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.
What are the pros and cons of voting to ban tourist rentals in my community?Communities across Spain are holding EGMs to decide whether or not to continue allowing tourist rentals in their buildings, resorts and urbanisations, which has left many people wondering: “What way should I vote?” .. 09/07/2025
4-bed townhouse with underbuild in Los Alcázares for just €294,999Bright, bold and bursting with space, this dream home is brought to you by Simply Spanish Homes This impressive four-bedroom townhouse in Los Alcázares proves that exceptional value and prime positioning can go hand in hand. .. 08/07/2025
Brits in Spain urged to make this change to avoid passport control headacheA new update on the UK government website urges British residents in Spain to swap their green certificate for a TIE card They highlight the risk of airport delays for those without the biometric residency card The UK government has updated.. 08/07/2025
Epic charity ride complete: Los Alcázares duo make it home after 3,500km scooter adventure to the UKPaul and Julie return elated to Los Alcázares after conquering the mammoth journey to Scotland on 51-year-old Lambretta They did it! After weeks of anticipation and a gruelling 3,500 kilometre journey, Paul and Julie have successfully completed.. 08/07/2025
Smoke from Catalonia wildfire sparks panic in Orihuela Costa and Mar MenorResidents woke to smoke-filled homes and a sky thick with smog Widespread alarm reverberated across Orihuela Costa and the Mar Menor area of Murcia on Tuesday morning, July 8, when the sky filled with thick smoke and an acrid smell of burning. Shortly.. 08/07/2025
Why choose health insurance with multilingual assistance in Spain? Language is one of the main barriers for expats who decide to live in Spain, as they often don’t speak the language well enough. This may not be too much of a problem on a day-to-day basis, but when it comes to health, it has a big impact. .. 08/07/2025
The moving company in Spain that is gaining popularity for their bespoke, handmade transport boxesGlobal Relocation - Spain make their own boxes for transport, so they can literally pack and ship anything in the world the most secure and efficient way With tailored packing solutions and an all-in-one approach to relocation, immigration and moving.. 07/07/2025
Pre-paid vs insurance funeral plans: Which is best for expats in Spain?A practical comparison for those living abroad and planning ahead for end-of-life arrangements Moving to Spain offers many rewards, from warmer weather and relaxed living to lower costs and better healthcare. But for many expats, planning for end-.. 07/07/2025
Illegal boat parties once again plague the Mar MenorRubbish, loud music, speeding jet skis and illicit boat anchoring are escalating in the Mar Menor Just a couple of weeks after the Maritime Authority, Guardia Civil and Local Police claimed they were launching a serious crack-down on irresponsible.. 07/07/2025
Rainclouds forecast to break the heat this week: Murcia weather July 7-10The prospect of some gentle rain this week brings some brief respite to what looks like it will be a summer that is longer and hotter than usual After so many days and weeks of very high temperatures in Spain and the Region of Murcia, you will be.. 07/07/2025
Los Alcázares hosts first ever International Senior Fair with assistance from Caser ResidencialThe three-day event, dedicated to the elderly community, proved a great success and had Caser Residencial among the key participants From Friday May 23 to Sunday 25, the town of Los Alcázares in the Region of Murcia became the meeting.. 07/07/2025
Timetable for public buses to and from Corvera Airport increased for July and AugustThe public transport connection to the Region of Murcia International Airport from Murcia city and Cartagena will be beefed up for the summer Murcia’s regional government has, for another year, agreed to put on public transport between the Region.. 04/07/2025
Curry's Nepali & Indian Restaurant in Los Alcázares extends opening times to include Sunday nightsThe popular Indian curry house in Los Narejos is now open every day of the week for lunch and dinner The Curry’s Nepali & Indian Restaurant in Los Narejos, Los Alcázares, are extending their opening times to now include Sunday evenings.. 04/07/2025
Mar Menor water temperature nears 30 degrees Celsius as heatwave threatens lagoon's delicate balanceExcessive warming has put the Mar Menor saltwater lagoon under severe environmental stress The Mar Menor, Spain’s largest saltwater lagoon, is approaching a critical environmental threshold as it nears 30 degrees Celsius, a temperature typically.. 04/07/2025
Murcia photo of the month July 2025Here’s the top image of the month taken by the Los Alcázares Digital Camera Club (LADCC) Murcia’s soaring temperatures have certainly not kept LADCC members away from the photographic circuit this past month. The monthly.. 01/07/2025
New Plaza Movilidad-Flamenco Holidays deal makes mobility scooter hire in Murcia and Alicante even easier this summerPlaza Movilidad Mar Menor teams up with Flamenco Holidays to offer holidaymakers exclusive discounts Plaza Movilidad Mar Menor has announced a new partnership with Flamenco Holidays, launching on Tuesday July 1, 2025. The collaboration means that.. 01/07/2025
