The coastal town of Matalascañas, in the province of Huelva, is in a race against time to restore its promenade before the summer. Storms in January 2026 caused significant damage, destroying approximately 1.5 kilometers of the infrastructure and raising concerns in one of the region's main tourist destinations.

The Almonte City Council has assured that the works are progressing “as planned” and at a “good pace,” with the expectation that the damaged section will be fully reconstructed during June. Although no exact date has been provided, the local administration is confident in meeting deadlines for the start of the high season.

The promenade's condition has reignited the debate about the vulnerability of the coastline and the need for long-term solutions to protect it. The central Government had already indicated that the most effective measure would be the setback of the infrastructure, a complex action that would involve relocating it further from the coastline.

The damage caused by the storms was estimated by the Almonte City Council at nearly nine million euros, a figure that includes both the promenade's repair and the recovery of coastal defense systems. The arrival of new storms, such as storm Kristin, tested the resistance of the installed breakwaters, though fear among residents and businesses remained.

Matalascañas' economy largely depends on tourism, making the completion of the works crucial for the upcoming summer season. Simultaneously, the Almonte City Council is exploring structural solutions, such as creating an artificial beach, to mitigate the constant coastal erosion and protect the urban core from future sea assaults.