs and professionals alike
How an American’s love story captivated a small Spanish village
Hilary left behind her life in the US to be with her partner in Souto de Mogos, a town with just 20 people, all of whom have supported her through great tragedy
“When I say I left home at 18 the Spanish look at me as if to say, What was your problem?!”
As part of our series of interviews with people who have made their lives in Spain, Abi Clark meets Andy Mackay, the director of the British Council’s operations in Spain and Portugal
Why I’m glad I left London for Madrid
British journalist Charles Graham-Dixon says the sense of community, vibrant cafe culture and feeling of safety are what make the Spanish capital so special
“Language is key, but in the big cities there are jobs that you can do without Spanish”
In the first in a new series of interviews with people who have made their lives in Spain, Abi Clark speaks to Alastair Binns, a 42-year-old Briton who moved to Andalusia in 2007 and now works for a major credit card company in Madrid
All change! How to reinvent yourself in your 50s
While everyone is faced with multiple adjustments in middle-age, expatriates have the extra challenge of seeing their children return “home”
Why I decided to get married in Gibraltar
Australian journalist Melissa Kitson has no ties to the UK, but her and her Spanish partner opted to follow in the footsteps of John Lennon and head to “The Rock” to tie the knot
I’m British and living in Spain – how can I prepare for Brexit?
Madrid-based lawyer Margaret Hauschild Rey, who specializes in citizenship and civil law, offers advice for Britons ahead of the UK’s exit from the European Union
Why I fell in love with Salamanca
Erasmus student John Clarke recounts how the city and its 800-year-old university captured his heart
What you need to know about giving birth (and keeping it natural) in Madrid
What is available from one hospital to another varies greatly, so check your options early
“I think you need therapy to help you escape turning into your parents”
Madrid-based writer Alice Fitzgerald explores the impact of warped inter-generational relationships in her debut novel, ‘Her Mother’s Daughter’
12 classic songs guaranteed to get any Spanish house party moving
There’s more to understanding a country than just learning the language, writes Christy Romer, in this indispensable guide to finding the right floor-filler
The friends I’ve lost since moving abroad
Australian student and journalist Eden Gillespie has a lament that may sound familiar to those who, like her, have swapped countries: where have all my old friendships gone?
A true tale that’s stranger than fiction
In his book ‘The Impostor’ Spanish writer Javier Cercas explores the life of Enric Marco, who claimed to be a concentration camp survivor but who was actually weaving a web of lies
Alhambra Nievas: The female referee proving rugby is not just a man’s game
The Spaniard is blazing a trail for women in the sport, becoming the first woman to be the main ref in an international men’s rugby test match
Why ‘The Sunday Times’ guide to ‘How to be Spanish’ missed the mark
An article written by the paper’s chief travel writer has raised the ire of Spaniards online, but left English Edition editor Simon Hunter somewhat conflicted
Are Alcoy’s black Christmas pages racist?
Critics say the tradition mocks black people while City Hall argues no harm is intended
The United States vs Spain: a graduate’s dilemma
EL PAÍS English Edition summer intern Henry Hahn reflects on his time abroad and the differences between interning in Spain and the US
Blending tradition and innovation
Spain produces half of the world’s olive oil, but it’s not all created on an industrial scale. Julie Pybus meets some ambitious small-scale farmers in southern Catalonia who are taking an entrepreneurial approach
Why is Catalonia the Spanish region pressing hardest for independence?
A promised referendum on the future of the ‘comunidad’ is deepening tensions with Madrid