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 welcomes symbolic 1,200th flight in celebration of the 1,200th anniversary of Murcia cityIn a fortuitous coincidence, the Ryanair arrival from Birmingham marked a unique tribute to the city’s historic milestone A routine Ryanair flight took on special significance this morning as Murcia welcomed flight number 1,200 from Birmingham.. 16/06/2025
Storms in the north and haze for days: Murcia weekly weather forecast June 16-19There will be some haziness in Murcia this week and the chance of thunderstorms in the far north, but temperatures continue to rise unabated Lorca under the calima Most of this week in the Region of Murcia will bring a continuation of.. 16/06/2025
Summer markets return to Pilar de la HoradadaEvening and night stalls are back in Mil Palmeras and Torre de la Horadada for summer 2024 It is officially market season in Pilar de la Horadada, with the return of the popular summer markets across the town’s coastal neighbourhoods. .. 13/06/2025
From stray to star: Ray the rescue dog joins Los Alcázares police forceMeet Ray, who is now helping to protect the streets where he was once left behind Los Alcázares has welcomed back its Local Police Canine Unit, and at the heart of this new chapter is Ray, a once-abandoned dog who has now become.. 13/06/2025
Roda Golf & Beach Resort prepares to add Toptracer technology to its driving rangeThe new installation aims to modernise the practice facilities with real-time shot data and interactive features Roda Golf & Beach Resort is set to introduce Toptracer Range technology to its driving range as part of a phased upgrade scheduled.. 13/06/2025
From Los Alcázares to Scotland: Two scooterists are finally finishing their epic charity missionSupport the brave duo riding 3,500 kilometres from Murcia to the UK and back, all in aid of two fantastic causes Paul and Julie are about to embark on an epic journey that's been five years in the making. The pair are riding a classic Lambretta.. 13/06/2025
Up-and-coming pop star Ana Ruiz tells why 'the next Shakira' is all her own womanExciting new talent Ana Ruiz speaks exclusively to Murcia Today about her new album and the inspiration behind it Ana Ruiz by Victor del Pozo Once in a while, a vibrant new pop musician bursts onto the scene with a distinctive style and.. 11/06/2025
Make a will and avoid inheritance stress in Spain with expert help from Thy Will Be DoneSorting out your will, inheritance planning and probate may not be fun, but it can give you peace of mind for years to come For many living in Spain, getting around to organising a will or dealing with estate planning often slips down the to..
Airport Buses celebrates a strong start following its launchPassenger reviews for the Murcia Airport transfer service are glowing, and now operators say a broader uptake is vital to sustain the new service Three short weeks after its launch, Airport Buses is already earning high praise from passengers travelling.. 10/06/2025
Los Alcázares unveils 24/7 digital certifícate and NIE renewal hubForeign and Spanish residents of Los Alcázares can quickly update their documents without an appointment Updating official documentation in Spain can often be a bit of a hassle, requiring long wait times for appointments and a laborious form.. 10/06/2025
easyJet adds winter flights from UK to Murcia from October: These are the airports that will connect for the 2025-26 seasonThe UK airline has decided to extend two of its popular summer routes, offering new travel option through to March UK airline easyJet has announced the introduction of winter flights between the UK and Murcia, providing a welcome boost for travellers.. 09/06/2025
Summer kicks off early in Cabo de Palos with high tourist numbers, great terrazas and a new car parkThe coast of Cartagena close to La Manga is coming alive as visitors pour in for the long weekend Summer has unofficially arrived in Cabo de Palos. With the Día de la Región long weekend in full swing, beaches are packed, terraces are.. 09/06/2025
June 9 is the Dia de la Region de Murcia: Three-day weekend for the Region of Murcia Day holiday next MondayThe regional holiday for Murcia is normally a time when stores, businesses and schools close every year Normally, June 9 is a ‘festivo’, or a public bank holiday, in Murcia as it is ‘El Día de la Región de Murcia.. 03/06/2025
Region of Murcia public holiday calendar 2026 released already: These are the 12 national and regional festivos next yearIn addition to these dates, there will also be two local holidays which will be decided by each municipality in the Region Each year, the Region of Murcia has over a dozen public bank holidays for the various fiestas dotted throughout the calendar.. 03/06/2025
Lifeguard service up and running at 3 Los Alcázares beachesMore lifeguard points will open in Los Alcázares on 1st July The summer has begun in earnest at three of the beaches of Los Alcázares on the shore of the Mar Menor, with lifeguard posts now manned every day between 11.00 and 19.00 until.. 03/06/2025
Murcia photo of the month June 2025Here’s the top image of the month taken by the Los Alcázares Digital Camera Club (LADCC) Whether you consider weather (pun intended!) to be a good topic for a photographic competition, or not, just like Murcia’s sun it brought.. 02/06/2025
