Spain’s paradise resort of the 2000s is now a ghost city

Ibiza? Forget it. Marbella? Not even close.

Early 2000s, Spain was experiencing a resurgence of violence. Marina d’Or Spain’s true holiday obsession is the beach.

A resort town has been created on the coast near Castellon, with over 12,000 apartment built between 2000-2007. Thousands of Spanish families visited the area to enjoy sun and fun, according OK Diario.

Ads that say it allCiudad de Vacaciones“. There were hotels, resorts in bubblegum colors, palm trees and plans for a Caribbean Beach, a Ski slope and parks themed around the world. Real estate Disneyland, with a Spanish twist. Until it was not.

The dream that crashed

Then came 2008. The global financial crisis, which hit Spain’s bubble housing market, followed in 2008.

The visionary behind the project, Jesús Ger, had big dreams but ran into even bigger problems. The environmental permits were refused, and the unsold apartments began to pile up. The financial situation of homeowners was a mess. Their mortgages were inflated and their properties lost value.

Marina d’Or had filed for payment suspension by 2014. In 2018, the company ceded its control over five hotels, more than 250 businesses and apartments to Farallon Capital. The once-glitzy, high-flying dream turned into a long-term, slow-motion collapse.

Marina d’Or: from resort to TikTok ruin

Marina d’Or is set to close its doors on September 20, 2023. Closed shutters were put up on one of Spain’s most famous resorts.

The internet took notice.

TikTok was a rage in 2024 with videos of abandoned fountains, closed shops, quiet promenades, and mascots collecting dirt. A Brazilian family under the account, “Explorando Juntos,” filmed As if you were walking through the set of a postapocalyptic thriller, this is how it feels to walk around the city.

The description was: “It is like everyone has left without taking anything with them.” It was incredibly sad to see the place now more like a world-ending event than a holiday celebration.

A ‘Magic’ rebranding

New owners arrived in this context with the bold intention of bringing this sleeping giant to life.

Backed by Grupo Fuertes (the ElPozo empire) and Magic Costa Blanca Hotels, the new owners are pumping in €40 million to revive the resort. They bought the hotels, and all the attractions. Everything was rebranded under the Magic name. They are now targeting British tourists.

EasyJet Holidays, On The Beach Holidays and other companies have already begun to negotiate. What is the idea? The idea?

It’s not only the UK that has signed up: tour operators in Iceland, Italy, Latvia Portugal, Poland, Sweden, and Sweden.

Five hotels with over 1,200 rooms are currently under construction. Magic World The area is home to five theme parks, 150 holiday apartment and two urban hotels.

So, can Marina d’Or rise again?

There is still a lot of nature and infrastructure: wide boulevards with family-friendly beaches.

Magic World’s ghost town image is hard to erase.

Maybe TikTok which talked about its fall could bring it up.

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