The Town Hall of Casares has established a free reservation system through Eventbrite to access the Baños de la Hedionda building during the peak season, from June 20 to September 6. The outdoor pools, on the other hand, can be used without prior booking.
The municipality of Casares in Malaga, declared a Historic Artistic Site in 1978, is preparing to welcome bathers and curious visitors to one of its most unique spots: the Baños de la Hedionda. This natural spa, whose sulphurous waters have been known since ancient times for their supposed healing properties, has established a regulated access system for the summer season of 2026, which begins on June 20 and lasts until September 6.
The building housing the baths, declared a Cultural Asset of Interest (BIC), can only be visited with a prior free reservation, which must be made through the Eventbrite platform. The Town Hall has limited the capacity to 24 people per hour, and each user can reserve a maximum of two spots. Access to the restricted area is from 12:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday, and until 20:00 on weekends.
Outside the building, in the recreational area surrounding the spring, there are several natural pools where bathing is allowed at any time without the need for entry. This option is the most sought after by those looking for a quick dip or who do not want to adhere to the regulated hours.
The Baños de la Hedionda are located on the right bank of the Albarrán stream, very close to the border with Manilva, about 16 kilometers from Estepona. The site, integrated into the Utrera massif, combines scenic and heritage value. Local legend attributes the sulphur smell of its waters to the last breath of the devil, expelled by Santiago, although written tradition, recorded in the oldest geographical treaties mentioning Casares, already spoke of the medicinal properties of the spring.
According to tradition, Julius Caesar is said to have visited these baths in 61 BC to treat a skin condition, and grateful for his recovery, he ordered the founding of the town. Beyond the legend, what is documented is that the current building, with a square plan and spherical vault, has undergone various renovations over the centuries, including an Arab intervention that modified walls and channels. These works came to light during archaeological excavations in the 1990s.
Since 2016, the complex has featured outdoor natural pools, which have increased its tourist appeal. The Town Hall of Casares reminds visitors of the importance of preserving the environment: it is prohibited to extract mud from the spa, as, according to municipal sources, "the mud has no properties; it is the water that heals." Taking mud away causes direct damage to the ecosystem and the historical richness of the site.
For residents of the province of Malaga, the Baños de la Hedionda present a free and easily accessible alternative to combat the summer heat, in a natural setting of great beauty. The regulation of access aims to balance public influx with the protection of heritage. The Town Hall recommends planning visits in advance, especially on weekends, when demand tends to be higher.
