Thermal Spas and Mud Baths Near the Murcia Golf Resorts: Archena and Lo Pagán

The two best-known places to take the waters near the Murcia golf resorts are the Balneario de Archena, a historic spa about 24 km from Murcia city whose mineral spring rises at 52.5°C, and the free mud baths at Lo Pagán in San Pedro del Pinatar, on the Mar Menor. One is a full spa day with hotels and thermal pools; the other is a short, salty and very sociable stop by the sea.

A few rounds of golf in, owners start looking for a change of pace: "Where do we go to unwind?" Murcia has been answering that question for a very long time. Here are the two places our owners talk about most, and how to enjoy them.

Where can you take the waters near the golf resorts?

The region has two very different traditions. Inland, in the Ricote valley north of Murcia city, the Balneario de Archena is built around a hot mineral spring that has drawn bathers since ancient times. On the coast, at the northern tip of the Mar Menor, people have long coated themselves in the mineral-rich mud of the salt pans at Lo Pagán.

They suit different days. Archena is somewhere to spend a few hours, or a night, in robes and thermal pools. Lo Pagán takes an hour or two, costs nothing and pairs perfectly with lunch by the sea.

From Corvera Hills and Alhama Nature, Archena is the easier trip. From the Mar Menor side, including Serena Breeze in Los Alcázares and Santa Rosalia, Lo Pagán is close by.

What is the Balneario de Archena like?

The Balneario de Archena is one of Spain's historic spas, set on the banks of the River Segura about 24 km from Murcia city. Its mineral-medicinal spring emerges at 52.5°C, and the water, rich in sulphur, chloride, sodium and calcium, was declared of public utility in 1869.

People have bathed here for a very long time. According to the spa, the Iberians used the spring around 1200 BC, and the Romans later built a thermal complex beside the river. The resort you see today largely took shape from the mid-19th century.

There are three hotels on site, linked directly to the thermal gallery where the spring rises, so hotel guests can reach the treatments without stepping outside:

*Source: Balneario de Archena dossier. Check room types, prices and day-pass options directly with the spa before booking.*

For day visitors, the main draw is Balnea, a thermal circuit of more than 4,000 m² inside the Espacio Termalium, combining thermal pools, hydrotherapy and hot and cold contrasts. The spa also offers medically supervised treatments, which it promotes for back pain, joint problems, recovery from injury, respiratory and skin conditions, and stress. As with any spa treatment, check with your own doctor first if you have a health condition.

Book ahead, especially for weekends and holidays.

How do the Lo Pagán mud baths work?

The mud baths are at Las Charcas, the salt-pan pools beside La Mota beach in Lo Pagán, close to the old salt windmill. They are free and open to everyone.

The routine is simple. Wooden platforms with ladders lead into the shallow water. You wade in, reach down to scoop up the dark mud from the bottom, coat your skin, then walk out and let it dry in the sun before rinsing off in the sea. It is a local tradition, and on a warm day you will see families, couples and groups of friends doing exactly the same.

The mud has long been recommended locally for arthritis, rheumatism and skin conditions, and is used as a beauty treatment. Those are traditional uses rather than medical claims, so if you have a health condition, ask your doctor first. It is also sensible to test a small patch of skin before covering yourself.

The baths are most pleasant from late spring to early autumn, when the water is warm. Parking near La Mota beach gets very busy in high summer, so go early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

What else is there to see around Lo Pagán?

The mud baths sit within the Salinas de San Pedro del Pinatar, an 856-hectare wetland that has been a protected regional park since 1992. It is one of the best places on the coast for birdwatching, and flamingos are a regular sight on the salt pans, along with herons, cormorants and ducks.

Flat paths and boardwalks run through the park, linking the salt pans, the dunes and the long sandy beaches facing the open Mediterranean. It makes an easy, level walk before or after the mud, and works well with grandchildren in tow.

Lo Pagán itself has a promenade lined with restaurants, so a plate of grilled fish or a caldero is never far away.

How do you make a wellness day of it?

A little planning turns either trip into a proper day out:

• For Archena, book the thermal circuit or a treatment in advance, and bring a swimsuit, flip-flops and a cap if the circuit requires one.

• For Lo Pagán, bring old swimwear (the mud can stain), a towel and water.

• Combine Lo Pagán with a walk in the Salinas park and lunch on the promenade.

• Avoid the hottest part of a summer day for both.

We arrange and accompany viewing trips across the resorts, and if wellness is high on your list, we're happy to point out how close each development is to Archena or the Mar Menor, so you can picture the weekends.

FAQ

How hot is the water at Archena spa?

The mineral-medicinal spring at the Balneario de Archena emerges at 52.5°C. The water is cooled for the pools and treatments.

Are the Lo Pagán mud baths free?

Yes. The mud baths at Las Charcas, beside La Mota beach in Lo Pagán, San Pedro del Pinatar, are free to use.

How far is Archena from Murcia?

The Balneario de Archena is about 24 km from Murcia city, in the Ricote valley.

Can you see flamingos at San Pedro del Pinatar?

Yes. Flamingos are regularly seen on the salt pans of the Salinas de San Pedro del Pinatar, a regional park since 1992.

Can you visit Archena spa for the day?

Yes. Day visitors can book the Balnea thermal circuit at the Espacio Termalium. Check prices and times on the spa's website before you go.

If you'd like to see some great new homes and how close they are to Archena and Lo Pagán, we should talk. Message me on WhatsApp on +44 7424 864 684 or send an enquiry and I'll get straight back to you.

About the author — Lee Doherty is the founder of MedSol Real Estate. He spent two years researching the region before buying here himself, and now helps UK and international buyers find golf-resort homes across the Region of Murcia.