Andalusia plans limited tourist access to Chíllar River amid ecological concerns

Up to 3,000 people a day crowded the Chíllar River in Nerja, prompting the town hall to ban entry in August 2023 and the regional authorities to consider a controlled reopening. The closure was driven by warnings from the Environment Prosecutor’s Office and fire-prevention plans that highlighted safety risks. Two companies, Travelnatura and Sando, are competing for a management contract that would allow either 500 or 300 visitors per day, with ticket prices of €10 and €4.90 respectively, and promise maintenance and emergency protocols.

Environmental groups such as Ecologists in Action and university botanists contend that any reopening threatens fragile species and that the river should remain closed or limited to a handful of guided visits. Similar tourism pressures are affecting numerous Andalusian rivers, leading to vehicle caps, fees, and occasional bans, but no comprehensive regional strategy has been adopted yet.