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HOME > MURCIA MAR MENOR & CARTAGENA > LOS URRUTIAS
Los Urrutias is a traditional beach resort on the shore of the Mar Menor
Los Urrutias lies close to the north-eastern corner of the large municipality of Cartagena, not far from the boundary with Los Alcázares on the shore of the Mar Menor, and is one of the many popular beach resorts on the inland shore of Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon.
As is the case with most of the towns on this coastline, the atmosphere still retains a certain element of its slightly old-world charm, reflecting the fact that the popularity of Los Urrutias first grew in the nineteenth century, when residents from the Campo de Cartagena came here for their summer breaks. In the mid-20th century news of the Mar Menor spread not only to the city of Murcia but also to Madrid, and this led to further growth in Los Urrutias and all along the coast of the inland sea.
The main attraction of Los Urrutias is still the long sandy beach, with the warm water of the Mar Menor ensuring that it is possible to swim in the sea practically all year round. There are hardly any waves in the lagoon, and the normally strong prevailing breeze makes the area ideal for those practicing or learning many water sports: the marina of Los Urrutias is one of nine in the Mar Menor.
As is common in seaside resorts, the population of Los Urrutias swells enormously in summer, but the size of the year-round community, which is boosted by the northern Europeans population of the Estrella de Mar development, ensures that for the rest of the year it remains lively! Among the facilities are a hotel, a medical centre, marina and numerous shops and supermarkets, and 
in addition the town is well connected to the city of Cartagena and the rest of the Costa Cálida, and the city of Murcia is also well under an hour away by car.
The town gets its name from the first Christian re-settlers of the area, who bore the Basque surname Urrutia, but is now home to many from far further north, none of them immune to the quiet charms and warm climate of Los Urrutias!
Where is Los Urrutias?
The town of Los Urrutias is on the western shore of the Mar Menor, a few kilometres south of Los Alcázares and the airport of San Javier and approximately 20 minutes' drive from the city of Cartagena. It is easilyu accessed from the AP-7 mortorway: see map for further details.
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