Los Alcazares (pronounced 'los-alcatha-res') is situated in the Murcia region of south-eastern Spain, also known as the Costa Calida. The town sits on the western shore of the Mar Menor, a saltwater lagoon separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a 22 kilometre long strip of land called La Manga. The area enjoys an average of 320 days of sunshine each year. Bars, cafes and restaurants provide drinks, tapas, meals and entertainment, and the warm water of the Mar Menor helps make the town a paradise for bathers and watersports enthusiasts. The mineral-rich water of the Mar Menor is revered for its health-giving properties and the town still has thermal baths which have existed since Roman times.
The fertile countryside (la huerta) inland supplies the local markets with fresh produce which is also exported to northern Europe, especially during the winter when local farmers take advantage of the comparatively warm weather. Throughout the year, the area offers boundless opportunities for sports and other activities. Golfers will be delighted that no less than seven golf courses can be found within a short drive from the town.
The town was afforded municipal autonomy on 13 October 1983. In celebration of this, each October the town puts on a week-long outdoor party featuring live music, shows and spectacular firework displays. Since 2000 the last three days in March has seen Los Alcazares take on a medieval flavour with a large medieval market and numerous events in recollection of the times of peace following the creation of effective defences against invasions of Barbary pirates during the 15th century. Throughout the last two weeks in August, the town hosts the international celebration of La Huerta when groups representing market garden areas throughout Spain and other European countries gather to display their folklore, handicrafts and prepare gastronomic feasts from their local produce.
The town is well connected to the recently upgraded Spanish motorway network and there are regular flights from and to many European cities to Murcia/San Javier International Airport which is only five minutes drive away. Alicante airport offers even more flights, and is just an hour away. 30 km to the northwest can be found the historic city of Murcia, the region's administrative centre. 15 km to the southwest lies Cartagena, a delightful Roman port city which has recently been revitalized. MAP OF THE AREA CLIMATE
