Regional Information: Costa Calida

The Mar Menor and La Manga
The unique peninsula of La Manga divides the Mediterranean from the large inland lagoon the Mar Menor. The warm watered Mar Menor is situated close to the prestigious La Manga Golf complex. A visit to the mud baths is a must. San Javier airport is also on the western shore.

Under the descriptive name of La Manga (or the sleeve) we find a curious geographical caprice which has become one of the most well-known tourist areas of the Murcian coast line; a ribbon of land which stretches out for some 24 km. between Cabo de Palos and La Punta del Mojon, acting as a natural border to the salt water lagoon known as the Mar Menor. Originally, what is now known as La Manga del Mar Menor was an open bay to the Mediterranean. At the farthest end, over many years, volcanic rocks brought to a halt the sand and sediments dragged in by the tides, until they formed a sandy column of dunes and wild vegetation and extensive beaches bathed by two seas, the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor. La Manga is a narrow strip of land whose width varies between 200 metres and one and a half kilometers. It is crossed by natural canals which provide contact between the two seas and permit Mediterranean water to enter the lake. This space was completely untouched until the 1960s, when it was "discovered" as a tourist haven, and underwent a transformation with the urbanization of the area and the construction of a tourist infrastructure.

La Manga is home to an incredible world class golf complex and has world class training facilities which attract international soccer teams from all over Europe. As property prices on the Orihuela Costa have risen in recent years, many people are seeking lower priced property in this area

Poplar places around The Mar Menor include the following:

Pilar de la Horadada
This small quaint village is situated between San Pedro and Campoamor. It is also within close proximity to the beaches and marina of Torre de la Horadada. This location is fast becoming popular with the international visitor mainly due to the access to the Mar Menor and the Spanish way of life.

San Pedro Del Pinatar
At the top of the Mar Menor the historical fishing village of San Pedro has much to offer the discerning holiday maker. The famous Monday street market provides a gentler pace than others, with time to stop at a street-side.

Murcia City
The city of Murcia was founded in the year 831 by Abd-Al-Rhaman II, in a privileged enclave in the centre of the River Segura valle. The surrounding city wall gives us a good idea of its importance in the Arabic era; it was fifteen metres high and boasted ninety-five towers and some of its remains are still visible in parts of the city. Its importance is also demonstrated by numerous archaeological finds, such as the palatial style found in the Claras convent. The Christian city has also left a profound mark on the urban face of Murcia, as seen in two of its main streets, Plateria and Traperia, which are still witnesses to the intense activity of the guilds which developed in the city. However, it was from the 16th and especially the 17th century that Murcia reached an urban splendour which would take her beyond her walls. This was the time when the many, principally Baroque, churches dispersed around the city were built. Churches such as La Merced, San Miguel, Santa Ana, Las Claras, Santo Domingo, Santa Eulalia or San Juan de Dios, which bring to their artistic architecture an important pictorial and sculptural heritage, with some of the most outstanding work carried out by Francisco Salzillo. The most significant Murcian temple is the Cathedral. Building began at the end of the 14th century and it boasts Gothic elements such as the "Door of the Apostles" and the "Velez Chapel", Renaissance elements like the "Junteron Chapel" and Baroque elements, amongst which the fa?e, created in the fashion of a gigantic altar piece by Jaime Bort, particularly stands out, with its excellent combination of sculpture and architecture. Also outstanding is the Tower, which is 92 metres high and was built in different phases between the 16th and 18th centuries.