Holidays in Mar Menor and La Manga

The tiny "sea" of the Mar Menor is one of those fantasies with which nature loves to surprise and demonstrate her infinite imagination. This 170 square kilometre saltwater lagoon, which attracts flocks of tourists to its banks each year, was once simply a bay, but the presence of an underwater mountain range, which gradually accumulated sediments washed onto it by storms, brought into existence a tongue of sand, 21 km long and 1,5 km wide, known as La Manga (the sleeve). The waters of the Mar Menor, with maximum depth of seven meters, are rich in iodine and are warm throughout the year, even in winter.

The Romans were quick to realize the excellent qualities of Mar Menor in Costa Cálida (or Mar Pequeña, “little sea”, as the local people like to call it). Not in vain were the Romans the first to establish leisure centers on the banks of the immense lake, 170 square kilometres of water whose surface reflects the shining sun more than 300 days a year. Centuries later, the Moors built pleasure palaces here, seduced by its evident charms. Even King Alfonso X chose the Mar Menor for long periods of rest and relaxation. Countless thousands now follow the example set centuries before by Romans, Moors and monarchs, for the magic of the Mar Menor, far from becoming extinguished, grows constantly, as befits a place of universal, eternal beauty.

Fully comprehensive hotel facilities, hotels awarded the highest categories (one five-star and four four-star hotels), all strategically located; holiday apartment blocks, leisure centers, supermarkets, shops, bars and pubs, discos... all the necessary ingredients for a really satisfying holiday. La Manga is still lively in the winter and in the autumn, since there is a constant population throughout the year. Winter is ideal for those looking for peace, with all the necessary facilities and services. There are two particular places you should not miss when looking for some fun: Plaza Bohemia (Bohemian Square), the meeting point for nightlife, ice-cream parlors, cafes, bars, restaurants, and a curious street market with trinkets and imitation jewelers... And from here to el Zoco (The Souk), a commercial and leisure centre. At night, the bars and disco-pubs work at full capacity to provide visitors with any amount of fun.

The Mar Menor Sea Resort consists of a series of sailing, water-sports and tourist infrastructures grouped around the shores of the Mar Menor, offering visitors an entire range of activities and services at its more than 20 shoreline bases, enabling them to learn, perfect or simply enjoy sailing, water-skiing, scuba diving, motor-boating, canoeing, kite-surfing, windsurfing and catamaran sailing. For scuba-diving lovers, these warm waters harbor sea-beds teeming with plant and animal life, such as the Marine Reserve of Cabo de Palos-lslas Hormigas. Scuba divers will also be captivated by the remains of a number of sunken ships. Visitors can also enjoy a number of previously designed routes, either by sea (in canoe, sailing boat or motor-boat), or on land (bicycle, on horseback or on foot), as well as under the water.

For those who prefer some quiet, the warm waters of the Mar Menor, with a maximum depth of 7 meters where one will find the perfect conditions to fully enjoy sailing alone or in a group, and maybe take part in exciting competitions. There are Regatta clubs, beach clubs, sailing and canoeing schools here. Virtually all necessary facilities for sailing lovers.

Very close to La Manga, at the town of Los Belones, there is an important golf complex, with three golf courses and 54 holes. It also offers tennis courts, golf practice, and a gym. A comprehensive offer of sports facilities within beautiful natural surroundings, in the same area are also two horse riding centers, for those keen on enjoying a relaxing ride.

The magnificent cultural delights on offer include events such as the International Jazz Festival , the International Theatre. Music and Dance Festival, the Musicas del Alma Cycle and the Pecataminuta Music Festival, all of which are staged at San Javier. At Los Acazares visitors will enjoy the Semana de la Huerta ("Countryside Week") in August and the "Incursiones Berberiscas" ("Berber Invasions"), a Medieval market and series of theatrical performances, during Holy Week, whilst in San Pedro they will be able to witness the Fiestas of La Virgen del Carmen in July, with the traditional seamen´s procession, as well as Holy Week itself, both of which have been declared to be of Regional Tourist Interest.

Start from San Pedro Del Pinatar, a town which owes its origins to a chapel built in the 17th century in a nearby pinewood by local fishermen. Nonetheless, archaeological remains found here show Phoenician and Roman presence here, no doubt to work the valuable salt marshes. The town itself contains a number of interesting buildings. These include the Clock House (Casa del Reloj) where Emilio Castelar, head of government during the First Republic, died in 1899, the Church of San Pedro, devoted to the town´s patron saint, and the Sea Museum (Museo del Mar), which displays a large collection of items related to fishing in the Mar Menor.

San Javier owes its origins to a chapel, built here in this case in the early-17th century. One century later, due to constant pirate attacks, a small township grew up around the church devoted to Saint Francis Xavier and the Cadiz parliament gave San Javier the status of municipality in 1812. The architectural attractions here include the noble houses in the old town, along with the church and the chapel or hermitage. The Church of San Francisco Javier Parish Museum displays a large number of liturgical objects as well as relics of the titular saint. Another interesting museum is that of San Javier, in Carretera Pinatar. It has three sections: the Ethnographic Museum (Earth, Sea and Air in San Javier), the Christmas Crib Museum (Museo del Belen, with figures and scenes from the monumental crib installed in the Glorieta every year) and the Reporter´s Museum (dedicated to the journalist Tico Molina). San Javier has now become firmly established as a favorite summer holiday resort with visitors to the Costa Cálida, amongst other things due to the location of Murcia Airport in the outskirts of the town.

Santiago De La Ribera is a town which falls under the jurisdiction of San Javier council, and which sprang up in the late-19th century around a hermitage built here in 1888 in honor of the Apostle James. Standing on the banks of the Mar Menor has grown apace with the local holiday industry. The town which has a lovely promenade by the sea is used as the place of residence by officials from the nearby General Air Academy.

Based on a model grid design, the town features a beautiful promenade lined with old age palm trees, the unique building of the Sailing Club and a number of summer mansions dating from the early years of the last century.

The story of Cabo De Palos is full of pages narrating countless skirmishes with pirates, particularly in the 15th century. More than one ship ended its sailing days in these shallow waters, now the domain of countless peaceful divers. It was precisely to warn of danger and to steer ships away from the coast that a majestic lighthouse was built here in the mid-16th century, also used as a school for lighthouse keepers. Despite the many steps up, it is well worth the effort to ascend its 51-metre height to enjoy the breathtaking view, including the rocky silhouette of the Hormigas, islands declared an Integral Marine Reserve due to the rich wealth of the surrounding seabed. The further along La Manga we reach, the better we shall understand why it is poetically known as a “paradise between two seas”.