How to Travel Responsibly in Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol tourism keeps increasing, and while there are many pros, it’s also important to cover how travellers can be responsible when travelling to Malaga and its surroundings.
Overtourism is having a negative impact on the local environment and traditions.
As someone who was born and raised in Malaga, I am passionate about sharing the ins and outs of my city and its surroundings and want to inform travellers how they can be responsible when visiting my hometown.
I’ve compiled a list of easy things you can do to protect the city so locals and other travellers can continue enjoying this beautiful area.
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1. Walk, ride a bike or use public transport
All of these options aren’t only better for the environment, but they’ll save you money.
My preferred choice to explore Malaga is by walking. It’s a very walkable city, especially the city centre. Most main attractions are in the old town, which is a short walk away from each other, and places like the beach, train station, and bus station are also easy to reach on foot.
I don’t see the need to use public transport in Malaga city centre. You only need it when travelling to the airport, which you can get by bus or short-distance train.
Riding a bike is also a good option to get around the city centre and nearby neighbourhoods like Pedregalejo or Huelin.
The main purpose of using these is to reduce the CO2 emissions.
If you want to know your trip’s footprint to Costa del Sol, I highly recommend checking out this helpful calculator.
2. If driving a car, follow the driving rules and signs
You might think, “I already do that, why are you mentioning it?” In that case, it’s great. However, it’s essential to know that driving over the limit or on non-signalised roads in natural areas can disturb the locals and wildlife.
There is a higher risk of animal-related accidents.
3. Leave your car at the entrance of villages and outside city centres
The town hall has done a magnificent job of closing roads in Malaga city centre, allowing only residents or authorised vehicles access. As a result, the levels of CO2 emissions have decreased.
However, there are still many areas where you can park. When possible, park outside the centre and walk or use the underground.
The same idea applies to the small villages in the Costa del Sol. Most villages are quite difficult to drive in, anyway, because of their narrow streets. So you’d better park outside and walk to the centre and main attractions.
This also minimises road noise and damage.
4. Use water wisely
Unfortunately, the Costa del Sol and Southern Spain in general suffer from drought. It barely rains, and when it does, it isn’t enough to refill our reservoirs and water supplies.
This is one of the reasons we locals are looking for ways to reduce water consumption, and it’s also a mission for sustainable hotels.
As a responsible traveller, you can do small actions to prevent wasting water during your holiday. It’s as simple as closing the tap while brushing your teeth and opting for a shower instead of a bath.
5. Reduce noise
Noise also contributes to pollution and possible conflicts. Whether you’re in your hotel room or driving through the mountains, don’t play music or talk very loudly.
Also, be respectful when wandering the streets. Hen and stag dos can be common in Malaga, especially during the peak season, so if you’re part of one, please be conscious that people live and work in these buildings and don’t want to be disturbed by a loud crowd.
6. Eat seasonal and local products
I must admit I am a big foodie and love Andalusian cuisine; I’ve grown up eating these dishes, after all.
It isn’t always possible to know exactly where a restaurant outsources its products, but you can do a bit of research before eating in a place.
Luckily, the trend toward eating seasonal, local products is growing, and many bars and restaurants are cooking with them.
One of my favourite products is raisins from La Axarquia region. They are sweet and so flavourful. Although you can buy them any time of the year, the end of September is the season.
A fantastic place to buy local products is Atarazanas Market (see photo above).
7. Buy from local businesses
If you want to support locals, one of the easiest ways is to buy from them.
Malaga and the rest of the Costa del Sol have a wide range of indie shops selling all sorts of things. Many make great souvenir gifts.
For example, beautiful pottery and tiles. In that case, double-check that it was made in Andalusia.
If I were going to buy a wooden object, I would make sure the wood comes from sustainably managed forests. They may be marked with the FSC or PEFC label.
Also, I must mention the number of lovely clothing shops you can find in the Costa del Sol. I especially love the ones in the historic centre of Marbella.
Similarly, if we talk about food and drinks, go to local cafes and restaurants and avoid places like Starbucks, McDonald’s or Burger King.
8. Reduce the amount of paper
I think this is a thing of the past, but I still see travellers printing their boarding passes, hotel booking confirmation and attraction tickets.
I would always double-check if the company asks for the printed document, but it isn’t very common now.
Most places accept digital tickets, so you can show them on your phone.
9. Don’t take any natural objects as a souvenir
This tip should be applied to any place you travel to. Removing a natural object might not seem important, but it can significantly impact the area’s ecosystem. Instead, take a photo of it.
As an example, if you take pebbles, shells or sand from any of the Costa del Sol beaches, you could make coastal erosion worse.
In destinations like the Canary and Balearic Islands, people can be fined up to 3000 euros for taking shells, pebbles, or sand off their beaches.
10. Follow the hiking trail signs
Do you love hiking? Then, you should stick to the routes.
Going off-path can be dangerous and can also affect the area’s flora and fauna.
I would check AllTrails or tourist centres for the most up-to-date routes; this way, you can make sure you are fit to complete the route and that you aren’t contributing to the deterioration of the area.
11. Be respectful and open-minded when attending local events
You might not like or agree with beliefs or ideas, but if so, research them before visiting, or keep your thoughts to yourself to avoid conflict with locals.
The Easter parades (processions) are a big thing in Malaga, Sevilla and the rest of Andalusia, but they aren’t for everyone.
The same happens with some small village events. For example, Día de la Matanza in Ardales. On this day, it’s all about meat, especially pork. People eat chorizo, salchichón and other pork meats. Non-meat lovers, vegetarians or vegans are better off skipping this.
12. Choose a sustainable accommodation
Where you stay is as important as other aspects I’ve covered before.
To be a more sustainable traveller, you must research your accommodation before travelling to Costa del Sol.
The easiest way to determine whether a hotel follows sustainable practices is to check its website.
They may state what they do to improve the environment or how they work with local businesses. For example, they might purchase products from local farmers, serve seasonal ingredients, reduce waste or decorate the rooms with traditional crafts and objects made by locals.
This information is easier to find on larger hotel websites, such as the Marbella Club Hotel. Still, countryside houses or family boutique hotels might not clearly state their efforts to be more sustainable. That doesn’t mean they don’t take action to reduce the environmental impact.
Conclusion on responsible tourism in Costa del Sol
Being a responsible traveller is more straightforward than many people think.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. Every small action helps us protect the destinations we love the most, so we can enjoy them and future generations too.
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Thank you for these great ideas! You’ve clearly shared the benefits of considering eco-friendly tourist options.
It is sometimes hard to travel responsibly in areas like Costa del Sol where tourism keeps increasing. But good to see some good and practical ideas. Local products are always a treat when we travel. And we do try to understand local practices to be respectful. Many good tips for most travel destinations.
I think many of these ideas about being a responsible traveler will also be useful for other overtouristed areas. I appreciate the attention you have given to this. We don’t want to burn out one area then just move onto another.