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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.
Murcia's Carlos Alcaraz named World Sportsman of the Year at the 2026 Laureus AwardsThe tennis prodigy from El Palmar was awarded for the 2025 season, which saw him return to world number one and win both Roland Garros and the US Open Carlos Alcaraz was named World Sportsman of the Year on Monday night, April 20, at the 2026 Laureus.. 24/04/2026
Los Alcázares proposes common front for the removal of mud and seaweed from the Mar MenorMayor Mario Pérez Cervera leads an initiative to unite the four Town Halls affected in combating the duckweed in the lagoon The accumulation of algae is a problem which affects water quality in many areas of the Mar Menor, and at the latest meeting.. 24/04/2026
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Murcia to spend €1 million buying land to safeguard the Mar MenorThe Region of Murcia government is focusing on plots of land that can act as natural filters around the lagoon The regional government of Murcia has announced plans to spend €1 million this year buying up land around the Mar Menor in the latest.. 23/04/2026
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Mar Menor balnearios remain closed for repairs but expected to reopen for summerThe platforms were closed earlier this year after routine inspections picked up clear signs of wear and tear that made them dangerous to use The pantalanes or balnearios, which can be translated as floating walkways or bathing platforms, that are.. 16/04/2026
Cartagena heads to Miami cruise fair with record passenger numbers for 2026Alongside record forecasts for 2026, Cartagena is also presenting plans for a new cruise terminal and ongoing work along the waterfront The port of Cartagena is once again in Miami to promote itself at one of the most important events in the global.. 15/04/2026
Spanish government gives green light to Los Alcázares flood prevention planThe rehabilitation of the Rambla de la Pescadería will alleviate the risk of flooding on the coast of the Mar Menor The Town Hall of Los Alcázares is celebrating what the Mayor, El alcalde de Los Alcázares, Mario Pérez Cervera.. 15/04/2026
Scientists warn loss of key fish species leaves the Mar Menor more vulnerableThe ongoing ecological problems affecting the Mar Menor are not only visible in the water, but they are also reducing the lagoon's ability to recover on its own Researchers from the University of Murcia have found that changes in fish populations.. 14/04/2026
