Baños del Carmen: what to see and the current situation

The Baths of Carmen are Málaga’s historic spa, which opened in 1918 on the city’s east coast. Centenarian eucalyptus trees on the rocks, a building listed as Bien de Interés Cultural and one of the best sunsets in the city.

Important notice before you go: The venue is under construction from June 2026. We’ll tell you what you can visit right now, what’s set to change and what’s well worth a visit.

Current status: works to continue until the end of 2026

This is the first thing you need to know, as it will shape your visit.

At June 2026 the following got underway: beach regeneration works, a long-awaited project in the city. It involves the construction of a breakwater in the western area —with one section above water and another below— and on a large sand replenishment, some 73,800 cubic metres.

The expected result: the beach will change from 2,700 to 12,700 square metres of usable floor area, and its width of 17 to 37 metres. The official forecast is that it will be completed by the end of 2026.

Two points that are important for visitors to bear in mind:

• The rocky area surrounding the building is to be left untouched. The project expressly excludes this, so the immediate surroundings of the spa retain their appearance.
• There are indeed some isolated cases of demolition paving and kerbs on the west entrance, the one closest to the centre.

And on top of this there is a second project, yet to be carried out: a a park covering more than 33,000 square metres with an urban woodland comprising 210 new trees, which received a favourable report from the Coastal Authority in March 2026.

Check the status before setting off. The restaurant is still open, but the surroundings are changing as the work progresses.

History: the seaside resort that began on San Telmo beach

The spa was established under a concession in 1918, in what was then known as the San Telmo Beach, through the nearby hills. It was a revolution for Málaga at the time: the city's first mixed bathing area, open to both men and women.

It began as an ambitious project, with restaurant, jetty, sports facilities and even a tram which linked it to the city centre. For decades, it was the summer meeting place for Málaga’s upper classes, and the venue for parties, concerts and competitions.

There is a specific date and cause for its decline. The spa’s importance declined since the late 1970s, when the new beaches at Pedregalejo and El Palo were opened. And from the 1980s onwards, the beach gradually disappeared for three specific reasons: the lack of sediment from nearby streams, the construction of the seafront promenade and the Pedregalejo breakwaters, which disrupted the transport of sand eastwards.

That is why what remains today is a residual beach on the western stretch, where there used to be sand all along the foreshore. And that is why the current works are taking place.

What to see

• The spa building. It retains its original architecture and is listed as Bien de Interés Cultural. Today it houses the El Balneario restaurant.
• Eucalyptus trees. They are the site’s defining feature: enormous trees planted along the bank, which cast shade over the entire esplanade. It is not a pine forest; they are eucalyptus trees, and they go a long way towards creating the atmosphere of the place.
• The rocky outcrop. The rocky area that juts out into the sea, with the breakwater. This is what remains of the original landscape, and it is what the building works are taking care to preserve.
• The views. From here you can see the whole bay, with the harbour and the city skyline to the west.

The Spa: opening hours and what to expect

The restaurant is housed in the historic building, and its terrace – practically right on the water’s edge and beneath the eucalyptus trees – is what has made the place famous.

Timetable: open every day from 1.00 pm to midnight. It is important to bear this in mind: It doesn't open in the morning, so if you go first thing in the morning, you’ll find the promenade and the rocks, but nowhere to have a drink.

And let’s be honest about what their visitors say. With over 13,000 reviews, the rating stands at 3,9: the general view is that The location and the views are exceptional, whilst the food is merely adequate and the service is frequently criticised for being disorganised and for long waiting times.

Translated into a plan: Check out the setting, the terrace and the sunset, and don’t expect too much from the menu. If you want to eat well in the area, there’s a place ten minutes away Pedregalejo with its beach bars and kebab stalls.

What to do

• Staying until sunset. That’s the main plan. The sun sets in the west, over the bay and the silhouette of the harbour, and it’s one of the best spots in the east of the city to watch it.
• Have a drink on the terrace, from 1.00 pm.
• A stroll beneath the eucalyptus trees across the esplanade.
• Take photos. It’s the contrast between the vintage building, the trees and the rocks that draws most people here.
• Link to Pedregalejo, a stroll along the seafront, rounding off the day at a beach bar.

About the bathroom: Whilst the works are ongoing, it is advisable to check at the site itself, as the seafront is currently under construction. Once the works are complete, the beach will be almost five times larger than it is now.

How to get there

They are in the El Pedregal seafront promenade, in the East district, between El Limonar and Pedregalejo. The exact address is 2 Bolivia Street.

• On foot: a few 30 minutes from Muelle Uno and La Malagueta, right by the sea the whole way. It’s the best route, and the walk is well worth it in its own right.
• By bus: the EMT bus routes heading towards Pedregalejo and El Palo have a stop nearby.
• By bicycle: The cycle path along the seafront comes as far as here.
• By car: about 15 minutes from the city centre, but parking is limited and roadworks are affecting access routes in the western part of the area.

What else is there to see in the area?

Los Baños del Carmen fits in well with a tour of eastern Málaga:

• Pedregalejo Beach, a ten-minute walk away, with its old fishermen’s quarter and its skewered seafood.
• El Palo, a little further east, with the same seaside atmosphere.
• The historic centre, with the Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre, a stroll along the coast.

To organise the day, you have what to see in Malaga in one day and, for lunch, traditional dishes from Málaga.

Excursions from Malaga

We are a local tour operator based in Málaga with over 50 years’ experience organising trips around Andalusia, with pick-up points in Málaga and on the Costa del Sol. These are our most popular day trips:

Frequently asked questions

Are the Baños del Carmen open?

Yes, the promenade and the terraces are open to the public and the El Balneario restaurant is still open. However, the site has been undergoing works since June 2026: a breakwater is being built and the beach is being restored, with work expected to be completed by the end of the year. The rocky area next to the building is unaffected, although there is some demolition work taking place at the western entrance, so it’s best to check the situation before you go.

What are the opening hours of the El Balneario restaurant?

It’s open every day from 1.00 pm until midnight. It’s not open in the mornings, so if you go early you’ll find the promenade, the esplanade and the rocks open, but not the restaurant and bar facilities. In summer and at weekends, it’s a good idea to book, as the terrace is one of the most popular in the city.

Is it worth eating out in Baños del Carmen?

It depends on what you’re looking for. With over 13,000 reviews, the average rating stands at 3.9: the setting and the views are exceptional, but the food is merely adequate and the service is frequently criticised for long waits and disorganisation. If you’re going for the setting and the sunset, it more than does the job; if you’re looking for a memorable meal, Pedregalejo is just ten minutes away.

What work is being carried out at the Baños del Carmen?

The beach regeneration project, which began in June 2026, involved the construction of a breakwater on the western side and the addition of around 73,800 cubic metres of sand. The beach’s usable area will increase from 2,700 to 12,700 square metres, and its width from 17 to 37 metres. In addition, there is a second project to create a park of over 33,000 square metres featuring an urban woodland, which received a favourable report from the Coastal Authority in March 2026.

Why is there hardly any beach at Baños del Carmen?

This is because it has been gradually losing sand since the 1980s for three reasons: the lack of sand supply from nearby streams, the construction of the seafront promenade, and the breakwaters at Pedregalejo, which disrupted the transport of sediment towards the east. What remains is a remnant beach on the western stretch, whereas in the past there used to be sand along the entire coastline. The current works are specifically aimed at reversing this situation.

How do I get to Baños del Carmen from the city centre?

The best way to get there is on foot along the seafront: it takes about 30 minutes from Muelle Uno and La Malagueta, all right by the sea. EMT bus routes heading towards Pedregalejo and El Palo also stop there, and there’s a cycle path along the seafront promenade. By car, it’s about 15 minutes from the city centre, but parking is limited.