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HOME > MURCIA MAR MENOR & CARTAGENA > LA MANGA DEL MAR MENOR
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La Manga del Mar Menor Today
La Manga del Mar Menor – an introduction
It seems incredible now, but until approximately 60 years ago La Manga del Mar Menor was of interest almost exclusively to geographers, who knew it as a 22-kilometre spit of land which protrudes from the headland of Cabo de Palos and encloses the Mar Menor, the saltwater lagoon which, with an area of 170 square kilometres, is the largest in Europe.
When the Civil War ended in 1939 there was barely any evidence of human activity on La Manga, apart from a couple of windmills and the archaeological remains, both on land and offshore, which provide evidence that humans have lived in the area for thousands of years.
How times have changed. In the 1960s the first tourist infrastructures and high-rise blocks were built, and in the course of just a couple of decades La Manga went from an all but unknown landscape feature to one of the busiest beach reports in Spain, attracting tens of thousands of summer visitors from all over Spain every year.
At the same time, La Manga Club, which is not on the narrow spit itself but near the village of Los Belones, close to Cabo de Palos, made sure that the name of La Manga was known internationally, and at the end of the twentieth century the number of foreign residents living on the “strip” rose and the year-round population increased as a consequence. By 2013 the population was reported to be just over 17,000.
La Manga today is without any doubt one of the most cosmopolitan places in the Region of Murcia and the Costa Cálida, with the only possible exceptions being La Manga Club and the airport! The permanent population is sufficient to support a variety of businesses and there are both primary and secondary schools, and despite the administrative ambiguity caused by it falling into the territories governed by two Town Halls (San Javier and Cartagena) it is a town in its own right, albeit an unusual one.
The main north-south road which runs the length of La Manga is an essential part of life here, and is the spine which joins all of the community together (although it becomes very crowded in summer). The geography of the spit is such that inevitably the southern end receives more visitors and was the first part to be developed, simply because it’s the first area where visitors arrive from the mainland. The first developments here included the Torre Varadero and the Torre Zeus, which are still the two tallest buildings in the municipality of Cartagena, and shopping centres and a plethora and bars and restaurants arrived with the first summer visitors. These are still in evidence and are replicated in varying styles all along the spit, although with less intensity at the far northern end where the land peters out opposite the regional park of the wetlands and salt flats of San Pedro del Pinatar.
The resort still attracts hordes of visitors every summer, and will continue to do so for as long as it resists the threat posed by global warning and rising sea levels. The reasons for this are various, but the most important are without a doubt the beaches and the water sports on offer in the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean.
The choice between the calm water of the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean just a short walk away is one which offers something for practically everyone, and all along its length the beaches of La Manga are sandy and clean. At the same time three marinas in the Mar Menor provide mooring for over 2,000 boats, and for those learning to sail, water-ski or become an expert in countless other aquatic sports the Mar Menor is an ideal training ground: not only are high waves unknown, but at the same time there is normally a strong breeze throughout the year, although of course there are days in summer when this is absent.
It has to be said that La Manga is not liked by everyone. The fact that it was born as a town so recently means that it inevitably lacks the historical importance and traditions of other parts of the Costa Cálida, and of course there are no old buildings or quaint winding streets to give the place what is often referred to as “character”.
But on the other hand, La Manga del Mar Menor has a character of its own, and it makes an important contribution not only to the tourism sector of the regional economy but also to the variety of the Region of Murcia and the Costa Cálida: no-one should claim to have seen Murcia if they haven’t visited La Manga!
One of the most important summer holiday destinations in the Region of Murcia
It seems incredible now, but until approximately 70 years ago La Manga del Mar Menor was of interest almost exclusively to geographers, who knew it as a 22-kilometre spit of land which protrudes from the headland of Cabo de Palos and encloses the Mar Menor, the saltwater lagoon which, with an area of 170 square kilometres, is the largest in Europe.
When the Civil War ended in 1939 there was barely any evidence of human activity on La Manga,apart from a couple of windmills and archaeological remains, both on land and offshore, which provide evidence that humans have lived in the area for thousands of years.
How times have changed. In the 1960s the first tourist infrastructures and high-rise blocks were built, and in the course of just a couple of decades La Manga went from an all but unknown landscape feature to one of the busiest beach resorts in Spain, attracting tens of thousands of summer visitors from all over Spain every year.
At the same time, La Manga Club, which is not on the narrow spit itself but near the village of Los Belones, made sure that the name of La Manga was known internationally, and at the end of the twentieth century the number of foreign residents living on the “strip” rose and the year-round population increased as a consequence. By 2013 the population was reported to be just over 17,000.
La Manga today is without any doubt one of the most cosmopolitan places in the Region of Murcia and the Costa Cálida. The permanent population is sufficient to support a variety of businesses and there are both primary and secondary schools, and despite the administrative ambiguity caused by it falling into the territories governed by two Town Halls (San Javier and Cartagena) it is a town in its own right, albeit an unusual one.
The main north-south road which runs the length of La Manga is an essential part of life here, and is the spine which joins all of the community together (although it becomes very crowded in summer). The geography of the spit is such that inevitably the southern end, which starts at Km0 by Cabo de Palos, receives more visitors and was the first part to be developed, simply because it’s the first area where visitors arrive from the mainland. The first developments here included the Torre Varadero and the Torre Zeus, which are still the two tallest buildings in the municipality of Cartagena, and shopping centres and a plethora and bars and restaurants arrived with the first summer visitors. These are still in evidence and are replicated in varying styles all along the spit, although with less intensity at the far northern end where the land peters out opposite the regional park of the salt flats and sand dunes of San Pedro del Pinatar.
The resort still attracts hordes of visitors every summer, due mostly to the beaches and water sports on offer in both the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean.
The choice between the calm water of the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean just a short walk away is one which offers something for practically everyone, and all along its length the beaches of La Manga are sandy and clean. At the same time three marinas in the Mar Menor provide mooring for over 2,000 boats, and for those learning to sail, water-ski or become an expert in countless other aquatic sports the Mar Menor is an ideal training ground: high waves are unknown and there is normally a strong breeze throughout the year, although of course there are days in summer when this is absent.
There is also a regular ferry service from La Manga to San Pedro del Pinatar and San Javier.
It has to be said that La Manga is not liked by everyone. The fact that it was born as a town so recently means that it inevitably lacks the historical monuments and traditions of other parts of the Costa Cálida, and of course there are no old buildings or quaint winding streets to give the place what is often referred to as “character”.
But on the other hand, La Manga del Mar Menor has a character of its own, and it makes an important contribution not only to the tourism sector of the regional economy but also to the variety of the Region of Murcia and the Costa Cálida.
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Mar Menor, things to doProperty Mar Menor areaHistory and local informationShopping and marketsLocal services, facilitiesTourist Information OfficesMedical and Doctors informationWhere to Eat La Manga StripChurches, fiestas and traditionsBeaches La Manga del Mar MenorShopping and marketsAccommodation La Manga del Mar MenorSports facilities and eventsTransportPolice, Town hall, Useful InfoBeaches La Manga del Mar Menor WebpageLocal news and what's on
LA MANGA DEL MAR MENOR
Mar Menor, things to doProperty Mar Menor areaHistory and local informationShopping and marketsLocal services, facilitiesTourist Information OfficesMedical and Doctors informationWhere to Eat La Manga StripChurches, fiestas and traditionsBeaches La Manga del Mar MenorShopping and marketsAccommodation La Manga del Mar MenorSports facilities and eventsTransportPolice, Town hall, Useful InfoBeaches La Manga del Mar Menor WebpageLocal news and what's on
Legendary chef from La Quinta at La Manga Club, Adrian Ros, delights with cooking demonstrationLa Solana Bar & Restaurant is renowned at La Manga Club as a world-class dining experience Chef Adrián Ros, of La Solana Bar & Restaurant at La Quinta Club in La Manga Club, treated the SPAR kitchen space to a captivating culinary.. 29/04/2024
Full programme for the 2024 San Javier Jazz FestivalGregory Porter and Diana Krall top the bill at the 26th edition of Jazz San Javier The full line-up has been confirmed for the 26th edition of the San Javier Jazz festival, a truly international event which takes place this year with 14 concerts between June..
La Manga already fully booked for summerMany holiday let apartments in La Manga del Mar Menor are already booked up for July and August Image: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena Holiday rentals in La Manga del Mar Menor have seen an increase in demand in recent years, despite price.. 12/04/2024
San Javier and Cartagena agree sanitation and transport improvements for La MangaCartagena has doubled its budget for improving La Manga del Mar Menor facilities this year The ayuntamientos of Cartagena and San Javier are working together to prepare an infrastructure plan to improve services such as sanitation and mobility.. 05/04/2024
Apply now to work as a carer in MurciaWorkinSpain are looking for care workers; think you’ve got what it takes? Local recruitment company WorkinSpain is actively seeking part-time and full-time carers for the elderly, disabled people and patients in post-operative recovery, and.. 21/03/2024
Fame at last... La Solana Restaurant at La Quinta appears on Spanish national TVThe La Manga Club bar and restaurant was featured on the Spanish TV show Batalla de Restaurantes Last November, La Solana Bar & Restaurant at La Quinta were selected to participate in the ‘Batalla de Restaurantes’ (Battle of.. 15/03/2024
La Manga Club wins Best Sports Resort awardThe Club is going from strength to strength, winning many awards for its sports facilities The Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa has won the Best Sports Resort in Spain award at the World Travel Awards 2024, the fourth time that the complex.. 08/03/2024
Simple, professional Spanish Wills and Inheritance services from PALS Solicitor in Puerto de Mazarrón and La MangaA Spanish Will is essential whether you own various properties or have nothing more than a bank account in this country! Anyone who has been through bereavement and inheritance procedures, whether in Spain, the UK or any other country, will know how difficult..
WorkinSpain recruitment agency is now sourcing candidates for summer waiting staffA unique opportunity to spend the summer working in the stunning La Manga-Cartagena area of southern Spain WorkinSpain is excited to announce that they are now accepting applications for summer waiting staff positions in the beautiful La Manga-Cartagena.. 12/02/2024
Hotels in La Manga del Mar Menor in the municipality of San JavierThe northern end of La Manga lies within the municipality of San Javier 4Us La Manga VIP Hotel Gran Vía de la Manga, Km. 14 T: (+34) 868785266 Click here for the hotel website. Hotel and Spa Poseidon La Manga (4-star)..
La Manga del Mar Menor in San Javier The northern half of La Manga falls within the municipality of San Javier La Manga del Mar Menor is located to the east of the town of San Javier, about 50 km to the south-east of the city of Murcia, and is a strip of land enclosing the lagoon of the..
The Puente del Estacio bascule bridge in La Manga del Mar MenorThe bascule in the San Javier section of La Manga allows road traffic to pass between the northern and southern ends The Estacio bridge which crosses the main channel between the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor in La Manga was built relatively recently..
The local history museum in San Javier Discover local history at the Museo de San Javier The San Javier Museum gives interesting insights into local life, showing the history of the municipality from pre-history through to its rôle as the modern-day home of the Spanish Air Academy..
Weekly street markets in San Javier Regular markets throughout the municipality Spanish street markets are a great way to pick up some amazing bargains and offer an enormous range of products for sale, including clothes and accessories, shoes, beauty products, household items, soft..
La Manga del Mar Menor Catholic churches Salvator Mundi Urbanización El Vivero Km. 1 Telephone: 968 563054 Reina de Los Apóstoles Urbanización Castillo de Mar Km. 5 Telephone: 968 563054 Click for more information about the San Javier municipality..
Playa El Galán beach in La Manga del Mar Menor 700 metres of well-used sandy beach with views towards Isla Grosa Playa el Galán runs between kilometres 7.2 and 6.5 on the Mar Menor side of La Manga in a built-up area which contributes to its popularlity, as do the fine sand and the..
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