Fuengirola council teams have cleared motorhomes and caravans from the Feria grounds and repainted all parking and market stall markings with stricter dimensions to stop oversized vehicles.

None of the fresh spaces measure large enough for a motorhome, so none can park legally inside the lines anymore. Motorhomes or caravan towers that attempt overnight stays by crossing the designated lines could receive fines reaching €200.

Motorhome bone of contention

Neighbours in surrounding flats have been voicing complaints for years over the site operating as an unofficial and free camping ground without proper facilities, particularly for grey water discharge that creates unpleasant smells and potential hygiene hazards in the neighbourhood.

Motorhome websites continue to recommend Fuengirola Feria grounds as a free overnight parking spot even after these updates took effect. Motorhomers, while welcome holidaymakers in Fuengirola, will now have to find legal pay sites to camp at.

Feria grounds gain over 700 regulated parking bays

Services from Fuengirola Council push forward with the council parking plan through reorganisation at the Feria grounds. This work supplies more than 700 units for car parking and adds to nearly 500 created earlier in the mandate for a running total above 1,200 spaces.

Mayor Ana Mula inspected the road markings and stated that the Feria grounds always acted as a major parking zone but never received proper regulation or ordering. Teams examined methods to use the asphalt patches at the entrance where fairground attractions normally locate, plus the edges of central and lateral streets.

Changes in the central zone around the casetas have now introduced one-way traffic heading to the Palacio de la Paz, while parking becomes possible on both road sides. Mula said that these modifications will make 700 parking places available for local residents and bring the overall figure close to 1,200 from fresh actions and reorderings such as this in Fuengirola.

Additional parking expansions planned for coming months

Works begin shortly on the initial phase of Montaña del Deporte in Los Pacos to introduce 56 extra spaces in that district.

Designs also include over 1,000 parking spots under the future Santa Fe-Antonio Basilio stadium in Los Boliches once the licensing contracting finishes.

Fuengirola residents at the end of their tether with motorhomes and caravans taking over

Owners of holiday homes in Spain who rent out their properties while they are away are about to gain clear advantages from a Spanish Supreme Court ruling that eliminates the national registry for short-term tourist rentals.

This decision overturns a requirement introduced by the coalition government last July forcing property owners to register and obtain a number before advertising on platforms such as Airbnb. This will come as a relief to thousands of holiday homeowners who rent out their property when they are not around.

Several regional governments challenged the measure successfully, arguing the central government overstepped the mark in its powers in the area. Spain’s highest court agreed that the state lacked any authority to impose a national registry on top of similar ones already operating at a regional level. Data sharing requirements for the platform continue as they were before under the court decision.

Holiday rental landlords gain from less red tape

Property owners will gain from simpler processes when listing properties for short-term stays. Compliance becomes less complicated and less expensive for those who already hold valid regional licences. Time previously spent on duplicate paperwork can now support other aspects of the rental business such as marketing and guest services.

Regional rules shape rental landscape for owners

Spain contains around 3.5 million second homes, or holiday homes, that represent roughly 13 to 14.6 per cent of the total housing stock of 27 million dwellings. Foreigners, especially British individuals who cannot spend the entire year in Spain due to post-Brexit Schengen rules, own many of these properties.

Before the national registry, autonomous regional communities handled rules independently with wide variation in strictness. Catalonia, especially Barcelona, and the Balearic Islands applied the toughest controls through compulsory licences zoning limits, bans, moratoriums and fines up to €600,000. The Valencian Community followed closely with urban reports and caps in high-pressure zones. However, Andalucia and Galicia offered more flexible approaches via straightforward declarations and low-cost processes that suited compliant owners in areas such as Costa del Sol. That system now comes back into effect following the court’s decision on government overreach. These regional frameworks will stay in force and continue to determine approvals, operations and local caps.

Platforms keep data sharing duties under EU rules

Rental platforms maintain an obligation to provide data about their listings to the authorities. European Union regulations still permit collection of such information on short-term accommodation without need for a national registry. EU authorities can still access details needed for enforcement and statistics through already established digital channels.

Outlook brightens for short-term accommodation providers

Individuals who rent out holiday homes will now experience greater ease in managing their businesses. Focus now changes back toward guest satisfaction and property maintenance instead of extra national bureaucracy. Spain continues to attract large numbers of visitors who prefer apartment stays over hotel options, with nearly one third choosing individual accommodation. This outcome supports balanced regulation while respecting regional competences in tourism and housing matters.

Those in the area of La Cala de Mijas are being invited to take part in the international Walkathon for Water on Wednesday, May 27, as the town joins a Europe-wide campaign raising awareness about the global water crisis.

Organised by the We Are Water Foundation together with resorts managed by Hilton Grand Vacations, the event is raising money and awareness about the lack of access to safe drinking water affecting millions and millions of people worldwide. The symbolic five-kilometre route reflects the horrendously long distance many children and families walk every day just to collect water. 

Walkathon for Water returns after successful previous events

The Walkathon for Water has already held multiple successful walks across Europe, with the initiative now entering its fourth year. Previous events attracted much interest with more than 1,200 participants from several countries and raised funds for clean water and sanitation projects in India, Tanzania and Colombia. 

The Mijas walk will take place on Wednesday, May 27 at 10am and is one of an incredible 20 walks across eight countries during the year. 

Mijas charity walk gets people talking about global water shortage crisis

The aim of the events is to highlight the reality faced by more than two billion people globally who still to this day lack access to safe drinking water. Every kilometre walked during the campaign symbolises reducing the burden carried by vulnerable communities searching for water each day.

Shocking facts from the charity tells us that water shortage and bad sanitation are the biggest causes of child malnutrition and other life-threatening childhood diseases. Over 1,000 children die every day from diseases caused by lack of safe water, and worldwide more than 2 billion people do not have access to safe water. 

Participants can register online with a minimum €5 donation, with proceeds supporting humanitarian water and sanitation projects. Local schools are taking part to raise the much needed funds for a very important cause. 

For more information visit the We are Water foundation website.