Nerja, at the eastern extremity of the province of Málaga, has probably the best coastline in the province with its cliffs and natural park on its side of the provincial border with Granada.

One of the many coves is the Barranco de Maro, which has no vehicle access but can only be reached on foot. The seculdedness of this small cove, measuring 30m by 5m, attracts people who want to set up camp on a semi-permanent basis.

The cove, as can be expected, is also popular with regular holidaymakers who come down for a swim and to catch a bit of sun on the beach, and is precisely this latter group that has brought the existence of a sort of tent settlement to the notice of the authorities.

The ‘squatters’ make a small income by selling cold drinks, cigarettes and wonky weed to the beachgoers, apparently. Furthermore, according to one beachgoer who spoke with the Eugenio Cabezas from the SUR newspaper, they even hire out a kayak to people on the beach.

He also complained of the litter that they leave scattered out and that their very presence leads some families who used to frequent the beach in summer to stay away from it.

Locals claim that they have reported this to the Town Hall, the Policía Local and the Guardia Civil because this has been going on for at least “three years,” they claim. The municipal authorities, however, claim that they are keeping an eye on the cove on an almost daily basis.

“Steps are being taken, in conjuctions with other authorities” (the police) they say, to take action against these illegal settlements on the Nerja coast.

(News: Maro, Axarquia, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Andalucia)

Keywords: Camper/Squatters, Rubbish, Cove, Natural Park, Complaints

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