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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.
Los Alcázares heading for record summer as tourist figures soarThe wide range of events and activities helps hotel occupany rates shoot up in Los Alcázares Official data compiled by the Town Hall of Los Alcázares show that tourism in the municipality enjoyed a boom during the month of June and July.. 13/08/2025
Hundreds join hands to “embrace” the Mar Menor in global show of supportFifth annual human chain calls for urgent action to protect the troubled lagoon For the fifth summer in a row, locals and holidaymakers lined the shores of the Mar Menor to form a huge human chain, symbolically wrapping the saltwater lagoon.. 12/08/2025
Good service, a key factor in health insurance When choosing health insurance in Spain, one of the factors that demonstrates that the company is suitable for health care is that it offers friendly customer service and efficient management. This is essential both at the time of contracting the service.. 08/08/2025
Stunning frontline villas with underbuild on La Serena Golf for €684,950These luxury properties in Los Alcázares are proudly brought to you by MGP – Murcia Golf & Coastal Properties MGP - Golf & Coastal Properties, one of the leading real estate agencies in the Region of Murcia, is thrilled to present.. 07/08/2025
Murcia photo of the month August 2025Here’s the top image of the month taken by the Los Alcázares Digital Camera Club (LADCC) For many LADCC members, the prospect of a morning’s photographic outing to the beautiful city of Cartagena was too good to miss, or was.. 01/08/2025
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Buying a house in Murcia just got cheaper: Lower taxes on property transfers and wealth tax from 2025Regional government reductions in the property transfer tax and wealth tax aim to attract investment in real estate As of July 25, 2025, the Region of Murcia government has implemented significant tax reductions affecting real estate transactions.. 30/07/2025
New IRPF deductions for residents in Murcia from 2025The new changes aim to promote health, sustainability and support for families and vulnerable groups A series of new deductions for Personal Income Tax, known in Spanish as the ‘Impuesto sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas’ .. 30/07/2025
Security upgrade brings 22 CCTV cameras to Los Alcázares streetsThe new cameras have been installed in busy spots like the Plaza del Espejo and the historic Torre del Rame Los Alcázares is seriously stepping up municipal security by expanding its video surveillance network to include 22 strategically positioned.. 30/07/2025
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Still not the most generous in Europe: Spain raises parental leave to 17 weeks for both mothers and fathersThe new measures will take effect immediately and expand parental leave in a landmark social welfare policy The Spanish government has implemented a significant extension of paid care leave after the Council of Ministers formally approved a new Royal.. 29/07/2025
What is IBI property tax in Spain, how much is this council tax and do I have to pay it?Understanding this charge could save you money and is important to consider when buying a house IBI is one of the most important taxes in Spain and needs to be understood before investing in a property. In Alicante province it is often known..
Read the August edition of Home & Living magazine online nowWelcome to the August 2025 issue of Home & Living! Another great read which we hope will inspire you and give you lots of ideas for your home. Featured in this month’s issue: We chat to a couple who bought.. 29/07/2025
Health officials on alert as measles cases on the rise again in MurciaSpain is seeing a sharp increase in measles infections, but high vaccination rates in Murcia are helping keep outbreaks at bay Measles is making a comeback across Europe, and Spain is no exception. After years of relatively low case numbers, health authorities.. 28/07/2025
EU confirms start date for non-Schengen travellers Entry-Exit System as ETIAS fee nearly triplesUK visitors to the EU will face biometric checks starting from October 2025, followed by a new visa-waiver scheme with a higher fee British travellers heading to the EU will face significant changes at borders starting from this October, as the long-awaited..
Corvera Airport continues the upgrades with new toilets for ostomy patientsThe Region of Murcia International Airport has put in brand-new loos adapted for people with ostomy bags Regional travel hub the Murcia International Airport in Corvera now has toilets adapted for people with an ostomy bag to change in an effort to.. 17/07/2025
