Spain To Go

The anticapitalist left is still camping out in Plaza Catalunya, and nearby in Raval, the drug scene is just as vibrant as always. (At least I assume it is – I'm just a guy taking a walk.) More about the anarchic scene in Barcelona's old town here: https://spaintogo.substack.com/p/barcelona-anarchy Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate (Or you could become a paying sub...

I'm recording this on October 12th, which is "el Día de la Virgen del Pilar". So in this episode, let's talk about one of the most important apparitions of the Virgin Mary – Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza. Also, Saint James the Great (AKA Santiago, patron of Spain), the tie-in with Christopher Columbus, a bit about the legacy of colonialism and much more. Read the article her...

Big news here in Spain! We've got a general election coming up on 29 November, so we'll probably have a new government soon. And before that, on 11 November, the Tenants Unions have called a General Strike to protest the housing situation. So let's talk about Pedro Sánchez's chances in the election (roughly zero), what rights you have in a strike, some of my experiences from previo...

Big news about Spain's housing crisis this week: the tenants unions have decided to make a woman named Maricarmen symbolic of how evil capitalists want to throw old ladies out of their houses. Only problem is, Maricarmen has been benefiting from a Franco-era rent contract for 70 years now. You and I will never get a deal this good. Anyway, here's the latest from the camping protest in Puerta del S...

Today we're talking about the cities of Bilbao and Getxo up in the Basque country, with reflections on competing nationalities, the ongoing Ceuta crisis, what it means to be "from" somewhere, and more. Basque Cuisine is pretty famous, as is the new-fangled cheesecake they're making, and you can learn about all of it in this new episode. Enjoy! Check out my friends over at WalksDe...

Spain needs new babies. If you're having one soon, congratulations! And thanks. In this episode, we've got a report on prenatal care in Spain, and on baby prepping in Barcelona more specifically. Public and private healthcare, where to get secondhand cribs, doulas, midwives, maternity support, Pregnancy Pilates and much more. Check out the article for links and more: https://expatmadrid.com/prenat...

Well, Ceuta is still a disaster area, so here's an update about that. Also, we've got a protest from Save Europe Act (it's about "remigration" and a counterprotest from antifa. Plus, the 90th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War and the mysterious death of Federico García Lorca back in 1936. Links and more on the Spain to Go Substack: https://spaintogo.substack.com/p/lorca-an...

I recently went to France (again). In this episode, I talk about Lyon and Montpellier in the south of France, whether backpacking around Europe is dead, slow travel, iced coffee disasters, being an expectant parent, and more. Support the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate I'll give you a shoutout in my next episode! Spain to Go podcast has a new companion blog over on Substack, check...

Last week the Spanish enclave of Ceuta was overrun by "migrants" crossing the border from Morocco. Up to 70,000 people crossed into Spain, and were (mostly) pushed back by the military. Details and thoughts from a Spanish local in today's episode. Support this podcast: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ You could also sign up to receive new articles (or become a paid subscriber) on Subs...

The UK has a small territory called Gibraltar near the southern tip of Spain – or, more accurately, near the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula. So today's episode is about Spanish-Gibraltarian relations, the new open border, the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in Africa, John Lennon's wedding to Yoko Ono and more. Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ These days I'm...

Spain won the world cup last Sunday, and the positive national feeling lasted about 48 hours. Now the Catalan nationalists are back to their usual levels of Spain-hating. (And don't even get me started on the Basques.) Here's an update from summer in Barcelona: it's high season for tourism, and everything smells like piss. Donate to the cause here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ You c...

Spain has made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup, with a match against France... but the top story is actually about some unfortunate comments by former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. Rajoy claims that the French team "doesn't have any French players" – a comment on the team's ethnic makeup. So in this special bonus episode, we're talking about World Cup racism, and what...

These days, with a bit of summer heat here in Europe, a lot of Americans are talking about air conditioning. Is it true that Europeans don't use aircon? Is it because we're all tree-hugging environmentalists, or could it possibly be for some other reason? I take these questions seriously, and try to answer them. Donate to the podcast here, I'll give you a shoutout in my next episode: h...

Today I'm revisiting the old "expat" vs "immigrant" debate. What do these labels mean, and does it really matter? Also, a big life update from Daniel and Morena. Sign up to my Substack here for more about life in Spain: https://spaintogo.substack.com/ Donate to the podcast over here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ And if you'd like to read my classic "Expats vs Im...

I recently went to Paris, and wrote some reflections about the relationship between Spain and France... plus other important topics. Today nobody's talking about this, but France actually invaded and conquered Spain in the early 1800s. Also in today's episode: Napoleon, Joan of Arc, the great (wo)men of history, Parisian cuisine, and much more. Donate to the podcast right here: https://exp...

A few travel tips from a Barcelona local here: if you want to get "off the beaten path" and have a more "authentic" experience, I've got some advice. Check out these hidden gem neighborhoods, learn about the real story behind Mount Tibidabo, and much more. Check out my new Substack here: https://spaintogo.substack.com Donate to the cause at https://expatmadrid.com/donate (Or you could just become...

Should you move to Spain in 2026? Well, it depends. A blog called Expat Money recently published a list of the "top 7 reasons you should never move to Spain" and I don't think the author was wrong about them... I just think that Spain has some intangibles that make it a great place to live, and that for most of us, moving abroad is more than a mathematical calculation. Support this p...

On this episode of the Spain to Go podcast I go into the new corruption cases involving Pedro Sánchez, ex-president Zapatero, and the socialist government. Also, some of the old corruption scandals, which are ongoing. Plus, Isak Andic (the fashion mogul who fell down a mountain) and thoughts about the 2026 World Cup. Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ Get your Spanish visa...

It's been more than three years since I quit drinking, and people have asked me for an update. So here goes: some practical thoughts about being sober in Spain, and some deep thoughts about sobriety generally. In today's episode, we've got my top tips for sobriety, creating a new "sober identity", finding a higher power, and much more. Support the podcast here: https://expatm...

In today's episode, I talk about GDP and GDP per capita in Spain and the USA, and I try to answer the question: Is Spain a poor country? Turns out, it's a bit complicated. We've also got some thoughts on Ireland, on India, on wealth and well-being, and much more. Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ Shoutout and a big thanks this week to our two donors, Keely in Scottsdale,...

An interview with expat therapist (and therapist for expats) Melissa Parks. Melissa is the author of "A Compassionate Mess: a Therapist, Her Monsters, and a Journey to Self-Acceptance" which comes out in June 2026. She lived in Madrid, Spain, for several years – that's where we met. In this episode we talk about navigating life abroad: moving for love, rebuilding after breakups, find...

I recently went to a Worker's Day protest here in Barcelona... here are some thoughts about May 1, the working class struggle, class consciousness, Marx, and rebellion for sale. Support the podcast right here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ More about Workers' Day and links to further articles on the blog: https://expatmadrid.com/workers-day-barcelona/ Sign up for a walking tour with Walks Tours...

Spain is planning to regularize 500,000 illegal immigrants, maybe more. Here's my report on who's eligible, where to go for help, and the controversy surrounding Pedro Sánchez's Royal Decree. (As it turns out, most Spaniards are against it, and the rollout is causing massive chaos.) If you're in need of Spanish immigration services – for the mass regularization or any other type of...

A lot of people move to Spain thinking they'll find happiness abroad. In reality, though, expat life is complicated, and happiness is far from guaranteed. Here are my thoughts on a "feeling of home", on getting away from it all, on Americans' love for moving, and much more. Support the podcast at https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ I appreciate it! And I'll give you a shoutout on...

Sant Jordi is a typical Catalan celebration. Also known as the day of books and roses, it celebrates the very international Saint George. In this episode we talk about Saint George's legend in Spain and abroad, as well as the Catalan celebration and some of the important myths associated with Catalan culture. Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ Today we deal with a numb...