Málaga closes Pedregalejo and El Palo beaches for bathing after E. coli is detected

Málaga Town Hall has ordered the temporary closure for bathing of the beaches of Pedregalejo and El Palo, in the eastern district of the city, after the presence of Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, was detected in the bathing waters.

The measure has been adopted as a precaution following a notice from the Health Department of the Andalusian Regional Government.

The incident specifically affects the areas around the sampling points known as Acacias, in Pedregalejo, and Casa Pedro, in El Palo. According to the tests carried out, a temporary concentration of E. coli above the levels considered optimal under bathing water quality regulations has been detected.

Red flag and bathing ban

In response, the Town Hall has activated the safety protocol and raised the red flag on both beaches. This means bathing is prohibited while the health warning remains in place and until new tests confirm that the water has returned to permitted levels.

The restriction will remain in force until the Territorial Delegation for Health and Consumer Affairs confirms that the health risk has disappeared. For now, the closure is being treated as a precautionary measure to protect residents, beachgoers and visitors.

What E. coli detection means

The presence of E. coli in bathing waters is used as an indicator of possible faecal contamination. Although the reported detection is considered temporary, authorities recommend avoiding bathing until it is confirmed that levels have returned to normal.

In these cases, reopening depends on the results of new samples taken in the affected area. Once tests confirm there is no risk to users, the beaches will be able to resume normal activity.

Two popular beaches on Málaga’s eastern coastline

The closure affects two of the best-known bathing areas on Málaga’s eastern coastline. Pedregalejo-Las Acacias is linked to one of the city’s most traditional fishing neighbourhoods, with a seafront promenade, restaurants, beach services and high visitor numbers during the summer.

El Palo is also one of the most popular spots for families, residents and visitors, especially during July and August. The bathing ban comes in the middle of the peak summer season, so users are advised to follow the signs and check the beach status before visiting.

A recent precedent on the Costa del Sol

The province experienced a similar episode this spring, when the Campo de Golf beach in Málaga and Los Álamos beach in Torremolinos remained closed for several weeks after E. coli was detected. In that case, both areas reopened in May after new checks produced favourable results.

For now, the Town Hall stresses that the measure is preventive and that the bathing ban will remain in place until health authorities authorise the reopening.

📍 Affected beaches: Pedregalejo and El Palo.
🚩 Current situation: red flag and bathing prohibited.
🧪 Reason: temporary presence of E. coli in water samples.
📌 Sampling points: Acacias and Casa Pedro.
🏛️ Measure: temporary preventive closure.
⏳ Reopening: pending new tests and health authorisation.

The information comes from the article published by Málaga Hoy and the details released about Málaga Town Hall’s preventive action.