The
La Manga strip offers many restaurants, bars and shops.
At its tip is a superb new marina with wonderful views across
the Mar Menor to one side and the Mediterranean to
the other.
Few can resist the chance to swim in two seas on the same
day.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE (24 hours)
SPRING 14-19 °C (58-66 °F )
SUMMER 22-26 °C (71-78 °F )
AUTUMN 16-23 °C (60-74 °F )
WINTER 12-13 °C (54-56 °F )
SANTIAGO DE LA RIVERA
Leaving Murcia on the N-301 as you reach the C-3319 leading to San Javier,
Santiago de la Rivera on the banks of the Mar Menor is the most
important tourist centre in this area.
MAR MENOR VILLAGES
The 73km of coastline of the Mar Menor is the home of tranquil
villages and waters, which are rich in salt and iodine
- making this area the
best for helping to cure infections and rheumatic disorders. Some of
the most important villages are San Pedro del Pinatar,
Los Alcazares, Los Narejos,
Islas Menores, Mar de Cristal and Playa Honda.
CARTAGENA
The ancient port of Cartagena is the second
most important city in the region and the centre of the
Mediterranean
Maritime Department. It predates to the Roman
period and boasts the ruins of a Roman theatre, archaeological museums plus
a number of interesting examples of military and modernist
exhibits and architecture.
Places of interest within Cartagena include the Church of Santa Maria La Vieja,
the Torre Ciega, Torres Park and the Castle de la Concepcion. One of the prettiest
areas in the city is its port, where you can find the Modernist Town Hall and
several monuments - including one dedicated to the Heroes of Cavite
and Santiago de
Cuba, and the work of Isaac Pearl in 1888 dedicated to the first submarine
in the world ever to be launched. Before leaving Cartagena
make sure you also
visit the Archeological Museums.
MAZARRON
The next stop after Cartagena is Mazarron, whose magnificent bay can be admired
from the main road. The town meets the sea at the tourist centre where there
are more than 35km of beaches. Its most important monument is the Castle
of Los Velez.
CABO DE PALOS AND LOS BELONES
This is home to a very popular Sunday market, ceramic shops
and some pleasant seafood restaurants around the harbour.
Los Belones has a small fruit market
every Tuesday, and the Bodega de Los Belones wine cellar offers wine
tasting and an extensive range of local and national wines.
EL ALGAR
Heading towards Cartagena, El Algar also boasts an excellent wine cellar
called La Cabana de Saura (located on the road into the village), and has
a market every
Friday.
LOS NIETOS AND
LOS ALCAZARES
Further on in the same direction will bring
you to Los Nietos, a sleepy, Old Spanish fishing village.
From here you can get a train to the historic town
and naval port of Cartegena. Los Alcazares, further round the bay, is a delightful
Old Spanish holiday town which was formerly a retreat for Moorish kings.
MURCIA
The historic city of Murcia, the capital of the province, is just 20 minutes
drive away. Murcia is a truly beautiful City and as one of the most diverse
regions in Europe is well worth a visit.
This ancient City boasts cultural
and architectural influences dating from the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the
Romans and the Arabs. It is a great place to shop and for sightseeing the
unique hoards of baroque art and architecture, and the famous casino
is definitely worth
a visit if only for the extravagant decor.
If none of this appeals to you perhaps you would like to
join one of the horse riding or walking treks, or
explore off road on a bicycle. And after a delicious
Tapas for lunch you could take a siesta on the beach. For those of you who
have the stomach for it the Bullfighting can be seen at
its
most thrilling in
the rings of Murcia & Cartagena.
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