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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.
Mar Menor seahorse gets long-awaited vulnerable status after a 20-year campaignThe decision follows years of underwater surveys by Asociación Hippocampus and means the Murcia Region must draw up a plan to help protect the threatened species After nearly 20 years spent counting seahorses beneath the waters of the Mar.. 20/10/2026
Murcia coast hit by more flooding as 13 people are rescued from AP-7 tunnelHeavy rain overnight leaves streets underwater in San Pedro del Pinatar and Los Alcázares, where two schools have suspended classes Storm Adam brought more flooding to the Costa Cálida on Monday night October 19, with streets underwater.. 20/10/2026
Storm Adam floods homes and roads along the Murcia coastLa Manga and San Pedro del Pinatar among the worst-hit areas after intense rainfall leaves streets flooded and traffic unable to pass Heavy rain and thunderstorms caused flooding across the Murcia Region over the weekend, with coastal towns bearing.. 19/10/2026
Murcia weather forecast October 19-22: Yellow weather warnings as rain continues after weekend stormsAEMET warns of further heavy showers in parts of the Region on Monday after a weekend of flooding, with temperatures set to climb back to 26°C from Tuesday The Region of Murcia is facing another day of unsettled weather on Monday October 19.. 19/10/2026
Foreign homebuyers pull back from Spain as property prices continue to climbOverseas property purchases fell as Spain's property market cools following the end of the Golden Visa scheme Foreign buyers are purchasing fewer homes in Spain, but those who do are paying increasingly high prices. New figures from Spain.. 16/10/2026
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
Segura water reserves fall below half capacity as autumn beginsThe basin holds 557 hm³ of water, but is in a much better position than a year ago, with heavy rain forecast this weekend Water levels in the Segura basin have fallen below half their total capacity for the first time in 2026, as the.. 15/10/2026
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
Spain's inflation hits 4.9% as fuel prices keep risingThe latest figures show how rising energy costs and supermarket prices are squeezing household budgets Rising fuel prices have pushed inflation in Spain to 4.9% in September, adding to the pressure on household budgets as the colder months approach.. 14/10/2026
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
