The Balneario de Archena thermal spa baths and hotel complex

Just a short drive from the city of Murcia, the Balneario de Archena offers thermal spa baths, spa circuit, accommodation and thermal spa treatments

The thermal baths complex of the Balneario of Archena has been in use since the time of the Roman occupation of this part of the Iberian Peninsula in the third century BC and offers a full range of thermal spa leisure options including thermal baths, thermal spa circuit, health and beauty treatments as well as a hotel and restaurant complex which is open throughout the year.

At the heart of the Balneario is the water which emanates from a natural spring at a temperature of 52.5 degrees Celsius and with a high mineral content which makes it particularly beneficial for treating sore joints and also facilitates the natural repair processes of the skin.

The Spa Centre itself offers extensive facilities, with an innovative indoor-outdoor thermal circuit experience complemented by a wide range of medical, beauty and relaxation treatments, attracting both visitors on courses of therapy (principally related to respiratory conditions, articulatory problems and stress) and those looking for a period of relaxation and pampering.

In addition, the thermal bath complex in Archena, it has to be said, is one of the most attractive places in the Region of Murcia, set as it is in the lush greenery which thrives on the banks of the River Segura at the southern end of the Ricote Valley.

Treatment, massage, saunas and recreational areas
There are three main areas at the Balneario de Archena offering therapeutic, beauty and relaxation treatments and recreational activities.

1. The Balnea thermal spa circuit (circuito Termal Balnea). This is a comprehensive and extensive spa circuit in which bathers pass through a wide range of different elements both inside and outside of the spa complex.

The Balnea Thermal Spa Circuit includes various saunas at different temperatures and levels of humidity, one of which is heated purely by the water of the spring while others use a variety of techniques. In addition there is a cross-current pool of minero-medicinal water with a temperature of 30 to 31ºC, a lemon pool (with fresh lemons floating in water at a temperature of 34 degrees), a flotation pool providing conditions similar to the Dead Sea, a cold water pool at 20 degrees, an igloo at approximately 2ºC, contrast showers, corridors containing alternating jets of warm and cool water, warm hammocks and infrareds.

The facilities also include onsite eateries in the Termalium area at the La Piscina snack bar and the Restaurante del Agua.

In addition, a wide range of beauty and health treatments (including facials, massages etc) are offered in the Centro de Estética The beauty treatments include facial cleansing, oxygen Termalium (cleansing and hydration), “Termalium Caviar” (exfoliation and relaxation massage), cell refreshment anti-aging therapy, cleansing and collagen veil, hydration, face and scalp massages, beauty body massages, chocolate massage, chakra stone massage, psychosomatic Ayurveda, cellulite draining massage, peeling massage, lymphatic body drainage, foot reflexology, slimming and firming treatment and a vitamin C citrus bath.

The beauty centre is open:

Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00
Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 and 15:00 to 19:00. (see feed below for full information)

Pricing
A complete 2-hour circuit of the facilities in the Balnea spa area of the Balneario de Archena is priced at 25 euros during the week and 35 euros at weekends for those who are not staying at the hotels in the complex: guests at the Hotel Termas, Hotel Levante and Hotel León receive a 5-euro discount.
Open: 7 days a week from 11:00 to 21:00
Age limit: 14. Minors aged 14-18 must be accompanied by an adult.

2. SPA Thermal swimming pools
The swimming pools of the Balneario de Archena are filled using the waters of the thermal spa and provide year-round fun and relaxation for adults and children both indoors and outdoors.

For youngsters there is an additional special pool with slides, and also an area which generates a current around a small circuit, which is particular popular! For the grown-ups, meanwhile, there are two main pools, one indoors in the lush green setting of the Balneario and the other under cover, and a series of Jacuzzis and jet showers.

Full-day tickets here are priced at between 10 euros and 22 euros for adults depending on the time of year, with discounts for children (7 euros to 12 euros) and for evening-only sessions. Whole-day visits are recommended, allowing a chance to eat at the bar or the Restuarante del Agua.

Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

The swimming pools are open between November and March from 10.00 to 21.00, from March to June and from 1st September to 31st October between 10.00 and 22.00, and in July and August from 10.00 until midnight.

Full pricing is as follows:
November until March open from 10:00 to 21:00
Weekdays: adults 10€, evening-only admission 7€ (from 18:00), children 7€.
Weekends and public holidays: adults 17€, evening-only admission 13€ (from 18:00), children 11€.
March until October, plus 2nd to 10th December and the Christmas period: March to June and from 1st September to 31st October between 10.00 and 22.00, and in July and August from 10.00 until midnight.

Weekdays: adults 14€, evening-only admission 8€ (from 19:00), children 8€.
Weekends and public holidays: adults 22€, evening-only admission 15€ (from 19:00), children 12€.

NB: During July and August the night-time reduced price period begins at 21:00 with the facilities closing at midnight

3. The thermal baths on the underground floors of the Hotel Termas
In this area of the Balneario a wide range of thermal treatments is available.

Most of the properties of thermal therapy lend themselves to both therapeutic and preventative medicine, particularly in the fields of respiratory and articulatory problems (painful joints) as well as countering stress, and the results achieved at the thermal baths in Archena are extremely positive, providing an improvement in quality of life for patients by reducing pain, improving mobility and lessening the dependence on pharmaceuticals.

The facilities on the second basement level of the Hotel Termas have been awarded the seal of quality by the Spanish tourist authorities, and a fully qualified medical team is present to oversee treatments and to prescribe them.

See feed below for full range of treatments available, ranging from 14 and 45 euros. See feed below for full details of how to book, price lists and treatment descriptions.
 

Therapeutic treatments

Treatments are prescribed by the onsite medical team, which includes three specialists in hydrology who perform an exhaustive initial check on all customers staying in the hotels and monitor their progress minutely. The treatments available in the spa underneath the Hotel Termas include the following:

Archena massage: the flagship treatment at the Balneario consists of a massage using thermal mud which is then showered off with water from the thermal spring. This is particularly effective at reducing muscle spasms and tension.

Thermal mud: a clay poultice containing thermal water is applied to the joints at a temperature of 45ºC. Beneficial for rheumatic diseases, painful musculo-skeletal conditions and the effects of trauma.

Termarchena: a small thermal circuit consisting of a steam room, a thermal water pool at 37ºC, a corridor with contrast showers (hot and cold) and two cabins providing 5-7 minutes of manual friction with mud and ice on the back.

For respiratory conditions there are also facilities for steam from the thermal spa to be breathed in directly, and a host of other therapeutic and physiotherapeutic options are provided.

All of the above are located in the Roman baths under the Hotel Termas, but the Balneario complex also includes numerous other treatments, all using the spring water, in the Balnea thermal circuit.

Hotel accommodation

Hotel Thermas (4-star)

Hotel Levante (4-star)

Hotel León (3-star)

(Click for more information about the hotels or see feed below)

Practical details

What to take with you

Visitors to the Balneario de Archena are reminded to take with them a dressing-gown (white is preferred), at least one bathing costume, flip flops or similar, a bathing cap and a towel. For hotel guests the dressing-gown is included, and they can also be hired at the Balneario at a small extra cost.

Food, refreshments, souvenirs

Apart from the hotel dining-room restaurants in the Termas (á la carte) and the León (buffet) there are also various other opportunities to grab a bite to eat or drink, including the “chiringuito” at the swimming pools, the cafeteria in the Casino (with its beautiful shady terrace), and a snack-bar. Another option is the Restaurante Del Agua, next to the swimming pools, and in summer the Bar Azul on the river bank offers live entertainment every Friday evening.

There is an onsite souvenir shop which also sells the most indispensable items for visitors: bathing caps, flip-flops, dressing gowns and swimwear!

How to get to the Balneario de Archena

Heading north from the city of Murcia on the A-30 motorway towards Madrid, take the exit at kilometre 121, where Archena is clearly signposted on the MU-554 road. Once approaching the town follow the signs for “Balneario de Archena”: these take visitors on a rather roundabout route, encircling the whole town before entering from “the other side”, so to speak, but trust the signs – they do work!

The only sign which might be easy to miss is just about the last one, when the route appears to be taking visitors back out of town towards Villanueva del Río Segura and Ulea. This is a right turn just after a Repsol petrol station: be on the lookout!

Click here for details on the health and beauty treatments offered at the Balneario de Archena.

Click here to find out more about accomodation at the Balneario de Archena.