A Christmas appeal has been launched in Torre del Mar to help families struggling with the rising cost of living give their children presents this festive season.

The initiative, promoted by the Instagram account Torre del Mar en tu Mano, is asking residents, businesses and companies to come forward with donations and practical support to help make Christmas special for children whose families are finding it difficult to cover the extra costs.

Toys, books and school supplies needed

Organisers are looking for donations of new toys, books, sports equipment and school supplies, including backpacks, pencil cases and arts and crafts materials. Local shops are also being invited to get involved by allowing residents to purchase gifts through their businesses and providing collection or storage points.

Companies and potential sponsors who can offer space to receive, store and distribute presents are being encouraged to contact the organisers. Other forms of support will also be welcomed. Volunteers are needed to help organise the collections and assist with handing out the gifts when the time comes.

Helping children enjoy Christmas

The appeal comes against a backdrop of rising household costs, which have made it harder for some working families to manage the additional expense of the festive period.

In their message, the organisers point out that families who have previously been able to afford Christmas without difficulty may now find themselves having to cut back, juggle their finances or even consider borrowing money to pay for everything.

However, they stress that a child’s excitement about Christmas should not depend on their family’s financial situation. A toy, book or other thoughtful gift can make a real difference to a child, and the initiative hopes to bring the local community together to help make that possible.

How to get involved

Anyone in the Torre del Mar area who would like to volunteer, donate presents or offer business support can contact Torre del Mar en tu Mano through its Instagram account. Further information about the initiative and its arrangements is expected to be shared in the coming weeks.

Residents who are able to contribute are being encouraged to get in touch and help turn the appeal into a community effort, giving more children the chance to experience the excitement of Christmas. This is a good plan for local charities and social groups to start planning for the Christmas season.

Property prices in Almuñecar are among the highest in Granada province, raising fresh concerns about affordability for local families and foreign residents hoping to buy a home.

Almuñecar has been identified as the most expensive town on the Costa Tropical for property purchases, with prices reaching €2,382 per square metre during the first quarter of 2026, according to figures reported by Granada Hoy. Today, the value is even higher and according to the latest September figures, the price has soared up to a whopping €3,293 per square metre.

The figure puts the coastal town ahead of Granada City, where the average stood at €2,258 per square metre. Across the Costa Tropical, the average was €1,829, while the provincial average was considerably lower at €1,467.

For anyone hoping to buy a permanent home in the area, the difference can add up quickly. An 80-square-metre property priced at €3,293 per square metre would cost around €263,440 before taxes, legal fees and other purchase costs.

Almuñecar property prices continue to climb

These figures come from an independant property-market index, so they should not be treated as a direct continuation of the first-quarter figures reported by Granada Hoy. However, they point to continued pressure on the local housing market.

Almuñecar’s appeal to international buyers, second-home owners and people seeking a Mediterranean lifestyle adds to demand for properties in the area. Its beaches, climate and established international community make it attractive to people looking for holiday homes or a permanent move to southern Spain.

What does this mean for local families?

Rising property prices can make it harder for younger residents and families on local salaries to buy in the town where they grew up. Foreign residents looking to settle permanently may also find that their budgets stretch less far than expected.

The issue is not limited to buying. Rental costs also affect people who cannot afford to purchase a property, particularly those looking for long-term accommodation rather than a holiday let. Although the figures alone do not establish what is driving prices, the gap between Almuñecar and the wider province raises questions about how accessible housing remains for people who live and work locally.

For prospective buyers, the challenge is finding a property that fits their budget in a market where advertised prices are rising. Do you think property prices in Almuñecar have become too expensive?

Santa Pola’s Museo del Mar is heading towards a record-breaking year after welcoming 133,145 visits so far in 2026. The figure is already closing in on the almost 150,000 visits recorded throughout the whole of last year, with the museum’s network of historic and cultural attractions continuing to draw visitors to the coastal town.

Museo del Mar approaches annual visitor record

Santa Pola’s Museo del Mar is heading towards a record year after attracting 133,145 visits so far in 2026, already approaching the almost 150,000 recorded during the whole of last year.

The museum complex includes its main exhibitions inside the Castillo Fortaleza, covering the history and ethnography of the sea and fishing, music, archaeology and local history.

The castle also hosts a changing programme of national and international art exhibitions, adding to the range of attractions available within the historic building.

Museum network extends beyond Castillo Fortaleza

Several external sites form part of the museum, including the Mediterranean Aquarium, the preserved Esteban Gonzalez fishing boat and Portus Ilicitanus, the Roman port which operates as an open-air museum.

Visits remain free, including guided activities, workshops, concerts and talks.

The combination of permanent exhibitions, archaeological attractions and cultural activities means the Museo del Mar extends well beyond a traditional museum building, with different sites exploring Santa Pola’s history and its close relationship with the Mediterranean.

Aquarium and fishing boat closed for improvements

Two attractions are currently temporarily closed. The Aquarium is undergoing improvements and new museum installations, while the Esteban Gonzalez is receiving major restoration work to its hull.

Both are expected to reopen in December.

Portus Ilicitanus has also experienced temporary closures during archaeological excavations and work to install a protective shaded structure over part of the remains.

La Picola will join museum network in 2027

The museum network is set to expand again in 2027 with the addition of the La Picola archaeological site.

The Iberian and Roman site is being prepared for visitors through a €1.25 million project fully funded by Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism.

Its addition will give visitors another archaeological attraction to explore as part of Santa Pola’s growing museum network, while the strong visitor figures recorded during 2026 put the Museo del Mar within reach of surpassing last year’s total.