Construction on the long-anticipated Marina Motril is scheduled to begin in March 2026, marking a transformation for the port city of Motril on Spain’s Costa Tropical. The development, which has been in planning for decades, aims to more than double the area’s mooring capacity and deliver a waterfront destination.
Marina Motril will occupy 100,000sqm within the existing port that will replace the ageing Club Náutico and dry marina. The new facility will accommodate 700 vessels with 450 in-water berths and 250 dry berths, addressing a longstanding shortfall in nautical infrastructure along Granada’s coastline. As of now, the region offers only 427 mooring points between Marina del Este and the current Club Náutico de Motril.
The marina is being developed by Marina Motril SL, a joint venture between the current dry marina operator and Granada-based energy group Grupo Cuerva. The group was awarded a 49-year development concession in December 2023. International architecture firm Chapman Taylor has been appointed as lead designer for the project.
Chapman Taylor’s masterplan reuses underutilised logistics land to create an accessible waterfront that links the urban core of Motril with the Mediterranean coast. The facility will feature a mix of maritime, commercial and cultural amenities designed to serve both residents and visitors.
The marina will include a 15,000sqm commercial village offering retail, food and beverage outlets and artisan spaces. A zoco-style marketplace will be surrounded by native landscaping and water features. An underground car park with nearly 600 spaces will serve visitors to the site.
Additional infrastructure includes a 21,000sqm yacht repair yard, which will feature two travelifts, one of 110 tonnes and the other of 450 tonnes. Once completed, it is expected to be the largest yacht repair facility in the southern Mediterranean. Also planned are the Aula del Mar, a marine research facility developed in partnership with the University of Granada, and a new Nautical Club. The club will include two swimming pools, a gym, coworking and event spaces, and docking areas for small sailing and water sports vessels.
Sustainability is stated as a priority for the development. Marina Motril will operate on renewable energy, supported by the Cuerva-led Green Motril initiative, which aims to establish an on-site energy community. The project will avoid new sea inlets and adhere to the port’s pre-approved masterplan that minimises environmental disruption. Educational and ecological efforts include the preservation of local marine ecosystems and the reuse of existing industrial land to reduce coastal impact.
The development is expected to generate over 150 direct jobs and additional employment across related sectors such as tourism, hospitality, retail and marine services. The overall investment is estimated to exceed €30 million, and various financing models are under consideration to support the funding beyond traditional routes.
Final environmental clearance from Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition is anticipated within the next year while the project remains on track for a Spring 2028 opening.
