Costa Cálida - Towns

The Costa Calida, situated in the Murcia Region (south eastern Spain) is an extensive coastal area where mountainous landscapes extend to the coast.

It is an area where oleander, prickly pears and the European fan palm grow surrounded by the always sunny skies. The contrast between the old sailing villages and the agricultural towns make it a very attractive and enjoyable area.

However, in spite of appearances, the contrasts in Murcia are concentrated in a small region within 100 Km between the most distant points where one can find quite different nooks. The mines, the orchards and the mountains have been, along with the coast, co-stars throughout its history.

The Coast in the Murcia Region extends from the tranquil waters of the Mar Menor to the impressive cliffs of Aguilas that provide access to Andalusia:

• The salt flats of San Pedro del Pinatar are Roman in origin, a Regional Park and are located along the Alicante province line. San Pedro del Pinatar offers its visitors 14 Km of shoreline sharing two seas: Mar Menor and Mediterranean Sea. The latter offers extensive beaches for swimming, characterized by openness and depth, with fine sand dunes and warm waters. These beaches are very Mediterranean and unpopulated, even during the summer months. In contrast, the Mar Menor is a giant pool with temperate waters all year round.
• The most popular summer enclaves, located in the northern part of the Region, near the Mar Menor, is a contrast with the more tranquil places in the south. The Mar Menor Manga is a strip of land measuring 24 km long and anywhere from 200 meters to 1500 meters across separating the waters of the Mediterranean Sea from the Mar Menor. The Mar Menor with warm salty water possesses several interior islands of volcanic origin and is habitat to different species of great ecological value. La Manga offers its visitors 44 km of beaches and a clear contrast between those that are found on the banks of the Mar Menor and those found on the Mediterrenean side. The beaches are clean, with crystal-clear water and many fly the Blue Flag awarded by the European Union. Mar Menor's shallow waters and lack of waves makes it an ideal place for the practice of water sports.
• Los Alcazares is a summer town popular for its large, clean beaches with a complete array of services. In addition, the town offers tourists multiple cultural festive and sports activities (sailing, scuba-diving, canoeing, etc.) without forgetting its natural spas found within the waters of the Mar Menor.
• La Union is a traditional mining, industrial town that offers its visitors kilometre after kilometre of Mediterranean beaches to enjoy.
• The city of Cartagena is the old Cartago Nova, founded by the Carthaginians and is an important port and naval base. In addition to its historic and cultural appeal, Cartagena has other charming beaches. 30 minutes away, on the southern end of its municipality, are located Isla Plana and La Azohia, small townships with spectacular natural landscape and tranquillity. Although there are also rocky areas and cliffs that are more difficult to access, they are still excellent places to enjoy.
• From Cartagena to Mazarron one crosses the mountains of Alpujarride. This section of the coast offers beautiful pristine beaches. The Port of Mazarron is a modern summer centre with pretty beaches, located on a wide bay, open to the Mediterranean, with 35 kilometres of shore. In addition, scuba-diving can be practiced at the numerous specialized clubs.
• Continuing south along the coast is Aguilas, an area that contains 36 mostly unblemished beaches since many are undeveloped. Examples are: Los Abejorros, Del Arroz, Cala Mijo and Caleton del Pozo. Visitors can enjoy an exceptional landscape that has been untouched by mankind. Its beauty resides in its wild nature. In spite of this, the municipality also has urban or semi-urban type beaches that are well equipped and with tranquil water. Some have been awarded the Blue Flag: la Playa Calabardina, la Colonia, Levante, las Delicias and Prolongacion Poniente.