spain

Jaume Guardeno sustained serious injuries after collision with a car at the end of a Volta a Catalunya cycling race.

Young Spanish rider Jaume Guardeno remains in a critical condition in hospital two weeks after a crash while training.

“Jaume continues his fight in the intensive care unit of Tauli Hospital in Sabadell, where he’s been since March 31, when he suffered an accident while training,” the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team said in a statement on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old Guardeno sustained serious injuries when he collided with a vehicle, reportedly head injuries, after his bicycle struck a rock, days after he finished 29th in the Volta a Catalunya race.

Guardeno finished 14th in the Spanish Vuelta last year, and Caja Rural-Seguros RGA is due to make its Tour de France debut this year.

“His condition remains critical, although stable within the seriousness of his condition. He is under constant monitoring and is scheduled to undergo further procedures in the coming days to aid his recovery,” the team added.

Cycling is enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to young riders Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard, but dangers remain. Last month, Olympic champion Tom Pidcock pulled out of the Volta a Catalunya after crashing down a ravine, and Italian cyclist Debora Silvestri was hospitalised after crashing during the women’s Milan-San Remo one-day classic.

A tourist who recently travelled to Tenerife shared how she went on holiday to catch a tan, but ended up coming home with something totally different instead. Vicky Walton said the holiday was like nothing she expected

A Tenerife tourist recently ventured on holiday in a bid to catch a tan, but an unlikely issue ended up hindering her plan. Vicky Walton recently visited the popular holiday spot in the Canary Islands, but was left floored when she arrived at the destination.

Now is the time of year when lots of people are jetting off abroad, with travel season officially being in full swing; however, Vicky’s trip didn’t turn out quite as she expected. She jetted off to Tenerife for some time in the sun in hope of catching a tan, but she ended up coming home with something very different.

It’s not the first issue of its kind to be brought up lately either. Just weeks ago, some holidaymakers admitted they’d booked early flights home due to an unexpected problem.

Sharing footage of her trip on TikTok, she said: “Tenerife. Came for the sun. Leaving with the clouds.” In the caption, Vicky added: “Won’t be bringing the sun back home with me!”

The footage shows just how cloudy it was on the island, and she implied it was rather cold too. Other people admitted they’d experienced similar issues.

One said: “I was there yesterday. I’m sick of Tenerife and the weather. Five times I’ve been here – never had a full week of nice weather. Never coming back!”

Another added: “Right now the whole island is like this, with a storm alert. We have spent the coldest winter of our lives. We have had intermittent storms for two months.”

A third replied: “Me too. Really cold and cloudy yesterday.” Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “I had to go back to my room and get my hot water bottle out.”

Someone else noted: “Weather’s s***. Been here twice in two months and it’s been the worst. Won’t be back for a long time.”

Not everyone had bad experiences though. Other tourists reported witnessing better weather during their visits.

One said: “Very warm here today.” Another replied: “Thermometer said 32° at 2pm. It’s been beautiful today.”

A different person also added: “Came home on Thursday after a full week of sun.” It seems people have had very different holidays.

What’s been happening?

Tenerife is known for offering year-round warm weather, which is perhaps why tourists have been surprised lately. The destination is often referred to as the “island of eternal spring.”

Temperatures average 18°C to 21°C in winter and 24°C to 28°C in summer, with the south coast being warmer and drier than the north. August is usually the hottest month of the year, with temperatures generally reaching up to 29°C.

However, over the past few weeks, the island has been hit by storms, wind and rain. Back in March, the island was struck by Storm Therese, which brought unusually low temperatures, bleak conditions, cancelled flights and even snow warnings in some areas.

Various tourists have reported the weather has been more unsettled this year. However, some areas have been more impacted than others.

Natasha Cochrane De La Rosa, 26, was born in London but has been left stranded in Spain after new UK border rules for dual nationals meant she was denied boarding on a flight back home

A British-born woman has been left stranded in Spain after falling foul of new UK border regulations that resulted in her being refused re-entry to the country.

Natasha Cochrane De La Rosa was barred from boarding a return flight from Amsterdam to Luton after spending a short holiday there with friends.

On her scheduled day of departure on April 6, the-26-year-old successfully passed through check-in, security and passport control, only to be turned away at the gate, she claimed.

The Home Office introduced updated regulations on February 25 stating that dual nationals can no longer enter the UK solely using a foreign passport.

They must now produce either a British or Irish passport or hold a digital certificate of entitlement.

Natasha was born and brought up in Islington, North London, and has a British father and Spanish mother.

As her parents were unmarried at the time of her birth, her father was unable to automatically pass on his citizenship, something Natasha says has placed her in a ‘grey area’, reports the Manchester Evening News.

She says that in order to return home, she must either pay £589 for a digital certificate of entitlement or apply for a British passport.

To do so, she explained she must ‘prove’ her mother held free movement rights across the EU at the time of her birth – documentation she says she never received.

Natasha, a client success manager who now lives in Haringey, North London, said: “I was born in Islington, I have paid taxes, I have voted. I am a dual national I do have British nationality but the government are saying none of that I have lived for 26 years matters anymore.”

Natasha is currently staying in Spain with a family friend, having booked a flight from Amsterdam to Seville after being unable to return to London.

“Luckily I am privileged enough to have a haven essentially but if I didn’t have any ties to my country, didn’t speak the language or have anywhere to stay I would have been left homeless in the Netherlands”, she said.

“I feel the government have failed and they have a responsibility to dual nationals and the population of the UK that such dramatic and important law changes are effectively communicated.

“People are commenting on my social media posts saying they would be in the same position as me if they had not come across my story. While I do take responsibility for not having checked, why would I check something that for 26 years of my life I’ve never had to do.

“The system is poorly designed and offers no support or understanding for citizens like myself who do not hit the check box but are still a British citizen.”

Natasha originally departed from Luton Airport on April 2, spending several days in Amsterdam on a holiday with friends.

On her scheduled return on April 6, she claims she was able to check in, pass through security and passport control and reached the gate of her homeward flight before being refused boarding.

She added: “They [the airline] called immigration on the phone basically were saying these new laws had come in. I was showing my birth certificate, my national insurance, my P45, my dad’s birth certificate and was still denied boarding as I had not got the right documentation.”

As her parents were unmarried at the time of her birth in 1999, Natasha’s father was unable to automatically pass on his citizenship.

She now faces two options: applying for a passport, which she fears could be rejected — as she claims there is no documentation confirming her mother held free movement rights — or paying in excess of £500 for a digital certificate of entitlement.

She added: “There was not documentation, not to my mother or anyone with free movement rights in the EU given to them by the government. How do we prove that now?

“To prove it we’re having to find HMRC documents or find anything that proves she was here legally. It was 26 and a bit years ago so it’s been a nightmare finding the documents.”

Natasha also revealed that following Brexit in 2021, her mother applied for settlement papers, as did her younger sister who was born in Spain, both of which were approved.

However, she claims she was informed she ‘didn’t qualify’ as she was already a British citizen. She added that she is currently unable to apply for the digital certificate of entitlement, as she still lacks the necessary documents from her mother – and has been advised the process could take a minimum of three to six months, or potentially up to a year, to resolve.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Since 25 February 2026, all dual British citizens need to present either a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement when travelling to the UK. To prove citizenship and enter the UK legally, individuals can apply for a British passport or Certificate of Entitlement from abroad.

“Public information advising dual nationals to carry the correct documentation has been available since October 2024 and a substantive communications campaign about the introduction of ETA has been running since 2023. This requirement applies to all British citizens regardless of other nationality and is the same approach taken by other countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia.”

Jordan and Ray Bath took a risk by leaving behind their lives in Basildon, Essex, to start again in Majorca, Spain, where their children, six and four, are adapting to a completley new culture

A couple who swapped Essex for Majorca say they won’t be returning after noticing big change to their family. Jordan and Ray Bath lived in England for their entire lives until they sold their house and business and moved their young children, aged six and four, to the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands.

They have now been residing in the family-friendly seaside town of Pollensa for 10 weeks and have documented their journey on YouTube.

Their lifestyles are now radically different to back home in Basildon, Essex — and they spoke exclusively to us about how they were settling in.

Ray, 37, told us: “It has been nearly 11 weeks now and we have not missed anything about the UK. We are flying back to participate in the London Marathon but it is only a five-day trip and after that we don’t know when we will be back in the UK again.”

Jordan, 32, meanwhile added: “We are very content, very happy, and it is like, ‘Why didn’t we do this sooner?’ I’m so glad we did the jump when we did. We hope we can give our kids the quality of life that we are striving for.”

Why Majorca

Jordan has been holidaying in Majorca since her childhood before she started going with Ray when they met 14 years ago.

They fell in love with it and as for why they moved there, which has long been a dream, Ray said: “I would say personally, I have always wrestled with the idea of retiring and then moving into the sunset to the beach. But actually, the biggest struggle for me was, why do I have to wait until I am 65? Why can’t we do it now? Why can’t we do it while I’ve got the energy?”

Jordan also explained that the sad death of Ray’s dad made them realise how short life actually was, and that the perfect time might never come.

And giving further insight into why they relocated so far from home, she added: “We moved here for a better quality of life, it’s not a tax benefit, not a way of us earning more money.

“We lived in Essex, which is such a rat race. I cannot emphasise enough how I am still trying to get used to it myself. But it is a slower pace of life, the children are the priority, like our children go into school and the teachers hug them and kiss them good morning.”

Agreeing, Ray replied: “Life just feels less heavy, doesn’t it?”

Jordan and Ray have been personal trainers for 15 years and they now offer one to one coaching experiences through their online Viva Endure business.

One of the biggest challenges of living in Majorca was the “obscene” cost of renting or buying properties. However, Ray said that it was also an opportunity for them to attract clientele with potentially bigger budgets.

Huge lifestyle benefit

And while working online has allowed them to move abroad, they said their day-to-day lives now look totally different.

They said they are still in the transition and sometimes have “pinch ourselves moments” where they realise it is not just a holiday and they actually live on the gloriously sunny island with stunning beaches.

They are based in the Old Town where everything is within walking distance from their home — including where their children go to school, the kids’ sports clubs and the supermarket.

The family rent a spacious four-bedroom townhouse, which has two balconies and four bathrooms, in Puerto Pollensa.

As for how the kids were adapting, Jordan said: “They are absolutely loving it. My mum and dad came out here in Easter and said do they want to come back to the UK and they were like ‘no!’”

Giving further insight into how active their lifestyles were now, Ray added: “In the UK we always struggled to get them out on their bikes. It was just dark, dull, grey and we lived too far to the park and it just wasn’t conducive to getting out on their bikes.

“Maybe I am just making excuses, but here, we chucked them both on their bikes and just rode, and within three days we were riding to and from school with them, the four of us, and it was amazing and now we ride our bikes to school every day.”

They also explained that kids tended to stay younger for longer in Majorca, where active play was encouraged, as opposed to staying in and being on devices scrolling TikTok and YouTube.

Asked for the biggest contrast to the UK, Ray said: “It is very simple for me. The lifestyle out here forces you to be more present. It forces you to be present and slow down.”

On a separate point, he said their last monthly electricity bill in the UK cost £272, compared to in Majorca where they just paid €150 (approximately £131).

Challenges

As well as the high cost of property as previously mentioned, the most obvious challenge has been settling into an island where there are two official languages, Spanish and Catalan.

Jordan and Ray have been having Spanish classes twice a week whereas their children are now in a state school so they can be immersed into the dialect.

Their kids are learning to speak the Majorcan dialect of Catalan while also picking up Spanish from their classmates.

Schools also operate differently, because rather than ending after 3pm, classes finish at 1pm, meaning Jordan and Ray have a smaller window to complete their own work.

And giving an insight, Jordan said: “The biggest challenge for me is making sure our kids, especially our eldest who is six, has settled into school.

“She is such a confident little girl and in the UK she was really confident and the first to put her hands up and friends with everyone so I suppose she has gone from like a big fish in a small pond to the smallest fish in the biggest pond where there is a language barrier.

“I know that this transition will be hard at first and she won’t remember it in years to come but it has only been 10 weeks and it has been so much more smoother now. We have been to kids parties, she does tennis, she does football after school and she has got a great little friendship group.”

She added: “It is just getting used to a slightly different routine. The days are just longer, in the UK the kids used to go to bed around 7pm but out there they go to bed at like 8.30pm. It is just because of that culture which is amazing but it is getting used to it.”

Jordan said children come alive at night time and that it was common to see them out on scooters and bikes in the evening where they also dance around the square.

She said the town was family oriented and that while the pace was slower to Essex, it was a smaller bubble full of love, especially for little ones.

The couple are now on a three-year visa, which they can then renew for a further two years before applying for full-time residency after five years.

And asked how long they will stay out in Spain, Ray concluded: “I can’t see any reason why I personally would want to return to the UK — and Jordan is shaking her head so she is the same.

“So how long term is it? Forever.”

The first UCLA player off the WNBA draft board Monday night was Lauren Betts, who went No. 4 overall to the Washington Mystics.

Betts’ selection touched off a lengthy Bruins celebration in New York, with UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez selected No. 5 by the Chicago Sky and UCLA guard Kiki Rice selected No. 6 by expansion team Toronto Tempo.

After a brief break, UCLA forward Angela Dugalic was next in line. She was selected with the No. 9 pick by the Washington Mystics, where she will join Betts.

It is the second time the same college had four players selected in the first round. The last time was in 2002 when UConn had four first-round draft picks.

Betts averaged 17.1 points per game, 8.8 rebounds and shot 58.2% from the field as a senior in the Bruins’ national championship run. She was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player, was an AP All-American First Team and Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

“I play with joy,” Betts said on ESPN after she was drafted. “This season has been so joyful. … You can see all the positivity that I play with.”

UCLA center Lauren Betts poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected No. 4 by the Washington Mystics Monday.

(Pamela Smith / Associated Press)

She also joined her former Stanford teammate and USC rival Kiki Iriafen, who was a first-round pick last year.

“It’s been amazing, I’ve grown so much, my confidence, I’ve owned who I am as a player and a person,” Betts said.

Jaquez spent all four seasons with UCLA and was one of the most improved players in the nation en route to helping the Bruins win a national title. She averaged 13.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds and shot 53.9% from the field and 39% from three-point range.

“I’m so excited to be here, I think having these dreams of going to UCLA and going to the WNBA and to achieve them not only by myself, but with my teammates means everything,” she told ESPN.

UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected No. 5 by the Chicago Sky on Monday.

(Pamela Smith / Associated Press)

She was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team and was an All-Big Ten second team selection.

“Going into every game and doing what the team needs,” she said about how she wanted to contribute to Chicago. “I’m going into training camp ready to learn, being a sponge and being myself and working hard.”

Rice played four seasons for the Bruins and scored 14.9 points per game with 5.9 rebounds last season while picking up 4.3 assists and averaging a 49% from the field. She was named an AP third-team All-American, was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team and was on the Big Ten First Team and all-Defensive team.

“I take a ton of pride in being the best teammate and figuring out how to make everyone better around me,” she told ESPN. “Really excited to get to work and meet everyone. It’s going to be really important to have great leadership.”

UCLA guard Kiki Rice poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected No. 6 by the Toronto Tempo on Monday.

(Pamela Smith / Associated Press)

Rice was grateful so many UCLA players got a chance to celebrate getting selected.

“This is so special,” she said. “Every one of us here deserves it so much.”

Dugalic came off the bench last season as the Bruins’ sixth player after starting the previous two seasons. In her role, she was one of the most steady veteran players in the country.

“That’s gonna be great,” Dugalic said to ESPN of playing with Betts. “I’m super excited for that. That will be a smooth transition, playing with her.”

UCLA forward Angela Dugalic poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected No. 9 by the Washington Mystics on Monday.

(Pamela Smith / Associated Press)

The Big Ten Sixth Player of the year averaged 9.0 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and shot 50.2% from the field. She can shoot from range at 32.6% and is a tough perimeter defender and can bang in the post at 6-foot-4.

Earlier in the draft, UConn guard Azzi Fudd was selected by Dallas Wings with the No. 1 overall pick. Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles was selected by the Minnesota Lynx with the No. 2 pick. Awa Fam Thiam, who played in Spain, was selected by the Seattle Storm with the No. 3 pick.

In between UCLA picks, Iyana Martín Carrión, of Spain, was selected No. 7 overall by the Portland Fire. LSU star Flau’jae Johnson was selected No. 8 by the Golden State Valkyries.

South Carolina’s Raven Johnson was selected No. 10 by the Indiana Fever. Ole Miss’ Cotie McMahon was selected No. 11 by the Washington Mystics. Nell Angloma, of France, was selected No. 12 by the Connecticut Sun. South Carolina’s Madina Okot was selected No. 13 by the Atlanta Dream. Duke’s Taina Mair was selected No. 14 by the Seattle Storm.

The Sparks are idle in the first round and will make picks in the second and third rounds.

Check back for more updates throughout the draft.

Who: Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona
What: Champions League quarterfinal, second leg
Where: Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain
When: Tuesday at 9pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.

Spanish football clubs Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will meet for the third time in 10 days but, crucially, with a UEFA Champions League (UCL) semifinal berth on the line.

Atletico may be far behind their Catalan opponents in the La Liga title race, but they go into Tuesday’s fixture as strong favourites, thanks to a first-leg victory against 10-man Barcelona at Camp Nou, and a strong home form in Europe this season.

Barcelona, the reigning La Liga champions, will have it all to do if they are to keep alive their dream of clinching their sixth UCL trophy, and first since the 2014–2015 season.

Here is all to know before the knockout tie:

What happened in the first leg at Camp Nou?

Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth scored in each half as Atletico earned a precious 2-0 lead in a tense first-leg clash.

The La Liga leaders were on top in the first half before Pau Cubarsi was sent off for bringing down Atletico’s Giuliano Simeone, who was through on goal.

Alvarez whipped home the free kick at the stroke of halftime, and Sorloth doubled their advantage in the 70th minute to give Atletico a strong chance of reaching the semifinals.

How did Barcelona perform in La Liga on the weekend?

Barcelona thrashed crosstown rivals Espanyol 4-1 on Saturday, taking a major step ‌‌towards retaining their La Liga title as they moved ⁠⁠nine points clear of rivals Real Madrid, who are second.

Ferran Torres struck twice, assisted by Lamine Yamal both times, first with a header from a corner in the 10th minute before doubling the lead in the 25th, racing clear from ⁠⁠another Yamal pass.

Espanyol pulled one back in the 56th minute when Pol Lozano fired in a rebound from just inside the box. But Yamal restored control in the 87th on a quick counter, with Marcus Rashford adding a fourth ⁠⁠from Frenkie de Jong’s cross.

Barca moved to 79 points with seven games left.

How did Atletico perform in La Liga on the weekend?

Coach Diego Simeone rotated heavily for his team’s visit to face Sevilla to keep players fresh, as Atletico fell to a 2-1 defeat.

Akor Adams sent the hosts ahead from the penalty spot, and after 20-year-old Atletico reserve defender Javier Bonar levelled, Nemanja Gudelj struck again for Sevilla before the interval.

Atletico are fourth in the league standings with 57 points, four points behind third-placed Villarreal.

Have Atletico ever won the UEFA Champions League trophy?

Diego Simeone’s side have never won the competition.

They reached the final in 2014 and 2016, but were beaten by city rivals Real on both occasions.

How did Barcelona reach the UCL quarterfinals?

Barcelona stormed into the quarterfinals with an emphatic 8-3 aggregate win over Newcastle United.

Much of the work was done in their second-leg tie, in which Barca thrashed the Premier League side 7-2 at Camp Nou, as five different players scored.

How did Atletico Madrid reach the UCL quarterfinals?

Atletico Madrid withstood a rousing Tottenham Hotspur fightback to advance 7-5 on aggregate despite a 3-2 second-leg loss in North London.

Simeone’s side, who scored four times in the opening 22 minutes in the 5-2 first-leg home romp, wobbled under a home onslaught, but goals by Julian Alvarez and David Hancko ultimately gave them breathing space.

Have Atletico and Barcelona played each other in the knockout stages?

The two teams have met twice in the Champions League knockout stages, both times at the quarterfinal stage, with Atletico going through in 2014 and 2016 on their run to the final each season. Atletico played the second leg at home on those occasions, too.

What have the managers said?

Diego Simeone: “We know the opponent we are going to face, and we are aware of how strong they are, but we are also aware of what our objective is – to advance.”

Hansi Flick: “We have the quality. We have the players who can change this. But, of course, we have to fight. We have to focus on the magic.”

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: Head-to-head

The two clubs have faced each other on 251 occasions. Barcelona have won 115 of those games, Atletico have won 79, and 57 ended as draws.

Last 10 encounters:

April 8: Barcelona 0-2 Atletico (Champions League quarterfinal, first leg)

April 4: Atletico 1-2 Barcelona (La Liga)

March 3: Barcelona 3-0 Atletico (Copa del Rey semifinal)

February 12 : Atletico 4-0 Barcelona (Copa del Rey semifinal)

December 2 : Barcelona 3-1 Atletico (La Liga)

April 2, 2025: Atletico 0-1 Barcelona (Copa del Rey semifinal)

March 16, 2025: Atletico 2-4 Barcelona (La Liga)

February 25, 2025: Barcelona 4-4 Atletico (Copa del Rey semifinal)

December 21, 2024: Barcelona 1-2 Atletico (La Liga)

April 17, 2024: Atletico 0-3 Barcelona (La Liga)

Atletico’s team news

Marc Pubill is suspended after picking up three yellow cards, while Jose Gimenez, Pablo Barrios, and David Hancko are doubtful due to injuries.

Predicted starting XI:

Musso (goalkeeper); Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Llorente, Koke; Simeone, Griezmann, Lookman; Alvarez

Barcelona’s team news

Defender Cubarsi is suspended after his red card in the first leg and will be replaced by Ronald Araujo, who featured in the backline against Espanyol at the weekend.

Marc Bernal, Raphinha, and Andreas Christensen are all out injured.

Predicted starting XI:

Joan Garcia (goalkeeper); Kounde, Araujo, Martin, Cancelo; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Rashford; Lewandowski

Thousands gathered at Barcelona’s port as the largest ever Global Sumud Flotilla prepared to depart for Gaza, aiming to break Israel’s blockade. Al Jazeera’s @Mohammadfff_ reports, as organisers and volunteers insist they will sail to Gaza despite the risks.

Exploring the area west of Santander feels like being in a time machine. Within a half-hour drive of the Cantabrian capital on Spain’s green northern coast, you can stumble upon prehistoric cave art, a perfectly preserved medieval town and a laid-back beach resort.

When I began my weekend trip, it was raining, so my journey started in the Upper Paleolithic period, at the Cave of Altamira, a Unesco world heritage site, staring up at some of the oldest art on Earth. Well, almost. The original cave was largely closed to the public decades ago to protect the fragile paintings, so we were inside the Neocueva, a painstakingly reconstructed replica built beside it that costs just €3 to enter.

Above me, bison and deer charged across the undulating rock ceiling, their bodies rendered in rich ochres and charcoals. The prehistoric artists who painted them – hunter-gatherers who lived here 13,000 to 36,000 years ago – used the natural bumps and hollows of the cave to give the animals a three-dimensional presence.

Altamira is often called the Sistine Chapel of prehistoric art, and standing beneath those larger-than-expected painted animals, it’s easy to see why. Knowing the paintings were replicas did little to blunt their impact.

The cave, whose main entrance was sealed around 13,000 years ago by rockfall, was discovered in 1868 by a local hunter and brought to wider attention by amateur archaeologist Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola. When, in 1880, Sautuola first presented the paintings to the scientific community, many experts dismissed them as fakes, unable to believe that prehistoric people were capable of such sophisticated artistry.

Walking through the museum, it’s striking how little humanity has changed. From handprints pressed against cave walls to the selfies visitors take beside them today, the impulse is the same – to leave a trace.

Time was slipping away and my travel companions – my husband and our infant son – were beginning to lose patience with my archaeological enthusiasm. Hungry and still slightly awestruck, we drove a few minutes down the road to Santillana del Mar, the small medieval town that serves as Altamira’s gateway.

After a quick lunch, we found ourselves in the middle ages. Santillana del Mar feels as though it’s come straight from the pages of a fairytale or, for the less imaginative among us, Game of Thrones. Nobles’ houses, monastery buildings and towers line winding cobbled streets. At this point, the rain turned out to be something of a gift, emptying the streets of tourists.

Santillana traces its origins back to the ninth century, when monks carrying the relics of Saint Juliana settled here and built a small hermitage. Around it grew a monastery, then homes, farms and workshops, forming a settlement that gradually evolved into Santillana. During the middle ages, the town flourished as part of the Astur-Leonese kingdom and became an important stop for pilgrims travelling along the Camino de Santiago.

The flow of travellers brought trade and wealth, hence the grand stone houses and palaces. In 1209, King Alfonso VIII granted the town a charter, the height of its medieval prosperity.

The town sits close to the start of the Camino Lebaniego, a less well-known pilgrimage route that winds inland to the monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana in the Picos de Europa mountains. Cantabria is the only region in the world crossed by two Christian pilgrimage routes recognised as Unesco world heritage sites.

For a town deeply tied to Christian pilgrimage, it is perhaps unexpected that Santillana is also linked to existential philosophy. In 1935, Jean-Paul Sartre visited the town with Simone de Beauvoir. A few years later, Santillana appeared in Nausea, Sartre’s first novel, as the narrator points to a photograph and describes it as “the prettiest town in Spain” during a conversation about the nature of adventure.

“Getting on the wrong train. Stopping in an unknown city. Losing your briefcase, being arrested by mistake, spending the night in prison,” says the Self-Taught Man. “Monsieur, I believed the word adventure could be defined: an event out of the ordinary without being necessarily extraordinary.”

By that definition, my own adventure was well under way.

Travelling through medieval streets with an infant is not for the faint of heart. Umbrella in one hand and baby carrier in the other, we trudged through the rain and our son fell asleep – ruining his nap schedule and our chance of an afternoon rest.

Still, Santillana has a way of softening such moments. We ducked into the Casa Quevedo bakery, where the same family has served fresh milk and cakes since the 1950s. Inside the medieval building, a glass of milk felt like the perfect antidote to grey skies and parental exhaustion.

From Santillana, it’s a 10-minute drive to the seaside town of Suances, our final stop – and another lurch of the time machine. Driving past the main part of town and towards the more touristy area of the coast, apartment blocks and seaside hotels appeared in pastel shades. We checked into Costa Esmeralda Suites, a five-star hotel offering generous off-season discounts. On the outside, it resembles a traditional mansion. Inside, however, the design feels like a time capsule of turn-of-the-millennium luxury: red carpets, a Ferrari-theme and enormous whirlpools.

Just a short walk away lies Playa de la Concha, where Atlantic waves roll towards wide sandy dunes. The rain finally eased as we arrived.

Near the port, restaurants and cafes buzzed with activity. “Other surf towns in the area are dead in winter,” one resident, Inma, told me in the Marcelo Gourmet bar and restaurant. “But Suances is always full of life.”

Out of summer, wetsuited surfers paddle out into the surf, sometimes with views of the snow-capped Picos de Europa mountains behind them. And the food alone is reason enough to visit. At Bonito Verde, we ordered a plate of rabas (fried calamari, a local speciality), so fresh and crisp they disappeared almost instantly, along with delicious squid-ink croquetas. Curiosity also led us to Suka, an unassuming restaurant rumoured to serve some of the best sushi in Cantabria. It was another win.

For breakfast, locals pointed us to Castillo de Los Locos, which houses a restaurant perched dramatically above the cliffs of Playa de Los Locos, and where the food is good and the views are incredible.

The last morning, I woke early and slipped out of the hotel room, leaving my sleeping family behind. Sunlight had finally broken through the clouds. I walked along the thin peninsula that juts out between Playa de Los Locos and La Concha, listening to birdsong and watching waves crash against the cliffs. It’s only a short walk beyond the Castillo de Los Locos, but it felt far from civilisation.

Standing there, breathing the salt air and feeling the sun, I relaxed.

After singing the praises of Santillana, Sartre’s Nausea protagonist reflects that adventure isn’t something we can experience while it’s happening. Instead, he says, adventures are made after the fact, by looking back and turning experiences into stories. “But you have to choose,” he continues. “Live or tell.”

Want a relaxed holiday in a place where you know kids will enjoy? TUI ranked the best spots for hassle-free family fun.

Finding a place to travel where you can take kids and not worry about safe accommodation and fun activities can be difficult, but as of 2026, 86% of British parents agree that holidays are essential for family bonding, according to holiday giant TUI.

Taking into consideration factors such as where to keep children entertained while giving parents a chance to relax, reliable weather, open spaces and more, TUI ranked the top destinations in Europe that combine fun, sun, and convenience.

Here are the five best spots on the continent, according to the research.

5 – Barcelona, Spain

The well-known historical and architectural allures of Barcelona give way to family-friendly fun – as the city stands out with the highest number of TUI Musement excursions in the ranking (439). For those seeking a relaxed itinerary, the city also boasts 31 parks per 10 km².

The colourful Park Güell and the interactive CosmoCaixa Museum of Science are always hits with kids – and best paired with beach days along the Mediterranean for parents to enjoy.

4 – Catania, Italy

With a mean temperature of 26.7°C, Catania offers sunshine alongside rich history and cultural experiences – especially due to its location right next to Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano.

There, families can take excursions around the volcano and explore the deep roots of Catania’s lava caves and farms. When that’s done, it’s a great idea to head to the city’s bustling markets and grand piazzas to bask in the local culture or relax on the nearby beaches.

3 – Porto, Portugal

In third place is Porto, which TUI gives a score of 9.01/10. The city, located in the north of Portugal, is just a two-hour flight away, and is the perfect pick for families looking for simple, hassle-free fun.

Porto is easy to navigate, and offers 32 family-friendly hotels and 13 parks per 10 km². There, get ready to ride the historic Dom Luís I Bridge cable car or hop on a river cruise along the Douro.

To relax, enjoy beaches, riverside strolls, and vast parks.

2 – Naples, Italy

Naples scores 9.12/10, combining summer temperatures of 25.2°C and rich culture to be enjoyed by all ages.

Kids will have fun with authentic pizza-making immersive experiences and open spaces to explore with a good gelato in hand.

Time in the city is good enough, but from there you can set off to explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii, take a ferry to nearby islands, or stroll along the scenic seafront promenade.

1 – Lisbon, Portugal

The gold medal goes to Lisbon, crowned Europe’s most child-friendly city with a score of 9.16/10. The Portuguese capital has an average of 37 family-friendly hotels per 10 km², 17 parks and an entertainment score of 7.36/10.

Children are likely to love the Lisbon Oceanarium – one of Europe’s largest – and the beautiful trams that cross the city centre. After ticking those essential boxes, take time to explore riverside playgrounds and nearby beaches.

To get to Lisbon, flights depart from the main UK airports and take about 3 hours.

You can find out more and book on tui.co.uk.

Israel says it has reprimanded Spain’s top diplomat in Tel Aviv over the blowing up of an effigy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during Easter celebrations in the Spanish town of El Burgo. Israel’s foreign ministry blamed ‘incitement’ by Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez. The municipality has previously used effigies of US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the annual event which draws hundreds of onlookers.

Dozens gathered in Madrid for a vigil honouring the victims of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon a day after a ceasefire was announced between the US and Iran. The strikes killed 357 people according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

While Brits usually have to join the line with other non-EU citizens, one airport will offer a lane solely for those with British passports after a new system led to huge delays for holidaymakers

The long-delayed European Entry/Exit System (EES) has officially been implemented today (April 10), which means that all non-EU citizens, Brits included, need to register their biometric data when entering the European Union (EU).

However, during the gradual implementation phase, long queues have been reported at several airports, especially in areas with lots of British tourists such as Spanish holiday hotspots. One spot that has been affected is the holiday island of Majorca, where long queues were reported by Majorca Daily Bulletin over the Easter weekend, a combination of the new systems and airport strikes.

Palma de Mallorca Airport is the third busiest airport in Spain with over 33.3 million passengers a year, even beating major cities on the mainland such as Alicante and Malaga.

The airport has a single terminal, divided into four zones, and while many reviews praise it for its efficiency in handling so many passengers, there have been complaints about long queues and overcrowding. However, it has been confirmed by an airport spokesperson, speaking to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, that dedicated lanes will be set up for British travellers.

The move could help ease pressures at passport control, as first-time registrations can reportedly take several minutes for each passenger. British travellers will be directed to a specific area with kiosks to collect their biometric data, and additional staff from the Guardia Civil will be on-hand to help manage the process.

The new EES system involves taking a photograph and fingerprints from non-EU citizens, and its aim is to be able to easily track those who overstay. Eventually, it will replace manual passport stamps, allowing EU countries to identify whether someone has followed the 90-day rule.

So far, the system has reportedly caught out over 4,000 travellers who’ve either accidentally or deliberately overstayed. Brits visiting the EU are allowed to stay up to 90 days visa-free within an 180-day period, although many don’t realise this is a rolling window, which could lead to confusion when calculating how long someone has been in the EU.

READ MORE: ‘I’m a travel expert – there are 4 simple tricks to avoid huge airport queues’READ MORE: Italy airport strikes update as three UK tourist hotspots face disruption – key dates

Brits visiting Portugal or Sweden can download the official Travel to Europe app to save time. This app allows them to scan their passports and capture their biometric data in advance before generating a QR code. If no further checks are needed at the airport, then visitors can then simply scan the code at the EES kiosk on arrival.

Later this year, Brits will also need to participate in the new visa-waiver scheme, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), which is set to be implemented in late-2026.

Not to be confused with EES, ETIAS will require Brits visiting the EU to apply for a visa-exemption, with the application costing €20 (about £17.42), although it will be valid for three years.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

A British holidaymaker was left baffled as he was enjoying the sunshine at his hotel in Tenerife, as he looked up to see something he wasn’t expecting by the poolside

A British tourist was left completely baffled while soaking up the sunshine at his Tenerife hotel, after glancing up to witness something he certainly wasn’t expecting.

Travelling to a new destination, whether it’s to chase the sun or embark on a city break, often brings with it culture shocks and surprises – particularly if it’s your first visit. From navigating a foreign language to sampling unfamiliar cuisine and customs, discovering a new culture is packed with thrilling moments. Occasionally, though, it can leave you utterly baffled – as one Brit found out during his recent trip to Tenerife.

Taking to Instagram, Emil Dale began filming from his sun lounger beside the pool at his Tenerife hotel. Clearly revelling in a lazy afternoon in the sun, he couldn’t help but question whether what he’d just witnessed was entirely normal for the island.

“So this is my first time in Tenerife, and, there was a man doing acrobatics, and then he said, after it, here’s Michael Jackson,” he said as he zoomed in on a Michael Jackson look a like performing as the King of Pop.

“And then, for the last 15 minutes, Michael Jackson has been doing like a mega mix of all of these songs,” the man explained, before revealing that the performer had also pulled off several costume changes throughout the show.

“And he’s doing a full set,” the gobsmacked tourist said. “But it’s like the middle of the day, and like, everyone is kind of watching.

“Is this, I’ve never been to Tenerife, is this a Tenerife thing?” he pondered, as he carried on watching the show.

Towards the end of the footage, he showed himself posing for a snap with the Michael Jackson tribute act, who was kitted out in a red leather jacket, white T-shirt and black hat, evidently channelling the pop icon’s signature stage looks.

“Michael Jackson appeared by the pool in the middle of the day on Easter Monday at our hotel in Tenerife while everyone was sunbathing,” he wrote in the caption accompanying the clip.

Numerous viewers quickly flooded the comments section to share their reactions, with many claiming to have witnessed the same act during their own Tenerife getaways.

“This is a Tenerife thing! we went on holiday and Michael Jackson was everywhere. pictures of him in the zoo, on every radio station etc. we googled it and apparently he stayed/toured there years ago and brought in loads of tourism so the locals love him,” one user explained.

“He’s always in Tenerife usually dancing round the streets busking he’s brilliant,” a second person added.

Not everyone was in agreement though, as someone else remarked: “Never saw this in Tenerife….”

Another user also commented: “No this is not a Tenerife thing. Its a all-inclusive-never leave your hotel-learn nothing about the culture your visiting-reserve your sunbed with a towel 6 o clock in the morning-thing. I’ve been to Tenerife and its beautiful. I never saw Michael.”

Chilling out in La Rioja

Recently travelling from Madrid to San Sebastián, we spent three days in picturesque Briñas in La Rioja, staying at the beautiful Finca Torre de Briñas (doubles from €189 B&B). The neighbouring town, Haro, reached via a 40-minute walk by the Ebro River, hosts several of the largest wine producers in the region (CVNE and Muga are recommended). You can stop in and sample them, before heading into the town centre, which has several tapas spots to fuel the walk back to the hotel. Bliss.
Tom Dickson

Forests and badlands in Murcia

Less than an hour’s drive – yet a world away – from the bustling Murcia coast sits the brooding Sierra Espuña mountain range, a green respite from the summer heat and the site of a rewilding project started more than a century ago. After a morning’s hike through the shady pines, we drove up a switchback mountain road to check out the 16th-century Pozos de la Nieve, and descended steps into a silent, cavernous interior. Come summer, stored ice was hauled by horse and cart from here down to wealthy city folk. Our return route passed the Barrancos de Gebas, a lunar “badlands” landscape formed from a seabed more than 10m years ago. There were few other visitors and it felt like our secret.
Cathy Robinson

Terraced vineyards in Galicia’s gorges

Forest fires in the Picos mountains led us on a detour via the Ribeira Sacra, a wine region in inland Galicia. The area is characterised by the deep canyons of the Sil and Miño rivers, and the steep-sided banks are lined with terraced vineyards, the grapes benefiting from the delicate ecosystem the gorges create. We swam in waterfalls, drank wine and walked among the narrow terraces. A highlight was the walk at the top of the Miradoiro de Souto Chao (the Grape Pickers’ Viewpoint). The views were stunning: tranquil, natural and barely a tourist in sight.
Ruth Chapman

A fairytale town in Navarre

A medieval settlement rising above the sparse landscape of Navarre province, Gallipienzo is the stuff of fairytales. Before beginning our ascent on the winding road to the old town, we took a dip in the Aragón River, much needed after sightseeing in scorching Pamplona. Arriving at Hotel Heredad Beragu (doubles from €109 B&B), we were given a warm welcome by Patxi and Ramón, who have turned an old farmstead into a chic getaway. After a sunset walk, soaking up views of the surrounding countryside framed by ramshackle doorways, we headed back to the hotel for a locally sourced dinner, rather smug to have discovered this gateway to the past.
Anna

Bridge to the Basque Country

The city of Bilbao is deservedly popular. But take a 25-minute train ride along the Nervión River to the coast and you will arrive in Portugalete. Head straight to the Crepería Miramar for great coffee and a perfect tortilla. The cafe sits on the estuary in the shadow of the wonderful Vizcaya Bridge. Built in 1893, it is the world’s oldest transporter bridge, a Unesco world heritage site, and the perfect combination of beauty and function. For €1 take a trip on the transporter over to Getxo and walk around the bay to the lovely fishing village of Algorta. A perfect day.
Michael Quinn

Exploring the Alpujarras, near Granada

Last month, I was delighted to find the almond blossom out while walking the Ruta Medieval in the Alpujarran municipality of La Taha. This year, after the disastrous storms in the south, no hike has been without hazards – landslides and fallen trees – so an app such as Wikiloc is essential to find detours. If you don’t have a car, a bus stops at Pitres, the start of the waymarked trail along ancient cobbled paths, through whitewashed, flat-roofed Moorish villages that hang on the side of the gorge created by the River Trevélez. There are various options after Ferreirola. A strenuous climb through Atalbéitar to Pórtugos, or a gentler one to Busquístar. Both have a bus back to Pitres or onwards to Órgiva (of Chris Stewart, Driving Over Lemons, fame) or even Granada.
Laura

Medieval gems in Léon

We arrived in Ponferrada on foot as part of our Camino de Santiago walk, so we could see the town looming up ahead of us well in advance. As well as an attractive centre with old buildings, restaurants, and bars serving the famous Bierzo wine, the most famous thing about Ponferrada is its huge Disney-like castle, thought to have been built by the Knights Templar, which not only hosts mock-medieval pageants but also contains a stunning collection of manuscripts and maps. After our journey from the lovely mountain village of El Acebo, we still found the energy to do the extra couple of miles uphill in the sun to visit the tiny romanesque church of Santo Tomás de las Ollas, which for me was worth a dozen castles.
Barbara Forbes

A spectacular slow rail trip from Santander

We got off the ferry at Santander and took a train on the narrow-gauge railway heading west. The slow and spectacular former Feve (now operated by Renfe) line runs along the northern Spanish coast towards Oviedo and Ferrol. We stopped off at coastal villages Llanes and San Vicente, and found great value places to stay, good local wine and excellent restaurants. Viveiro was another excellent stop where restaurants served cloudy white wine in ceramic jugs to accompany the wonderful seafood. Lonely and dramatic beaches complete the idyll. We had a lot of time so were able to absorb all this wonderful coast could offer before heading down towards Vigo and Porto by train.
Alan White

A stunning find near Girona

The stunning medieval town of Peratallada made a peaceful base for exploring the Empordà region in September. Against cloudless, azure skies, its caramel-coloured walls and arches dripped with red campsis and bougainvillea. It’s an excellent day trip from Girona (20 miles away) and towns on the Costa Brava, but it’s worth more of your time. Climb the Torre de las Horas bell tower (free; visitor numbers restricted) for great views, and work your way around the welcoming shops, cafes and restaurants. Particular favourites were Restaurant La Roca and DO Candelaria.
Kay Julier

Winning tip: Hanging in Cuenca

In the Castilla-La Mancha mountains east of Madrid, I visited the Unesco world heritage city of Cuenca. Sitting proudly upon its plateau and ensnared by the Júcar and Huécar rivers, this city offers spectacular vistas. To take advantage of the views and the otherworldly karst rock giants, hike the 4-mile circular route through pine forest, finishing with a sunset over the medieval city. Add to that a free abstract art museum vertiginously perched within the Casas Colgadas, and a beautifully-lit labyrinth of streets after dusk, and Cuenca is a perfect town to visit off the beaten track.
James Mulligan

When you get into a van with an Englishman, five Irishmen and a Scotsman, you know someone is going to end up looking silly. For the next few days, my aim is for it not to be me. The van is taking us from busy Málaga to remote Andalucía for four days of gravel biking, something I have never done and for which I am not sure I am cut out.

Follow the build-up, analysis and live text commentary of the game as Madrid host Bayern for their first-leg clash.

A woman who moved to Valencia in June 2024 has shared the unexpected discovery about Spanish city life that ‘no one ever warns you about’ – but she insists it’s not necessarily a bad thing

An expat has shared the unexpected discovery she made after moving to Spain that “no one ever warns you about”, completely transforming her preconceptions of living overseas. The woman, who moved to Valencia in June 2024, has described how the actual experience fell somewhat short of her mental picture of a perpetually lively, thriving Spanish metropolis – though she insists it’s not entirely negative.

Sharing on TikTok under the handle @togethertowherever, she detailed how she was initially taken aback to discover substantial portions of the city appearing deserted during particular periods. She stated: “Valencia in August: one minute it’s buzzing… the next it’s a ghost town. Locals disappear, shops close, and suddenly you’ve got the whole city to yourself (and the tourists).”

The expat continued by clarifying that the scorching weather in Spain is a significant factor, with temperatures climbing so dramatically throughout the summer that numerous residents abandon the city entirely.

Valencia generally starts warming from approximately May, when temperatures sit around 23C on average.

This subsequently increases during early summer, hitting roughly 27C in June, before reaching its peak at about 29C throughout July and August.

After summer, temperatures steadily decline once more, with conditions becoming markedly cooler during autumn.

Throughout the winter period, from approximately November through April, the climate typically stabilises between about 19C and 14C, creating a considerably cooler yet still reasonably temperate environment when compared to numerous other European destinations.

She continued: “I just thought of something that was shocking to me when I first moved to Spain.

“I remember walking around thinking it was so quiet here. I thought I moved to a vibrant, energetic country and culture. I was walking around and realised the streets were really dead.

“As the summer starts and school is out, people start leaving town because it gets so hot and humid here. Slowly, starting in June, every day I notice more and more, the streets are quieter.

“In August, I notice tourists around and then September came about and everyone was back and it lively again and I was like, ‘Okay, that’s what I thought it was going to be like’.”

Baffled by this seasonal transformation, she questioned: “Anyone else feel that post-school exodus energy?”

Her clip generated discussion online, with one viewer responding: “Oh interesting because in winter it was busy!”

Someone else sought guidance, posting: “What area would you recommend for a family with kids of school age? Ideally we would love to live closer to school, we are starting the moving process for next summer and I’m so confused.”

The content creator answered: “There are lots of public schools as well as concertados. The international schools are the ones out of town a bit. I think on either side of Turia Gardens is great for families.”

Yamal’s unhappiness at the end of the match against Atletico Madrid was over missed scoring opportunities, Flick says.

Lamine Yamal’s apparent anger at the end of Barcelona’s win over Atletico Madrid stemmed from his inability to score a goal during the crucial La Liga fixture and was not linked to any off-field incidents, says the Catalan club’s manager, Hansi Flick.

The Spanish forward was visibly unhappy in the closing moments of the closely fought match in Madrid and did not celebrate with teammates when Robert Lewandowski scored the winner in the 87th minute on Saturday.

“He was a little bit angry,” La Liga leaders’ head coach, Flick, told reporters after the match.

The 18-year-old hit the post with a dinked effort after Fermin Lopez laid the ball off to him during the first half in a tense battle on the pitch.

A few minutes earlier, Yamal displayed great control, skill and vision to receive a ball in his own half, nutmeg an Atletico player and provide an open pass for Lopez in front of goal, but the 22-year-old failed to convert it into a goal.

“He [Yamal] gave it his all but was unlucky when it came to scoring or providing the final pass,” the German coach said.

“In the end, everything is fine.

“Of course, he has emotion. This was the game, with emotion, but he’s in the dressing room, and everything is good.”

Lewandowski’s dramatic late winner was celebrated by the Barcelona players on the pitch and bench, but Yamal looked subdued as he trudged on the pitch by himself.

Once the referee blew the full-time whistle, Yamal walked past Flick, who tried to placate his star player, and the two exchanged a few words before the forward headed back towards the dressing room.

Flick said Yamal’s reaction, or lack of it, was not “because of how he played, he played good”, and elaborated on his star player’s exasperation. “At the moment, he does not have this fortune that he scores the goals, but it can come back.”

Yamal has been at the centre of an Islamophobia controversy in Spanish football after he slammed anti-Muslim chants during his national team’s friendly match against Egypt in Barcelona on Tuesday.

At the ⁠⁠RCDE Stadium near Barcelona, the home ground of La Liga club Espanyol, Spanish supporters chanted “Whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim” during the ⁠⁠World Cup warm-up match, which ended in a goalless draw.

It was the latest in a string of similar incidents to overshadow Spanish football in recent years, with Real Madrid’s Brazilian attacker Vinicius Junior in particular repeatedly racially abused.

Yamal is a Muslim player whose father moved from Morocco to Spain. He issued a damning statement on Instagram in the wake of the controversy.

“I am a Muslim. Yesterday at the stadium the chant ‘the one who doesn’t jump is the Muslim’ was heard,” he posted on Instagram in the aftermath of the match.

“I know I was playing for the rival team and it wasn’t something personal against me, but as a Muslim person it doesn’t stop being disrespectful and something intolerable.”

Yamal and Barcelona will return to action against the same opposition on Tuesday, as they host the fourth-ranked Spanish team in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal at the Camp Nou.

The fixture will provide another opportunity for the young player to add to his goal tally of 19 this season. He has scored 14 goals in La Liga and five in European competition.

“We have three days now to prepare for the next match,” Flick said when asked about the upcoming fixture.

“It’s a very important one, and he [Yamal] will be in a better mood than after the game.”

Barcelona move seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of Spanish football’s La Liga after beating Atletico 2-1.

Robert Lewandowski shouldered home a dramatic late winner for Barcelona as they edged Atletico Madrid 2-1 to move seven points clear at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid slipped up.

Second-placed Real were beaten 2-1 at Mallorca earlier on Saturday, and Barca capitalised at the Metropolitano stadium to take a big step towards defending the league title.

Marcus Rashford pulled Barca level after Giuliano Simeone opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half.

Atletico midfielder Nico Gonzalez was sent off just before the break, and his team dug deep with 10 men to try and avoid defeat, which they almost managed.

Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski had other ideas and used his shoulder to deflect home a rebound from point-blank range after 87 minutes.

With little left to play for in La Liga, Atletico coach Diego Simeone rotated heavily, with Wednesday’s visit to Camp Nou in mind.

His Barca counterpart, Hansi Flick, opted for Dani Olmo as a false nine to rest Lewandowski, while starting Rashford in place of the injured Raphinha on the left wing.

The England international, on loan from Manchester United, tested Juan Musso early on with a free-kick, which the goalkeeper fielded comfortably.

At the other end, Antoine Griezmann, playing for Atletico for the first time since announcing his departure at the end of the season to MLS side Orlando City, was profligate.

The forward skipped into the box and cleverly nutmegged Gerard Martin, but his shot was too close to Barca stopper Joan Garcia to trouble the new Spain international.

Fermin Lopez was similarly wasteful at the other end, unable to find Rashford, who had a clear sight of goal, and prodding wide himself when Lamine Yamal sent him scuttling through with a sensational pass.

Barca’s 18-year-old star Yamal hit the post with a dinked effort after Lopez laid the ball off to him as the game flowed from end to end.

Atletico took the lead in the 39th minute through Giuliano Simeone, the coach’s son, bursting in behind Barca’s high defensive line onto Clement Lenglet’s pass and slamming past Garcia.

The visitors pulled level just three minutes later, Rashford exchanging passes with Olmo and drilling past Musso on only his third league start since January.

Atletico were reduced to 10 men just before half-time, when Gonzalez scythed down Yamal on the edge of the box as he ran towards goal.

Barcelona defender Martin was dismissed early in the second half as he thumped the ball away, but then clattered Thiago Almada with a high foot. However, after a VAR review, the red card was revoked, much to Atletico’s fury.

Barca substitute Ferran Torres, without a goal since January, was twice thwarted by Musso as the visitors probed for a winner but struggled to make their numerical advantage count.

Eventually, their winner came when Joao Cancelo cut his way into the penalty area, and his cross-shot was pushed out by Musso, only for wily striker Lewandowski to knock it home with his shoulder.

Who: Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona
What: Spanish football’s La Liga
Where: Metropolitano Stadium
When: Saturday, April 5, at 9pm (19:00 GMT).
How to follow: We’ll have all the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.

Barcelona winger Raphinha’s untimely injury heaps further pressure on teenage star Lamine Yamal ahead of the club’s triple-header against Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish champions visit Atletico on Saturday as they bid to maintain or even extend their lead at the top of La Liga, before two further games against Diego Simeone’s team in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Barca have already faced Atletico three times this season, beating them in La Liga in December but falling in the Copa del Rey semifinal over two legs.

Without Raphinha, out with a hamstring injury until May, the onus will be on 18-year-old winger Yamal to provide the magic Barca need to proceed on two fronts in the approaching, inevitably intense battles with Atletico.

Yamal played for Spain this week in a goalless draw against Egypt in Cornella at Espanyol’s stadium, which was notable for Islamophobic chanting from the home supporters that the teenager, a Muslim, condemned.

“To those who sing these things: using a religion as a form of mockery on a pitch shows you up as ignorant and racist,” wrote Yamal on social media.

Yamal has shown maturity beyond his years since bursting onto the scene as a 15-year-old, including starring for Spain as they won Euro 2024 and blossoming further still as Barca claimed a domestic treble last season.

The youngster, often compared to another graduate from Barca’s La Masia youth academy, Lionel Messi, seems to save his best performances for the biggest occasions.

Yamal netted six times for Barca in his last seven matches across all competitions, and the Catalan giants will hope he can continue that form into the final phase of the season.

He admitted in February that he has not been happy this season, in part due to a long-running groin injury, but lately feels better.

“I have that desire to smile on the pitch that I haven’t had for a long time, and I’m very happy, now I’m happy playing,” said Yamal after scoring the first hat-trick of his career, against Villarreal.

In recent weeks, Barca have been dependent on the forward in attack and goalkeeper Joan Garcia at the other end.

Strikers Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have struggled for consistent form, while Marcus Rashford has fallen somewhat out of favour.

Raphinha’s injury opens the door for the England international, on loan from Manchester United, to start on the left again.

Yamal’s pressing and off-the-ball work is an excellent example for Rashford, who despite his strong contribution in terms of assists, sometimes lacks the relentless energy and focus Hansi Flick wants from his forwards.

Simeone’s Atletico, fourth by a distance from fifth-place Real Betis, have little to play for in the league but will want to build momentum before Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg at Camp Nou.

The La Liga showdown is a preview of the series in the Champions League quarterfinals between the Spanish clubs.

It will be the first of three games between Barcelona and Atletico in 10 days. The Spanish rivals will face each other five times in less than two months. They also met in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey in February and March, when Atletico advanced to the final 4-3 on aggregate.

The Champions League games will be on Wednesday in Barcelona and on April 14 in Madrid. Barcelona is looking to make it to the Champions League semifinals for the second season in a row, and Atletico is seeking to get back to the last four for the first time since 2017.

Stat attack – Barcelona

25.3 – The average age of the Barca squad is the youngest in the league: 25.3.

What happened the last time Atletico Madrid faced Barcelona?

Barcelona were 3-0 winners in the last meeting between the sides, the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal in March.

The first leg, however, was won 4-0 by Atletico.

What happened in the last La Liga meeting?

Barcelona were 3-1 winners in the reverse fixture in the league earlier this season.

What happened in the corresponding fixture last season?

Barcelona were 4-2 winners in the La Liga fixture at Atletico, despite the home side taking a two-goal lead.

Robert Lewandowski began the Barca comeback with his side’s first goal, which came in the 72nd minute.

Head-to-head

This will be the 252nd meeting between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, with Atletico winning 80 times and Barca claiming the spoils in 114 of the meetings.

Atletico Madrid team news

Marcos Llorente and Johnny Cardoso are both suspended for the match.
Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo Mendoza have thigh and ankle injuries, respectively, and will also miss out.

Barcelona team news

As well as Raphinha, Barca are also likely to be without Frenkie de Jong at the weekend, but Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde may be able to return after injury.

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal speaks out against Islamophobic chants during Spain’s match with Egypt.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa says Spain is a tolerant country and not racist despite Islamophobic chanting during a national team match this week.

Sections of the crowd at Spain’s friendly against Egypt on Tuesday sang, “Whoever doesn’t jump is Muslim,” at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium in Cornella.

Spain and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, criticised those chanting as “ignorant and racist”.

Arbeloa defended Spain on Friday while insisting racist attitudes should be eliminated.

“I think Spain is not a racist country. If it was, we would have a problem every weekend at all of the stadiums,” the Spaniard told reporters.

“I keep thinking we have to eradicate any racist attitude at stadiums and in society. … Spain as a country has to keep fighting to get rid of these attitudes.

“[However,] I think we’re a great country, very tolerant, and with these kinds of situations, we shouldn’t generalise.”

Real Madrid striker Vinicius Jr has been racially abused at several stadiums across the country in high-profile incidents in recent years.

In January 2023, Atletico Madrid fans hung an effigy of the Brazilian forward from a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground.

Four months later, Vinicius squared off with fans abusing him at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium in an incident that gained him worldwide support in his battle against racism.

In 2025, five Real Valladolid fans who racially abused Vinicius in a 2022 match, were found guilty of committing a hate crime – the first such ruling in Spain regarding insults at a football stadium.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised teenager Yamal for making a “great statement” by condemning those responsible for the abuse.

“We stand for inclusion. … It’s frustrating that a small number of idiots don’t understand this,” Flick said.

“We all want to be respected. It doesn’t matter about your colour, your religion, your region. It’s time to change these thoughts.”

Atletico coach Diego Simeone said the problem was related to a lack of respect in the world.

“It’s a social problem on a world level, not about Spain or Argentina or Brazil or anywhere,” the coach said.

“Respect that was lost many years ago – respect for parents, schoolteachers, police, club directors, coaches, presidents – … today it’s been lost. and we don’t have it.”

Catalonia’s regional police said they were investigating the chants, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the incident “unacceptable”.

“We cannot allow an uncivil minority to tarnish the reality of Spain, a diverse and tolerant country,” he said.

Depending on where people stay, they could be paying more than £13 a night in the municipal surcharge

UK travellers to Spain have been told of a ‘doubling’ of a charge for all tourists going to a popular hotspot from today. It has been reported in Spain that the doubling of the municipal surcharge comes into effect on April 1.

Depending on the type of accommodation, tourists may pay up to €15 more per night in Barcelona. This is due to an increase in the tourist tax on the one hand now ranging from €1 to €7 depending on the category of accommodation and a municipal tax which rises from €4 to €8.

Applicable to stays in hotels, hostels and short-term rentals, these taxes can, when combined, amount to up to €15 per night per person, LeFigaro reported.

The measure was announced in March 2025 but was only approved by the Catalan parliament a few weeks ago. Barcelona City Council has voted in favour of increasing the council tax by one euro per year until 2029. The aim is to tackle the housing crisis. Residents regularly protest against rising rents, which they believe are partly due to the growing number of short-term rentals such as Airbnb.

In a four-star hotel – which accounts for nearly half of the local hotel stock – a two-night stay for a couple could therefore cost up to €45 more. Cruise ship passengers must also pay these taxes: they will pay €12 – instead of €8 – if they disembark for more than twelve hours, or €14 (instead of €11) if they stay for less than twelve hours. One exception remains for a specific category of accommodation: hostels listed in the Generalitat de Catalunya’s Youth Hostel Register, for which the fee remains at €1.

With these new rules, the Autonomous Community of Catalonia hopes to raise 200 million euros a year. On its website, the Catalan government states that “25% of the revenue from the tourist tax will be allocated to the Generalitat’s housing policies, whilst 75% will be channelled into the Tourism Promotion Fund, [in particular] for housing policies [and] economic development policies.”

With the new regulation, the tax will rise to seven euros per night in five-star accommodations in Barcelona and to 3.40 euros in four-star accommodations. It will also be more expensive for cruise passengers, especially those disembarking in the Catalan capital. Those staying for less than 12 hours will pay six euros in Barcelona and 4.50 euros in the rest of the ports in Catalonia , 20 Minutos reported.

The tax increase will be phased in over two years. The first increase will take place this April, while the remainder will be implemented a year later, in April 2027. At that point, the tourist tax will be completely doubled. However, in Barcelona, the increase will be more immediate and will begin this month to address the high tourist pressure the city experiences, unlike the rest of Catalonia.

The revenue from the tourist tax will be divided into two parts. 25% of the total income will be allocated to housing policies of the Generalitat (Catalan government), one of the main pillars of Catalan President Salvador Illa’s policies. The remaining 75% of the revenue will be integrated into the Tourism Promotion Fund.

The increase in the tourist tax in Catalonia already has the support of a majority of the parliamentary groups, as well as the backing of a large part of the population. This is especially true in Barcelona, where overtourism has wreaked havoc on both housing and community life. In fact, in the Catalan capital, there have already been demonstrations by residents against the massive influx of visitors, and proof of this is that 76.7% of the population says the city has reached its maximum capacity for receiving tourists.

These data are reflected in the latest survey on tourism perception in Barcelona, published by the city council itself, in which 56% of residents support the increase in the tourist surcharge.

Public support for the increase in the tourist tax contrasts sharply with the total opposition from the Catalan tourism sector. Following the announcement of the agreement between the PSC, ERC, and Comuns parties, business owners in Catalonia’s tourist accommodation sector expressed their “total and unanimous rejection.” The employers’ association Confecat asserted that the measure is “improvised, lacking strategic rigour, disconnected from the country’s real needs, and driven solely by revenue collection.”

Furthermore, the Catalan Federation of Tourist Apartments (Federatur) warned that the tax increase will lead to a loss of competitiveness for the region and make Catalans’ holidays more expensive. This position is also supported by other employers’ associations, trade groups, and federations within the sector, such as Foment del Treball, the Barcelona Hotel Guild, Pimec, and the Barcelona Tourist Apartment Association.

According to Jordi Clos, president of the Hotel Association, there is some concern among representatives of the tourism sector about how the tax increase will affect business. “It will be necessary to monitor the impact this measure may have to prevent a significant and lasting decline,” he stated after the Catalan Parliament approved the increase in February.