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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.
Corvera Airport continues the upgrades with new toilets for ostomy patientsThe Region of Murcia International Airport has put in brand-new loos adapted for people with ostomy bags Regional travel hub the Murcia International Airport in Corvera now has toilets adapted for people with an ostomy bag to change in an effort to.. 17/07/2025
Murcia braced for another 40-degree heatwave this weekend: Weather forecast July 17-20Take care of yourself and look out for others, especially the elderly or vulnerable, during heatwaves The weather forecast for this weekend in the Region of Murcia is for an unbroken spell of bright sunshine and temperatures going up to sweltering.. 17/07/2025
Forecasters warn temperatures in Murcia will reach up to 41 degrees this weekThe Aemet has issued warnings for the Altiplano, Northwest and Vega del Segura area This Thursday July 16 the thermometers in the Region of Murcia will reach up to just below 40ºC/104ºF. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued.. 16/07/2025
Is it true that solar panels produce less energy in summer?It might seem counter-intuitive, but heat and other factors can actually affect solar panel performance in the warmer months Have you ever noticed or been told that solar panels can produce less energy during summer? At first glance, this sounds counter.. 16/07/2025
More arrests and unrest in Torre Pacheco as disturbances continueThe street violence is still ongoing in the Mar Menor town, albeit on a smaller scale now The situation continues to be tense in Torre Pacheco, where far-right agitators are still travelling to the normally quiet Mar Menor town to – in their.. 16/07/2025
San Javier homeowners need to pay their IBI nowProperty owners in San Javier can pay their IBI property tax at the Town Hall from April 21 to October 20, 2025 Property owners in the town of San Javier are reminded that the 2025 IBI Council Tax (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) can be paid.. 15/07/2025
An uneasy calm returns to Torre Pacheco as the Murcia town becomes Spain's epicentre of the migration debateArrests have been made of agitators and the three people accused of the assault that ignited the disturbances Torre Pacheco, a town of over just 40,000 residents in Murcia’s Mar Menor area, remains tense yet outwardly calm following several.. 15/07/2025
Understanding the importance of wills and estate planning for foreigners in SpainWhat British expats in Spain need to know to protect their families and assets For British nationals living in Spain, having a comprehensive estate plan is essential to protect loved ones and ensure that personal wishes are carried out without unnecessary.. 15/07/2025
Major earthquake off Almería-Murcia coast felt across southern SpainThe tremors originating in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea were felt in Murcia, Andalucía and beyond It was about 7am when the windows began to rattle in their frames and the crockery in the kitchen clinked. Those who were awake already.. 14/07/2025
Tourism booms in Los Alcázares with best June in more than a decadeA packed cultural and sports calendar, plus the return of the international air show, helped bring more than 60,000 extra visitors to Los Alcázares Los Alcázares has registered its highest number of visitors in the month of June.. 14/07/2025
Settled, sunny and getting hotter: Murcia weekly weather forecast July 14-17Temperatures are due to rise over the course of this week in Murcia up to 40ºC/104ºF again Murcia weather forecast, Wednesday July 16 According to the forecast from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), this week’s.. 14/07/2025
Brits in Spain urged to make this change to avoid passport control headacheA new update on the UK government website urges British residents in Spain to swap their green certificate for a TIE card They highlight the risk of airport delays for those without the biometric residency card The UK government has updated the..
What are the pros and cons of voting to ban tourist rentals in my community?Communities across Spain are holding EGMs to decide whether or not to continue allowing tourist rentals in their buildings, resorts and urbanisations, which has left many people wondering: “What way should I vote?” Skip..
Nuclear closures in Spain and electricity prices: Can renewables bridge the gap?As Spain moves away from nuclear power, the role of green energy becomes more crucial than ever One of the more contentious questions surrounding Spain’s planned phase-out of nuclear energy is its potential impact on electricity prices. &.. 10/07/2025
4-bed townhouse with underbuild in Los Alcázares for just €294,999Bright, bold and bursting with space, this dream home is brought to you by Simply Spanish Homes This impressive four-bedroom townhouse in Los Alcázares proves that exceptional value and prime positioning can go hand in hand. .. 08/07/2025
Epic charity ride complete: Los Alcázares duo make it home after 3,500km scooter adventure to the UKPaul and Julie return elated to Los Alcázares after conquering the mammoth journey to Scotland on 51-year-old Lambretta They did it! After weeks of anticipation and a gruelling 3,500 kilometre journey, Paul and Julie have successfully completed.. 08/07/2025
