Cartagena rolls out beach improvements ahead of the summer

Assisted bathing service to launch at Cabo de Palos for the first time, and a dog washing station is planned as Cartagena prepares for the summer

The Levante beach in Cabo de Palos will have an assisted bathing service for the first time this summer as part of Cartagena City Council’s ongoing ‘Accessible Cartagena’ project.

The programme's funding was increased to €48,400, around €12,000 more than last summer, allowing the service to expand to a fourth beach. Under the slogan ‘Beach for Everyone’, the assisted bathing service helps people with physical disabilities or mobility issues safely enjoy the sea with the support of trained staff and adapted equipment, including amphibious wheelchairs, crutches and lifting hoists. Assistance covers the full process from arrival at the beach to entering and leaving the water.

This summer, this assistance will be available at San Ginés de La Azohía, Playa Honda, Puerto Bello, and, for the first time, at Levante beach in Cabo de Palos. Schedules have also been adapted depending on the demand at each location to make sure there is longer coverage at the busiest beaches.

From June 1 to September 30, accessible bathing assistance will also be reinforced at Cala Cortina, El Portús, Entremareas, San Ginés and Mar de Cristal. These beaches will include accessible changing rooms, flexible walkways, amphibious chairs and reserved areas for people with reduced mobility.

Cartagena now has 20 accessible beaches with improved access points, reserved parking spaces, shaded areas and adapted facilities designed to make the coastline more inclusive.

Cristina Mora, Cartagena’s councillor for Social Policy, said they want accessibility to become part of every municipal decision, from beaches and parks to concerts, playgrounds and major public events.

Cartagena is also improving the beaches for its furry friends and their owners. The dog-friendly Las Salinas beach in Playa Paraíso will soon install a dog washing tunnel. The new dog washing station will allow owners to rinse sand and salt from their pets after swimming before leaving the beach, further improving services at one of the most popular pet-friendly beaches along Cartagena’s coastline.

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Image 1-3: Cartagena City Hall
Image 4: Archive