Abandoned Spanish Water Park, Once a Tourist Hub, Now Occupied by Squatters
The former Parque Europa Baku on Fuerteventura, once a popular destination, has fallen into disrepair and is now home to a community of homeless individuals.
A sprawling tourist complex in Fuerteventura, once a vibrant holiday attraction, has been left to decay and is now inhabited by squatters. The Parque Europa Baku in Corralejo, which opened in the 2000s, featured attractions such as shark and reptile enclosures, a replica of Christopher Columbus's ship, and a water park. However, the ambitious development, occupying over 159,000 square meters of public land, was plagued by financial difficulties and closed its doors after only a few years.
Eerie photographs from the abandoned site reveal empty pools, crumbling buildings, and graffiti-covered enclosures. An urban explorer, identified online as SeanUrbex, reported that gaining access to the complex was surprisingly easy, involving simply walking off the main street.
SeanUrbex discovered that homeless individuals had made the ruins their home, living within old pools and display areas. Makeshift beds and drying clothes were visible amidst the decay. "Homelessness is a real problem on the island, and many of them make use of disused places," SeanUrbex noted, expressing shock at the number of squatters inhabiting the former park.
According to company accounts, the operator, Ociopark Corralejo, had accumulated losses of nearly €31.2 million (£27 million) by the end of 2019. In July 2026, the La Oliva council initiated proceedings to terminate the concession for the abandoned complex.