There has been an increase in the numbers Portuguese man o'war - also known as bluebottles - over the past few weeks in Spain, particularly along the northern coast. Here are some vital tips on how to avoid being stung and what to do if you are.
Esme Fox - esme@thelocal.es
Updated: Tue 11 Aug 2026 14:22 CET
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Portuguese man o' war float on top of the water, but their long tentacles hide beneath the surface. Photo: lux werk / Pexels
There has been an increase in the numbers Portuguese man o'war - also known as bluebottles - over the past few weeks in Spain, particularly along the northern coast. Here are some vital tips on how to avoid being stung and what to do if you are.
Portuguese man o' war spread in Spain: what to do if you are stung
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