A number of expats have criticised towns in Malaga for falling prey to ‘overtourism’ and ‘losing their charm’ in the process.

Speaking in an online forum, British expats admitted they have abandoned once quaint villages like Frigiliana and Nerja because they have become ‘tourist traps’.

The debate was sparked by Ola Stromberg, who took to Facebook to complain about her favourite cafe in Frigiliana upping its prices and serving coffee in paper cups.

‘It is with a heavy heart that I, as a long-time resident, watch as lovely Frigiliana is increasingly turning into a tourist trap,’ she wrote.

‘I do understand that it’s important to be able to make a living from tourism, but it’s a shame if we start shooting ourselves in the foot.’

Speaking about the cafe she said: ‘Now we can only conclude that, in their eagerness to make as much money as possible from tourists, they have switched to serving coffee in paper cups that you have to fetch yourself, and at practically double the previous price. A sad development.

‘Prices are being driven up for the benefit of the owners, but at the expense of the permanent residents, and by that I mean, first and foremost, the local residents.’

‘Too many tourists’

Hundreds of fellow expats and long-time visitors responded to the post, with many agreeing that such villages are changing fast.

Across the Costa del Sol, tensions over overtourism have been building for years – driven by a surge in short-term rentals, record visitor numbers and a property market increasingly out of reach for locals.

In towns like Frigiliana and Nerja, the rise of platforms like Airbnb has transformed housing stock, pushing up rents and reducing availability for permanent residents, in a trend seen across southern Spain.

Emma Macleod said: ‘I love Nerja and Frigiliana, but I have seen tourism ruin what it once was.

‘I understand they need to make a living and keep up with the demand, but maybe they could offer an incentive to locals/residents by offering a 10% discount card for people that can prove they live there or own a property there.’

Dutch expat Lars Larsen said: ”After 25 years in the the village I left a couple of years ago for those reasons – too touristic.’

Sheryl Reiach added: ‘So many places are losing their charm and ambience, so very sad.

‘Also the Spanish are being priced out of some places. When rental prices are almost the same as a month’s wage, it’s only the richer foreigners who can afford them.’

Brits selling up

Brit Sandra Foster said: ‘I lived in Spain for 23 years, the last couple in beautiful Nerja. I would always recommend to visit, but when you’re a resident you think differently. Summer months are increasingly difficult.

‘It becomes impossible to park, impossible to go to your local bars and restaurants. It has now become busy all year round. No one has the right to deny anyone the right to live or visit. It’s just becoming more and more difficult for residents, whatever the nationality.’

Another added: ‘We were going to buy in Frigiliana two years ago but because of tourism we heading to Torrox Pueblo.’

Ruth Meredith said: ‘I feel exactly the same. I know Frigiliana very well having had a villa in Nerja for 28 years.

‘Unfortunately, in my honest opinion, Nerja is no longer pleasant to be in due to the vast numbers who visit and the same applies to Frigiliana.

‘We have sold up and moved inland to the Jaen region. It’s lovely, still authentic Spain, an absolute pleasure.’

Locals fed up: ‘Have some respect!’

One local commenting on the post in Spanish said his grandfather would be ‘turning in his grave’ at how Frigiliana looks now.

He said his family had been living in the town for generations but have been forced to leave due to being priced out.

He said: ‘We had to go far away because foreigners, and especially Scandinavians, have taken over everywhere and pushed us Spaniards out of our own country!

‘My grandfather would be turning in his grave to see it! I can’t even move to Nerja, Almuñecar, Caleta Olivia, Torrox, or El Morche, as they’ve also been taken over.

‘And the business owners will resent this because they have to serve the people who have ruined their town and forced so many to leave, so have some respect for us Spaniards!’

Another native, Luisma Alvarez, said: ‘Wow, a tourist complaining about the tourism sector… Welcome to the Costa del Sol, where we lose our identity in order to please visitors.’

The backlash reflects a wider shift in sentiment across Spain, where cities from Barcelona to Malaga have seen protests against overtourism, housing pressure and the perceived loss of community identity.

For now, towns like Frigiliana remain hugely popular and economically dependent on tourism, but the balance is becoming increasingly fragile.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.