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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.
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Yellow weather alert issued for the Murcia Region as storms approachAemet warns of heavy showers and a sharp drop in temperatures, with up to 20 litres of rain per square metre possible in an hour on Saturday The Region of Murcia is facing a wet and much cooler weekend, with Aemet issuing a yellow weather alert.. 16/10/2026
Murcia photo of the month October 2026Here’s the October image of the month taken by the Los Alcázares Digital Camera Club (LADCC) Those of us old enough may recall that there were times when photographs were only black and white. Colour didn’t start to become..
Murcia weather forecast October 15-18: Thunderstorms and a drop in temperaturesThe Region of Murcia faces a change in the weather this weekend, with thunderstorms and potentially heavy showers expected before temperatures fall sharply After a warm start to the week, with temperatures reaching close to 30°C in some areas.. 15/10/2026
Murcia economy to keep growing faster than the national averageThe Region of Murcia is forecast to create around 12,000 jobs a year for the next three years, with construction and services leading the way The Region of Murcia is expected to keep growing faster than the national average over the next three.. 15/10/2026
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Cartagena welcomes two giant cruise ships and a luxury yacht in triple port callThree vessels with a capacity for almost 10,000 passengers visit Cartagena in just one day Cartagena had one of its busiest cruise days of the year with the arrival of three very different vessels that brought thousands of visitors to the city... 14/10/2026
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Spanish electricity bills could change again in NovemberThe changes come as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz push energy prices back into the spotlight Households across Spain could see a change in their electricity bills from November, with the Government planning to cut two taxes on electricity.. 14/10/2026
Why the Murcia Region is so important to migrating birds travelling between Europe and AfricaA new scientific atlas reveals how the Mar Menor and San Pedro del Pinatar salt lakes connect birds travelling between Europe, the Mediterranean and Africa Every year, thousands of birds pass through the Region of Murcia on journeys that can take.. 14/10/2026
Cartagena Christmas market returns to Plaza Juan XXIII in DecemberThe 14-stall market will open earlier than usual in Plaza Juan XXIII on December 6 It's not even Halloween yet, and we're already talking about Christmas! But the festive season is just around the corner and will be here before you know.. 13/10/2026
Corvera Airport keeps climbing, with passenger numbers up 7.2% this yearMore than 820,000 travellers have passed through the Murcia terminal so far in 2026, with September flights also on the rise Murcia’s international airport is having a genuinely strong year. Corvera Airport (AIRM) welcomed 822,036 passengers between.. 13/10/2026
Murcia loses more than 400 traditional butchers and fishmongers in a decadeIndependent food shops are fighting back as supermarket shopping and rising costs put family businesses under growing pressure Traditional butchers and fishmongers are becoming an increasingly rare sight across the Region of Murcia, with more than 400.. 13/10/2026
How Murcia celebrated Spain's October 12 national holidayCrowds gathered for the celebrations in Plaza Cardenal Belluga in central Murcia for the military parade and the Guardia Civil's annual celebrations Crowds gathered in central Murcia on Monday October 12 to watch the Guardia Civil's annual.. 13/10/2026
More than 300,000 journeys expected on Murcia roads this long weekendThe DGT expects the busiest periods on Friday and Monday, with extra traffic patrols planned across the region's main roads More than 300,000 vehicle journeys are expected across the Region of Murcia over the October 12 long weekend, with drivers.. 09/10/2026
The Region of Murcia's historic windmills get extra protection under new plansCartagena has by far the largest share of the windmills included in the region-wide heritage changes More than 200 historic windmills across the Region of Murcia will have clearly defined protected areas around them, to preserve both the buildings.. 09/10/2026
