GEOGRAPHICAL LAYOUT
The descriptive name of La Manga (the sleeve) holds an interesting geographical layout which has become one of the symbols that best identifies the coast of Murcia as a tourist resort: a chain that stretches along approximately 24 km from Cabo de Palos to the Punta del Mojón, and is the natural limit of the salt water lake known as the Mar Menor. Originally, what is now known as La Manga del Mar Menor was a bay open to the Mediterranean; at either end, volcanic reefs gradually held back the sand and sediment that was dragged along by the sea currents to form a sandy column of dunes and rock vegetation and long beaches in contact with two seas: the Mediterranean and the Menor. La Manga is a narrow piece of land with a width that varies between 200 m and 1 and a half km. It is cut off by natural channels that keep the two seas in contact with each other; the so-called "golas" allow water from the Mediterranean into the lake. As such, the space was kept virgin until the 60's, when La Manga was "discovered" as a tourist resort and underwent a transformation which included the urbanisation of the area and the construction of tourist infrastructures.INFRASTRUCTURES
Nowadays, everything in La Manga has been designed to enhance the visitor's stay. Complete hotel installations, with a network of establishments with maximum qualification (including a five-star hotel), located at strategic points, apartment complexes, sailing ports, sailing schools, recreational centres, supermarkets, shops, bars, discos... everything you need for a complete holiday. In winter and autumn, La Manga is kept open, since its population is constant all year round. Winter is an ideal period for those in search of peace and quiet, with the necessary services and infrastructures.TWO SEAS
Due to it being located between two seas, La Manga is also an ideal place for water sports. There are sailing and skiing schools that run periodical courses, as well as windsurfing and catamarans. The Mediterranean can be enjoyed by those who prefer high waves for windsurfing and the entire coast also offers a series of areas that are ideally suited and perfectly isolated for diving, such as Cabo de Palos and the rocky depths next to Isla Grosa.Furthermore, visitors to this area can enjoy all the advantages of the Sailing Station of the Mar Menor, which in keeping with the ski station concept, offers a set of sailing, sports and tourist infrastructures together with hotels, accommodation and establishments for leisure and learning grouped together in one place: the entire Shore area of the Mar Menor and La Manga. The exceptional climatic conditions of the area (315 days of sunshine per year and an average annual temperature of 18ºC) are ideal for the continuous practice of water sports.
Top 10
La Manga, a renowned touristic hotspot for decades, has been a Mecca for lovers of white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and hustle and bustle. Despite the huge number of visitors that descend here every year, this paradise still has many spots to explore, surprises to offer and secluded places to discover. Only here can you choose to swim in two seas, or watch the sun set and or rise over either of these waters.
WATER SPORT PARARDISE
Note to water sport fans - you are now in heaven! There are two seas, great weather all year round and an abundance of schools, many of which belong to the Estación Nautica del Mar Menor (The Mar Menor Nautical Centre). Making it so easy for beginners and experts alike to enjoy sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, canoeing, diving and many other water sports.
ALL ABOARD!
Admiring the landscape from the beach is impressive enough, but to hop on a boat and sail round Mar Menor and the Mediterranean is by far the best way to enjoy La Manga. You'll see several volcanic islands in protected areas that are each so important for the environment. Special microenvironments have been developed here specifically so that the flora and fauna exclusive to these latitudes can thrive - such as the Spanish tooth carp, and certain seabirds whose nesting grounds are here. You can either rent a boat without the need of a captain, or sign up for one of the tourist boat routes that will also take you round Mar Menor. But don't forget your binoculars!
SEASIDE GETAWAY
A day's escape to the nearby fishing village of Cabo de Palos is one of the most valuable experiences for tourists to this area. You could eat a Caldero (a fish and rice dish) on the waterfront, go for a stroll in this peaceful environment away from all the crowds or go diving in the Marine Reserve which has one of the best seabeds of the whole coast. But the one thing Cabo de Palos is especially known for is its Sunday Market, where you will find anything and everything!
WE LIKE TO PARTY
Zoco and Plaza Bohemia are two key areas in La Manga, famous for the amount of trendy restaurants, bars, shops and pubs crammed into such small spaces. If you're looking for terraces with great atmospheres, full of people, music and alcohol, then look no further. Additionally, there are several bars and beach huts on the shores of the Mar Menor where you can also enjoy a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
'A MUST SEE'
Calblanque Regional Park is one of those places in the region that you have to visit no matter what. Vast golden beaches, hidden bays, crystal-clear waters and nature's natural beauty, make people quickly forget everything to do with the typical tourist resorts crammed full of people. Hiking overlooking the Mediterranean, getting carried away kitesurfing or spending your evening on horseback along shores of the beach are just some of the most popular activities that this area has to offer.
IN THE LAP OF LUXURY
Very near to the Calblanque Regional Park and its beautiful unspoiled scenery, is one of the best sports clubs in the world: La Manga Club. With luxury accommodation in both hotels and private apartments, restaurants for all tastes, every kind of sports facilities, some of the best golf courses in Europe and every other service imaginable to make you feel right at home. You shouldn't leave without trying one of the health and beauty treatments here or a soothing massage from one of the expert masseuses.
MAMMA MIA!
Just where La Manga comes to an end, we find Veneziola. Originally designed as a small residential-like Venice, the isolation of the beaches here makes them highly recommended for those seeking a quiet swim in natural surroundings, away from all the crowds. Here you will also find El puente de la risa - a small bridge that's so steep that it'll make you feel like you're flying across it! It's not unusual to see cars crossing it again and again and again, especially with kids on board.
LIFE'S A BEACH - HUT
In La Manga, one of the most common things to do is to visit the chiringuitos (beach huts). There's nothing quite like enjoying a good plate of rice or fried fish, relaxing beside the beach in between dips in the sea, or watching the sun set lying in a hammock or on a beanbag. All this, whilst enjoying a lovely chilled out atmosphere with the best music. The Caldero will be served with bream and an alioli dressing, whilst fried, salted and skinned fish are all typical of this area.
AN UNFORGETTABLE PLACE
Found next to the calm waters of the Mar Menor, the Tomás Maestre Port is one the most exclusive and increasingly fashionable areas of La Manga. It is an important sporting, commercial and leisure area and with its exotic and international cuisine it's a perfect place to have dinner whilst overlooking an unforgettable sunset.
ON FOOT OR BY BIKE
We recommend that you take the trail that goes from Cala Reona to Calblanque, a scenic route that passes by palm trees and aromatic plants, such as lavender and thyme, as well as numerous clearly marked old mine shafts. You'll know you've reached the end of the trail once you see the perfectly unspoiled beaches of Calblanque, with no tourism or buildings in sight here, the only skyscrapers you'll see are the mountains.
La Manga 365
