Pat MooreSpain is heading into a rail strike that will affect train travel across the country on June 29. For most people, that doesn’t mean trains will stop completely, but it does mean fewer services, more disruption, and less flexibility than usual.

High-speed trains between major cities will still run, but with reduced availability. Regional and commuter routes are expected to be more heavily affected. Both residents and visitors are likely to feel the impact, especially during busy travel times.

The strike involves staff at Renfe and Adif, Spain’s main rail operator and infrastructure manager. The action is part of ongoing industrial tensions in the rail sector and will be managed through minimum service requirements set by transport authorities.

What will actually change on 29 June

The biggest shift passengers will notice is not a shutdown, but a reduction in choice. High-speed services are expected to operate at around 73% of normal capacity. In practical terms, that means most long-distance trains will still run, but fewer departures will be spread across the day.

Regional and commuter services will vary more sharply depending on the route. Some lines will operate close to normal levels, while others will see cancellations or reduced timetables. The effect is uneven, but consistent in one respect: fewer trains mean fuller trains.

What it will travel be like?

For passengers, the experience is less about trains disappearing and more about the system tightening. Journeys that are usually flexible become more rigid. Instead of several options across an hour or two, travellers may find only one or two workable departures.

This creates a chain reaction across the network. Popular routes between Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Sevilla are likely to see higher occupancy, especially at peak times. Seats will be taken earlier, and last-minute changes will be harder to manage. Waiting times between trains will also increase. Even where services are running normally, the spacing between them is wider, which affects how easily passengers can adjust plans on the day.

What it means for residents

For people living in Spain, the strike will be felt most in daily routines. Commuters relying on regional or suburban rail services may need to leave earlier, wait longer, or switch to alternative transport altogether. Morning and evening peaks are expected to be the most affected, with fewer trains available and more crowded conditions on those that do run.

In some areas, buses and metro systems will take on additional pressure as passengers adjust their routes. Journeys that are normally straightforward may take longer simply because fewer options exist.

What it means for tourists and visitors

For tourists, the impact is centred on intercity travel and connections between cities. High-speed rail will continue to operate, which means Spain remains fully navigable by train. However, reduced frequency changes how easy it is to move spontaneously between destinations.

Day trips become harder to manage. Same-day decisions are more limited. And popular travel windows, particularly late morning and early afternoon departures, are likely to fill more quickly than usual. Airport transfers are another pressure point. Even small delays or limited departure options can make tight connections more difficult to manage, especially for international flights.

Why trains are still running

Spain uses minimum service rules during strikes to keep essential transport operating. These rules are designed to maintain a baseline level of mobility while allowing industrial action to continue.

High-speed rail is treated as essential infrastructure because it connects major cities and carries large volumes of passengers. That is why services are not stopping entirely on June 29, even during nationwide strike action. Instead, operators are required to maintain most of the timetable, which is where the 73% operating level comes from for high-speed routes.

How to manage travel on the day

Travellers should not assume that a booked ticket guarantees the exact service originally planned. During strike conditions, timetables can change and some services may be rescheduled or cancelled closer to departure.

Checking journeys in advance becomes essential. Official rail apps and operator websites provide the most accurate updates, while station boards reflect live changes on the day. Arriving earlier than usual at stations is also advisable, particularly on busy routes where passenger volumes will be higher than normal.

In practical terms, it helps to focus on a few simple priorities:

• Check your journey the day before and again on the day of travel
• Allow extra time at the station, especially for high-speed services
• Avoid tight connections between trains or onward transport
• Be ready to switch to a later departure if needed
• Keep plans flexible where possible, especially for long-distance travel

Flexibility is the most useful approach. Travellers who can adjust departure times are more likely to find available seats if changes are needed.

If your train is affected

If a service is cancelled or significantly altered, passengers are typically offered alternative options where available. However, reduced capacity across the network means these alternatives may be limited.

Later trains often fill quickly, particularly on major intercity routes, so rebooking is not always straightforward. The main practical adjustment is time. Journeys may require longer gaps between connections, and same-day flexibility becomes more restricted.

Other ways to travel

Where rail capacity is reduced, demand often shifts to coaches, shared transport and car hire. These alternatives can provide flexibility, although journey times are usually longer, especially on major intercity routes. Despite disruption, high-speed rail remains the fastest and most efficient way to travel between Spain’s major cities, which is why demand stays high even during strike periods

On June 29, Spain’s rail strike will not stop trains running, but it will change how they run. Fewer services, fuller carriages and reduced flexibility will affect both residents and visitors. Travel is still possible across the country, but the experience will be less predictable than usual, and planning ahead will matter more than normal.

This July, the picturesque town of Coin will transform its Auditorio del Parque Leonor Princesa de Asturias into the ultimate base for summer nightlife.

The third edition of the local festival, Noches con Encanto (“Nights of Charm”), is coming to you with an eclectic wave of live entertainment. Presented by Coin’s Mayor, Francisco Santos, and Councillor for Festivities, Juani Bernal, the event is jam packed to the brim with a fun mix of live music, comedy, and tradition that draws crowds from neighbouring Alora and Cartama.

Retro and viral pop culture

The festival kicks off by bursting straight into global youth culture with a high-energy tribute production of the K-Pop Demon Hunters. The energy then completely flips into pure musical nostalgia with the expanded Festival de los 80′, 90′ y 2000. This massive throwback event gathers the biggest pop and dance anthems from the turn of the millennium, turning the open-air auditorium into a giant retro party. Once the main session wraps up, resident favourite DJ Ricardo del Toro takes over the decks, keeping the crowd dancing into the early hours with live club mixes and modern mashups.

Laugh-out-loud comedy and local rock tributes

A big dose of humour is thrown into the mix with La Noche es Comedia, a stand-up showcase hosted by popular Spanish sitcom favourites Macarena Gomez and Nacho Guerreros. Then in contrast, the festival’s most emotionally charged event is the Festival de la Luna, featuring a headline performance by the legendary Spanish rock band 091. Organised in joint effort with local neighbours, the concert is a memorial tribute to Fali, a beloved and well-known Coin resident. The auditorium grounds will feature community led activities and local food trucks, delivering a family community feel with a rock edge

Grand Flamenco Finale with the fantastic Morente Legacy

Closing celebrations on a traditional Spanish note is the Festival Flamenco Pepe de la Isla. Co-produced with the local flamenco cultural association, this spectacular finale brings the varied festival to a close.

Dates and the details

The festival runs on select dates between July 2 and July 31, 2026. Doors generally open at 8pm, with ticket prices starting from €20.00 for the retro club night and scaling up to around €33.00 for the headline concert dates. Tickets, more information and full scheduling are available online via the Coin Town Hall website.

Action cameras rolled across the decks of a luxury yacht in Puerto Banus this week as Marbella resident Matt Nuttall brought fiery energy to his latest film role. Behind the camera, Craig David Dowsett, a cult movie-maker with a growing following for his gritty independent action thrillers, directs the project. He has become widely celebrated in recent years for titles like “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey” and “Bigfoot: Primal Fear”.

Behind the scenes on the Malex superyacht

Matt Nuttall invited Euro Weekly News to witness the early morning filming for the new Craig David Dowsett movie Retribution. The Malex, kindly donated my Martin, and moored near the old Torre de Control in Puerto Banus, had only Matt’s unmistakable Manchester accent ringing out with colourful expletives from the top deck, alerting to where the shoot was taking place. Adding to the vital scene shoot were actor/producer Franky Lankester, famed for the Rise of the Footsoldier series, co-producing this movie, and actress Chayenna.

Craig David Dowsett was directing the sequence from behind the camera on a whistle-stop mission to Spain. Matt hurled his phone in a fit of on-screen rage while military-grade prop rifles and pistols rested on a nearby table beside a copy of this newspaper. Production captured multiple takes under the intense early heat of one of the season’s hottest days so far.

The plot centres on betrayal and violent revenge.

Retribution follows Priest, a former special forces operative betrayed by his partner and left for dead during an operation against an illegal arms network. Priest returns with a mission of total destruction aimed at the gangs and his former ally. Matt plays one of the lead arms-smuggling gang members, one with violence on his mind. His character faces disruption when Priest’s rampage in the UK delays key deliveries.

Dowsett confirmed plans to return to Banus in August for some intense fight sequences. Matt will then travel to the UK for scenes where his character hunts answers and confronts rivals directly.

Puerto Banús delivers perfect conditions for cinema.

Matt Nuttall praised the location’s advantages. “Banus is great. There are things filmed here all the time that no one knows about. In terms of location and the weather, it’s perfect. You can film here all year round, more or less.”

Craig David Dowsett echoed the sentiment. “It’s a great venue. We were here this morning at 7.30am, got some scenes done, and woke the neighbours up.”

Production continues with additional B-roll footage around Marbella. Teams will capture scenes in luxury vehicles and gather establishing shots to emphasise the area’s upscale character.

Director balances global commitments

After filming, writer/director Craig David Dowsett departed again for London before crossing the Atlantic for appearances at ComicCons in Tennessee, Maine, South Carolina, Las Vegas, and Germany.

Matt Nuttall expressed strong support for increased film activity on this coast. He talked of its strong history as a production destination and hopes more projects choose the area so performers can work closer to home.

Local support boosts the production.

This project highlights ongoing interest in the Costa del Sol for international and independent cinema. Production teams continue to explore further opportunities across Marbella and surrounding spots for future scenes.

Audiences can expect high-octane action mixed with local flavour when Retribution reaches screens. Matt Nuttall’s commitment to filming in his adopted home adds authentic connection to the story’s Spanish connections.