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 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
San Javier road closures as new Cuatro Picos roundabout works beginThe Ayuntamiento has set out alternative routes for traffic travelling between San Javier and Santiago de la Ribera, which will also impact bus routes Traffic around San Javier and Santiago de la Ribera should expect some changes this week.. 09/09/2026
Orange alert for Cartagena with torrential rain and storms forecast on WednesdayThe alert will run from Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning, while residents and drivers are being urged to take extra care as torrential rain could cause flooding Aemet has issued an orange weather warning for Cartagena on Wednesday September.. 08/09/2026
Los Alcázares announces new flood guidance as weather warnings are issuedParents are being asked not to travel to schools to collect children during orange or red alerts, while residents are warned about flooded roads and garages Los Alcázares is stepping up its preparations for heavy rain, with the Ayuntamiento.. 08/09/2026
Volotea plans more flights from Corvera Airport as airline eyes permanent baseThe airline says a permanent base at the Region of Murcia Airport could allow it to expand from its current seven destinations to as many as 20 over the next few years Volotea has big plans for Murcia Airport(Corvera Airport), and they could mean.. 08/09/2026
136 baby turtles hatch on Murcia beaches this summerTwo protected loggerhead turtle nests in La Manga and Calblanque have produced 136 live hatchlings, with dozens released into the sea and 57 now entering a conservation programme A total of 136 baby loggerhead turtles have been successfully recovered.. 07/09/2026
Spain records its deadliest summer for heat-related deathsHealth experts warn that increasingly frequent and prolonged heatwaves are becoming a growing public health threat across Spain Spain has recorded its highest number of heat-related deaths during a summer since monitoring began, with 5,234 deaths.. 04/09/2026
Rescue launched after boat carrying 19 migrants found off Cabo de PalosA vehicle transport ship remained alongside the drifting boat until Salvamento Marítimo arrived to carry out the rescue Nineteen migrants have been rescued from a small boat found drifting around 12 miles off the coast of Cabo de Palos... 04/09/2026
The urban art of Los Alcázares goes global360-degree virtual tours of the stunning murals in the town of Los Alcázares The burgeoning fame of the urban art which every year adorns more and more buildings in the Mar Menor town of Los Alcázares has now become a tourist attraction.. 04/09/2026
Read the September edition of Home & Living magazine online nowWelcome to the September issue of Home & Living! We hope you’ve had a wonderful summer filled with sunshine, adventure, and plenty of time to recharge. As a new season begins, we’re delighted to bring you another issue packed with.. 04/09/2026
Just 17 weeks until 2027! Why now is the time to sort your Will in SpainWith the end of the year approaching, Thy Will Be Done explains why now is the ideal time to put your estate planning in order As September begins and we look down the barrel of the final third of the year, life tends to shift gears. The lazy, sun.. 03/09/2026
Spain's minimum wage increase trails most of Europe in 2026Spain's 3.1% increase leaves it near the bottom of the EU rankings, despite the minimum wage having risen by more than 40% in real terms over the past decade Spain may have one of the highest minimum wages in the European Union, but workers.. 03/09/2026
