TALKING BALEARICS

Welcome to Talking Balearics where paradise floods, airports fail, politicians make promises and Ibiza charges you a fortune for the privilege. This week, Storm Adam batters the islands and makes international headlines, but were the authorities prepared, or was this a disaster waiting to happen?
Could the Tourist Tax help solve the housing crisis? Why are Mallorca and Ibiza airports near the bottom of Spain's punctuality rankings? And what do the latest election promises mean for Brits abroad?

Plus, has Ibiza finally priced itself out of paradise? And, of course, we'll finish with Real Mallorca.

Mallorca looks to tackle traffic with water transport, Spain’s government rushes through a new decree giving rental tenants more rights - and it could have major implications for the Balearics. The date for the General Strike is confirmed while one of our hosts is inducted into the Ibiza Hall of Fame. An intriguing new travel discount for residents is proposed and July’s tourist figures are out, highlighting some of the issues the islands continue to face.

Spain’s 10 most expensive towns to buy property are revealed and, unsurprisingly, the Balearics feature heavily and finally, Real Mallor...

Election fever has officially arrived in Spain, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez calling a general election for November 29th and with housing once again dominating the political agenda, Balearic President Marga Prohens has made it pretty clear where she stands. Meanwhile, Spain’s two biggest unions are backing a general strike over the crisis.

Away from politics, North American airlines continue to expand their connections to the Balearics, bringing more visitors across the Atlantic and in Ibiza, a brand-new resort hotel in San Antonio has teamed up with Tomorrowland, one of the biggest names in electronic mus...

EXTRA PODCAST | Ibiza Cricket Club: 40 Years on the White Isle

In this Talking Balearics special episode, Martin Makepeace speaks to journalist Thom Airs, who has been commissioned by the editor of Wisden’s Cricket Around the World to write exclusively for next year’s Wisden Almanack about Ibiza’s unique relationship with cricket.

As Ibiza Cricket Club celebrates its 40th anniversary, Thom takes a closer look at how one of England’s most traditional sports found a home on a small Spanish island — and how th...

The Balearic housing lottery, who should get priority for affordable homes, and should residents get preferential treatment when buying property? The hotel summer bonus for staff working in the heat raises a bigger question about how the tourism industry treats the people who keep it running. Beach saturation as Cala Conta's numbers are mind boggling, squeezing onto the sand more than its physical capacity. Airport Protests as thousands take to the streets against the proposed expansion of Ibiza Airport. How much growth can the island actually handle? The cost of living is in the news as prices continue to...

The summer numbers are in for Ibiza's historical Parador hotel, the price at the Balearic petrol pumps has hit record levels, there's a change of law for traffic lights and boat rentals, beware of transport scams, the Balearic rental market is in meltdown as the international market go in search of a better life and there's some exciting football news for Ibiza as Real Mallorca continue their good form. All this and much more in this weeks TALKING BALEARICS.

We’re the only English-speaking podcast dedicated to the incredible Balearic Islands, home to a thriving international community an...

The Balearic Ecotax is back in the headlines, with another round of project funding announced but where exactly is the benefit for residents?

Tourist spending is higher than ever, so why are some businesses still struggling?

Soller in Mallorca has won an award - although it might not be the award they were hoping for!

Meanwhile, Ibiza’s rental-car limits have gone to court, as car-hire companies challenge the island’s new regulations.

The kids are heading back to school across the Balearics, but some classrooms are still missing one very impo...

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary is at it again — this time taking on the Spanish authorities.

There’s trouble brewing after a rather strange vehicle turns up at an Ibiza taxi rank.

We look at the real reason behind the drop in rental properties across the Balearics.

The never-ending summer heatwave continues, with fresh warnings for the islands, and we’ve got some good news on Ibiza’s controversial vehicle restrictions — because it seems they might actually be working.

Meanwhile, Sant Josep business owners are having a right good whinge about the season, th...

We review the always challenging month of August across the Balearics — and the results are certainly mixed.

There’s news of another direct flight from the USA to the islands, but this one might surprise you.

Big names have been announced for a free concert in the heart of Palma.

London’s Financial Times has put Ibiza firmly in the spotlight with a major feature that, once again, reinforces many of the things we’ve been talking about on this podcast.

And on the sporting front, the Balearics’ top football team is struggl...

After months of build-up, was the Balearic Total Eclipse everything we hoped for?

An Egyptian lake in San Antonio has sparked a political meltdown, while Mallorca is making headlines for something far more positive with a major affordable housing announcement.

Ibiza residents are pushing back against a boat frenzy that's turning paradise into a floating car park, and we'll explain why there are suddenly so many bargain flights to the islands this summer.

The latest tourism figures are out, revealing some surprising shifts in who is actually visiting Ibiza, while Mallorca's Canadian market...

As the solar eclipse looms, the Spanish Royal Family are enjoying their annual Mallorca holiday and it’s all smiles - unlike the Balearic political deadlock, as the two main parties continue to disagree. Ibiza’s campervan numbers plunge, while Palma Airport gets a rather ‘wild’ new name and handling agent strikes are called off. There’s a surprise for Ibiza’s hotel sector as a new satisfaction survey throws up some interesting questions, while restaurants feel the peak-season pinch. And, of course, Richie is back with the latest Real Mallorca news as the new season gets underway.

All that...

Martin and Richie are joined by fellow podcaster and Mallorca resident Ollie Neilson to discuss the much-anticipated total solar eclipse that will sweep across the Balearic Islands on the evening of 12 August 2026.

It's one of the most extraordinary natural events the Balearic Islands will experience in more than a century. In this special episode, Martin, Richie and Ollie cover everything you need to know before looking skywards.

They discuss the science behind the eclipse, the do's and don'ts of safe viewing, what to expect as daylight turns...

The Palma anti-tourism protests turned violent, with both sides blaming each other. Ibiza's property market shows no signs of returning to normal, with some truly eye-opening housing and rental figures. The countdown is on to next month's solar eclipse, while strike action threatens disruption at Palma Airport. Ibiza's politicians get themselves in a flap over a dead chicken, fingers are being pointed at one of the Ibiza's world-famous superclubs, and the superstars are in town to help Spain's World Cup winners celebrate in style.

All that and much more, on this week's Talking Balearics.

We...

Spain and the Balearics have gone football crazy as La Roja bring home the biggest prize of them all - but what will the knock-on effect be for the islands? Trouble is brewing at Ibiza Airport over the popular Sunday Sessions, and the island government isn't happy. Mallorca look to bring in more public transport but this time on the water and the derelict hotel in San José that's become home to a large community of rough sleepers is facing D-Day. Uber has entered a new market in Ibiza, but is it really the game-changing story the h...

There's a growing backlash against anti-tourism protests, Ibiza Airport's record-breaking passenger numbers, the latest shake-up to airline carry-on baggage rules, whether Airbnb is finally losing momentum, the return of the debate over mega cruise ships, and Marcos Serra's decision to stand for another term as Mayor of San Antonio.

There's some Zara summer bargains and a look at the football fever sweeping the Balearics as fans pack bars and terraces to follow the World Cup. It's another packed episode covering the stories shaping life across the islands - from politics and tourism to shopping, travel and sport.<...

The holiday industry could be on the brink of a major shake-up as easyJet eyes a takeover that could change the way millions book their summer breaks. Back in Ibiza, the island's taxi service is making headlines again - for all the wrong reasons, while over in Magaluf, the UK national newspapers are finally recognising that its transformation strategy appears to be paying off.

We'll also look at why weddings are becoming serious business across the Balearics, celebrate Amnesia's spectacular 50th birthday party featuring a very special guest, welcome back one of Ibiza's most iconic party brands...

Have Balearic warning posters gone viral for all the wrong reasons, and should they be taken with a pinch of salt? Ryanair has climbed down over family seating, Magaluf is entering a new era with a very special concert on the beach, and in San Antonio there's finally an update on the so-called 'Super Toilet' that was craned into place with great fanfare back in February.

We'll also look ahead to megastars Fatboy Slim and Swedish House Mafia heading to the Balearics, discuss Real Mallorca's latest PR disaster, and round up all the biggest stories from across...

A major corruption case ends with lengthy prison sentences, are German tourists falling out of love with Ibiza, and could a future government led by Andy Burnham expand youth mobility opportunities between the UK and Europe?

We discuss Ibiza's favourite local dishes, whether San Antonio is suffering an identity crisis while Magaluf powers ahead with a clear tourism strategy, and why a familiar face has been appointed as the new manager of Real Mallorca.

Plus, feedback from visitors suggests Ibiza's superclubs may be pushing capacity limits on their biggest nights. Are venues becoming too crowded...

World Cup fever has swept across the Balearics, but why are bars and restaurants reporting an unexpected slowdown in the middle of June?

An illegal Ibiza party has made headlines across the islands, and the local government has unveiled a surprising new strategy to crack down on organisers. Minivan drivers are under scrutiny after a series of concerning incidents, while the British Government is taking a more proactive role in tourist safety this summer and in San Antonio, a debate is brewing over some eye-catching proposals to rename the town's famous West End. 

We'll also l...

Another summer, another tourist protest on the horizon in Palma as activists promise their biggest demonstration yet. The Balearic Ecotax continues to generate millions, but is proving surprisingly difficult to spend effectively. We'll look at why.

Co-living is set to become a reality in Ibiza this year – is it a solution to the island's housing crisis or just another buzzword? Mallorca Live is about to turn the Balearic sky into a soundtrack of global music stars, while Spain's tourism industry continues to break booking records. But with growing pressure on housing, infrastructure and local communities, how long ca...

Blacklists for badly behaved airline passengers, nervous hotel owners watching August bookings, and the question nobody seems willing to ask: does anyone actually use TripAdvisor anymore?

We'll also look at Ibiza Town's cultural transformation, Europe's "best beaches" list that has us raising more than a few eyebrows, and why Ibiza's car hire companies are up in arms over new restrictions.

Over in football, Real Mallorca have unveiled their manager for next season, while one of the biggest names in rap is heading to Ibiza this summer – and the ticket price might be the biggest surprise of...

Another spanking new hotel announcement - this time in Calvià - and the numbers are eye-watering, as fears grow over tourist overload despite thousands of authorised beds still sitting unused.

EasyJet rolls out a new luggage service that could actually make summer travel slightly less painful.

In Ibiza, foreign home ownership figures are raising eyebrows while passport control delivers the entirely predictable seasonal meltdown.

An economic forum in Palma produces something we’ll henceforth be referring to as Bernardos Law and after a lon...

Brits could get a 90-day rule rethink, agritourism is booming but facing hotel-style pressures, Bizum is transforming payments for local businesses, San Antonio’s West End is getting a bold rebrand but with a surprise twist, Real Mallorca are hanging by a thread, and hospital walkouts are piling pressure on Ibiza’s healthcare system.

All this and more in TALKING BALEARICS.

We are the only English speaking podcast covering the incredible Balearic Islands which has a thriving expat population and welcomed 19 million international tourists in 2025 including almost 4 million UK visitors.

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