Else Beekman
The Playa de la Albufereta in Alicante has once again taken a severe hit from extreme weather. The recent storms Konrad and Laurence split the beach in two – a now familiar sight. Torrential rains washed away massive amounts of sand, leaving the stone breakwater fully exposed. Locals have had enough and are demanding lasting solutions.
In February 2023, the beach also suffered major damage. Although the local council acted quickly to repair it at the time, long-term measures were never implemented. Albufereta’s proximity to the Juncaret ravine makes it particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall. When storms hit, the ravine turns into a powerful stream that drags sand into the sea, eroding the shoreline. According to the regional flood risk plan (Patricova), over 120,000 square metres of this area fall into the highest danger category. Despite previous investments in a €140,000 stone barrier, the damage keeps repeating itself.
Frustrated residents: ‘No coordination, no action’
Local discontent is growing. Ernesto Jarabo, president of the Playa Blanca neighbourhood association, highlights in newspaper Información the lack of coordination between the city council and coastal authorities. “Everyone points fingers, but no one takes action. The stones displaced by the storm need to be repositioned, but it doesn’t happen because of administrative red tape.”
Cristina Knutsson, from the Serra Grossa-Albufereta neighbourhood group, shares the frustration. “We understand that nature has its course, but why isn’t there a plan to replenish the sand in advance? Once again, we’re left with a bare beach.” Her biggest concern? Timing. “Easter is around the corner, and this beach draws many tourists. Something needs to happen now.”
Crumbled walls and unfinished projects
On top of beach erosion, there’s another issue: the crumbling wall separating the promenade from the beach. Ever since the major storms of 2017, this wall has been deteriorating, with no clear timeline for repairs. Locals are tired of the slow pace. “There have been promises. In 2023, a renovation was announced, but we’ve yet to see a single sign of work,” Jarabo says.
Council promises repairs after the rain, but locals fear a repeat
The Alicante city council acknowledges the problem and has said that repair work will begin once the weather improves. “We will address the damage to both the beach and the wall and prepare everything in time for Easter,” a spokesperson said.
Still, residents fear this is just another temporary fix and that Albufereta will continue to be at the mercy of the elements and bureaucracy. “This happens again and again,” says Knutsson. “We need structural maintenance, or we’ll keep starting from scratch after every storm.”
Other coastal areas hit hard by storms too
It’s not just Alicante that’s suffering. In Matalascañas (Huelva), parts of the seafront promenade have collapsed after sand was almost completely washed away in the Caño Guerrero area. Local officials have sounded the alarm and called on the national government for urgent help to protect tourism and public safety.
In Marbella, the storm erased around 20% of the sand at its beaches. Playa de la Fontanilla was especially hard hit, losing some 10,000 cubic metres of sand and forming a steep ridge that now blocks easy access. Other nearby beaches, such as Nueva Andalucía and Venus, have also suffered serious erosion.
In Isla Cristina (Huelva), a large sinkhole appeared at Playa Central after heavy rain, compromising the stability of the beach. In Mijas (Málaga), the entire beach section of Playa el Bombo was swallowed by the sea, and a beach bar was damaged. These are clear signs that the vulnerability of Spain’s coastline is a growing national issue.
Million-euro plans and temporary fixes: a troubled history
Over the past decades, multiple efforts have been made to protect Albufereta and its surroundings from storms and flooding. In 2006, the regional government invested €3 million to upgrade the barranco area, build a promenade, and improve access to the beach. In 2019, a 10-metre stone breakwater was added to limit sand loss during heavy rains. While both projects initially offered hope, they proved insufficient in the face of increasingly extreme weather.
Now, Alicante is looking ahead. Inspired by the La Marjal flood park model in San Juan, the city plans to invest €27 million in developing twelve flood control areas, including underground reservoirs near Playa del Cocó, the EUIPO and La Condomina. But residents remain sceptical. As Knutsson puts it, “Unless we start with consistent upkeep, we’ll just keep rebuilding the same beach, storm after storm.”
Also read: This is how Barcelona will restore the damaged beaches