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.
Three Murcia restaurants shortlisted for Spain's top new restaurant awardThe three restaurants are among 41 restaurants shortlisted for the 2025 TheFork Awards Three restaurants from the Region of Murcia have been shortlisted for a national award celebrating some of Spain's best new restaurants. Pepe Juan Barra.. 16/09/2026
The sky's the limit as the future of drone technology descends on San JavierThe former San Javier airport is hosting 74 companies and more than 2,000 industry professionals for two days of drone technology and live demonstrations San Javier's former airport is looking rather different this week as it plays host to.. 16/09/2026
Storm warnings in the Murcia Region as temperatures drop by up to 10 degreesYellow weather warnings are in place for storms and heavy rain, while temperatures could fall by up to 10 degrees in parts of the Region within 24 hours After days of late-summer heat,the Region of Murcia is about to see a change in the weather.. 16/09/2026
Spanish property prices are rising three times faster than wagesProperty values have risen by 36.3% in three years, while salaries have increased by just 12.3%, making it harder for buyers to save for a deposit Buying a property in Spain is getting harder as prices continue to rise much faster than wages. Property..
Espacio Mediterráneo is turning back-to-school season into something to look forward toThe Cartagena shopping centre is hosting a pop-up spa experience this September, with free hand massages, prizes and a wishing tree September has a funny way of arriving. One minute you're enjoying the last of the summer, the next the alarm.. 15/09/2026
Baby seahorses make a comeback in the Mar Menor after years of declineMore sightings and a wave of juveniles are giving Mar Menor conservationists fresh hope for the lagoon's seahorses Just a year ago, the outlook for the Mar Menor's seahorses looked grim. During 17 monitoring dives in 2025, researchers found.. 15/09/2026
12,000 signatures call for the return of the Cartagena-Madrid train serviceThe service was suspended more than four years ago, with campaigners now calling on the Government to set a firm date for the return of passenger trains A campaign to restore the direct train between Cartagena and Madrid has now reached the Spanish.. 14/09/2026
New international flight announced for Corvera airport from March 2027The new flight will operate three times a week from March 30, giving passengers another direct option for European travel Murcia's regional president Fernando López Miras has announced a new direct flight connection from the Region of.. 14/09/2026
Murcia photo of the month September 2026Here’s the September image of the month taken by the Los Alcázares Digital Camera Club (LADCC) LADCC’S monthly competition, entitled ‘Golden Hour’, proved a great challenge to many as this light is only seen up.. 14/09/2026
Two new green filters will tackle nitrate pollution around the Mar MenorThe facilities in El Albujón and Los Alcázares will treat up to 1.5 million cubic metres of groundwater each year The government has approved the first two green filters planned as part of the project to protect the Mar Menor, with the.. 11/09/2026
La Vuelta effect: Alicante and Murcia riding highThe race brought thousands of visitors, worldwide television coverage and further recognition of Alicante and Murcia as cycling destinations La Vuelta a España 2026 has moved on, but its two stages through Alicante and the Region of Murcia.. 11/09/2026
Los Urrutias residents call for sunken yacht to be removedThe sailing boat has been lying just 20 metres from the shore for more than a week, blocking a passage residents created to reach the Mar Menor For some residents of Los Urrutias, getting into the Mar Menor for a swim has become more difficult.. 10/09/2026
Los Alcázares Mayor speaks out against the proposed reform of the Mar Menor Protection LawMario Pérez Cervera says stricter rewards and incentives for good practice should be in place for farmers Mario Pérez Cervera, the Mayor of Los Alcázares, has added his voice to the many criticizing the plans to reform the Mar Menor.. 10/09/2026
Why the Mar Menor law is being changed and why so many people are angryOpponents fear weaker penalties for farmers could make it harder to protect Spain’s largest saltwater lagoon The controversial reform of Murcia’s Mar Menor protection law has taken its first major step forward, but the changes are already.. 10/09/2026
Autumn breaks, winter sun and trips home: Getting to Corvera Airport made easyFrom Torrevieja and La Zenia to La Manga, Mazarrón and Mojácar, Airport Buses offers convenient connections to Murcia International Airport The suitcases might only just have been unpacked after the summer holidays, but for many people.. 09/09/2026
Indefinite doctors' strike could begin in Spain in OctoberDoctors are stepping up their opposition to the Government's proposed health service reforms, with unions warning that the dispute is far from over Doctors in Spain could launch an indefinite strike from October in a move that could put further.. 09/09/2026
