HOME > MURCIA MAR MENOR & CARTAGENA > ISLAS MENORES & MAR DE CRISTAL
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal on the inland shore of the Mar Menor
The town of Islas Menores, within which is the residential area known as Mar de Cristal, lies almost at the very southern end of the saltwater lagoon of the Mar Menor, and from the attractive sandy beaches there are spectacular 
views across the water to the strip of La Manga.
The small village has grown substantially over recent years as more and more holiday homes and second properties have been built, many of them in the five-storey apartment blocks which can be seen on approaching it. These modern complexes boast communal swimming pools to 
complement the saltwater bathing opportunities, in contrast to most of the older properties which line the beach front.
Although the town is small, it is unusual in boasting two marinas, one at the western end in Islas Menores and the other between the two beaches of Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal.
Like the other towns in this area the population swells appreciably during July and August, but nonetheless there are a fair number of year-round residents, and shops and basic facilities are all in place. The calm water after which Mar de Cristal (“glassy water”) is named attracts bathers even in winter, and the attractiveness of the setting is far from diminished by the lack of visitors outside peak season!
However, those taking up permanent residence in Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal will inevitably avail themselves of the far more substantial facilities in the city of Cartagena and the nearby towns of Los Alcázares andSan Javier.
Where is Islas Menores?
Easy access by road to Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal is provided from the exits at kilometres 8 and 9 on the RM-12 dual carriageway to La Manga, from both of which the town is clearly signposted. See map for further details. The airport of San Javier is no more than 15 minutes away by road, and both Corvera and Alicante are within comfortable driving distance.
Murcia leads the way with vaccinations against bronchitisMore than 13,000 people over the age of 50 will be protected from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) The regional councillors for health, Juan José Pedreño, and for social policy, Conchita Ruiz, visited the Virgen del Valle care home.. 02/10/2025
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..
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
October 3 and 4 History of the Mar Menor, a seminar in Los AlcázaresA must-see event for local history enthusiasts along the inland shore of the Mar Menor On Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th October the Town Hall of Los Alcázares is hosting a seminar on the subject of the history of the Mar Menor, with organizers hoping..
October 26 Free guided tour explaining the origins and history of La Manga and the Mar MenorThe Origin of the Mar Menor traces the ancient and modern history of La Manga This 5-kilometre walking tour in La Manga begins at the bridge of El Estacio and the channel which enables boats to pass between the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean, and continues..
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..
Weekly street market in Islas Menores Friday is market day during the summer in Islas Menores For many expats and visitors, one of the great joys of shopping in Spain is the opportunity to buy fresh products and bargain clothes in the weekly local markets, which are awash with colour.. 25/04/2018
Weekly markets in the municipality of Cartagena Year-round and summer-only street markets in Cartagena Not all weekly markets are set in stone, and if they coincide with public holidays they may be cancelled or postponed. In addition, days can change, so if you're not sure a call to the relevant..
Cartagena beaches: Islas MenoresIslas Menores beach on the shore of the Mar Menor The beach of Islas Menores is a 900-metre stretch of golden sand on the south-western shore of the Mar Menor, and is popular all year round with both the Spanish and foreign visitors and residents, although..
Cartagena beaches: Mar de CristalFine sand and spectacular views across the Mar Menor to La Manga This very attractive long beach at the southern end of the Mar Menor (900 metres long by 25 wide) is one of the best on the inland shore of the saltwater lagoon, with the views out towards La..
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 extinct 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..
Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, La Puebla The church of La Puebla maintains the original façade The main parish church of La Puebla is the most important currently used religious building in the Lentiscar area of the municipality of Cartagena, but it has had a relatively short history...
4-kilometre geological walk from Cala Reona to Salinas del Rasall in Calblanque regional parkThis pleasant walk in Calblanque is of great 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 regional park..
