Seven kilometres of beach on the Mar Menor define Los Alcázares. The town also has a continuous coastal promenade, protected wetlands, historic bathing buildings and festivals linked to local food culture. When planning a visit, it is worth distinguishing between these different sides of the town: the coast is not just a beach setting, but also home to distinctive birdlife and a long history of bathing and aviation.
Beaches, Coastal Promenade and Birdlife
The Paseo Marítimo de Los Alcázares runs for about 5.5 kilometres along seven beaches: Las Salinas, Los Narejos, Las Palmeras, El Espejo, Manzanares, Carrión and Las Concha. The two coastal measurements describe different things: seven kilometres of beach on the one hand and the length of the promenade on the other. This helps visitors planning time on the coast understand the extent of the beaches and the length of the route without treating them as the same thing.
Nature takes centre stage at Playa la Hita. The area is a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA), with coastal vegetation and small wetlands. Wooden walkways and a birdwatching station make it possible to view the coast while causing as little disturbance to wildlife as possible. Visitor facilities may change due to conservation work, so check accessibility before your visit.
Bathing History and Buildings
The Balneario de La Encarnación brings together architecture and the history of bathing tourism. It was the first hotel on the Mar Menor and became a centre for therapeutic tourism from the beginning of the 20th century. Its courtyard shows Andalusian influences; original marble baths and fittings for thermal baths have also been preserved. If you would like to see the interiors, check access in advance, as it may vary.
The Balneario Playa de La Concha offers a different glimpse of historic bathing: a wooden bathing platform by the sea that also serves as a coastal viewpoint. Its former function as a bathing access point is part of the structure’s history. The Iglesia parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción also tells a story of development over several decades. A small oratory has stood on the site since 1890; construction of the church began in 1898 and was completed as a modest chapel in 1905.
The Torre del Rame takes visitors further back, to the 16th century. This rural defensive tower stood on what was then the boundary between the municipal councils of Cartagena and Murcia. At the end of the 16th century, Don Diego Bienvengud Rosique, captain and councillor of Cartagena, had it built. It was intended to protect Hoya Morena and El Ramí from frequent raids by Berber pirates. The tower is therefore not just a historic building in its own right, but is also linked to the area’s borders and defensive duties at the time.
Aviation History in the Town
Spain’s first seaplane base was established in Los Alcázares in 1915. Records also document a seaplane base at the Los Alcázares airfield, as well as a school of aerial combat and bombing dating from the late 1920s and early 1930s. The Museo Aeronáutico Municipal displays aircraft models, aerial photographs, helmets, weapons, propellers, sentry boxes and anti-aircraft guns. The selection on display may change.
Caldero and October Festivals
Caldero is considered the most famous dish of Los Alcázares. It originated as a meal prepared by Mar Menor fishermen who went out to catch mullet. On Día del Caldero, visitors and Peñas gather on the beaches on 12 October. The groups cook Caldero in cast-iron pots and compete with their dishes. The celebration takes place every year; dates and programme details may change, so check the information for the relevant edition.
Another October event has a different focus: Gastromar features a food market, tastings of regional products and live cooking demonstrations. While Día del Caldero centres on cooking the dish and competition between the Peñas, Gastromar brings together a market, tastings and demonstrations. Check the specific dates and programme before travelling.
The Incursiones Berberiscas also draw on the coast’s history. Performances on the beach and in the town centre reenact events from the 16th and 17th centuries associated with pirate raids on the Mar Menor. In 2026, the festival received the certificate recognising it as a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest; the programme may vary.
Discover more destinations: Santiago De La Ribera.
For the broader travel overview: San Javier.
