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Mar Menor (Little
Sea) is a unique
area located on the
east coast of Spain,
within the region of
Murcia,
just above the city
of
Cartagena.
Few regions have the
good fortune to have
both a saltwater
lake and a
Mediterranean shore.
The region of Murcia
has both and the
salt water lake with
an area of 170sq.km
is known as Mar
Menor, the largest
salt water lake in
Europe. Mar Menor is
part of the Costa
Calida.
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Aswell as the
natural importance
of the area the mud
and clay are said to
have therapeutic
properties, known
for centuries.The
average annual
temperature here is
17ºC and the average
during the summer is
above 21ºC. The
winters are very
mild, very rarely
falling below 10ºC.
Rain is also rare
here. With over 3000
hours of sunshine a
year and the mild
climate, the water
here can reach 30º
in August.
The above two
pictures are of the
beach front at Mar
De Cristal
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Fans of water
sports will find
one of the best
places in the world
for practising
sailing, diving,
canoeing, swimming,
water-skiing,
jet-skiing,
flysurfing,
windsurfing,
catamaranning, and
every other type of
watersport activity
in its numerous
clubs, ports and
sailing schools.
The coast is not
only a paradise for
lovers of water
sports and the
traditional
sun-and-sea seeking
holidaymakers; here
the visitor can also
find places of
special
ecological interest
like the San Pedro
del Pinatar salt
lagoons - which
border on the
province of Alicante
- or the Calblanque
nature reserve,
nestling on the
Mediterranean
coastline close to
La Manga and the
seaside town of Cabo
de Palos.
The area around Mar
Menor is relatively
flat for walking and
cycling.
Pepes Bar Above
There are tennis
courts about 5
minutes walk in the
village or in La
Manga Club. Horse
lovers will have 2
horse-riding schools
to choose from, El
Ranch in Los Bolones,
and La Punta, on the
road between La
Manga Club and Los
Bolones. (Prices
vary, a private
lesson for 1hr is
about 30 euros,
group lessons are
cheaper, and for the
more experienced
riders there is an
early beach trek
through the
beautiful Calbanque
area)Just for fun,
try Go-karting which
is also a short
drive away (between
Los Bolones and Cabo
de Palos) and there
is another go-kart
track available on
the airport road
from Los Alcazares.
Or even crazy golf
in La Manga Club at
6 euros per
person.Golf lovers
will be spoilt for
choice in this
region, most courses
being within a 30
minute drive (La
Manga Club just 5
mins away by car).
New courses are
opening all the time
and there are
courses to suit
every level of
player.
The historical city
of Cartagena is
approx 20 mins drive
with easy parking
near the marina, or
take the train from
the next village Los
Nietos. Lots
here to explore with
numerous
restaurants, bars,
shops etc.
About 10 mins drive
away is the fishing
village of Cabo de
Palos with great
fish restaurants.
A large Sunday
market to explore
and many visit here
to take advantage of
the excellent diving
facilities.
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