Murcia is one of Spain’s least known regions, even among Spaniards themselves, and first-time visitors are often surprised by the diversity of this small region and the friendliness of its people, Murcianos.
The community of euroresidents living in this region has grown in recent years, drawn by Murcia’s attractive mountain villages, the beautiful coastline, Costa Cálida, low prices compared to more expensive Spanish resorts, one of the best climates in Spain all year round. However, despite its growing popularity, the region remains relatively unspoilt compared to the more crowded Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca. Fruits and market-garden products are important to the Murcian economy, and are exported all over Europe. Murcia is also famous for its excellent tapas.
Cartagena (20km) is an ancient port which boasts a wealth of history and beautiful architecture. Nearby you can visit the Roman amphitheatre which was only rediscovered in the 1980′s and has now been restored and opened to the public
Mar Menor Beaches(10 mins drive) The Mar Menor area has wonderful clear warm waters and a host of beaches to choose from and is Europe’s largest salt-water lagoon separated from the Mediterranean by the 24 kilometre long La Manga del Mar Menor. The average depth of the Mar Menor is four metres and its maximum seven which, combined with its great extension, means that the seabed slopes very gradually, and you have to get several hundred metres in before the water is of any depth
The Mar Menor’s salinity, furthermore, provides buoyancy so, all in, all it is one of the safest places to swim in the world. The mineral-rich waters of the Mar Menor are supposed to have therapeutic effects. The sludge in the salt pans of Lo Pagán to the north of the Mar Menor is also credited with beneficial effects on the health, so there are often dozens of people wallowing in it at any one time (plus, it cools you down in the August heat).
