Malaga horse-drawn carriages, a beloved tourist attraction, will soon be a thing of the past.
By 2035, these traditional rides will no longer be available for visitors in Malaga’s city center. The decision was made on Monday, July 15, following a heated debate at a council meeting.
Vox deputy spokesperson Yolanda Gómez advocated for maintaining the carriage rides, arguing they are a key part of the tourist experience. However, transport councillor Trinidad Hernández countered that the model has long been incompatible with the city’s evolving landscape. “The model of horse-drawn carriages as a tourist attraction has been difficult to fit into the city for some time, it is a service that should be ended,” she stated.
The phasing out plan is rooted in a 2015 order that allowed a 20-year validity for existing carriage licenses, promising a buyout of these licenses for 45,000 euros each. Hernández confirmed that “In 2035 there will be no more horse-drawn carriages in Malaga,” officially ruling out the city’s previous plans to relocate the stables in Teatinos.
Hernández also highlighted the poor maintenance of the current stables by the owners, revealing a series of invoices for cleaning and rubbish removal that the council has paid this year. “We made a precarious transfer of land, and they have to maintain their stables, pay for disinfection, water, electricity… and they do nothing,” she emphasized.
This service, according to Hernández, is not public but private, with the council’s role limited to establishing licenses and stops. She assured that the council would work to ensure young coachmen find alternative employment opportunities.
Despite Vox’s plea to preserve and promote the tradition, Hernández pointed out the significant costs incurred by the city due to damage from horseshoes on the streets, amounting to half a million euros. “They refuse to use rubber horseshoes as they do in other cities,” she remarked, adding that tourist complaints about the carriages’ conditions are frequent.
As the city progresses, the iconic horse-drawn carriages will be phased out, marking the end of an era for Malaga’s tourism. The transition reflects a broader move towards modernity and sustainability in tourist services.
