LA MANGA DEL MAR MENOR – THE TOWN BETWEEN TWO SEAS
LA MANGA DEL MAR MENOR – THE TOWN BETWEEN TWO SEAS

SUMMER GETAWAY – LA MANGA DEL MAR MENOR (LAMANGA)
If you’re looking for a perfect summer getaway, look no further than the town of La Manga Murcia (also referred to as Lamanga), located on the Costa Calida, in Spain. The town is built on a sandbar stretching over 18 km of white sand beaches and crystal clear waters with the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the inland sea, the Mar Menor, on the other. La Manga del Mar Menor is a great place to spend a family vacation and an ideal spot for water sports enthusiasts of all levels. (see related post on the Mar Menor)
Ideal Climate, Ideal Location
With the Mediterranean climate, the weather of La Manga del Mar Menor is ideal all year round. With about 320 days of sunshine a year, it is a popular tourist destination. The town is 21km long and about 100 to 1200 meters wide, making it one of the narrowest towns in the world.
This area, directly on the Mediterranean Sea, was untouched until the 1960s when Lamanga was discovered as a tourist resort and underwent a transformation that included the urbanization of the area and the construction of tourist infrastructures.

Water Sports in La Manga del Mar Menor
The maximum depth of the Mar Menor is 7m resulting in warm waters all year round. The sea is also physically separated from the open waters of the Mediterranean, providing a sheltered area ideal for all kinds of water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing, kite surfing, paddle boarding, sailing, swimming, and snorkeling Whether you’re into sailing, windsurfing, or snorkeling, this destination has it all. The calm and shallow waters of the Mar Menor make it an ideal spot for beginners and experts alike.

Beaches in La Manga del Mar Menor
For those looking for a quieter, more relaxing vacation, there are dozens of beaches in La Manga to choose from on both the Mediterranean side and the Mar Menor side of the “Strip”. During the high season, you will find some beaches will have lifeguard service, boardwalks, washrooms, shower stations, small beach bars (“chiringuito”) and some even have handicap access.
The waters are crystal clear, with some reefs just off the shore offering an opportunity to do some snorkeling. The beaches are patrolled and if the weather does turn, the lifeguards will raise the red flags to give notice to the bathers. (Tip: if for some reason the flags go up on the Mediterranean side, you can always head to the Mar Menor side to go swimming since it’s not impacted by the conditions on the Mediterranean).
SCUBA Diving in the Mediterranean
For those seeking adventure beneath the waves, you can visit one of the Scuba diving companies located at the Cape Palos marina and sign up for some lessons or book a guided tour to one of the dive spots in the area. The area is known for its incredible scuba diving opportunities with its rich marine life and old shipwrecks. With the Islas Hormigas Marine Reserve located about 4km offshore, the area is a popular scuba diving destination.

Ferry Across the Mar Menor
Ferry from Santiago de la Riberra and La Manga del Mar Menor (Thomas Maestra Marina). Please check with the ferry service directly for times and prices. This ferry service is also a great idea for a day trip and a mini cruise on the Mar Menor at the same time.
Untouched Beaches
If you prefer pristine beaches away from the crowds, head over to Playa de Calblanque. This untouched stretch of coastline is known for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. It’s the perfect spot to relax, soak up the sun, and unwind.

Chiringuitos (Beach Bars)
Chiringuitos: On the Costa Calida, Chiringuitos are a common site. However, in La Manga, you will find beach bars every few hundred yards (or less) along the shores of both the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean Sea. They offer cold drinks, and snacks and some even offer full meals. My favorite is to have ice-cold beer on those hot summer days – so, yes. Everyday!

Other Activities in La Manga del Mar Menor
There is a marked bike path that runs the entire length of La Manga as well as bike paths and walking trails through the salt flats and up to and including Cabo de Palos and Playa de Calblanque. I usually jog along these trails as well as along the beaches in the mornings or evenings. On the Costa Calida, you try to avoid the midday heat!
DAY TRIPS
Cape Palos Fishing Village with Lighthouse
A popular place to visit in La Manga is the fishing village of Cape Palos which is to the south of Lamanga, directly on the Mediterranean Sea. This small town lies at the end of the La Manga beach on the Mediterranean side and is at the beginning of the Sierra Minera mountain chain which extends southwest towards Cartagena. The town’s marina was carved right out of the rock and is the main tourist area of the town, with several restaurants and bistros located here, serving freshly caught local fish.

You can take a walk along the trail that leads along the rocky coast of the village, up to the iconic lighthouse of Cabo de Palos, and stop at one of the hidden beaches hidden at the bottom of the rocky cliffs. Or you can head into the Sierra Minera mountains and follow the trail that leads to Calblanque Regional Park and visit the Calblanque beach which is untouched by any commercial or residential development. Here you will find pristine beaches away from the crowds. This untouched stretch of Costa Calida coastline is known for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. It’s the perfect spot to relax, soak up the sun, and unwind. (see related post on Calblanque Regional Park)

Cartagena
La Manga is just 20km away from Cartagena, Spain, and is a great day trip destination. It is a port city with a long history stretching back to Roman times. In fact, you can visit a fully restored Roman amphitheater in the middle of the city. The harbor opens up directly onto the Mediterranean Sea and is an excellent place to walk around with a large pedestrian area and restaurants and cafes. You can also visit the old fort in the middle of the city, right next to the amphitheater. Depending on where you are staying in La Manga, check the local bus shelters and check the posted schedules as some of the buses will take you all the way into the city at a fraction of the cost of a taxi. (see related post on Cartagena, Spain, to find out more)

Alicante
Heading north about 60km is the city of Alicante where the main international airport is located. Like Cartagena, this is also a port city on the Mediterranean Sea, rich in history and definitely worth a visit. Every time I travel home, I plan at least a day to revisit Alicante and check out the main attractions, the beach, the castle, and the waterfront promenade (see related post on Alicante, Spain, to find out more about this beautiful city)

FINAL THOUGHTS: LA MANGA DEL MAR MENOR
With its stunning natural beauty and abundance of outdoor activities, La Manga del Mar Menor promises an unforgettable experience whether you come during the height of summer or off-season when it’s less busy and quieter. So pack your bags for the Mediterranean coast and get ready to immerse yourself in this Costa Calida gem. (for helpful tips and ideas see our related posts: Mediterranean Travel Guide and Mediterranean Coast of Spain)

Final Travel Tip: La Manga del Mar Menor, Spain
Lamanga is an incredibly popular destination during July and August and it can get extremely busy. I have lived here for over 10 years and I’ve seen the population grow from 10,000 in the off-season to upwards of 300,000 in the summer. To avoid the crowds, my recommendation is to plan a trip to Lamanga in either May/June or Sept/Oct when the crowds on the Costa Calida have gone, but the Mediterranean weather is still incredibly nice, all of the restaurants and bars are still open, and accommodations are readily available.
“Don’t Just Dream It! Do it!”
How about experiencing La Manga first hand? Use the map below to inspire you and plan your accommodations for your next Mediterranean vacation right now!
Reg Auge
Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.