The Costa Calida has plenty of famous seaside resorts but it’s generally less overcrowded than other Spanish coastlines. It is growing in popularity with house hunters because of its high temperatures (the annual average is 21°c), 250km of beaches and the affordable house prices.
There are golf resorts such as Camposol and La Torre that offer well-managed estates and excellent facilities. The famous La Manga sports and social club has three golf courses, 28 tennis courts and a private beach. Lindsey, our Podcast guest, moved to Cabo de Palos in Murcia after her young son suggested joining a tennis academy there.
One of the main coastal attractions is the Mar Menor because it has a thin strip of sand separating the Mediterranean Sea from a saltwater lagoon. This shallow bay is ideal for people learning water sports, those who need safe swimming conditions or people who simply want to languidly bathe in this naturally warm lido.
The Mar Menor has become so popular that resorts such as Los Alcazars, Lo Pagan or San Pedro Del Pinatar have developed from towns with a traditional Spanish core to sizeable modern settlements, which although they get busy in the summer, have great amenities and laid-back winters. To get away from the tourists altogether isn’t hard, just travel inland a few kilometres to a village such as Fuente Alamo or Balsicas.
The city of Murcia is the capital and this university town is also largely off the radar of your typical tourist. It’s well-loved for its creative culture, and striking architecture. Murcia’s towns and cities are all full of historical architecture, mediaeval fortresses and ancient relics: Cartagena has a preserved Roman theatre and Caravaca de la Cruz celebrates the Catholic Holy Year every seven years.
The area is served by the region of Murcia International Airport, a brand-new and much larger airport than the original San Javier site, with access to several major European cities.