Motril’s haunted factory: Halloween mystery comes to life

A historic sugar factory on Granada province’s Costa Tropical is opening its doors to a ghostly mystery this Halloween, inviting visitors to explore its industrial past through a special guided experience.

The Fábrica del Pilar in Motril is hosting El fantasma de la Fábrica (The Ghost of the Factory), a seasonal attraction combining local history, storytelling and a spooky atmosphere. The event is part of Motril’s wider Halloween programme for 2026.

Running from October 28 to 31, the experience offers an unusual way for residents and visitors to discover one of the area’s most important industrial heritage sites.

Ghostly tours for Halloween

Guided tours are scheduled for 5pm and 6pm each day, with groups limited to 25 people per session. Advance booking is not required, making it a potential last-minute activity for families and anyone looking for something different to do over Halloween.

The story has been developed with the involvement of the guides and the municipal heritage department, using the factory’s historic surroundings to bring the mystery to life.

Although the ghost provides the Halloween theme, the real attraction is the chance to explore a site that played an important role in Motril’s industrial development.

Readers looking for more seasonal activities can also discover Halloween events across Spain, including celebrations that have become increasingly popular with British residents.

From sugar production to industrial heritage

The Fábrica Nuestra Señora del Pilar began operating in 1883 and became an important part of the sugar industry that once helped shape the local economy.

Production continued for more than a century before the factory closed in 1984. Its buildings and machinery now offer a glimpse into the working lives of the people who helped establish Motril as a centre of sugar production.

Visitors can learn more about the site’s past through the official history of the Fábrica del Pilar, published