If you decide to stay and enjoy all that La Manga Club has to offer, including three championship golf courses, Europe’s best Tennis Centre and more than 25 restaurants and bars, you may wish to venture out from your 5 star resort and explore all that the Murcia region has to offer with a La Manga holiday day trip to the local villages, towns and cities.
When you arrive in the region of Murcia, you will discover one of south-east Spain’s best kept secrets… blessed by areas of outstanding natural beauty, more than 3000 hours of sunshine and pleasant temperatures all year round. Use La Manga Club as your base as you discover its culture, its landscape and its heritage.
Explore 3000 Years of History with a La Manga Holiday Day Trip
A rich history, the juxtaposition of different cultures and its strategic location at the crossroads between the south and the Mediterranean make the region of Murcia a fascinating place to visit. You can discover its extensive historical, artistic, architectural and cultural wealth both ‘in situ’ at the sites themselves or through the region’s comprehensive network of museums.
Two Seas
Bordered by the blue Mediterranean, the coast of the region of Murcia boasts endless sandy beaches and spectacular scenery. And then there is the Mar Menor, Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon, a delight for water sports enthusiasts.
Murcia
The regional capital, Murcia, is a 45-minute drive from La Manga Club. Founded in 831 AD, it has inherited over the years a rich fusion of Moorish, medieval Christian and baroque influences that can still be felt by today’s visitor. Murcia is a welcoming and friendly city, pleasantly modern whilst maintaining its traditions.
Its most important monument is the cathedral, which is characterised by the variety of architectural styles that overlapped during its construction (1394-1462). The Bishop’s Palace, the Casino and several churches are also well worth a visit, as are its museums and art galleries. In the town centre, you can stroll down Trapería and Platería streets, named after the cloth merchants or silversmiths who plied their trades in each. Don’t miss the Romea theatre and City Hall, built in the 19th century, with pastel-coloured façades and unusual decorative features.
The Holy Week processions in Murcia are an expression of ‘fiesta’ and deep religious spirit. The life-sized woodcarvings of the Passion by Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo date from the 18th century and are carried through the streets on the shoulders of the faithful. A week later, the Spring Festival is a joyful celebration of the Murcian people’s origins. On ‘Bando de la Huerta’ day, the locals put on splendid traditional costumes and spend the whole day in the streets eating and drinking.
Browsing around the city’s streets, you will also find good shopping in nice boutiques, as well as pleasant squares in which to relax and enjoy a drink or typical tapas at one of the many cafés, while you experience the special atmosphere of this authentically Spanish city.
Cartagena
A ‘must’ for those visiting La Manga Club, Cartagena is, by no means, ‘just another city’. It dates back to the times of conflict between the Carthaginians and Romans and is an ancient city with a great deal of historical and, as you might expect, archaeological interest.
Located around 20 kilometres from the resort, the ancient city of Cartagena revolves around its port, which is one of the most important in Spain. At every turn, you will find evidence of its 2200 years of history, marked by the imprint of different civilisations, battles, ruins, ancient walls, castles and churches.
You could visit its numerous Roman and Byzantine ruins and its Roman theatre, its archaeological museums, or simply stroll through the city centre and marvel at its modernist architecture.
Shopping in the busy streets of its centre and its recently opened El Corte Inglés department store are a great way to complete a La Manga holiday day trip.
Mar Menor & Mediterranean
The Great Pool, the Little Sea… the so-called Mar Menor (Minor Sea) has been known by different names during the course of its history, all of which have described this singular natural phenomenon: a great coastal lagoon (originally an open bay), 170 square kilometres of warm salt water, the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe.
This setting has everything you need for water sports: great weather, a constant breeze, calm and shallow waters (less than seven metres at the deepest point)… there is no wonder it is considered one of Europe’s best sailing destinations. Water sports enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice with sailing, canoeing, swimming, waterskiing, jet-skiing, fly-surfing, windsurfing and every other type of nautical activity you can imagine.
The stretch of land that separates the Mar Menor from the Mediterranean, called La Manga (‘the sleeve’), is 24 kilometres long and between 200 metres to 1.5 kilometres in width. La Manga del Mar Menor is located between two seas and as such boasts infinite beaches, sandy seabeds and crystalline waters. The Mar Menor beaches are particularly popular with families with young children, because the warm, shallow water offers bathing fun for all ages.
All around the Mar Menor, picturesque villages such as Los Alcázares and Santiago de la Ribera, with seafront promenades bordered by majestic palm trees, are great for a La Manga holiday day trip. Each day of the week, a local street market is hosted in a different town.
The Mediterranean
With more than 3000 hours of sun a year and mild temperatures even in winter – with a yearly average of over 18º Celsius – the coast is an attractive option.
The region’s coastline extends for more than 240 kilometres and offers many long, sandy beaches and deserted wild coves with crystal clear water, all awaiting the arrival of the bather, the sailor, the diver or the fisherman.
There are delightful, picturesque fishing villages such as Cabo de Palos and Aguilas, lively ports like the one in Mazarron and unspoilt areas of natural beauty, unmatched elsewhere on the Mediterranean coast, such as the beaches at Calblanque and Calnegre.
La Manga Club has its own secluded Mediterranean cove, called La Cala, located approximately five minutes by car or shuttle bus from the centre of the resort. This attractive small beach is the perfect retreat for a La Manga holiday day trip in the sun and, during the summer months, offers a full range of facilities including lifeguard, sun lounges, shower and La Cala beach restaurant, which specialises in fresh seafood.
Within a short distance of La Manga Club, you will find a host of seaside destinations where you can spend a day exploring or just lying on the beach:
Calblanque Natural Park
Bordering La Manga Club, the Mediterranean coast at Calblanque is a site of unrivalled natural beauty. This protected area presents a strip of virgin coastline, with arid mountains and long, golden beaches. Swimming here is not recommended as the currents can be treacherous.
San Pedro del Pinatar Salt Flats and Natural Park
The salt flats at San Pedro del Pinatar are the region’s most important wetland area, home to large concentrations of aquatic nesting birds and where thousands of migratory birds rest during their journey between Europe and Africa. This regional park of rich environmental diversity and unspoilt beaches can easily be visited following well-marked pathways.
Cabo de Palos Fishing Village
Cabo de Palos is a typical fishing village, offering a wide choice of gastronomy. From its emblematic lighthouse, perched on the cliffs carved out by the waves, you can see the whole of the La Manga strip.
Islas Hormigas
Divers agree that the Islas Hormigas, a marine reserve off the coast of Cabo de Palos, is one of Spain’s best dive sites due to its great biodiversity, abundance of sea life and the excellent conditions for diving.
Nature & Adventure
The exceptional year-round climate is ideal for discovering this beautiful region of Spain. With an extent of 11,000 square metres and a diversity of stunning landscapes and natural spaces, the region of Murcia offers endless possibilities for outdoor pursuits and many different sports and activities.
All along the coast and in the inland areas, you will find many interesting walking routes. Surrounded by protected natural spaces, La Manga Club itself offers a number of itineraries that you can follow on foot or by bike.
Need Help Planning the Perfect La Manga Holiday Day Trip?
If your looking for more advice on La Manga holiday day trips, or La Manga in general, get in contact or leave a question in the comments section bellow. We’d love to help you out.
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