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.
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
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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
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Work starts on the first seafront bicycle lane in Los AlcázaresThe first 490-metre phase is the first step towards a continuous coastal route that will connect the seafront with a safe and eco-friendly bike lane Work has now started in Los Alcázares on the first section of its new Paseo Marítimo.. 13/02/2026
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Missing Murcia woman tells of two-year captivity and abuse in countryside houseSalma, 38, escaped over a fence after 22 months of alleged beatings, rapes and threats Salma R., a 38-year-old Moroccan woman who was reported missing in Murcia in 2024, has told police she was held captive, beaten and repeatedly raped for almost two.. 13/02/2026
La Playa del Espejo in Los Alcazares to become even more accessible for everyoneNew improvements will upgrade the beach's facilities, including walkways, adapted showers, shaded areas and fully accessible information The Town Hall of Los Alcázares is set to improve and expand the accessible beach facilities.. 12/02/2026
Murcia forecast February 12-15: More weather warnings for strong wind all this weekendThe wind just won’t let up in Spain after a January that was one of the darkest and wettest in over a quarter of a century! Murcia weather warnings, Friday February 14 It seems hard to believe after so many weeks of gusty conditions.. 12/02/2026
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