Virgen De La Nueva Beach: Madrid’s First Blue Flag
As much as we have all sung the “here is no beach, go go” by The Refrescos, the truth is that in Madrid there is a beach. Not only that, but there is a beach that has even achieved a blue flag. How do you hear it! The distinction has been achieved by the Virgen de la Nueva beach, in the San Juan reservoir.
The beach of Virgen de la Nueva , just 70 km from Madrid
As we have said, the beach in question is located in the San Juan reservoir. This reservoir is part of the Madrid town of San Martín de Valdeiglesias. It was built on the Alberche river (tributary of the Tagus and Cofio) in 1955 with the aim of storing water.
The Virgen de la Nueva beach is about 14 kilometers long surrounded by nature and trees. It is only 70 kilometers from the capital and is reached by the M-501, known as the “road of the swamps”.
The bathing area of this swamp is divided into two parts. On the one hand, there is the Virgen de la Nueva beach and, on the other, El Muro. However, the second area has not achieved the blue flag because, according to the mayor of the municipality, “it is pending some improvements.”
Thus, the Virgen de la Nueva beach has become one of the 696 blue flags that the country holds. These have been distributed by beaches, sustainable boats, marinas, etc.
Getting a blue flag is quite an achievement
As we well know, the blue flag is a quality mark that is awarded to beaches and ports. It serves as a reward for compliance with standards of safety, hygienic, sanitary, accessibility, information, first aid and rescue conditions. This means that not just any beach can get them. It is quite an achievement!
Therefore, it is not surprising that in San Martín de Valdeiglesias they are more than satisfied after achieving that first blue flag. Recognition of the excellent conditions of a beach to which about 3,000 visitors can go every weekend when the good weather arrives.
And from now on, the influx of people is expected to increase. For this reason, the municipal authorities have already asked the regional government for a suitable bus or method of transportation to avoid overcrowding the area in the following season.
The procedures necessary to obtain the blue flag began more than a year ago. In the process, they visited Orellana beach, in Badajoz, to investigate and ask for advice. And it is that this freshwater beach has renewed its blue flag for the ninth consecutive year in 2018. A good example for the Madrid beach.
Activities to enjoy a perfect day on the beach of Pantano de San Juan
In the swamp you can perform multiple activities. Among them are boat trips, water skiing, canoes, kayaks, wakeboarding , sliders or water bananas, flyboarding and other sports.
Those who prefer not to get wet will not be bored either. In the area you can also go horse riding, hiking, climbing or archery. Similarly, you can enjoy guided tours, rope parks and climbing walls, for the more adventurous.
The San Juan reservoir also has catering establishments where you can taste both menus, sandwiches or mixed dishes, ice cream and soft drinks.
Although it is not necessary to bring your own umbrella, as there are many shady areas, it is advisable to bring crabs or shoes that can get wet, since the floor of the swamp may have stones or twigs.
In short, the Virgen de la Nueva beach, in the San Juan reservoir, is a perfect place for a day trip. Especially if you live or are in Madrid, it will help you completely forget about the stress of the city. And, yes, no one can say that in Madrid there is no beach!
