Balneario Carratraca Spa
by Diana Sierra
The Balneario de Carratraca and the hotel closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have not reopened (as of June 2025).
Villa Padierna Thermas Hotel is a five-star hotel adjacent to the Spa in the village of Carratraca near Malaga city.. The Carratraca Spa (Balneario de Carratraca) is part of the hotel. Known for its sulphurous spring waters and therapeutic treatments, the spa is located in a natural setting.
The curative properties of the waters of Carratraca have been scientifically validated, and they are used to treat a wide range of conditions, such as skin and mucous membrane disorders, rheumatic and arthritic complaints, as well as certain afflictions of the nervous system. Over the years, numerous personalities have visited the baths, including Moreno Carbonero, the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, and the painter Julio Romero de Torres. More recently, personalities such as Antonio Gala, María Victoria Atencia, and Antonio Banderas have also enjoyed their benefits.
History of the Balneario Carratraca Spa
The rise of the spa began in the 19th century. In 1817, there was already a doctor in charge of studying the waters and treating the sick.
In the 1830s, Ferdinand VII ordered the construction of a large inn to house the king and his entourage when they came to take the waters. This place came to be called ‘Hostal del Príncipe’, known since the early 2000s as Villa Padierna Thermas Hotel, a luxury hotel.
Later, on 29 June 1855, the Balneario de Carratraca was built, following the plans of architect José Trigueros. It became famous for its sulphurous spring waters, which have been recognised for their healing properties since Roman times.
The Romans were the first to build permanent stone baths and used these waters for medicinal purposes. It is believed that the Arabs also knew about them, although they left no significant bathing structures.
Empress Eugenia de Montijo handed over the land for the construction of the spa on the condition that she and her family would have exclusive use of one of the baths.
King Fernando VII visited Carratraca in the 19th century to benefit from the curative properties of its thermal waters. Following his visit, and in recognition of the medicinal value of the site, he ordered the construction of the royal spa, which was inaugurated in 1855 in a neoclassical style.
Later, the spa passed into the hands of Don Augusto Casanova, followed by Señor José Fuentes y Vida and the Menjulet brothers. In the late 1990s, the property was purchased by VILLA PADIERNA THERMAS HOTEL S.A., a company linked to R&A Capital, chaired by the Spanish entrepreneur Ricardo Arranz.
Their flagship property is the Villa Padierna Golf in Estepona / Benahavis. The Carratraca renovation project began in 2001, with the aim of preserving the historical architecture while modernising the facilities.
In late 2007, the resort reopened the doors of these two historic buildings, considered an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) by the Junta de Andalucía.
The special properties of the waters and the service at the Spa have earned it awards for Best Health Centre in Spain at the Medical Wellness & Spa Awards in 2015, and it was nominated for Best Spa Resort in Spain at the World Travel Awards.