Else Beekman
Travellers heading to Spain’s Costa Blanca may find their plans disrupted in Moraira. The popular seaside town is now restricting motorhome access to beachfront car parks by installing new height barriers.
Motorhome drivers have encountered newly installed metal bars at locations such as the l’Ampolla beach car park. These height-restriction barriers, set at just 2.2 metres, effectively block entry for most campervans. Referred to locally as “anti-motorhome gates”, they are designed to prevent larger vehicles from parking directly on the seafront.
Council implements parking barriers to prevent seafront camping
The Teulada Moraira council has implemented the barriers across several beachside parking areas in response to growing motorhome tourism. The trend, particularly popular among retired international travellers, has led to long stays with chairs and tables set up along scenic coastal stretches—often without charge or regulation.
Measures to protect public space
Authorities state that the primary goal is to preserve public access and prevent environmental degradation caused by unregulated overnight stays. Moraira is following the lead of nearby Xàbia, which introduced similar measures last year along its Primer Muntanyar coastline.
Spain regulates motorhome tourism
As motorhome tourism continues to rise across Spain, more towns are enacting policies to manage visitor flow and protect sensitive areas. Motorhome users are advised to plan ahead and seek out official, designated areas for overnight parking.
The Motorhome travel trend creating tensions along the coast of Spain
Several coastal municipalities have recently introduced comparable measures aimed at deterring unauthorised stays in protected or high-traffic zones.
Other towns introducing restrictions
Elche and Santa Pola (Alicante)
These neighbouring towns have implemented parking bans for motorhomes near natural and coastal areas. Signage now warns drivers of the new limits, citing environmental protection and limited infrastructure as key reasons for the decision.
Lorca and Águilas (Murcia)
In the Region of Murcia, local councils have increased patrols and introduced signage in areas such as Puntas de Calnegre and Playa de la Carolina. These steps aim to reduce long-term parking that can damage delicate coastal habitats.
Maro (Axarquía, Málaga)
In Maro, near Nerja, environmental groups have voiced concern over rising numbers of campervans at spots like Las Alberquillas. Issues such as improper waste disposal and damage to vegetation have prompted calls for tighter controls and physical barriers.
These examples reflect a growing trend: while Spain remains a welcoming destination for motorhome tourists, local councils are tightening regulations to protect public land and natural beauty.
More coastal towns are expected to adopt similar controls in the near future.
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