An urgent warning has been issued to Brits going on holiday to Spain this summer as two popular beaches are set to be closed for months.
Costa del Sol's Torrebermeja and Las Gaviotas beaches will be shut until July due to ongoing works on the Malapesquera breakwater, authorities in Benalmádena have said.
The two beaches will be shut during the week, but re-open over weekends.
The Beaches councillor Encarnación Cortés noted that the beach bars in the area will operate as usual, underlining that the access ban only refers to the beach.
She added that the improvement works are expected to be ongoing until at least July 1.
She said: "We have also agreed with the company to open the affected beaches to the public during the weekends, from Friday at noon, when the trucks cease their activity, and we will condition the sand as quickly as possible for the arrival of the users.
“During the next few weeks, these beaches will not give tourists the good image they are used to, but it is a work that has been in demand by the beach sector for many years: the expansion of the dam will undoubtedly benefit the stabilization of this strip of the Benalmádena coastline.
"Next summer we will begin to experience the positive consequences of this action, and the affected beach entrepreneurs have received the news of the imminent start of the works with satisfaction, even though they are aware that they will be affected during its execution."
The Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition was asked to postpone the works until after the summer, but they refused, she added.
Many holidaymakers have been left gutted, fearing their summer holiday could be ruined.
Taking to TripAdvisor, one said: "I would wonder if Hotels/Tour Operators in that area will be warning their customers? Seems a bit of a late notice."
Someone else said: "We booked last weekend with TUI and they didn't say a word..."
One added: "Now realise it is going to be very disappointing being woken at 7.30am weekdays & seeing lorries & boulders being dumped, noisy & no peace.
"We will visit Tui shop tomorrow to take advice. Not happy!"
While someone replied: "You are right to reconsider to another hotel, who wants to be woken up at 7.30, & have noisy lorries & noise.
"We booked to have a peaceful location, wish we could have changed the Riviera."
