Costa Calida offers excellent watersports and golf courses. Extreme sports are on offer in the region: potholing, hang-gliding
and white-water canoeing. The region boasts 320 days of sunshine, the best in the whole of Spain.
The area is famed for its lemon groves, palm trees, prickly pears, oleander and wild palmetto.
The area is famed for its wide
variety of tapas.
The Costa Calida joins the southerly tip of the
Costa Blanca region, being situated in the south-east of the Iberian Peninsular.
To the north lies the Costa Blanca and to the south lies the Costa de Almeria
with a total of 250 kilometres of coastline. Blessed with a mild Mediterranean
climate, this area has at least 320 days of sun per year. Minimum temperature
ranges between 17ºc and 20ºc in the winter and between 24ºc and 32ºc during the long
summer months.
The rugged landscape is accentuated by the mountains, which extend to the sea's edge. In this area, one might see oleander, prickly pears
and wild palmetto, and the occasional watchtower ruins, which serve as a
reminder of the dangers of pirates who sailed to these shores many years ago to
fill up their ships with booty. The contrast between the old sea-faring towns
and the agricultural communities, owe their personality both to the fertility of
their lands and their historical monuments. Quiet beaches, wild nature,
undiscovered countryside; all closer than you think.
The Mar Menor, Europe's largest salt water lagoon, over 170 square kilometres of protected shallow water
provides ideal safe haven for swimmers and any watersport enthusiast. It is
unique in that there is a peninsula which runs parallel to the coastline, thus
forming the “Mar Menor” (small sea). The shallow depth seawater is warm and
ideal for bathing.
Nearby districts include, San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier, Santiago de la Ribera, Los Alcazares, Mazaron and La Manga with its world
renowned Golf centre with three 18-hole courses, provides a luxurious playground
with 1,400 acres of lush, rolling countryside, scattered with thousands of palm
trees and surrounded by lemon groves, name just a few.
Cartegena is worth a special mention because of its historical interest, being a strategic fortified
port for more than two thousand years.
Attractions in Costa Calida
The Costa
Calida extends along 250km from the beach of Carolina in Aguilas, a few
kilometers from the province of Almeria, to the beach at El Mojon on the
boundary with Alicante. This stretch of Murcian coastline is blessed with 315
days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 17ºc. The area
offers a diverse selection of activities for the visitor including all manner of
water sports, hiking, hill-climbing and much more.
Encompassed in the Costa Calida are: Cartagena with it's wealth of archaeological treasures including a
recently discovered Roman theatre, many museums and a port who's history spans
3,000 years. The Mar Menor is the 'world's largest pool' and sits in the
southeast of Murcia. It is a shallow lagoon of 170 square km with warm waters
and gentle winds. It is known to be one of the best places in Europe to learn
water sports. First the Phoenicians then later the Arab Kings made this 'little
sea' their summer retreat. The Mar Menor is separated from the Mediterranean by
a narrow strip of land only 22km wide, called La Manga del Mar Menor. It's sandy
beach and clear waters have made it one of the highest regarded resorts on the
Mediterranean.
The beaches are complimented by a huge range of hotels, casinos,
golf courses and everything a holiday-maker could wish for. A few minutes away
is Cabo de Palos, a charming seafront village with a unique 19th century
lighthouse and two delightful beaches.
The Costa Calida begins at El Mojon, an old fishing village with a superb beach. A short distance from El Mojon you will
find the Regional Park of Las Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar, the
most important wetlands in the region of Murcia. Flocks of pink flamigos rest
here each year. The saltworks here were exploited by the Romans and are a
complex network of pools. from here take the road to San Pedro del Pinatar and
visit the Casa del Reloj on the San Sebastian Farm. Two kilometers away is Lo
Pagan, a town with the largest area of open-area mud baths in Europe. These mud
baths are recommended for all kinds of skin complaints. In addition you will
find several tranquil beaches, an early morning fish market and ample
night-life.
Mazarrón and Águilas Puerto de Mazarrón is a seaside resort town
with excellent hotel facilities and a lively nightlife. You must visit the
fishing port and the fish auction. The local coastline offers splendid beaches
and unspoilt coasts.
About 3km from the coast is the town of Mazarrón with some excellent buildings including the Town Hall and several churches. Here too you
will find the ruins of Velez Castle. The coastal road takes you southwest to
Aguilas, an old Roman fishing port. Hornillo Wharf, where iron was loaded for
shipping still stands, a reminder that this was once a 19th century mining town.
In the centre of Aguilas you must visit the lovely gardens in the Plaza España,
the 19th century Town Hall and the impressive church of San José. In the high
part of the old quarter stands the castle of San Juan de Aguilas, built in 1579.
At the foot of the castle is the harbour and a typical lighthouse. The coastline
here offers excellent diving.
Cartagena
Cartagena sits on the Costa
Calida within Murcia. Despite the scruffy views as you enter the city, you will
find within, a wealth of history and beautiful architecture with its castles, forts and lighthouses.
If you explore the port area you will find a mixture of old and new. The large naval base occupies
a large area and throughout the city, the importance of the port will become
evident with numerous buildings belonging to the navy, as well as a good naval
museum. You must see the Naval Headquarters, Artillery Headquarters, Dockyard
Gate and the Midshipman School. Cartagena has always been a major port, due to
its unique position on the Mediterranean coast and you will see high on the
hilltops, several forts and castles.
Over recent years many of the important buildings in the city have been restored. Indeed, to this day the work
continues. There are numerous churches, palaces and government buildings. You
will also find several good museums worthy of a visit. There are plenty of parks
and squares to rest in, surrounded by good restaurants and bars and you will
almost certainly find life here very slow and easy going.
You will find the very helpful tourist office close to the bus station at the end of Calle San Diego.
They will supply you with a good street map to make your visit easier. Most of
the sights can be found in one central area, all within easy walking distance.
The seashore offers a wide range of activities from sailing to windsurfing and
good diving.
The local countryside is perfect for hiking, horseriding and cycling. From Cartagena you can easily explore the ancient city of Murcia, the
coastal resorts of Mazarrón, Cala Cortina and Cabo de Palos or a little further
north, the world famous resort of Mar Menor.
Mar Menor
Mar Menor (Little
Sea) is a unique area located on the east coast of Spain, within the region of
Murcia, just above the city of Cartagena. Few regions have the good fortune to
have both a saltwater lake and a Mediterranean shore. The region of Murcia has
both and the salt water lake with an area of 170sq.km is known as Mar Menor, the
largest salt water lake in Europe.
The area dates back to prehistoric times but most remains found date from the Roman
and Arabic periods. The Romans valued the area highly and developed a valuable
salt industry. It was about 1000 years ago that the lake took on the appearance
it has today. The Romans called it Belich and referred to it as a port of
refuge. It was much deeper in those times so could cope with even the largest of
vessels. Over the last hundred years or so, the area has developed into a
tourist haven.
As well as the natural importance of the area the mud and clay
are said to have therapeutic properties, known for centuries. The average annual
temperature here is 17ºc and the average during the summer is above 21ºc. The
winters are very mild, very rarely falling below 10ºc. Rain is also rare here.
With over 3000 hours of sunshine a year and the mild climate, the water here can
reach 30ºc in August.
The coast of the Mar Menor is flanked by small towns, in
the past homes to fishermen and today, tourist enclaves. San Pedro del Pinatar
in the north covers 21.7sq.km and has 15,200 inhabitants. This can swell to
60,000 in the summer months. Below this is San Javier with over 20,000
residents. The area offers several golf courses, municipal parks and the famous
resort of La Manga. La Manga has more than 40km of beaches and the unique
possibility of choosing between two seas with very different water temperatures,
one with waves and one practically calm all year long. The number of hotels at
La Manga make up 50% of the total hotels in the region. With so much water here
there is no wonder that the area is a haven for watersports. The possibilities
here are endless from sailing to diving, windsurfing and jetskiing.
The Mediterranean side of Mar Menor has a long thin coastal strip of hotels and
houses that runs the length of the lake. Along this strip (The Gran Via) you
will find hotels, restaurants and bars as well as ample holiday lets in the form
of apartments. As you join the Gran Via you will find a large petrol station.
Alongside is the very helpful tourist office.
Other places worthy of a visit are Santiago de la Riberera, Los Alcázares and old fishing village and the point at
Cabo de Palos with its lighthouse.
Local markets San Pedro del Pinatar La Union, Los Belones, Los Alcazares Santiago de
la Ribera, Cartagena, El Mirador San Javier, Los Urrutias El Algar, Torrevieja
Los Narejos, Torre Pachero Cabo de Palos and Los Nieto.
