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 Area Murcia and Alicante South
The coast line of Murcia is called the Costa Cálida and is in total some 250 km in length. It extends from the beach of El Mojón in the North, beside the border of the province of Alicante at San Pedro de Pinatar to the beach of La Carolina in Águilas in the South, towards the border of Almería.
The Costa Cálida adjoins two different seas, the Mar Menor or (small sea) and the Mediterranean, separated by a 22-kilometre sandy strip of narrow land. The area enjoys an average of 320 days of sunshine each year. The Costa Calida literally means "the warm coast" and the semi - arid subtropical climate offers average annual temperatures of 18 degrees and Spains mildest winters.
The area is well connected to the Spanish motorway system and through the international airport of San Javier which now attracts many low cost operators offering numerous direct flights to Northern Europe.
 The Mar Menor is Europe's largest salt water lagoon with over 170 km2 of shallow water. Sea temperatures are an average 5º C above the Mediterranean Sea temperature. It is 26 km long and 1,5 km. at its widest point. The Mar Menor is surrounded by villages and small towns such as Los Urrutias, El Carmolí, Lo Pagan, San Javier, Los Alcazares and La Manga (also named the strip). Some of these maintain a truly traditional feel to them and you will find a host of shops, bars and restaurants. There are traditional daily markets in San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier and Pilar de la Horadada. We should also mention Cabo de Palos, at the entrance of La Manga. A charming seafront village with a unique 19th century lighthouse and two delightful beaches. These villages are a world apart from the La Manga Club which offers every type of leisure facility imaginable or the new resorts like Roda Golf or the Mar Menor resort, jut to name a few.
Adjacent to the Mar Menor there are natural salt lakes where people still come daily to apply the mud from the bed of the lakes to their bodies and wash it off in the Mar Menor. Alternatively you can go to one of the many hotels which line both sides of the Mar Menor and offer a range of natural therapies in swish spa centres. It is a popular believe, especially by those who suffer from arthritis and muscular problems, that this relieves aches and pains. The fact is that it receives support from many medical experts across Europe and even the World Health Council has stated that the region is one of the healthiest places in the world to live.
The Mar Menor is also an ideal place to learn to swim or master a new water sport because of its warm and tranquil water and an average depth of 1.7 metres and only half a metre deep around the shoreline.
 Nature lovers will also want to go to the beautiful and unspoilt Regional Park of Calblanque, near the Mar Menor and La Manga Club, where deserted beaches, cliffs, dunes, salt flats and hidden coves can be found along a 13-kilometre stretch of protected coastline. The area is crisscrossed by numerous hiking and cycling routes which allow access to one of the few remaining untouched coastal areas of mainland Spain.
In the South of the Costa Cálida, below Cartagena, you will find the towns of Mazarrón and Aguilas. 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.
 Murcia province
The landscape of the province of Murcia is largely defined by the cultural heritage of the people who once occupied this region: the Phoenicians, the Cartaginians, the Romans and the Moors. Here, away from the Costas you may find more of “the real Spain” with traditional villages, vineyards, oranges, olives but also expanses of dry, arid land and even desert-like land covered in cacti and palms. The hill town of Jumilla, at the northern end of the region, is famous for its very quaffable, full bodied red wine which has been produced in the area for centuries. Also worthy of a visit are the towns of Alhama with a splendid castle, Mula with a 15th century castle and Lorca, adorned with historical buildings and a rich history. Wherever you go you may easily run into some local fiësta. In particular, the "Moros y Cristianos" celebrations generate extensive festivities in many places during the summer months. And of course in these places you will have to taste the food. The Spanish cuisine may not have the reputation and the finesse of French cuisine, but it has its own character and specially in these away places you are likely to find the best at extraordinary prices.
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