Lorca beaches: Playa del Baño de las Mujeres

A charming sandy cove on the unspoilt coastline of Lorca

The Playa del Baño de las Mujeres is one of the three beaches in the municipality which are accessed by car along a track which is unsurfaced but perfectly manageable (except in times of heavy rain), and offers a delightfully picturesque location, clear water and almost totally unspoilt surroundings in the foothills of the mountains of La Loma de Bas.

Many people venturing along the track to this part of the Costa Cálida are content to stop at the first beach it reaches, that of Calnegre, which in 2017 became the first Lorca beach to be awarded the prestigious Blue Flag as a sign of quality bathing and services. But it is just a short drive over the next rise to the Baño de las Mujeres, where the vegetation spills over onto the sand, the bay is hemmed in by small headlands which normally make for calm water and the facilities are limited to regular cleaning and a couple of rubbish bins.

The beach itself is listed as being just 40 metres in length and 30 in breadth, and consists of fine sand which extends into the Mediterranean despite the rocky surroundings. Those who choose to come here often opt to spend the entire day, and set up camp under large awnings rather than just a solitary sunshade: no doubt this is due to the fact that there is no longer a beach bar here, and it is necessary to bring refreshments in a coolbox or travel back along the track to the beach of Calnegre to purchase food and drink.

Camping and motorhomes are not allowed, and the lighting of barbecues is not permitted.

There are many beaches along the remaining unspoilt and un-built-up stretches of the Costa Cálida, but few are as attractive, as easy to reach and as sandy as this one: as with the other beaches at this end of the Lorca coastline, close to the boundary with the municipality of Mazarrón, a visit is thoroughly recommended!

(Note: the name of this beach is a curiosity, suggesting that for some reason this is an especially appropriate location for woman bathers. It is hard to see why this should be the case, but the alternative translation of “women’s bathroom” seems even less relevant!)

How to reach the Playa del Baño de las Mujeres

The track which leads to the beaches of Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres and Cala Siscal is accessed from the RM-D-21 road which loops south from the RM-332 between Mazarrón and Águilas, and which end of the loop drivers take use will depend on where they are approaching from.

Those coming from Águilas are advised to take the AP-7 motorway heading towards Cartagena and exit at kilometre 857, from where it is relatively simple to follow the signs to Puntas de Calnegre. Anyone with time on their hands and a strong desire to avoid motorway toll charges will prefer the RM-332, although this will take considerably longer: again, Puntas de Calnegre is signposted shortly before reaching Ramonete.

The track to the beach of Calnegre (as well as the Cala del Baño de las Mujeres and the Cala de Sical) leaves the RM-D21 on the right around half a kilometer before reaching Puntas de Calnegre, and although it is unsurfaced and steep in parts it is well maintained. Normal cars will have no problem, passing space for two vehicles is available, and the only problem is that the amount of dust raised will mean washing your car once your visit is over!

First the track passes the Playa Calnegre, and then over the next rise is the access to Baño de las Mujeres, where there is space for a few dozen vehicles to park.

Anyone heading to this beach from Mazarrón, on the other hand, is likely to prefer taking the RM-D21 at the other end, and approaching Puntas de Calnegre via Cañada de Gallego. This takes drivers on a trip through the tomato-growing greenhouse fields of the Mazarrón countryside before hitting the coast in time to follow the beach of Parazuelos and enter the village from the north.

In this case the track to the Playa de Calnegre and the beach of El Baño de las Mujeres is half a kilometre past Puntas de Calnegre, rather than before reaching the village.

For more local information visit the home page of Lorca Today.