HOME > MURCIA MAR MENOR & CARTAGENA > LOS ALCÁZARES
Introduction to Los Alcázares
Los Alcázares lies on the inland shore of the Mar Menor, surrounded by the sea and the municipalities of San Javier, Torre Pacheco and Cartagena, with a permanent population of around 19,000 inhabitants.
Its main activity is tourism and the hotel of La Encarnación is one of the oldest in the Region of Murcia. It was built on the shore of the Mar Menor, Europe´s largest saltwater lagoon, which multiplies the population in summer with holidaymakers attracted by kilometres of soft sand, warm, safe and shallow water and the opportunities to enjoy the superb watersports facilities.
The Mar Menor is renowned for its safe sailing and afternoon thermal winds, with kitesurfers and windsurfers taking advantage of the clean run from shore to shore and learners enjoying the safety of an enclosed lagoon whilst more experienced sailors can head out into the Mediterranean or charter yachts to explore the Murcia coastline.
Los Alcázares is also the location of the only surviving Balneario or bathing station, which is still in use today as a restaurant, a vestige from the days when bathers wished to maintain a level of decorum by descending into the waters from the privacy of a bathing hut rather than baring all on the beach. This part of the beach is also the focal point for one of the most important gastronomic traditions of the region: the preparation of the fish-based rice dish of caldero, the staple diet of the fishing population who fished from these shores before the onset of tourism.
Los Alcázares has been the chosen destination of Murcianos from the regional capital for many decades and celebrates the annual migration with its vibrant and colourful Semana de la Huerta y El Mar, filling the town with the scent of tapas, the colourful costumes of folk dancers and a selection of artisan crafts from across the Region.
Los Alcázares also hosts one of the best medieval markets in the region when it celebrates its Berber fiestas, commemorating the raids by Berber Pirates which were such a feature of its history during the 16th and 17th centuries.
The town is home to an established ex-pat community with a wealth of social activities and organisations for the English-speaking population, and offers residential properties in established urban locations, as well as in newer urbanisations.
The town is around half an hour's drive from the Region of Murcia International Airport in Corvera, with good connections along the Mar Menor to the road network of the rest of Spain.
New property development and a redesigned golf course at Corvera HillsJust Murcia Property introduces new villas and apartments in a great location near Murcia International Airport The new residential development, Corvera Hills Residences, is progressing along nicely as they move into its latest construction.. 28/04/2026
Princess Leonor surprises onlookers at local regatta before taking to the skies over San JavierThe heir to the Spanish throne took part in a regatta in Santiago de la Ribera before continuing her pilot training at the General Air and Space Academy Princess Leonor has been spotted around San Javier and the Mar Menor area a few times now since.. 28/04/2026
Murcia weekly weather April 27-30: Rain forecast all weekTuesday and Wednesday will be the wettest days this week While it won’t necessarily by wintry, there is the possibility of rain falling every day this week in the Region of Murcia, according to the forecast from the State Meteorological Agency.. 27/04/2026
San Pedro del Pinatar sells potted plants to support cancer charityThe plant-sale charity event returns for another year to help fund vital research and support services The main square in San Pedro del Pinatar once again filled with colour and quiet generosity as the local branch of the Asociación Españ.. 27/04/2026
Torre Pacheco plans new footbridge to reconnect neighbourhoods divided by the Rambla SurA long-awaited project aims to improve access, mobility and cohesion across the rambla floodplain Torre Pacheco Town Council has set in motion plans to build a new pedestrian footbridge over the Rambla Sur, a project designed to better connect the.. 27/04/2026
MB Services for air conditioning on the Costa CalidaTrusted air conditioning pre-installation on the Costa Cálida Based in San Javier on the inland coast of the Mar Menor, Michael Bowins of MB Services has been established in the Region of Murcia since 2007 and has become one of the most trusted.. 27/04/2026
Mar Menor environmental group condemns heavy pruning of native palm trees in La MangaLocal residents raise concerns with ANSE after heavy pruning of palm trees at Cala del Pino An environmental group has criticised the way palm trees have been cut back at Cala del Pino in La Manga, after receiving complaints and photographs from.. 27/04/2026
Los Alcázares set to open its long-awaited theatre and cultural centre after two decadesThe building sat derelict for 18 years before Los Alcázares town council stepped in with €1 million to bring it back A theatre and cultural centre that has sat empty and deteriorating in Los Alcázares for 18 years is finally being.. 27/04/2026
Undie arrest: San Javier police dive into Mar Menor to chase swimming crookThe long, wet arm of the law was in full force last Friday in San Javier Unless you're a regular at especially naughty hen parties, most of us mere mortals have to wait until Christmastime when the firefighters release their naked calendars to.. 27/04/2026
Murcia's Carlos Alcaraz named World Sportsman of the Year at the 2026 Laureus AwardsThe tennis prodigy from El Palmar was awarded for the 2025 season, which saw him return to world number one and win both Roland Garros and the US Open Carlos Alcaraz was named World Sportsman of the Year on Monday night, April 20, at the 2026 Laureus.. 24/04/2026
Los Alcázares proposes common front for the removal of mud and seaweed from the Mar MenorMayor Mario Pérez Cervera leads an initiative to unite the four Town Halls affected in combating the duckweed in the lagoon The accumulation of algae is a problem which affects water quality in many areas of the Mar Menor, and at the latest meeting.. 24/04/2026
Dead body discovered near Cabo de Palos lighthousePolice are investigating whether the death could be linked to the migrant boat that turned up earlier this week with dead bodies on board A dead body has been found near the famous lighthouse at Cabo de Palos, with authorities thinking it.. 24/04/2026
Murcia to spend €1 million buying land to safeguard the Mar MenorThe Region of Murcia government is focusing on plots of land that can act as natural filters around the lagoon The regional government of Murcia has announced plans to spend €1 million this year buying up land around the Mar Menor in the latest.. 23/04/2026
First phase of Los Alcázares cycle lane up and runningImproved safety and convenience for both cyclists and pedestrians on the seafront of the Mar Menor Just two months after work began on the new cycle lane along the seafront in Los Alcázares the first 490-metre phase has been completed, running.. 23/04/2026
Local taxes in Spain: Everything property owners need to knowIBI, Plusvalía, waste collection fees and more – a practical guide for anyone who owns property in Spain If you own property in Spain, you'll know the feeling: a letter arrives (or sometimes doesn't) and you suddenly discover.. 22/04/2026
La Manga businesses demand urgent shake-up of beach rules and tighter jet ski controlsWith summer just around the corner, businesses want to see an end to the '50-metre rule' and a much firmer hand with jet skis in the Mar Menor Business owners in La Manga are calling for an urgent rethink of beach rules, warning that.. 22/04/2026
