La Manga del Mar Minor, Spain

La Manga Strip is a strip of land 21km long and 300mtrs wide. It means ‘sleeve’ and separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Minor Sea. This is actually Europe’s largest salt water lake.



The Minor Sea has particularly high content of salt and iodine and is said to be very good for people with skin complaints.

The area has 40km of Blue Flag white sandy beaches attracting a great many people especially those interested in water sports. Lessons can be had for diving, sailing and windsurfing and anyone who is experienced can hire boards or catamarans. Those not so adventurous can paddle a canoe or hire a pedalo.

If a quieter beach is preferred then head for Calblanque situated just before Manga. There is a three mile very rough track which keeps most away. The almost empty terracotta sandy beach and rocky cliffs are worth the effort needed to get there. There are no facilities on this beach.

On the mainland side at La Manga the Blue Flag sandy beach of Santiago de la Ribera has very good facilities

There are plenty of hotels, shops, bars, cafes and restaurants in the area and the most popular area with the young is Zoco.

The weather is great with warm summers and mild winters making it a place suitable for all round the year visits. The waters of Mar Minor rarely drop below 18 degrees even in the winter. There are also the more or less constant blue skies and crystal like waters of the Mediterranean to complete the picture.

The resort is in a valley between the Cartagena mountains in amongst lemon groves. It is 110km from Alicante and there are regular flights to and from Murcia. The area has lots of windmills some of which are rather tatty but others have been restored but all are worth a viewing when driving past.

Just a short drive from The Strip is the La Manga Club a very large area with apartments and villas, most of which are available for rent, swimming pools and gyms. It is very well known for golf championships which are held on the clubs three courses and for tennis tournaments. Both of these events attract a great many people from all over the world. Facilities available at the club are for golf including a golf academy, horse riding, pitch and putt, driving range, shop and buggy hire. There are twenty -eight tennis courts with a choice of surfaces, clay, greenset and artificial grass. There are several football pitches and these are also popular with many famous clubs who use them for summer training.

Other facilities to be found on site are a gym with plenty of equipment and a spa offering a wide range of treatments.

The Club has a few shops including a boutique and a gift shop and has coffee bars, cafes and restaurants.

Apartments in the area rent out at the averages prices of £220pw for October, November and December and £189pw for January and February. A villa able to sleep six with a pool would be priced around £220pw-£450pw according to the season.