Archena's Balneario to Open New Thermal Pool

Carmen Conesa visited the Balneario de Archena on May 13 and said a regional subsidy of nearly 300,000 euros is funding a modernization plan that includes a new thermal wellness pool. The project adds a new mineromedicinal-water installation to one of Murcia’s best-known spa destinations, according to the regional government and local media reports. The visit brought together Conesa, the Region of Murcia’s tourism counselor, Archena mayor Patricia Fernández and Balneario operations director David Rull. Officials said the pool is expected to open later in 2026, though reports differed on whether that would be by summer or by the end of the year. ### What exactly is being built at the Balneario de Archena? The Balneario de Archena is adding a new pool of mineromedicinal thermal water to expand the complex’s wellness offering, according to La Opinión de Murcia and Europa Press. The pool is being presented as a new attraction within the resort’s thermal circuit rather than a standalone facility. (carm.es) David Rull, the Balneario’s operations director, accompanied officials during the site visit to review the new installation and the wider works. The regional government said the investment also covers structural improvements, technology upgrades, energy-efficiency measures and water-sustainability work. (laopiniondemurcia.es) ### Where is the money coming from, and how much is it? The Region of Murcia said the project is backed by a subsidy of “cerca de 300.000 euros,” or nearly 300,000 euros. Carmen Conesa said the funding is intended to support a broader upgrade of the Archena spa complex. Murcia.com and other local outlets matched the regional government’s figure and described the spending as part of an integral modernization program. (europapress.es) Those reports said the works include structural interventions, water-efficiency measures and modernization of services offered to guests. ### Who are the officials backing the project? (carm.es) Carmen Conesa said during the May 13 visit that the tourism sector in Murcia is moving toward higher standards of sustainability, efficiency and service quality. The regional government attributed those remarks to her in its account of the visit. Patricia Fernández, the mayor of Archena, has repeatedly linked the Balneario’s expansion to the town’s tourism strategy. (murcia.com) In a January interview tied to the FITUR tourism fair, she called the Balneario the municipality’s flagship asset and said the new pool was due to open before summer. ### Why does the opening date look unclear? (carm.es) May 13 reports did not give a single timetable. Europa Press said the complex expected to inaugurate the new thermal-water pool “approximately” by the end of the year, while La Opinión de Murcia also reported an opening previsibly at year-end. (laopiniondemurcia.es) January reporting pointed to an earlier schedule. Patricia Fernández told La Opinión de Murcia at FITUR that the new pool would open before summer, suggesting the timeline shifted as work progressed. ### How big is the Balneario de Archena in Murcia tourism? The Balneario de Archena describes itself as a thermal complex of more than 200,000 square meters in the Ricote Valley, beside the Segura River in Archena, Murcia. (europapress.es) The Region of Murcia’s tourism site lists the Balneario as one of the area’s main spa destinations. A 2024 report by Murcia Plaza said the company had revived a shelved 2008 plan for a new pool after demand recovered from the pandemic, and it put the private investment tied to that broader expansion at 1.5 million euros. (laopiniondemurcia.es) That earlier report provides context for the current public subsidy, which regional officials now say is helping finance the modernization phase. (balneariodearchena.com) ### What happens next at the site? The next milestone is the opening of the new mineromedicinal thermal pool at the Archena complex. As of May 13, regional officials and Balneario management were presenting the works as active and ongoing, with the latest public timetable pointing to an inauguration around the end of 2026. (europapress.es) (murciaplaza.com)