La Charca in Salobreña and Los Berengueles in Almuñécar, two of Granada’s most renowned beaches, have been named in Ecologistas en Acción’s 2026 Black Banners report. The environmental group’s annual assessment cites severe pollution and environmental mismanagement, just weeks after the province celebrated a record 14 Blue Flag awards for beach quality.
La Charca, also known as El Peñón, has been flagged for recurring water contamination. The report says the beach faced two temporary bathing restrictions in 2025: one in August due to high levels of intestinal enterococci, and another in September after dangerous concentrations of Escherichia coli were detected. Ecologistas en Acción links the problems to untreated wastewater from buildings without sewage connections and agricultural runoff from local irrigation channels. It also cites multiple urban and industrial underwater outfalls.
The organization warns that these pollution episodes reflect a persistent pattern, not isolated incidents. It calls for urgent upgrades to wastewater treatment and stricter controls on pesticide and herbicide use in local waterways. It also wants new construction permits halted in areas without proper sanitation infrastructure.
Urbanization Threatens Los Berengueles
Los Berengueles, near the Marina del Este marina, has been singled out for environmental mismanagement linked to a new real estate development. The report criticizes the loss of native vegetation and extensive earthworks, saying ongoing construction also affects the coastal field. The work’s proximity to protected areas, including the Maro Cliffs and the Punta de la Mona marine reserve, raises further concerns.
The development also borders a zone where projects to restore the vulnerable coral species Dendrophyllia ramea are underway. The report notes that some buildings along this coastal stretch still lack proper sewage connections, adding to the environmental risks.
Calls for Action
Ecologistas en Acción urges authorities to tackle the root causes of pollution at La Charca by overhauling the sewage system and eliminating sources of marine discharge. For Los Berengueles, the group advocates a coastal management plan centered on conservation and restoration, along with a moratorium on new developments in areas of high environmental value, including scenic and geological sites.
The contrast between recent Blue Flag accolades and the Black Banner warnings highlights the complexity of coastal management in Granada. Some beaches, including La Guardia and Marina del Este-Los Berengueles, have been recognized for their amenities and water quality. But the criteria for these awards differ significantly from those used by environmental watchdogs.
Granada’s situation is not unique. Across Spain, 48 beaches have received Black Banners this year, reflecting a broader tension between tourism-driven development and environmental protection. Local authorities and communities face the challenge of balancing economic interests with the need to safeguard fragile coastal ecosystems.
As the summer season approaches, residents and visitors, along with others concerned about the long-term health of Spain’s coastline, will be watching these beaches. The recent revival of Corcubión’s medieval market offers a contrasting example of a seaside celebration tied to local identity and tourism.
