The Costa Calida – or the warm coast – is just what you need for a few days away under the rays of the Spanish sunshine – a sheltered coast and warm waters of the blue sea splashing about in the Mar Menor - literally the little sea. Shallow and sheltered means a lagoon always like a warm bath, separated from the cooler Mediterranean by a narrow strip of coastline known as La Manga – the sleeve! Come and discover the many attractions of this part of Murcia…
La Manga del Mar Menor, Murcia
Beyond the City Limits
Murcia is bordering the province of Almeria in the south east of Spain. Unlike it´s dusty cowboy and western neighbour, Murcia and its´ landscape change dramatically as you drive further up the coastline. The capital sits in a fertile farmed area, rice growing on a large scale, orange trees, and other crops grow abundantly.
Away from the city and the 19th century architecture and lovely cathedral, hop in your hire car onto the N – 301 and head to the warm coast – the Costa Calida.
La Manga.
What will you find there?
Well, you might find the horizon… in the pink!
In the pink
A saltwater lagoon, in fact the largest in Europe and if you go in Autumn the Northern end is stuffed to the gills with thousands of Flamingo as part of their migration. A sea of pink -remember that camera!
A cure for all ailments
A cool – or rather warm – 3,000+ hours of glorious sunshine every year and over 70 kms of beautiful coastline – who wouldn´t want to come here?! The shallow iodine and salty waters of the Mar Menor (18k long x 10k wide) are also reputed to be curative, with rheumatism sufferers reporting improvements after a dip or two. In fact,in ancient times gone by, Moorish Kings would come here for their ritual bathing – what´s good enough for royalty…! Other uses too – a friend of mine who lives there pops down to the waters´edge to pick up her salt for the kitchen!
Enjoy exploring the half a dozen or so villages along the Mar Menor:
- Los Alcazares – with a Moorish Tower
- Islas Menores
- Mar de Cristal
- Playa Honda
- Los Narejos
- San Pedro del Pinatar
- Cabo de Palos – the end of the strip
A fishy business
Seafood - and eat it!
Sail away
messing about on the water
It´s a breeze
Levante and Lebeche winds mean warm gusts, non tidal waters are also just perfect for windsurfing, sailing, kayaking…you name it, it´s all here. Also, the shallow depths are ideal for the beginner to safely hone any skills.
A round before dinner
La Manga itself offers a multitude of places in which to eat and drink, nightclubs to dance the night away, shops and cafés, all you want or need for a holiday suitable for the whole family.
Tennis, walking, sailing, golf – spa treatments and relaxing massages. Between the weather,the warm curative water and all these healthy activities, a visit to Mar Menor is just what the doctor ordered! Keep it up your sleeve for a rainy day!
