A reader writes in about Salobreña and a negative review that he has seen on the town.
I recently stumbled across a review of Salobrena from a recent visitor which, basically, described the town as having an ok castle, an ok downtown and an old town that smells of human waste, is dingy and dirty with pavements covered in poo and feral cats.
Now don’t get me wrong I’ve been coming to Salobrena for over 20 years, I have friends in the town and I love it to bits. And we can all think of several reasons why the place is struggling to stand up straight, although it feels like it’s been trying to stand up straight forever.
But the reviewer has a point. With the Mayor constantly trumpeting the towns tourism, getting money for it (?) and official touristic designations why isn’t the town, when you get there, the stunning gem that it appears to be from a distance?
Sadly, I think it’s getting worse not better. The beach area looks tired and sad.
The phrase “civic pride” comes to mind…..
John
I read that the Mayor and her Councillors are planning critical walks around the town to notice areas that need improvement. These will then be included in the town plan. Residents are invited to join them apparently.
Are they serious or just playing politics?
The more comments i read about whats happening to a place thats extremely close to my heart the more fecked off i feel ive noticed there are no views from anyone whos born and bread surely they are seeing the same shit thats going on has everybody just given up
VIVA TROPICAL
Warren
Shiner: I spoke to Juanma in the Tourist Office and asked him to respond to the letter about a week ago – I will remind him. I saw the press release from VOX Salobreña but would prefer to check it out for myself. There is definitely a problem behind the supermarket and the gasolinera
Hi Martin, have you had the opportunity to get the views from those in power yet? Have read today that Salobrena now has a Shanty Town, the decline continues.
Shiner: Yes, that is what I intend to do, via the Press Officer, Isabel Ramos 😉
Martin, Perhaps you may be able to pass these comments onto the Mayor for her to review and feedback?
We bought a house in the old town of Salobreña in 2021, having been seduced by the charm of the old town on numerous previous visits. However the more I visit the town, the more I am baffled by the entire place. Salobreña has everything and nothing in equal measure! The tourism potential for the town is immense, but unfortunately it does not seem to be appreciated by the Ayuntamiento. There are very few other towns that I know of that have so much to offer, a diamond in the rough……very rough.
Salobreña has a charming old town ( which is neglected and sad), an impressive castle ( which now appears to be closed), wonderful beaches ( which leave a lot to be desired in terms of cleanliness), a modern town centre with great infrastructure ( which is now run down and littered), and some of the friendliest people that I have met in all of Spain. I just don’t understand how this neglect has happened, perhaps someone can enlighten me? Is it a total lack of interest and organisation on the part of the Ayuntamiento, or is it a lack of pride of place on behalf of the residents? It’s such a shame that what should be the jewel in the crown of the Costa Tropical has become a bit of an embarrassment.
Martin. This thing on Thursday. I think that they should let a few chubby people join in on their MTBs. After all not everyone is a skinny git. One race for the live skeletons. One for the wannabes and a fun one for chubby persons. Your thoughts. ??
As for feral cats. Charitable cat and dog rescue do a fantastic job. Catch. Bring back to good health if possible and neuter. I think chip too. Cleaning up dog and cat poo. I have litter tray duties about four times or more a day. Never had to clean up pavement dog poo. But some people just don’t want to. Like littering No idea of what can be done. Unless we take Warren up on his idea. Shame the Mayor. !? I’d be right behind you Warren. !!
ive not been in a few years and by the sounds of things getting my jab and a new passport looks a long way off is there anyway you can up arms put your marigolds on get a load of binbags spend a couple of weeks shaming the mayor and your fellow moaners dog lovers etc etc etc
ps is she bonnie tyler
eat ya greens
Warren
My home is in Velez de Benaudalla, not that i can live there much until a Espana- UK agreement is reached, and my observations are:-1 there are lots of feral cats which besides breeding crap wherever they like.2- The ayuntamiento , with a pretty limited resource maintain the lovely mini parks for which there are sufficient dog poo bins and signs pleading for dog owners to clean up after their hounds but alas it is evident many if not most do not which is of course an anti-social disgrace. 3-I have stayed overnight in Malaga and i observed dog owners cleaning their pets’ mess up , even carrying water sprayers to wash away no.1s! Whether the difference in behaviour is due to more witnesses or being caught on camera or by the Policia Local …. there is only a single bobby on the beat in VDB
Patrick: it was good bumping into you, too. Riding past I saw that the office was open, but I didn’t realise that there was nobody attending to the public. The mag cones out on Wednesday. Distribution in Salobreña on Thursday is going to be a nightmare, for reasons best not mentioned!
Martin. After meeting you by pure chance in town. I also by pure chance found the Tourist Office open. So, very nice to meet you. Even nicer to see the Tourist Office open. But sadly empty. !!
Sort out the bollard fiasco at the beachfront. It’s a safety issue now. Should be able to park cars with families right by the beach paved area for blooming safety. Plus dinero.
Those that oppose surely don’t have to try to find a parking space facing the restaurants and apartments. Where revering in or out is a challenge. Due to these now unnecessary bollards. How much dinero is being lost?
Meanwhile La Guardia! No parking by beach front unless you live there. Not even in the disabled spots. So the whole car park is virtually empty and visitors are expected to trek to the beach area.
Come on. Do you want summer tourist money or would you rather it went to almunecar or Motril. Idiots. !!!
Having lived here over 6 years we have also witnessed the decline of the town. Dog poo, litter, communal areas going unattended are just three areas that should and could be easily addressed. The beach areas could also look much better. The Mayor needs to visit Torrenueva to see what a beach front should look like with new changing and toilet facilities, play areas for kids and pop up beach bars. I am tired of hearing the Mayor say she wants Salobrena to be a great tourist destination and yet the castle and tourist office remains closed and the town goes down hill. This place has the potential to be a little gem, but it needs investment and a change in the mindset of the people in charge.
animal poop and pxxs are in many costa towns. although cats minimise rodents people seem to spend mucho dinero feeding them and contributing to genetic issues
A conspiracy to discourage tourism to make it easier for the locals to park? Less tourists also means not having to fight to get a seat in a restaurant.
I agree we first found Salobrena 15 years ago and it was an amazing little gem. But year on year it has slowly found itself going downhill. So much so we only ever drive past the place now and never venture in. It really is a shame such a wonderful little place has fell into decline.
It badly needs to be repainted after the calima. The old town and La caleta. I’m disappointed they didn’t manage this before the summer.