Category: Archive

Valencia News: EU Warnings, Abandoned Landmarks, Police Raids, and a Seafood Feast

Good morning! Here is your Thursday morning news roundup. Weekend highlights will be out on Friday morning.

Rising Tensions in Europe

The EU is urging citizens to prepare 72-hour survival kits for emergencies, citing risks from climate change and growing political tensions. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen Europe’s emergency response and defense capabilities, according to Euronews.
Read more

As the Trump administration in the U.S. threatens to withdraw NATO support, EU countries—including Spain — are working to bolster their defense. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez presented his defense plan, which received a lukewarm response from lawmakers, reports Reuters.
Read more

History and Heritage

Squatters have occupied a historic chalet in Rocafort once used by poet Antonio Machado, Levante reports. The municipality purchased the building years ago, but restoration efforts stalled, leaving it abandoned. After learning of the home’s historical significance, the occupants agreed to leave, according to Las Provincias.
Levante report | Las Provincias report

Meanwhile, residents of the Abastos neighborhood have voiced concerns over the neglected state of the historic Abastos Market Hall, citing structural damage and general deterioration.
Read more

For those practicing Spanish listening skills, Las Provincias features a podcast interview with José Miguel Martínez, the last fisherman of Benidorm. Amidst the high-rise tourist developments, his fishing boat is the only one still docked in Benidorm’s port.
Listen here

Crime and Corruption

Authorities have dismantled a drug trafficking and money laundering operation run by a matriarch in L’Horta Nord. The gang maintained a network of lookouts to evade law enforcement.
Read more

In an unusual case, police have uncovered an illegal gambling ring involving stolen prize pigeons. The operation, which netted over €50,000, has been shut down.
Read more

Changing City

The number of American citizens buying property in Valencia has surged by 40% in the past year, according to Levante.
Read more

Las Provincias has mapped out Valencia’s most and least expensive neighborhoods, with property prices ranging from €50,000 to €4 million.
See the map

As homelessness rises in the Turia park, police are investigating the death of a young man found inside an encampment in the old riverbed.
Read more

Food News

Mussel season has officially begun in Valencia’s port! Producers estimate that around 1,000 tons of these prized shellfish will be harvested this year. The season typically runs until August.
Read more

Meanwhile, Denia has hosted its annual red shrimp competition, where Michelin-starred chef Ana Lázaro won top honors for her creative dish featuring the prized local seafood.
Read more

That’s all for this Thursday! Check back tomorrow for the weekend highlights.

Valencia News: Fallas Fallout, Fireworks Gone Wrong, and Coffee with a Catch

Bon día! Here is your Monday news update for the week.

Taking Stock of Fallas

The town of Paiporta in L’Horta Sud marked the end of Fallas with an emotional Cremà ceremony, burning down their solidarity monument “Som” this weekend. Paiporta was among the hardest-hit areas during October’s devastating floods. Levante has more.

Meanwhile, a huge explosion near Calle Tomás de Montañana early Friday morning startled residents. A homemade explosive left a one-meter crater and injured a street cleaner. El País has the details. Police are investigating a group of foreign pyrotechnic enthusiasts who traveled to Valencia for Fallas to test illegal homemade explosives, which they showcased on social media. More from Levante.

Now that Fallas is over, the city is taking stock. Rain dampened attendance on some days, leading to a more “normal and civilized” celebration, according to Valencia Extra. However, the overcrowding on sunnier days highlighted concerns over the festival’s growing impact on the city. Levante explores this issue further.

Flood Recovery

The Generalitat has estimated the damage from October’s floods at nearly 18 billion euros—a staggering sum. El Español reports.

Recovery remains slow. More than 6,000 elevators in flood-affected areas are still out of service, leaving many elderly and vulnerable residents stranded in upper-floor apartments. More from El Español.

Changing City

  • Boom in Rural Fincas: Sales of rural properties in Valencia are surging as buyers look for second homes. Las Provincias reports.
  • Wild Boar Invasion: Rural homeowners face a growing challenge—wild boar populations have increased by over 200% in the last decade. More from Las Provincias.
  • Tourist Housing Overload: Key neighborhoods—including Campanar, El Botànic, and El Grau—have already surpassed the recommended limits for tourist housing. Valencia Plaza analyzes the impact.

New Coffee Trend?

A new café in Valencia has gone viral on social media for its unconventional pricing strategy: a regular coffee costs double unless you order it using a specific insult. El Español explains.

That’s all for this Monday! I’ll be back with another news roundup on Thursday. Have a great week!