The Costa Calida (Warm Coast) area is reputed to have one of the most pleasant climates in the world - according to the World Health Organisation. There are so many reasons for coming to this area and many people who come as holiday makers recognize this and eventually return to live here.
The Costa Calida stretches from the Mar Menor south to Almeria - where the Costa del Sol commences. This is very much THE up and coming area of Spain with massive investment taking place.
CLIMATE
The Costa Calida, being in the southern region of Spain, offers one of the most pleasant climates in Europe. With mild winters, hot (but not oppressive) summers and an average of 320 sunny days a year, it's not hard to see why it's such a popular Spanish tourist destination and residential or retirement choice.
The average hours of sunshine per day ranges from around 6 hours in winter to a full 12 hours at the height of summer. This compares to the London average of 1 hour in January and February to a maximum of 7 hours in June. Rain on the Costa Calida is rare, especially in the summer months - the total annual rainfall averages 5 to 6 cm (2 to 2 1/2 inches) on the coastal plain, although the inland mountainous areas are slightly wetter.
Points of Interest
CALBLANQUE NATURE RESERVE (LA MANGA)
Just south of La Manga, this has been a protected natural area since 1987 and nature reserve since 1992, Calblanque is an amalgamation of wonderful sand beaches, sandbanks, arid hills, cliff tops and salt flats all of great ecological value. This Nature Reserve represents one of the last untouched areas along the Mediterranean coastline.
CARTEGENA
At the southern end of the Costa Blanca, this ancient naval town is set in a magnificent sheltered bay. The best views can be obtained from the Castle la Concepcion in the Parque Torres. Keep an eye out for "La Linterna" an ancient lighthouse. Other interesting sights are the Gran Hotel, the Arsenal, the Town Hall the Casa Cervantes, the City Walls, the Palace of Pedreno and also the Isaac Perals submarine. Several festivals are held here during the year. The most notable of these is a Roman vs Carthaginian re-enactment of the battles that took place here in years gone by. Several Roman antiquities survive in this city, which is well worth a visit.
THE MAR MENOR
The Mar Menor is a 130 square km inland sea which is contained by a narrow strip of land which separates it from the Mediterranean Sea. The lagoon can not be circumnavigated by car as the strip of land is broken at the northern tip. This lagoon is ideal for all kinds of water sports and its warm, shallow water make it an ideal place for all the family. Some of the villages on its perimeter are, San Pedro del Pinatar, Santigo de la Ribera, San Javier, Los Alcazares, Los Urrutia and also La Manga. La Manga is actually built on a sand bar and is 22km long but only 200m wide in parts.
Numerous property developments and villages mark the extreme south of the Mar Menor (Minor Sea): Los Urrutias, Los Nietos, Mar de Cristal and Playa Honda. Closeby is the La Manga Club - World renowned sports centre with three championship golf courses situated within a world class tourist complex, with a host of recreational activities.The protected Regional Park of Calblanque, Monte de Cenizas and Peña de Aguila all show that Murcia has learned from its neigbours and is actively protecting areas of natural beauty fom overdevelopmrent. Closing the bay to the south we find Cabo de Palos, a typical, sleepy Spanish village, situated alongside the most famous cape on the Murcian coast. The silhouette of the lighthouse, designed as a school for lighthouse keepers in 1865, crowns the town and the cape. It lights the way from the coastal Mediterranean cliffs of this fishing village to the flat expanses of La Manga.
LA MANGA DEL MAR MENOR.
La Manga del Mar Menor is a wonderful Mediterranean spot located 30 Km. North of Cartagena. La Manga's official slogan is A paradise between two Seas. La Manga del Mar Menor itself is a narrow wedge of land between two seas, the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor, measuring 21 km. in length. Flats, residences, luxurious villas, hotels, restaurants, discotheques, an important leisure port with a blue flag and magnificent recreational installations take up part of it. While the last few kilometers have been left practically in its natural state. La Manga has a large number of beaches totaling more than 40 km., with, in addition, the possibility of choosing between two seas with very different water temperatures, different degrees of salinity, one with waves and the other practically calm all year round. La Manga, in itself, is a magnificent tourist spot, with hotels that makes up 50% of the regional total. In addition to a certain cosmopolitan atmosphere, one must add the beauty of its landscape, its special qualities for golf and water sports and an ample variety of entertainment and leisure activities.
MURCIA
Is a modern commercial city and is well worth a visit to see its monuments and for shopping. The cathedral is a favourite as is the Roman Theatre, the Palace Almundi, Paseo de Malecon, the Casino Ballroom, Santa Catalina Square, the Episcopal Palace, the City hall and last but not least the wonderful Esplanade de Espana.
CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ
This is one of the World's 5 holy cities (including Jerusalem and Rome) and is situated in the heart of the beautiful Murcian countryside. At it's centre is the magnificent church that is surrounded by the knights templar fortress. Caravaca is a fascinating place to explore and is just one hour from the coast.
These are but a few of the points of interest in our region - come and explore them for yourself!
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