HOME > MURCIA MAR MENOR & CARTAGENA > EL CARMOLI
The village of El Carmolí nestles in the north-eastern corner of the large municipality of Cartagena, next to the boundary with Los Alcázares on the western shore of the Mar Menor, the huge saltwater lagoon which is enclosed on the other side by La Manga.
Although it has not grown in size to the same degree as the neighbouring settlements of Los Urrutias and Los Alcázares, it is still true to say that most of the buildings here are holiday or second homes, and were built in the decades between 1960 and 1990, when many inhabitants of Murcia and Cartagena acquired the luxury of a second residence close to the 
beach. In the first years of the 21st century there was something of a second wave of growth as more international interest accompanied the advent of flights into and out of the nearby airport of San Javier, and as a result there are now also some more modern properties in El Carmolí.
Many of these properties are on the slopes of the volcanic plug by which El Carmolí can be located from almost anywhere in the surrounding area. This peak stands only 113 metres above sea level, but the flat countryside of the Campo de Cartagena and the hinterland of the Mar Menor makes it an instantly recognizable landscape feature and provides impressive views for those making the climb!
As a seaside resort El Carmolí admittedly loses out to some of its neighbours, as the beach itself is not always kept in good condition, but nonetheless it is a pleasantly genteel village in an attractive setting, and still attracts a large number of visitors during the summer as well as residential tourists all year round. In addition, many of those undertaking the 26-kilometre walk along the inland shore of the Mar Menor, which runs between here and Cabo de Palos.
Where is El Carmolí?
El Carmolí is situated close to the westernmost point of the shore of the Mar Menor, just a couple of kilometres south of Los Alcázares. It is best reached by road from the exit at kilometre 794 of the AP-7 motorway, and is under 20 minutes by car from the city of Cartagena.
The best snorkelling sites in the Region of Murcia!Crystalline Mediterranean waters and spectacular scenery and marine life make for great snorkelling beaches in the Costa Cálida Now that the heat of summer has reached the Costa Cálida there is no better way to cool down than with a dip in the..
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
Caldero, the chief culinary speciality of Cabo de Palos and the Mar MenorOne of the most iconic dishes of the Costa Cálida shows that expensive ingredients are not needed to create an unforgettable sensation for the taste buds! No visit to the Costa Cálida is complete without sampling the local cuisine, which is promoted..
Espacio Mediterráneo shopping centre Cartagena Murcia: open seven days a week Where to shop in Cartagena and the Mar Menor Murcia The Espacio Mediterráneo shopping centre is on the eastern outskirts of Cartagena, heading out of the city towards La Manga and the Mar Menor, and contains a full selection of shopping opportunities..
The regional park of Calblanque between Cartagena and Cabo de Palos A great area area for walking with several wild and picturesque beaches 1,882 hectares of land in Calblanque have been a protected nature reserve since 1987 in recognition of the fact that the area is one of the most typical of the coastline of the Region..
Cartagena beaches: El Carmolí El Carmolí is the northernmost Mar Menor beach in Cartagena The beach of El Carmolí, the northernmost beach in the municipality of Cartagena, covers a long stretch of the western (inland) shore of the Mar Menor, the largest saltwater..
Cartagena beaches: Punta Brava900 metres long, this is a semi-urban sandy beach The beach of Punta Brava lies at the northernmost end of the municipality of Cartagena, within the Diputation of Lentiscar, and just south of the town of Los Alcázares, from which it is separated by..
Cartagena beaches: Los Urrutias Fine sand and calm water at the beach of Los Urrutias Los Urrutias beach runs for 750 metres right along the front of the urban residential area of the same name, so during peak months is a high occupancy beach with lifeguard service.. This is a Mar..
Cabo de Palos, visiting the lighthouse and marina area, a great ride out for bikersWhere to go Mar Menor, walk up to the lighthouse at Cabo de Palos or enjoy an ice cream in the busy marina Cabo de Palos is a small peninsula which juts out into the Mediterranean sea, on one side stretching out along unspoilt coastline towards Cartagena..
Visitors Centre in Cabo de Palos Shipwrecks and the marine reserve at the Cabo de Palos visitors’ centre The “Centro de Interpretación” in Cabo de Palos is on the western side of the marina just a few metres from the church, and includes a series of displays..
The volcano of El Carmoli on the shore of the Mar MenorAn interesting geological walk in El Carmolí with spectacular views over the Mar Menor The volcanic plug of El Carmolí, which rises to an altitude of 113 metres above sea level, is one of a series of 7-million-year-old andesite plugs which include..
OMITA Cartagena Town Hall office in La Puebla The local Town Hall office for the Lentiscar area of Cartagena is in La Puebla The OMITA (Oficina Municipal de Información y Tramitación Administrativa) is a branch office of the Town Hall at which many administrative procedures such as those..
Medical centre in La Puebla The medical centre of La Puebla is also used by the population of El Carmolí The medical centre in La Puebla, which serves not only the population of the village but also the surrounding countryside and El Carmolí, is located just off Camino..
4-kilometre geological walk from Cala Reona to Salinas del Rasall in Calblanque regional park This pleasant walk in Calblanque is of considerable interest to geologists Distance: 4km, one way Start point: Cala Reona Difficulty level: medium This 4-kilometre route, which begins in Cala Reona and ends at the Salinas del Rasall in the..
8-kilometre geological walk around Cabezo de la Fuente in Calblanque regional park A circular geological route in the Cartagena countryside Sendero Circular Cabezo de la Fuente: Length: 8 km Difficulty: medium Start point: Las Cobaticas information centre The Calblanque regional park (Parque Regional de..
Playa Paraiso Mud BathingCartagena Romans swore by these mud beauty treatments Covering an area of 170km, the Mar Menor is the largest salt water lake in Europe, and is a mecca for sportspeople, the unique conditions creating perfect sailing winds, the enclosed waters..
