The most exciting activities and attractions of the Mar Menor

Are you considering buying a home along Spain’s Costa Cálida? If so, you are making the right decision, because you will be living or celebrating your holiday near one of Spain’s most beautiful areas: the Mar Menor. This lagoon is located near Murcia and is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a sandbar called, ‘La Manga del Mar Menor’. It doesn’t matter if you love culture, the great outdoors or athletic activity - you can do all of that here!

The sea and sun

With nearly 70 kilometres of coastline, the Mar Menor boasts virtually endless sandy beaches and gorgeous promenades with tropical palm trees. What makes the lagoon so unique is that it is never deeper than seven metres. This means that the water is at a wonderful temperature by early spring. It also has very little current.

Athletic activities

With swimming, pedal boats, sailing, fishing - you name it - those who love water sports will be in paradise around the Mar Menor. The sea near Cabo de Palos is even considered one of the best snorkelling and diving locations in all of Europe! Not enough options for you? There are excellent kite surfing and jet skiing opportunities here as well. Prefer to play on land? Spend a day on one of the spectacular golf courses. The region around Mar Menor is a favourite among golf lovers for good reason: there are many courses within less than half an hour's drive, such as the famous La Manga Golf, Roda Golf and Las Colinas Golf courses. Not to mention that several golf courses in the area were designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Stunning natural environment

Those who love to get out into nature will love Mar Menor as well. The northern end is a nature reserve called ‘Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar’. It includes several salt lakes and is a gorgeous reservation with many different species of plants and birds. The nature reserve Calblanque is also in the area, a great place to go on a hike or go mountain biking.

Rich history

If you prefer a cultural outing, why not spend the day at La Encarnacion, the oldest hotel and bathhouse in the region? It boasts a spectacular courtyard that is well worth a look. You can also visit Cartagena, a famous ancient city, where you will encounter breath-taking buildings and squares as you stroll along traditional Spanish streets. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the lighthouse in Cabo de Palos as well. This 19th-century lighthouse features a fantastic view of the crystal-blue sea, extensive sandy beaches and impressive cliffs and rock formations.

Relax and enjoy

Need a breather after all that activity? The mud baths of Lo Pagan await! Lo Pagan’s mud contains minerals like calcium, fluoride and magnesium. That means that a bath here is not only relaxing, it also has a healing effect. Cities like Murcia and Cartagena are also fantastic for shopping. You can easily spend hours at the large shopping centres such as Espacio Mediterraneo in Cartagena, Nuevo Condomina in Murcia or La Zenia Boulevard in Orihuela Costa.

More information

Rayos de Sol specialises in the purchase and sale of residences along the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida. We would be happy to share more about what the Mar Menor and Costa Calida have to offer if you are looking to move here or purchase a second home. Click here for our contact information and here for more information about our services.