The Region

Villa Mar Menor is situated near the coast of Costa Cálida in the Murcia Region, one of the smaller but most prosperous of Spain's 18 autonomous regions. To the north is the Costa Blanca, to the south the Costa de Almería and eventually the Costa del Sol. The whole coast is relatively lightly developed, and although it has been popular with Spanish holidaymakers for years, it has only recently come alive as far as the overseas market is concerned. The climate, beaches, sports and lifestyle have always been superb, but only lately have the dozens of new low-cost flight routes and improved road network made access simple and cheap. It is without doubt a superb holiday destination for any age, a great place to live and an attractive investment prospect.

The other areas of interest nearby are: -

San Pedro del Pinatar & Lo Pagán
The appeal of this area revolves around the salt marshes and man-made 'pans' where salt is harvested, now a protected Nature Park. Migrating birds use the marshes as a stop-over and bird-watching is popular. The mineral content of the mud makes it a sought-after remedy or conditioner, especially for the skin, and there are several therapy spas. The towns and beaches themselves combine to form the most popular Mar Menor resort, offering a wide variety of bars and restaurants, plus a good little marina.

San Javier
Probably best known as the local name for Murcia airport (2 miles away), since 1998 San Javier has been the home of an increasingly popular jazz festival in late June. San Javier itself is just off the coast, a well established town with a long history illustrated in its museum. It has excellent shopping and leisure facilities, including an impressive sports centre.

Santiago de la Ribera
Perhaps the most attractive of the Mar Menor resorts, Santiago de la Ribera sits on the shores of the Mar Menor directly in front of San Javier and the two are closely linked. Home to a superb marina area and some of the best restaurants in the region, it's no surprise that luxury villas and manicured gardens are the standard, although a small number of properties more accessible to the ordinary buyer are available.

Los Alcázares & Los Narejos
Together slightly smaller than San Pedro, these two neighbours sit right at the centre point of the Mar Menor coast and have an excellent range of modern facilities, including a sizeable marina. They also have a long history, both as fishing ports and as spa towns. Fiestas are big news here, including a week in mid October, a Medieval one at the end of March and 'La Huerta', a celebration of local produce across the last two weeks of August.

Los Urrutias
A relatively new resort, Los Urrutias has almost a mile of golden beach with good facilities, enhanced by an unusual offshore marina in a hexagonal shape. Behind the beach is a modern, spaciously laid out town with an attractive promenade and public spaces. The coast either side is protected land, preserving the quality of the environment.

Los Nietos
Divided into an 'old town' just off the coast and a newer resort area with a very good beach, Los Nietos is another Mar Menor town with a popular marina. Big enough to have a life all year round, it is popular with buyers seeking a place to live, as well as holidaymakers. Linked to the city of Cartagena by rail, it is especially suitable for those who prefer to travel by public transport.

Mar de Cristal
Separated from Los Nietos by a small river, Mar de Cristal is a compact and friendly little resort with three good beach areas and a new, pretty promenade with bars and restaurants. A good sized marina adds to the charm.

Playa Honda & Playa Paraiso
At the very southern end of the Mar Menor, these two beach areas have seen quite a bit of expansion in the last few years and have evolved into fully fledged resorts. With the hills of the Calablanque Nature Park behind, the protected Marchamalo salt flats to the side and the whole length of the Mar Menor in front though, the area is set to mature nicely.

Cabo de Palos
Across from the Marchamalo salt flats, Cabo de Palos is a small point of land jutting out into the Mediterranean. Naturally equipped with many small bays and inlets, it has always been a centre for fishing and the main port area is one of the prettiest on the entire coast. Using fresh local fish and vegetables, some of the best restaurants in the area line the traditional quayside and charge amazingly reasonable prices.

La Manga strip
Mostly only 200 to 400 yards wide, the La Manga strip separates the Mar Menor from the Mediterranean and hence offers the unusual luxury of sea views for almost 360 degrees, for the finest penthouses at least. Whereas most of the region has a 3-storey height restriction, regulations on the strip are a little more relaxed and there are plenty of taller hotels and apartment buildings, leading to a more bustling atmosphere. With beaches on both sides, countless bars and restaurants, several marinas (Tomás Maestre being the largest), clubs, casinos and even a golf course, there's never a dull moment. The southern and central part of the strip is the most built-up, heading north past Tomás Maestre marina leads to an area reserved mainly for spacious, luxury properties, some with their own private waterfront berths.