These are the three happiest places to live in Murcia
San Javier, Los Alcázares and San Pedro del Pinatar have topped the list in 2024
There’s a reason why the Costa Cálida is repeatedly hailed as one of very best parts of Spain for both holidaymakers to visit and residents to hang their hats. Hundreds of bright, sunny days each year, even in the depths of winter, a comparatively low cost of living, a rich and vibrant history and culture. The list goes on and on.
But amid all the accolades the Region of Murcia boasts, a new survey by real estate firm Sonnei has revealed that three municipalities in the blissful Mar Menor are actually the happiest places to live: San Javier, Los Alcázares and San Pedro del Pinatar.
This intriguing investigation looked at locations nationwide, focusing on vital elements like the number of sunny and rainy days, the quality of the beaches (due to their blue flags), temperatures, the distance from airports and the proximity of hospitals to crown the very best of the best.
On a broader scale, Spain’s joy quotient reveals Almería is leading the pack, followed closely by Alicante and Málaga. But these results should come as no surprise, according to CEO of Sonnei, Alfredo Millá, since there is a well-proven connection between sunshine and overall health and happiness.
The ten happiest places in the Region of Murcia
- San Javier
- Los Alcázares
- San Pedro
- La Unión
- Cartagena
- Mazarrón
- Torre Pacheco
- Fuente Álamo
- Alcantarilla
- Beniel
Águilas, Lorca, Santomera and Las Torres de Cotillas also received very respectable scores, while the capital city of Murcia was quite a ways down, at number 21.
The unhappiest places
On the other hand, the cities with the worst happiness index for residing in the entire Region are Caravaca de la Cruz (65.37) and Moratalla (67.66). They are, in fact, the only ones below the 70-point barrier. Calasparra, with a 73.25 score, completes the ‘sad’ podium.
In other news: Britain beats Spain as the happiest place to live
Image: Ayuntamiento de San Javier
Address
Calle Padre Juan. Centro Cultural Principe de Asturias 30720 SAN JAVIERTel: 968 571 704
Oficina de Turismo de San Javier
The municipality of San Javier has three main offices giving tourist information to visitors, as well as two information points. The tourist offices are located in Santiago de la Ribera, on the ground floor of the town hall in San Javier and at the start of La Manga. There is a tourist information point located in the San Javier Airport, as well as one at kilometre 12-13 of La Manga del Mar Menor.
Due to its location on the fringes of the Mar Menor and Mediterranean, San Javier has a period of intense summer tourism activity during the peak summer months, although it is popular with retirees of all nationalities out of peak season.
Tickets for the annual San Javier Jazz Festival can be purchased at the Festival office in San Javier Town Hall, Plaza de España.
San Javier - Oficina Municipal de Turismo 
Municipal Tourism Office
Calle Padre Juan. Centro Cultural Príncipe de Asturias (Click for map: Centro Cultural Príncipe de Asturias)
30720 Santiago de la Ribera - SAN JAVIER
Tel: 968 571 704
Opening Times:
Peak season, 1st July to 15th September: Monday to Friday 10am to 2 pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm
Mid season, 16th September to 31st October, and from Easter Week to 30th June: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2.30pm and 5pm to 7pm
Low season, 1st November to Easter Week: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2.00pm and 4pm to 6.30pm
Saturday in Low Season and Saturday, Sunday and Holidays in Mid and Peak Seasons: 10.30am to 1.30pm.
San Javier - Punto de Información Turistica Plaza de España
Tourist information office in the Plaza de España
Plaza de España, 3, 30730 SAN JAVIER
Tel.: 968 573 700 ext. #5351
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2pm
Click for map: Ayuntamiento de San Javier
Oficina de Turismo de Santiago de la Ribera
The tourist office in Santiago de la Ribera is located a little way back from the seafront in the public garden on Calle Padre Juan (click for map).
Telephone: 661 572 285
Opening hours
1st July to 15th September: Mon-Fri 9.00 to 14.00 and 18.30 to 20.30, weekends and public holidays 10.30 to 13.30.
16th September to 31st October and Easter to 30th June: Mon-Fri 9.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 19.00, weekends and public holidays 10.30 to 13.30.
1st November to Easter: Mon-Fri 9.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 18.00, weekends and public holidays 10.30 to 13.30.
Oficina de Turismo de La Manga del Mar Menor
Tourist information office in La Manga del Mar Menor
Address: Gran Vía Km. 0, La Manga del Mar Menor, 30380.
Tel: 968 146 136
Opening Hours:
Low season (1st October to 30th April):
Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 13:30 and 16:00 to 18:00
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays - 10:30 to 13:00
Peak season (1st May to 30th September):
Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 19:00
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays - 10:30 to 13:00
Click for map: Oficina de Turismo de La Manga del Mar Menor
Punto de Información Turística de La Manga
Tourism information point on La Manga
Address: Playa Mistral, Gran Vía km. 12-13
Opening Hours:
Peak season, 15th June to 15th September: Every day from 11:00 to 18:00.
Low season, closed
Click for map: Punto de Información Turistica La Manga del Mar Menor
