Costa del Sol residents are being invited to swap their usual morning routine for a five-kilometre charity walk in Benalmadena on Thursday, October 15, helping raise awareness of the daily struggle faced by millions without safe drinking water.

The fourth annual Walkathon for Water will start at 10am from Sahara Sunset on Avenida Rocío Jurado, with participants following the seafront towards Puerto Marina before returning to the resort.

Organised by the We Are Water Foundation with Royal Oasis Club at Pueblo Quinta and Sahara Sunset, both managed by Hilton Grand Vacations, the event uses the five-kilometre distance to represent the journey many children make every day to find water.

Walking the distance many children face

According to the We Are Water Foundation, more than two billion people worldwide do not have access to safe drinking water. Many children in Africa, Asia and Latin America walk several kilometres each day to collect water for their families.

Participants in Benalmadena will therefore be turning an everyday walk into a reminder of a very different reality for communities around the world.

Money raised during this year’s international Walkathon programme will support two water projects in India and Mexico, with the work expected to improve access to clean water for more than 5,000 people. The Benalmadena event is one of 20 Walkathons being held across eight countries during 2026.

How to join the Benalmadena walk

The five-kilometre route is expected to take between one hour and 90 minutes and is open to people who want to support the cause.

Registration can be completed online through the Walkathon for Water section of the We Are Water Foundation website, with a minimum donation of €5 per person. People can also register at the event itself.

The walk starts and finishes at Sahara Sunset, Avenida Rocío Jurado, Benalmadena Costa, at 10am.

Afterwards, participants can stay for paella, sangria and a raffle from 1pm.
For registration and full event details, visit the We Are Water Foundation website.

Alcúdia has brought this year’s Sa Fira to a lively close after three days of activities celebrating the Mallorcan town’s history, traditions, rural heritage and community spirit.

The final day once again transformed the streets into a meeting point for residents and visitors, with a packed programme offering something for all ages. From traditional giants and agricultural displays to animals, Roman re-enactments and children’s activities, the Sunday programme continued the festive atmosphere that had filled Alcúdia throughout the weekend.

A celebration of Alcúdia’s heritage

The annual Fira is much more than a street festival, with the event providing an opportunity to showcase traditions and elements of local life that have shaped the community over generations.

The town’s famous gegants, or giant figures, were among the attractions featured during the celebrations, adding one of Mallorca’s best-known traditions to the programme.

The agricultural and rural elements of Sa Fira also highlighted Alcúdia’s connection to the countryside, while the Roman-themed activities offered visitors the chance to step back into the island’s ancient past.

For younger visitors, a selection of activities helped make the final day a family-friendly occasion, with children able to enjoy the festive atmosphere alongside the traditional displays and performances.

Across the three days, the event encouraged people to explore Alcúdia on foot, discover its heritage and enjoy the town’s streets, squares and historic surroundings.

Music brings the celebrations to an end

After three busy days, organisers chose music and traditional dancing as the perfect way to bring Sa Fira to a close.

Plaza Carles V became the centre of the final celebrations as crowds gathered for a ballada popular, a traditional community dance event featuring performances by Sarau Alcudienc, Càrritx and Música Nostra.

The evening provided a fitting finale to the festivities, bringing together generations of residents and visitors in one of Alcúdia’s most recognisable public spaces.

Traditional music and dancing have long played an important role in Mallorca’s cultural celebrations, and the final performance gave people the opportunity to enjoy these customs in a lively, communal setting.

The atmosphere marked a final chance for people to meet friends, spend time with family and enjoy the festival before the streets returned to normal.

‘The heart of Alcúdia’

The local council thanked everyone who took part in the three-day celebration, highlighting the role played by residents in making Sa Fira a success.

The message to the community was one of appreciation for everyone who had taken to the streets, participated in the activities and helped create the atmosphere throughout the weekend.

With its combination of heritage, farming traditions, entertainment, family activities, music and local culture, Sa Fira once again offered a snapshot of the character of Alcúdia.

The closing celebrations ended with a clear message from the organisers: Sa Fira is not simply an event held in Alcúdia, but a celebration shaped by the people who live there.

As the final music faded from Plaza Carles V, this year’s edition came to an end, leaving residents and visitors with three days of traditional entertainment, community celebrations and a chance to experience the historic town at its most festive.

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Few things beat a nice slice of carrot cake with a proper cup of coffee, and this month you can enjoy both while helping dogs who are still waiting for a home. Adana, the Estepona-based animal rescue charity, is hosting a coffee morning at Frankie’s Bar and Grill on the Paseo in Sabinillas on Friday, October 9, from 11am to 1pm.

What’s happening

Volunteers will serve fresh homemade cakes, with a variety of items like sponges topped with creamy icing to chocolate brownies and cupcakes. There will be plenty of coffee to go round to sit and chill, relax and have a friendly gossip, the sort of morning where you pop in for half an hour and end up staying for two.

Frankie’s has welcomed Adana supporters before, including many a previous coffee morning, so regulars will know what a warm welcome to expect. Newcomers to the coast are very welcome too. It is a lovely way to meet neighbours and put faces to the names behind a charity many expats already know well.

Why every slice matters

Adana has been rescuing animals since 1990, and it relies on donations and the efforts of volunteers rather than government funding. Vet bills, vaccinations, food and shelter upkeep add up quickly, particularly for dogs who arrive sick, injured or abandoned.

On October 9, all proceeds go to the welfare of the Adana dogs. That means your coffee and cake help pay for the everyday care that keeps them healthy and comfortable until the right family comes along.

Make it a morning out

Sabinillas is a pleasant spot for a stroll, so you could arrive early, walk along the seafront and settle in with a drink and a treat. Bring a friend, a neighbour or visiting family, and consider taking a few extra cakes home.

If you cannot make it, there are other ways to help. Adana runs a thrift shop in Estepona, and volunteers regularly staff an information stall at the Sunday market in Sabinillas, where you can ask about membership, donations or giving a dog a forever home. Opening times can change, so check Adana’s social media pages before you set out.

A small treat for yourself could make a real difference to a dog who has already waited long enough. Pop the date in your diary and come hungry.