Lorca beaches gear up for a sun-soaked summer
Lifeguards, cleaning services and accessible bathing facilities are all up and running in Lorca
Lorca's pristine coastline is all set to welcome sun-seekers and beachgoers this summer, with a comprehensive safety plan and enhanced facilities in place. The Copla 2024 Plan, a collaborative effort between the town and the Region of Murcia administration, ensures that visitors can enjoy a safe and enjoyable experience on Lorca's picturesque beaches.
A dedicated team of 15 lifeguards, an increase of six from last year, will be on duty from Monday to Sunday, 11.30am to 7.30pm, until September 1. This emergency prevention and intervention team, comprised of Municipal Emergency Service personnel, service managers, emergency technicians and boat skippers, is committed to ensuring the safety of bathers along Lorca's ten-kilometre coastline, from La Galera to Águilas.
The council has established a First Aid, Surveillance and Rescue Post at Cala de Calnegre, Puntas de Calnegre Beach and Palazuelos. The team is equipped with two boats, a jet ski, a quad bike, transport vehicles and a 4x4 equipped for rescue and fire emergencies.
Dynamic land and sea surveillance will be conducted daily as far as the borders with Águilas and Mazarrón, placing greater emphasis on the beaches of Siscar and Baño de las Mujeres.
Lorca's beaches are well-prepared with semi-automatic defibrillators and specialised personnel, creating a cardio-protected area. The town has also installed signs to indicate the condition of the water: red for danger and prohibition of swimming, yellow for caution and green for safe bathing conditions.
Coloured warning buoys have also been floated off the coast of Puntas Calnegre Beach and in Cala de Calnegre to advise bathers where jet skis, kayaks, windsurfers, etc. may be operating.
With thousands of tourists expected on a daily basis, the local government has also been working hard to ensure clean, accessible beaches this summer.
According to Mayor Fulgencio Gil Jódar: “The work consists of improving the access roads to the beaches, as well as maintaining them through daily cleaning and waste collection, with reinforcement and intensification of the service in the months with the highest number of visitors, July and August.”
Throughout the high season, teams will clean and sift the sand and remove any algae build-up.
All of the busiest shores have been provided with rubbish containers, footbaths, rubber or wooden walkways and toilets, several of which are adapted for people with reduced mobility.
Finally, Local Police officers will continue to patrol Lorca’s beaches throughout the summer to ensure compliance with all of the local rules and regulations and special attention will be paid to the swimming conditions. To deter unsafe beach practices, anyone caught swimming when a red flag is flying will be fined between 751 and 1,500 euros.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
Address
Plaza de Espana, 30800 LorcaTel: 968 441914 (Fax 968 466157)
Oficina de Turismo de Lorca
The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites, and historic buildings, around which the modern City has built its tourism industry. Amongst these are Lorca Castle, the Jewish Quarter of the castle and Synagogue, 
Plaza de España, Colegiata de San Patricio, Museo de Arqueologico Municipal, Iglesia de San Francisco, Casa Huerto Ruano, Palacio de Guevara, Iglesia de San Mateo, Pósito de los Panaderos, Convento Virgen de las Huertas, Antiguo Convento de la Merced, Iglesia del Carmen and the Teatro Guerra.
Unfortunately Lorca has also been prone to natural disaster, suffering a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as an earthquake which measured 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011 and claimed 9 lives. Since this earthquake the city has been rebuilding, winning recognition for its Lorca, Open for Restoration initiative, which used the restoration of the city as a tourist attraction whilst it rebuilt its historical buildings, some of which are currently still not open.
The tourist office itself has temporarily relocated until the renovations are completed and is on Calle San Patricio near the church.
Lorca also has an area of coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of, Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San 
Pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala Leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only through agricultural exploitations.
However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a 
series of parades in which the whites (Paso Blanco) and blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the complex of its historic castle.
Opening hours for Lorca Tourist Office:
- Monday to Friday: 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.00.
- Saturday: 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 18.30.
- Sunday: 10.00 to 14.00.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
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