Fuengirola locals are on the verge of losing their homes to motorhomes, caravans and other vehicles

Fuengirola’s quiet and tranquil winters are a big reason why so many Spaniards as well as foreigners have chosen it as their retirement dream town. Fuengirola’s changing though. It is becoming increasingly like dirty old big cities around the world.

The residents are becoming increasingly frustrated with the dozens of campervans and motorhomes that continue to dominate both the main car park and the side streets at the recinto ferrial. It is becoming increasingly common for what was once a convenient area to park cars and campervans, especially during events and weekly markets, to become a free and unofficial camping site. The number of complaints regarding lost parking spaces has increased. There is no space to move, there is waste (often human), and the community’s coexistence has broken down.

Situation age-old, but getting noticeable worse

This issue has existed for many years, but it has become more prevalent in recent seasons. Reports show vehicles parking on the lot for several weeks or months. Some people use the lot as a place to camp for free, putting up tables, chairs and awnings in front of their vans. However, municipal rules limit stay times in undesignated areas to 48-hours. The open lot has been transformed into a permanent home, said an anonymous resident while trying to find room in the community’s rubbish bins.

The filth and rubbish are everywhere. Euroweekly quoted another as saying, “When Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days, things don’t get better.” Motorhomes are required to move to the adjacent streets. Here, we don’t have any facilities for legal campers. No drains are available to remove the black water. The must do it when no one’s looking. It’s really starting to stink.”

No action from local council and police

Local authorities have not taken any significant actions, and the fairgrounds are the default location for overflow. The town hall confirmed that it does not have immediate plans to create an area for motorhomes, despite their growing popularity along the mild winter climate of the Costa del Sol.

Fuengirola’s problem is not unique. Similar tensions are escalating across the region. Residents in Torrox near the River Torrox complained about illegal campervan settlements and called for more clear prohibition signage. Benalmadena faced an overcrowded feria ground, resulting in police clearances. Limits were enforced by the town. In other places like La Cala de Mijas Nerja and Torremolinos, complaints have been increasing year after year regarding unregulated parking on public or coastal areas.

Motorhome tourism has boomed in the wake of the pandemic. It is a result of affordable travel, and Costa del Sol’s appeal. However, infrastructure has been lagging. Locals are happy to see visitors spend money in their town but they’re frustrated by the strain placed on public space and sanitation conditions.

Residents are hoping that councils will act before the problem escalates. This could be through the creation of dedicated zones, a stricter enforcement policy, or even fines. As of now, the car park at the fairgrounds remains a major problem, as it reveals the tension between tourism freedom, and the local quality-of-life. The council and local police have made little or no announcements on this subject. There is still no word about the construction and allocation of an official campsite.

As the Feria De Lo Pueblos and Easter are fast approaching, not to mention that the high season is also rapidly approaching, it’s time for the council to take measures to stop this problem from getting out of control.