Malaga will ban horse drawn carriage rides as of now

The council of Malaga, in a long-awaited move, has banned tourist horse and carriage services.

The decision involves the phase-out of the service, which once had 55 horse-drawn wagons in operation. Operators who still have permits will be compensated. The licences, originally granted in 2015 under a municipal ordinance that had a valid until October 2035 were reduced following an announcement made by Mayor Francisco de la Torre at the State of the City debate.

Malaga horse-and-cart operators receive substantial compensation.

Malaga City Council has disbursed indemnities totalling €125,380 per licence to the affected owners, based on a February valuation report by auditing firm R&L Auditores. The golden handshake acknowledges that their activities were prematurely ended, as they were deemed uncompatible with current urban safety standards and hygiene for pedestrians and animals.

According to an agreement made by the executive board of the local government, 30 licences were voluntarily redeemed between 2016 and 2020. The final 25 licences, now revoked end a gradual winding down that began years before when animal welfare was increasingly being put at the forefront.

A video message on social media is a great way to reach out. Mayor De la Torre stressed the rationale“We’ve taken this step to ensure the safety of animals and their well-being.” He also said that the holders of licences “have been compensated for the early termination of this activity originally planned for the year 2035” and praised the evolution towards more sustainable tourism in the city. “Malaga evolved and now there are several sustainable ways to visit the city. “The best way to see Malaga is by taking a walk through its streets,” he concluded.

Malaga’s urban spaces are now repurposed as modern places of mobility after the ban on horses and carriages

Signs reserving horse carriage parking spaces at key locations, including Cortina del Muelle and Paseo de Los Curas as well as Avenida Cervantes have been removed. These areas will now be transformed into motorcycle parking areas to improve traffic and support the city’s move towards more environmentally friendly transport.

The cancellation of the permit is a response to a long-standing demand by animal welfare activists who have protested against the practice for many years, including at antibullfighting rallies where they chanted “pull yourself the cart” in order to encourage owners. The Council’s officials cited the fact that the service was not aligned with the current development goals of public safety, animal health and other issues.

Malaga streets now have no clopping horses that used to be associated with romantic seaside rides. Instead, they are a place for pedestrians and eco-conscious explorers.