Costa Cálida

The Costa Cálida literally translates as the 'Warm' or 'Hot' Coast, normally the distinction comes down to whether it's winter or summer. It is the coast of the Murcia Region, one of the smaller but most prosperous of Spain's 18 autonomous regions. To the north is the Costa Blanca, to the south the Costa de Almería and eventually the Costa del Sol. The whole coast is relatively lightly developed, and although it has been popular with Spanish holidaymakers for years, it has only recently come alive as far as the overseas market is concerned. The climate, beaches, sports and lifestyle have always been superb, but only lately have the dozens of new low-cost flight routes and improved road network made access simple and cheap. It is without doubt a superb holiday destination for any age, a great place to live and an attractive investment prospect.

There are two distinct parts to the coast. The east-facing part is dominated by the Mar Menor ("Little Sea"), a huge natural lagoon over 10 miles long by 6 miles wide. The long, thin strip of land between the lagoon and the Mediterranean is La Manga ("The sleeve") and the whole warm lagoon is lined with clean, gently sloping beaches and pretty, low-rise resort towns. It forms the perfect water sports environment, hence the wide choice of marinas, and is dotted with dramatic islands including Isla Perdiguera, Isla del Barón, Isla del Ciervo and Isla Rondella. Some notable resorts include:

San Pedro del Pinatar & Lo Pagán
The appeal of this area revolves around the salt marshes and man-made 'pans' where salt is harvested, now a protected Nature Park. Migrating birds use the marshes as a stop-over and bird-watching is popular. The mineral content of the mud makes it a sought-after remedy or conditioner, especially for the skin, and there are several therapy spas. The towns and beaches themselves combine to form the most popular Mar Menor resort, offering a wide variety of bars and restaurants, plus a good little marina.

San Javier
Probably best known as the local name for Murcia airport (2 miles away), since 1998 San Javier has been the home of an increasingly popular jazz festival in late June. San Javier itself is just off the coast, a well established town with a long history illustrated in its museum. It has excellent shopping and leisure facilities, including an impressive sports centre.

Santiago de la Ribera
Perhaps the most attractive of the Mar Menor resorts, Santiago de la Ribera sits on the shores of the Mar Menor directly in front of San Javier and the two are closely linked. Home to a superb marina area and some of the best restaurants in the region, it's no surprise that luxury villas and manicured gardens are the standard, although a small number of properties more accessible to the ordinary buyer are available.

Los Alcázares & Los Narejos
Together slightly smaller than San Pedro, these two neighbours sit right at the centre point of the Mar Menor coast and have an excellent range of modern facilities, including a sizeable marina. They also have a long history, both as fishing ports and as spa towns. Fiestas are big news here, including a week in mid October, a Medieval one at the end of March and 'La Huerta', a celebration of local produce across the last two weeks of August.

Los Urrutias
A relatively new resort, Los Urrutias has almost a mile of golden beach with good facilities, enhanced by an unusual offshore marina in a hexagonal shape. Behind the beach is a modern, spaciously laid out town with an attractive promenade and public spaces. The coast either side is protected land, preserving the quality of the environment.

Los Nietos
Divided into an 'old town' just off the coast and a newer resort area with a very good beach, Los Nietos is another Mar Menor town with a popular marina. Big enough to have a life all year round, it is popular with buyers seeking a place to live, as well as holidaymakers. Linked to the city of Cartagena by rail, it is especially suitable for those who prefer to travel by public transport.

Mar de Cristal
Separated from Los Nietos by a small river, Mar de Cristal is a compact and friendly little resort with three good beach areas and a new, pretty promenade with bars and restaurants. A good sized marina adds to the charm.

Playa Honda & Playa Paraiso
At the very southern end of the Mar Menor, these two beach areas have seen quite a bit of expansion in the last few years and have evolved into fully fledged resorts. With the hills of the Calablanque Nature Park behind, the protected Marchamalo salt flats to the side and the whole length of the Mar Menor in front though, the area is set to mature nicely.

Cabo de Palos
Across from the Marchamalo salt flats, Cabo de Palos is a small point of land jutting out into the Mediterranean. Naturally equipped with many small bays and inlets, it has always been a centre for fishing and the main port area is one of the prettiest on the entire coast. Using fresh local fish and vegetables, some of the best restaurants in the area line the traditional quayside and charge amazingly reasonable prices.

La Manga strip
Mostly only 200 to 400 yards wide, the La Manga strip separates the Mar Menor from the Mediterranean and hence offers the unusual luxury of sea views for almost 360 degrees, for the finest penthouses at least. Whereas most of the region has a 3-storey height restriction, regulations on the strip are a little more relaxed and there are plenty of taller hotels and apartment buildings, leading to a more bustling atmosphere. With beaches on both sides, countless bars and restaurants, several marinas (Tomás Maestre being the largest), clubs, casinos and even a golf course, there's never a dull moment. The southern and central part of the strip is the most built-up, heading north past Tomás Maestre marina leads to an area reserved mainly for spacious, luxury properties, some with their own private waterfront berths.

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Campo de Cartagena & Torre Pacheco
The expanse of countryside between the coast of the Mar Menor and Murcia city, 30 minutes inland, is known as the Campo de Cartagena or La Huerta. Mostly flat agricultural land with the occasional dramatic hill standing out, just before the city it rises up into a rugged ridge of pine-forested mountains, then just as quickly drops down to the plain where the region's capital sits. Most of the 'Campo' is a vast market garden, from here fruit and vegetables are exported all over Europe. In the last few years a move towards tourism has accelerated and a number of large, purpose built resorts, mostly golf based, have been launched. To Mosa Trajectum and Hacienda El Alamo have been added the Polaris World resorts of Mar Menor Golf, La Torre, El Valle, Hacienda Riquelme and La Loma, plus Roda Golf & Beach and more to come. As well as a golf course, each represents a self-contained, fully serviced community adding to the appeal of the area. Within 20 minutes of most of these is Corvera, chosen as the site of a new international airport for the region, although a completion date is not yet confirmed.

Murcia
The city of Murcia sits in the Segura River, one of the largest in the south-east, and is relatively small but very prosperous with a long history. The architecture is impressive, it has a highly regarded university and the football team recently joined the Spanish 'premiership'. Clean and well kept, it boasts superb shopping and some wonderful restaurants. Immediately north is the beautiful Ricote Valley, beyond that fruit orchards and the Jumilla wine region.

La Manga resort
Taking its name from the La Manga strip a few miles away, La Manga Club is famous throughout Europe. As well as the 3 pristine golf courses, a full tennis academy and football centre are available. Luxury prevails throughout, from the 5* Hyatt Regency hotel to the glamorous casino and multi-million euro villas. The quality of the bars, restaurants and public spaces reflect the prestige of the location and name, as do the property costs.

Cartagena
Cartagena was founded by the Carthaginians in the third century B.C. and when taken by the Romans only twenty years later was one of the richest cities in the world. Several treasures from that age survive, including an impressive Roman theatre. For most of its history the economy has been one of mining, industry and as a military port, leaving a harsh legacy, but recently a major drive to revitalise the city has taken hold and it is now very much 'up and coming'.

Mazarrón & Puerto de Mazarrón
West of Cartagena, a wild and craggy coast has kept development to a minimum and it's not until the huge bay of Mazarrón that there is much sign of activity. Within the bay itself and immediately around are 30 beaches and a number of small but growing resorts, some of which will be linked by a new 6-mile seafront promenade. As is often the case, there is an 'old town' of Mazarrón just off the coast, where most of the more impressive buildings and churches are. Puerto de Mazarrón, on the coast, also has a long history but a more modern feel. Together they form the heart of a fast growing and exciting area, surrounded by dramatic countryside. Just along the coast at Bolnuevo is the most striking example of this, where soft sandstone has been sculpted by wind and water into magical shapes and patterns. A beautiful climate and fiestas in January, February, March, July and December guarantee enjoyment year-round.

Águilas
West of Mazarrón is almost 15 miles of undeveloped coast. Just before the border with Almería though is a beautiful series of 4 bays and over 30 coves, with a crescent of mountains behind, between which sits the town of Águilas. Established as a port in Roman times and protected by a fine 1597 castle that survives to this day, it is a classically friendly and relaxed southern Spanish town where strangers become friends in record time. Home to great natural beauty, a spectacular carnival and a perfect lifestyle, Águilas is not to be missed.

Currently you can fly direct to Murcia (San Javier) from Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, East Midlands, Leeds-Bradford, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Southampton, Glasgow and Dublin.

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