Lo Pagán combines beach activities with nature watching and a glimpse of the fishing industry. At Playa de La Mota, people enjoy water sports, kayaking and swimming in open water. At Las Charcas, the Baños de Lodo offer open-air mud therapy. And at the Lonja de Pescado, you can watch freshly caught fish being auctioned. When planning your visit, it is worth considering the access points for each beach separately and not treating the different aspects of the area as a fixed excursion itinerary.
Beaches and how to reach them
You can reach Playa de La Mota via Avenida del Puerto or along a footpath from Molino de Quintín. For road access, take exit 774 from the AP-7 or use the N-332. The activities available are also clearly specified: water sports, kayaking and swimming in open water are enjoyed at this beach.
To get to Playa de Villananitos, take exit 774 from the AP-7 or the N-332 from Cartagena to San Pedro del Pinatar. You can also get there on foot or by bicycle via a promenade that runs along the entire beach. To reach Playa de La Puntica, take the N-322 from Cartagena to San Pedro del Pinatar and then the road from San Pedro to Lo Pagán via Explanada. The directions therefore vary depending on your destination beach: footpaths, the promenade and road access refer to different points of orientation.
Mud baths and the regional park
The Baños de Lodo are located at Las Charcas, next to Molino de Quintín. This is a freely accessible area for open-air mud therapy. Admission is free, and access is unrestricted; check the access conditions before your trip. This option differs from the open-water activities mentioned at Playa de La Mota: at Las Charcas, the focus is on open-air mud therapy.
The Parque Regional Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro lies near Lo Pagán. This wetland is important as a breeding and resting site for many bird species. The regional park covers 856 hectares and includes six kilometres of Mediterranean coastline. Three signposted trails cross the area; visitor facilities include birdwatching points, information boards and two recreational areas. This allows you to discover the natural area not only through its landscape, but also via its designated trails and observation points.
The Las Salinas visitor centre provides information about what you can see in the protected area and how to get there. The centre also offers guided tours of the regional park to the general public. If you are interested in the birdlife or the trails, you can get information there to help you find your way around the area or consider joining a guided tour.
Fish auction and fiestas
The Lonja de Pescado is located on Explanada de Lo Pagán, next to Club Náutico de Lo Pagán. Visitors can watch freshly caught fish being auctioned at the fish market. The municipal guided-tour programme offers free 75-minute tours through December 2026. If you are travelling after that period, check whether the programme is continuing. The neighbouring Club Náutico carries out sporting and fishing activities. The Sendero Azul “De lo Urbano a lo Natural” also leads to Explanada, where the fish market is located.
The Fiestas de la Virgen del Carmen take place in San Pedro del Pinatar every year on 16 July. The festivities include a land pilgrimage and a procession on the Mar Menor. During the fiestas, the statue is carried to the church of Ntra. Sra. del Carmen in Lo Pagán, where it remains throughout the day. Since 1965, the festival has been recognised as a festival of regional tourist interest. It is important to note that the festival takes place in San Pedro del Pinatar, with Lo Pagán serving as a separate stop along the route.
Discover more destinations: Cehegín, Portman, El Moral, La Condomina, El Cabezo, Villanueva Del Río Segura, Canteras, El Algar
For the broader travel overview: Murcia.
