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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.
Los Alcázares launches its first independent energy production cooperativeMembers of the scheme in Los Alcázares can reduce their electricity bills, contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and join in a participative cooperative The Town Hall of Los Alcázares has this week given its approval to.. 17/09/2025
HELP Murcia Mar Menor donates €3000 to San Javier charityThe much-needed funds will be used by Aidemar San Javier to buy equipment for their new children’s day centre With rising costs and the winter season fast approaching, support for local charities is more important than ever. This week, HELP.. 17/09/2025
New regional road plan promises safer, greener journeys across MurciaGovernment to review over 2,700 kilometres of roads and map out improvements for the future The Region of Murcia’s roads are set for some careful attention over the coming years, as the Ministry of Public Works has just awarded the contract for.. 17/09/2025
Winter is coming! Prepare now to keep your home nice and warm with WorkkingKeep those chilly nights at bay with an efficient system that will also provide cooling when the heat returns We might be enjoying an Indian summer in southern Spain right now, but it won’t be long before the longer, colder nights of winter draw.. 15/09/2025
Stay on top of regulated charging times in Spain with the Tarifa Hora Android AppThis innovative mobile app helps Spanish households navigate changing electricity time bands to reduce monthly bills Managing electricity costs in Spain can feel complicated, especially with the changing regulated charging times. These time bands.. 10/09/2025
Register now to be part of the Día del Caldero in Los AlcázaresGroups wishing to cook on the beach have until September 29 to complete their registration The registration period is now open for groups (“peñas”) who wish to take part in the Día del Caldero on the beach in Los Alcázares.. 10/09/2025
If you have stepchildren in Spain, Thy Will Be Done can help drastically reduce inheritance taxBritish stepchildren in Spain can avoid massive tax bills through professional legal adoption service British expats living in Spain with stepchildren face a significant inheritance tax challenge that could cost their families tens of thousands of.. 09/09/2025
Bids invited for the contract to begin work on the Los Alcázares cycle lane projectThe first stage will run along the coast from the beach of Playa de la Hita to Avenida Radiobaliza Óscar As Los Alcázares continues to strive for the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism, the contract has now been.. 08/09/2025
Global Relocation - Spain, certified professionals in international moving servicesThis trusted company specialises in delivering secure and reliable transportation and relocation services worldwide Relocating abroad involves far more than simply transporting belongings from one country to another. It requires expertise, planning.. 08/09/2025
Spain’s rail woes call for clear strategy as Renfe and ADIF face mounting challengesRail operators and infrastructure managers need strong coordination and vision to restore public confidence Spain’s railway system is facing persistent problems that highlight the urgent need for a clear, long-term strategy involving both Renfe.. 05/09/2025
Ecofire: the Spanish invention that could change how we fight wildfiresAfter one of Spain’s harshest fire seasons in decades, a new natural product promises to block flames and protect landscapes for weeks This summer, Spain was once again hit hard by wildfires. This year alone, nearly 400,000 hectares are.. 05/09/2025
Fewer road deaths this summer in Spain, especially in Murcia and Valencia regionsDespite improvements during period when record number of journeys were made, interior minister emphasised the importance of vigilance Road fatalities in Spain continued to decline during the summer months of July and August 2025. A total of.. 05/09/2025
Spain to introduce mobile car radars to improve speed monitoringNew ‘radars on wheels’ will join fixed cameras in efforts to reduce road accidents Spain is set to follow France in introducing new mobile speed radars mounted on wheeled platforms, Interior Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska announced on Wednesday.. 05/09/2025
Suspects arrested for stealing almost €50,000 in Mazarrón and OrihuelaVictims were followed after taking money out of banks Guardia Civil in the Region of Murcia have arrested three alleged members of a gang of thieves from Chile known as “Los Fantasmas” (the ghosts), which has already been broken up.. 04/09/2025
Cuts at Ryanair raise concern for Murcia airport flightsThe Irish airline accounted for almost half of Corvera’s traffic between January and July this year As the summer flight season draws close to its end, which is usually at the end of October, and operations reduce until March 2026, Ryanair&rsquo.. 02/09/2025
Colina del Emperador now offers free breakfast with direct bookings!Guests booking directly through the website can now enjoy a complimentary breakfast Colina del Emperador, a family-run boutique hotel in La Manga del Mar Menor, has introduced a new benefit for guests: free breakfast with every booking made via their.. 02/09/2025
