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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.
San Javier pulls the plug on El Mirador Biogas Plant following mounting community pressureThe town hall points to technical issues and a lack of local support as residents celebrate a hard-won victory After years of debate and months of intense local pressure, the proposed biogas plant in El Mirador will not go ahead, at least for now.. 04/03/2026
5 essential estate planning considerations for British expats in Spain from Thy Will Be DoneThy Will Be Done breaks down the five things British expats in Spain really shouldn't overlook when it comes to protecting their family's future For British nationals living in Spain, having a solid estate plan in place is one of the most.. 04/03/2026
Specialist divers are heading into the Mar Menor to tackle the invasive algae choking the lagoonLos Alcázares is the first to get the green light to manually remove Caulerpa prolifera from the Mar Menor Copious amounts of rain over the last few months means that the Mar Menor is facing a growing algae problem, and one local council has.. 04/03/2026
La Cárcel Vieja in Murcia set to reopen as restoration work finally wraps upAfter years of restoration, Murcia's 'old prison' will reopen on March 26 with extra exhibition space, better accessibility, and a newly opened courtyard Murcia's La Cárcel Vieja or old prison, is finally ready to open its.. 03/03/2026
Why this year's spring pollen season in Murcia could be tougher than usual: Everything you need to knowAfter weeks of rain followed by warmer weather, experts are warning of higher pollen counts and more intense symptoms for allergy sufferers Murcia is known as the 'Garden of Spain'. There are lots of parks, green spaces, and Murcia is surrounded.. 03/03/2026
Murcia remains Spain's most car dependent regionMore than 70% of people in Murcia rely on their car every day, and public transport still lags behind the rest of Spain One of the most frustrating things about living in Murcia is just how isolated it feels. Even within the region, getting from.. 02/03/2026
More rain and storms on the way: Murcia weekly weather forecast March 2-5Just when you thought we were done with the wet weather, March comes in like a lion Murcia weather warnings, Tuesday March 3 The yellow warnings for strong wind are back for the Region of Murcia as the State Meteorological Agency (.. 02/03/2026
This is where the DGT's newest speed camera is in the Region of MurciaThe DGT has installed 33 new speed cameras across Spain, which go live across Spain this week This week, the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) activated 33 new speed cameras across 11 regions, including both fixed and average speed check (tramo.. 02/03/2026
March 28 to April 1 Los Alcázares holds an Easter camp for children in Sierra EspuñaThree nights in mountain cabins and a host of outdoor activities in the fresh air! All children living in Los Alcázares are invited to join the annual Easter holiday camp trip to the mountains of Sierra Espuña in central Murcia between.. 02/03/2026
Los Alcázares tackles dangerous 'black spot' with new bike lane to San JavierThe town is investing €217,000 in a bike lane that will make part of the RM-F34 safer and link Los Alcázares to San Javier Los Alcázares is moving ahead with plans for a new bicycle lane that will link the town with neighbouring.. 27/02/2026
Book your springtime break at La Encarnación tourist apartments on the seafront in Los AlcázaresLocal fiestas, the sunniest climate in Europe and plenty of golf opportunities with front line beach accommodation on the shore of the Mar Menor As March begins there is a definite feeling that the weather is turning in the Costa Cálida after a wet..
Record January for algae removal in the Mar MenorHeavy rain across Murcia has caused a worse biomass build-up than ever before The amount of rotting algae being removed from the Mar Menor this winter has surged, with January figures up by as much as 60% compared to previous years. In.. 25/02/2026
Playa Honda's storm tank is protecting the Mar Menor and preventing floodingThe €5.6 million storm tank holds 8,200 cubic metres of rainwater and even has a community space with a playground In Playa Honda, people are noticing a real difference when heavy rain arrives. The facility, which has been operational for.. 25/02/2026
San Pedro del Pinatar invests €123,000 to protect fragile coastal dunesThis new project will restore dunes, reduce erosion and protect wildlife across three local beaches Work is now in progress to restore the dune areas at La Llana, El Mojón and Torre Derribada, all within the beautiful natural surroundings.. 25/02/2026
Café Bar Yemanjá set to reopen for the season from this date!After a winter break, Cabo de Palos’s favourite bar is reopening for the spring and summer season from this March Café Bar Yemanjá in Cabo de Palos will reopen its doors on Saturday March 14, welcoming customers from 10am to 4pm.. 24/02/2026
Ikea planning store in Cartagena is closing its doorsCompact design space in Espacio Mediterráneo to shut in March Ikea is closing its small planning store in the Espacio Mediterráneo shopping centre in Cartagena next month. Opened in 2022, this 75-square-metre outlet on the first floor was.. 24/02/2026
