Costa Cálida

Areas such as the Costa Blanca, Costa Brava and Costa del Sol have been well known to foreign visitors for some time now, but in recent years tourists and homebuyers alike have been discovering previously unexplored parts of Spain .

Among the most popular new destinations is the Costa Cálida—popular for its golf courses, expansive beaches and coves, untamed natural beauty, space and authentic Spanish flavour. Although investors have been attracted by the rapid rise in property prices here, homebuyers themselves are drawn by the new horizons and value for money that the region offers.

Uncluttered and free of large urban concentrations, this is a region that appeals to people who enjoy outdoor life, nature and Spanish charm, yet good communications link it conveniently to airports and a host of other modern comforts and amenities.

Situated at the point where the Costa Blanca and the Costa Cálida meet is La Manga del Mar Menor, a narrow land bar with an average width of between 100 and 800 metres that stretches out for 22 kilometres, its beaches washed by the Mediterranean on the one side and the highly saline Mar Menor on the other. With 73 kilometres of shoreline, Europe 's largest saltwater lagoon offers a great variety of scenery and activities, ranging from thousands of flamingos to water sports and healing waters.

Set within typically Mediterranean scenery and protected from over-development by environmental laws, the Costa Cálida is an exciting new area that adds greatly to the choice of Spanish property and investment options.



The Mar Menor & Beaches

The Mar Menor is Europe 's largest salt water lake, though the locals prefer to call it a sea. Its name refers to the traditional denominations of the lake (the Little Sea) and the Mediterranean (the Big Sea ). With more than 170 square kilometres (65 square miles) of shallow, warm water, it is perfect for all kinds of water sports all year round.

Its warm waters welcome not only families with small kids but also those looking for the soothing effect of its healing mud baths and spas.

The nature lovers will also find in the Santiago de la Ribera salt flats natural park a wonderful opportunity to observe the local birds and, if lucky, the migrating flamingos and other exotic species. Be careful, as for animal protection it is not allowed to wander freely through the park, but only thorough the signalled paths and bird-watching hides. Apart from being the biggest open-air health spa in the world, the Mar Menor is also considered as one of the best areas for regatta and water sports which can be practised all year round. The seven kilometres of coastline is divided into the following beaches from North to South, some of which are designated blue flag by the EU:

 

Las Salinas beach
Los Narejos beach
Las Palmeras beach
Espejo beach
Manzanares beach
Carrion beach
La Concha beach

Cartagena

This beautiful city dates back to the times of conflict between the Carthaginians and Romans and is an ancient city with a great deal of historical and, as you might expect, archaeological interest.

An easy 15 minute drive from the coast, the ancient city of Cartagena revolves around its port, which is one of the most important in Spain . At every turn, you will find evidence of its 2200 years of history, marked by the imprint of different civilisations, battles, ruins, ancient walls, castles and churches.

You could visit its numerous Roman and Byzantine ruins and its Roman theatre, its archaeological museums, or simply stroll through the city centre and marvel at its modernist architecture.

Shopping in the busy streets of its centre and its recently opened El Corte Inglés department store are a great way to complete your visit.

Cultural Attractions

• Port

• Old City

• Roman Amphitheatre

• Casino (Social Club)

• Ayuntamiento (Town Hall)

• Underwater Archaeology Museum

• Mining Museum

Interesting Fact
In 218 AD Hannibal and his elephants left Cartagena to begin their historic journey over the Alps into Italy .

Murcia

The city of Murcia is described as one of the most beautiful and historic in the country. The city stands on the banks of the river and enjoys all year round sunshine. It has the highest temperatures in the region. There is a great deal of Moorish influence in the city, not least of all the impressive city walls. After the reconquest, the 20 mosques in the city were turned into churches.

The Cathedral is the most highly prized building in the city. The first foundation stone was laid in 1388 by Bishop Pedrosa . It took four centuries to complete. There are many different styles and cultures within, including 23 different chapels.

Murcia is a welcoming and friendly city, pleasantly modern while maintaining its traditions.

Its most important monument is the cathedral, which is characterised by the variety of architectural styles that overlapped during its construction (1394-1462). The Bishop's Palace, the Casino and several churches are also well worth a visit, as are its museums and art galleries. In the town centre, you can stroll down Trapería and Platería streets, named after the cloth merchants or silversmiths who plied their trades in each. Don't miss the Romea theatre and City Hall, built in the 19th century, with pastel-coloured façades and unusual decorative features.

The Holy Week processions in Murcia are an expression of 'fiesta' and deep religious spirit. The life-sized woodcarvings of the Passion by Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo date from the 18th century and are carried through the streets on the shoulders of the faithful. A week later, the Spring Festival is a joyful celebration of the Murcian people's origins. On ' Bando de la Huerta ' day, the locals put on splendid traditional costumes and spend the whole day in the streets eating and drinking.

Browsing around the city's streets, you will also find good shopping in nice boutiques, as well as pleasant squares in which to relax and enjoy a drink or typical tapas at one of the many cafés, while you experience the special atmosphere of this authentically Spanish city.

Cultural Attractions

• Cathedral

• River and the Old City

• Casino (19th Century gentlemen's club)

• Salzillo Museum

• Romea Theatre

• Virgen de la Fuensanta Sanctuary

Shopping Attractions

• El Corte Ingles

• Ikea (opening March 2006)

• Boutiques

Interesting Fact!
It has been calculated that in 1614 there were at least 400,000 mulberry trees in Murcia , producing more than 95 tons of silk a year.

Los Alcazares

The central town on the Mar Menor which features excellent infrastructure and services including a wide variety of international restaurants, grocery stores, banks, pharmacies and entertainment options.

Los Alcazares' name comes from the Arabic word ´Al Kazar´, which means ´palace´ or ´house of nobles´, buildings that were constructed by the Arabs for their holidays and relaxation in this place. Furthermore, the Moors discovered the excellent properties of the water of the Mar Menor, which they enjoyed in the ancient Roman baths that were located there and which they reused. With the Christian repopulation, Los Alcázares became truly important as a port for fishing and trade, given its excellent strategic position.

Los Alcazares highlights

Torre del Rame An Arab fortress which was a vigilance post on the Mar Menor coast and during the Castilian resettlement period it was redesigned to keep pirates out, who made incursions from the Mediterranean coast. Except for the battlements, the fortress has hardly suffered modifications, hence maintaining the thickness of its walls and its height of 9 meters.

Hotel Balneario La Encarnacion This hotel, built in 1904, is located on the shores of the Mar Menor and has remained as the silent witness of the expansion of this municipality. The hotel features historic and famous thermal spa baths with renowned curative properties. A wonderful gourmet restaurant is also on site and is highly recommended.

Monument to the Pescador On the Espejo beach, next to the church of Asuncion, this monumental collection, cast in bronze, pays homage to the efforts made for many years and the main support of the economy of this municipality i.e.: fishery and the fisherman. The monument represents a fisherman who, on his hard day's labor, drags an empty fishnet. Behind him are the two seas which embrace Murcian coastline; the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean sea .

Sea Promenade Los Alcazares benefits from over 7 kilometres of coastline and has a lovely promenade up and down the length. Enjoy restaurants and beach chirinquitos at your leisure.

Costa Calida Gastronomy

The gastronomy of the area is renowned for its simple recipes, as well as for its richness and myriad of ingredients. The typical dish par excellence is the Caldero, originally seafarer's dish, made with an assortment of fish, and whose fish stock is used to prepare a wonderful rice dish.

Succulent fish such as gilthead, mullet and of course, the Mar Menor prawns. Additional salted fish serve as wonderful appetizers including roe, tuna loin and bacalao.

Known as the Huerta de Europe (market garden of Europe ), the area's vegetables and fruit are famous for their rich flavour and colour. Various types of plump tomatoes, peppers, olives, lemons, almonds, artichokes and saffron are grown all year round in sunny valleys and on fertile coastal plains.

Now the Murcia region has even more to be excited about as thirty new restaurants are set to open in the Polaris World resorts including everything from a tapas bar and an Asiatic restaurant, to Mexican, Italian and vegetarian eateries, every taste will be well and truly catered for.

Murcia wine: Jumilla   A trip to the Costa Calida wouldn't be complete without purchasing some of the prized wines available in the region or better yet - visiting one or several of the fine bodegas or vineyards. The Jumilla wines are characterised by the flavours of the Monastrell grape and of the oak casks in which they are aged. Jumilla is particularly well known for well-rounded, expressive aged reds, although its young reds, traditional sweet Monastrell reds, rosés and whites are all of an excellent quality.

Bodegas

Connections to Europe

The Costa Calida is currently served by both Murcia 's San Javier Airport , just north of Los Alcazares as well as Alicante Airport , about 40 minutes north of Los Alcazares . A third international Airport is planned for the Corvera area which will become the main hub for the Costa Calida upon it's completion.