La Manga del Mar Menor

La Manga del Mar Menor is a resort on a thin strip of land that crosses the Mediterranean between the cities of San Javier and Cartagena on the Costa Cálida. 

La Manga del Mar Menor is a smart, neat and modern resort with restorative claims, due to its rich mineralised lagoons and lakes.

La Manga del Mar Menor is a thin strip of land covering 24 kilometers from Cabo de Palos to the Punta del Mojón across the Mediterranean Sea, enclosed in a body of water. This waveless, shallow sea water lagoon is warm and incredibly salty, making it a popular with those after the health benefits of a mineral-rich swim, a safe bathing spot for families, or beginners practicing water sports.

Several nautical schools use the inner beaches of the lagoon, offering sailing and water-skiing classes. On the other side, facing out towards the Mediterranean Sea, are vast swaths of sand. The beaches are so big that they feel less busy. Something to consider in a place that swells from 10,000 residents to 200,000 in tourist season.

La Manga means ‘sleeve’ in Spanish; this sleeve of land was created by two encroaching volcanic reefs eventually connecting with one another. It was greenfield land until the 1960’s but now plays host to apartment buildings, hotels, restaurants, bars, boutiques and the beautiful Tomas Maestre Marina.

In the warm, dry summers, there is a lively atmosphere with bustling diners, dancers and revellers. However, the underwater habitats to the south are protected in the Reserva Marina de Cabo de Palos e Islas Hormigas, which is only accessible to approved visitors.

This part of Murcia is known for its flat plains and orchard-like abundance.  All these local fresh fruits and vegetables make for a varied cuisine plus the wines from Jumilla and Yecla are well known throughout Spain.

Sports fans might like to visit La Manga Football Stadium, which occasionally plays host to international teams or La Manga Club, a famously high-spec golf club and sports center.