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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.
How oysters are being used in the Mar Menor as water temperatures riseThese native flat oysters help clean the water and support the Mar Menor's ecosystem Scientists are continuing to study how native flat oysters (Ostrea edulis) can play a part in restoring the Mar Menor. These oysters are natural water filters.. 20/02/2026
Over 10,000 hospital appointments cancelled in Murcia as doctors' strike hitsThis is the fifth strike since June and has disrupted thousands of consultations, diagnostic tests and surgery appointments Murcia's hospitals have felt the full impact of a national doctors' strike this week, with thousands of appointments.. 20/02/2026
Unbroken spell of sunshine this weekend: Murcia weather forecast February 19-22Temperatures are on the up as we approach the end of February, reaching 29ºC by next Monday! Murcia weather forecast, Saturday February 21 It looks like, after so many weeks of strong wind and showers, Murcia is due to have a truly.. 19/02/2026
Hospital Santa Lucía in Cartagena tackles smoking hazards after fire with 25 new camerasThe hospital will install surveillance cameras and fencing on its terraces to prevent smoking and improve safety Many will remember the images of the fire last November at the Hospital General Universitario Santa Lucía in Cartagena, caused by.. 19/02/2026
Guardia Civil headquarters project presented in Los AlcázaresLos Alcázares will be home to 54 officers of the Guardia Civil The Town Hall of Los Alcázares is hailing the project to create a Guardia Civil headquarters in the CIDETUR building in Avenida Cartagena (click for map) as a major step forward.. 19/02/2026
San Javier rolls out first-ever full street maintenance serviceThe new €600,000-a-year service will repair streets, paths, and road signs across the town San Javier has introduced its first-ever comprehensive street maintenance service, intended to keep streets safe and in good condition for everyone... 18/02/2026
How Murcia is improving drinking water - by adding 750 tonnes of oxygenMurcia secures 750 tonnes of oxygen to improve the quality of tap water and reduce pesticides The regional government has awarded a contract for up to 750 tonnes of oxygen to improve drinking water across Murcia. The investment of nearly €.. 18/02/2026
February 22 Children’s tree planting campaign in Los AlcázaresYoungsters can contribute actively to environmental care in Los Alcázares! The Town Hall of Los Alcázares and the Asociación Prometeo are again backing an activity called “Crecemos Juntos” (Growing Together) in an effort to..
Three more convictions for illegal wastewater dumping in the Mar MenorThe latest guilty verdicts follow the dumping of wastewater from unauthorised desalination plants, adding to the ongoing pollution crisis in the lagoon The conviction of three more agricultural business leaders over illegal wastewater dumping has.. 17/02/2026
Missing Murcia woman tells of 22 months of captivity and terrorEscaped victim describes beatings, threats and psychological control as neighbour recalls the night she fled A 38-year-old woman who says she was held captive for nearly two years in a rural property in San José de la Vega, Murcia, has described her..
Murcia photo of the month February 2026Here’s the February image of the month taken by the Los Alcázares Digital Camera Club (LADCC) LADCC runs a monthly competition for its members and, at the club´s last meeting, the topics for this year were confirmed. This has thrown.. 16/02/2026
Fire in Cabo Tiñoso brought under control after burning nearly 100 hectaresEmergency teams brought the fire under control, but not before 80 caravans had to be evacuated and two hikers rescued The forest fire that broke out on Saturday evening, February 14, in Cabo Tiñoso, Cartagena, is now under control after.. 16/02/2026
Murcia to oppose the national plan to declare European eels endangeredMurcia pushes back on eel protections to support local fishing in the Mar Menor The story of the European eel in the Mar Menor has been developing over the past few months. In January, environmental groups ANSE and WWF released 70 tagged eels back.. 16/02/2026
Los Narejos shopping centre gets a second life as the new Mar Menor Leisure CentreAfter years of neglect, the former Las Velas centre is being transformed and will reopen this summer with six cinemas, outdoor terraces and fresh energy There’s finally light at the end of the tunnel for Los Narejos’ once bustling shopping.. 16/02/2026
Murcia will reduce class sizes for children starting Primary school in SeptemberClass sizes will drop from 25 to 22, giving teachers more time to support each child from the start Starting next September 2026/2027, children in Murcia who are beginning the first year of Primary school will be in slightly smaller classes. The.. 16/02/2026
Spain becomes the cheapest solar energy market in Europe as prices hit four-year lowCompanies like Ecocorp Solar can help homeowners in Spain cash in on renewable savings Spain has cemented its position as Europe's cheapest market for solar energy, with long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) now at their lowest prices since 2021..
