Discover Los Alcázares: The Town of Mansions and Palaces

On the southeastern coast of Spain, in the autonomous province of Murcia, west of the Mar Menor—Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon—lies the municipality of Los Alcázares. A former fishing village sharing the abundance of the Mar Menor waters with three other municipalities (San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar, and Cartagena) Los Alcázares is now popularly known as a coastal spa town, with plenty of exciting attractions, including the old but still charming palaces that have given the town its name.

The name Los Alcázares derives from the Arabic term for “palace”, qasr, which was roughly translated to “Alcázar”. This was due to the many holiday mansions and small-scale palaces built by the Arab Muslims in the coastal fishing village. A number of these palaces still stand today, with some retaining all their original features. Many are used as tourist attractions while others have been modernized and occupied as residences or establishments. These infrastructures add to the old-town charm of Los Alcázares, and are a pretty sight for those walking along the promenade.

Los Alcázares is also a well-known spa resort destination. Here, one can find beach resorts offering a wide array of spa services, and even establishments near the Mar Menor specializing only in spa treatment services. One particular place offering exceptional thermal treatment services is La Encarnación Spa Resort, which—like the town itself—gives off the feel of an old, turn-of-the-century spa resort.

Being situated on the coast of the Mar Menor has made Los Alcázares an exciting, and even healthy, destination and place to live. The warm, salty waters of the lagoon are known to have therapeutic and relaxing qualities, while at the same time providing an ideal place for water activities such as kayaking, windsurfing, and sailing. The Marine Resort, which offers a variety of water sports and activities, is open all-year round, thanks to the temperate climate experienced by Los Alcázares throughout the year.

With its palm-dotted streets, splendid mansions and palaces juxtaposing quaint local market stalls, and a promenade running across town near calm and healthy waters, Los Alcázares is truly a haven for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of highly-urbanized towns and cities. This is an area that can take you back to a simpler time and healthier lifestyle, while still giving you the comfort and luxury of the modern world.