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.
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
Which Sundays and public holidays will shops be open in the Region of Murcia in 2027?The regional government has approved 16 dates for shops and supermarkets to open, including several Sundays in the run-up to Christmas Shops and supermarkets across the Region of Murcia will be allowed to open on 16 Sundays and public holidays.. 09/10/2026
Espacio Mediterráneo is asking you to put your phone down and just talk to someoneA new initiative at the shopping centre invites visitors to swap screens for real conversation, with a chance to win a dinner for two There's something quietly radical about what Espacio Mediterráneo is doing this October. Not a sale, not a.. 09/10/2026
New €3 million pipeline planned to divert wastewater away from the Mar MenorThe project comes after heavy autumn rains sent more than 11 cubic hectometres of water into the Mar Menor A new pipeline linking the wastewater treatment plants in Torre Pacheco and Los Alcázares could help reduce the amount of treated.. 08/10/2026
HELP Murcia Mar Menor donates €2,000 to San Javier foundationFundación RafaPuede uses a 3D printer to make aids for everyday tasks HELP Murcia Mar Menor has donated €2,000 to Fundación RafaPuede, a San Javier charity that uses 3D printing to create practical aids for people who need a little.. 08/10/2026
Arrange who will look after your pets when you're no longer able to with Thy Will Be DoneA legal Pet Future Custody Agreement lets owners name a trusted guardian and two reserves to care for their animals For plenty of owners, a pet is every bit as much a part of the family as a child, which is why it makes sense to decide in advance.. 08/10/2026
Medical unions put indefinite strike on hold as Spain heads to the pollsDoctors have postponed the planned October 28 walkout, but warn it could be back on the table after the elections Spain's doctors have put their planned indefinite strike on hold after the calling of early general elections, although the unions.. 08/10/2026
Los Alcázares writers' group is looking for new membersBeginners and experienced writers are welcome at a first coffee morning A new writers' group is being set up in Los Alcázares, and everyone from complete beginners to experienced scribblers is invited to get involved. The group.. 08/10/2026
Restaurant in Los Alcázares scoops best grill award... AGAIN!La Tropical wins the National Grilling Championship ribeye title for a second time The La Tropical restaurant in Los Alcázares has won the National Grilling Championship at San Sebastián Gastronomika for a second time, adding a shiny.. 08/10/2026
October 13 Coffee & Company with HELP Murcia Mar Menor in Los AlcázaresGo along to the café in Los Alcázares on the second Tuesday of the month for a cup of coffee with some friendly people HELP Murcia Mar Menor continues with its regular Coffee & Company event on the second Tuesday of every.. 08/10/2026
Hailstorm sweeps northern Murcia and threatens olive harvestThe storm brought intense rainfall and large amounts of hail to several municipalities, with 20.8 litres per square metre recorded in Cehegín in just 10 minutes Farmers in parts of northern Murcia are assessing possible damage to their olive.. 07/10/2026
Murcia tourism has plenty to celebrate after a strong summerThe Region of Murcia saw a strong increase in tourism from other parts of Spain this summer, but the latest figures show why higher visitor numbers don't always mean higher profits Murcia's tourism sector had a pretty good summer, with.. 07/10/2026
Carlos Alcaraz returns to winning ways with Tokyo titleThe Tokyo victory gives Alcaraz another title after almost five months out with a wrist injury and comes just weeks before the ATP Finals in Turin Carlos Alcaraz has ended a frustrating spell without a title by winning the ATP 500 in Tokyo, beating.. 07/10/2026
Yellow weather warning issued across Murcia as rain and storms returnAEMET's warning runs from midnight until 6:00 am on Wednesday, with up to 15 litres of rain per square metre possible in one hour The rain isn't quite finished with the Region of Murcia yet. After last week's storms and flooding, more.. 06/10/2026
After 50 years, work finally begins to dismantle Puerto Mayor in La MangaThe €23.6 million project will remove more than 2,500 metres of steel structures and restore almost 98 hectares of coastline at the Caleta del Estacio After decades of arguments, court cases and an unfinished port project sitting on the Mediterranean.. 06/10/2026
