Pilar de la Horadada Church
The attractive little town of Pilar de la Horadada is named after an ancient watchtower which was originally used to warn local inhabitants of pirate attacks many centuries ago. It was probably originally inhabited by the Iberians and was later settled by Romans, Moors and eventually reconquered by Christians. Pilar de la Horadada is the southernmost town in Alicante and the Costa Blanca, to the south is the Murcia region and the area known as the Costa Calida. After the Christian reconquest it marked the border between the Kingdoms of Aragon and Castile and it eventually ained its independence from the town of Orihuela in 1986. Pilar is well known as an agricultural area and grows much produce including lettuces, broccoli and celery, other products include melons, oranges and lemons, for this is citrus growing territory, it also grows numerous flower species. The nearby Rio Seco is an important protected area with some rare species of flora and fauna, in particular orchids and a species of dwarf palm tree. In recent years Pilar de la Horadada has become more developed with an increase in demand for holiday homes and properties for relocation, and the town now has a large expat community, with many Brits and North Europeans choosing to settle here permanently. Pilar has a popular beach area where many visitors enjoy the fine local weather especially during the hot summer months, it attracts both Spanish and International visitors.
Pilar de la Horadada Map.
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Las Palmeras Beach Los Alcazares Murcia
A small coastal resort situated on the Mar Menor in the Murcia region of Spain, Los Alcazares has a population of approximately 15,000 and a municipal area of twenty square kilometres. Popular with Spanish and International visitors alike, Los Alcazares has long stretches of sandy beach, bathed by the warm, shallow waters of the Mar Menor Sea. Much developed in the last 20 years due to the demand for holiday homes in the sun, the town has become a desirable area for relocation and many Brits and north Europeans have chosen to make it their home. Ideal for water sports due to the safe, shallow waters, windsurfing and kitesurfing are especially popular with afternoon winds providing ideal weather conditions for these sports. Among other sports for which the region is renowned, golf is perhaps the most popular with numerous fine course surrounding the town including the La Serena course, Roda Golf and the Mar Menor Golf Resort. Despite its modern look, Los Alcazares has a long history which goes back to the times of the Moors and beyond when early spas were set up along the coast by the Romans, and may have been used for convalescence during the Punic Wars. The Moors expanded existing spas and developed agriculture in the town’s hinterland, much later rich Murcian’s built holiday homes right on the coast, starting tourism in town which has continued to develop to this day. Los Alcazares Map.
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A pretty little coastal resort located between the towns of Pilar de la Horadada and San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar has a population of over 20,000 and is one of the more popular of the Costa Calida resorts of the Murcia region. Boasting some fine beaches, a protected Nature Reserve and a busy marina, San Pedro del Pinatar faces the calm waters of the Mar Menor salt lagoon and has a history of salt production going back to Roman times. Important also for fishing, the town in its current form grew around a 17th century hermitage dedicated to St Peter (the fisherman). A popular area for holiday homes belonging to the rich of Murcia city, who head there during the summer to enjoy the pleasant weather conditions and cooling sea breezes, away from the searing heat of Murcia city centre, San Pedro del Pinatar has become increasingly attractive to International visitors who have come to appreciate the wonderful conditions experienced along the Mar Menor. San Pedro del Pinatar can be easily accessed from the N-332 coast road. San Pedro del Pinatar Map.
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The Mar Menor
There have been reports suggesting that the Mar Menor jellyfish population has been significantly reduced by an ongoing campaign aided by local fishermen. Some 42 km of protective nets have been installed in this large salt lagoon on the Costa Calida, Spain, to help protect the popular beach areas and this has been mostly successful in preventing jellyfish infestation during the busy summer seasons of the last 2 years (2008 and 2009). Seventy eight tonnes of jellyfish were netted last year by local fishermen on the Mar Menor, a significant reduction compared to the 5,000 tonnes removed between 2000 and 2002. The oceanographic institute in Lo Pagan has been monitoring the jellyfish situation. The Mar Menor, formed by a narrow spit of land known as La Manga (The Sleeve) has some of the most popular seaside resorts along the Costa Calida, boasting wonderful sandy beaches and safe warm bathing waters, which are particularly renowned for their healing properties, being very high in salt content. The Mar Menor and Costa Calida are situated within the province of Murcia, in south-eastern Spain, some of its best known resorts include Los Alcazares, San Pedro del Pinatar, Santiago de la Ribera, Los Narejas, Los Urrutias, and San Javier.
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Visitors finding it a little strange when arriving at Murcia airport and noting that the airport is actually a long way from Murcia itself, will be pleased to know that there is now a new Murcia airport being built at Corovera in the Sierra de Carrascoy, however they may not be so pleased when they realise that this airport is also going to be at least a 20 minute drive from the city itself. Of course the vast majority of arrivals at Murcia (San Javier) airport are actually heading for the coastal resorts of the northern Costa Calida and southern Costa Blanca, so San Javier, site of the existing Murcia airport, is actually better placed than the new airport for these visitors. Plans for the airport were first discussed in 2005 and despite objections to the construction, work has continued, and the new airport is due to be completed in 2010 at a cost of 266 million euros. Whether you are arriving at the existing airport or the new one when it opens, you will probably need to book car hire to get you to your resort and then around the area to make the most of your stay, other options include taxis, or a pre-booked airport transfer, in both cases once you arrive at your resort you will be somewhat confined to that immediate area if you have not booked a car hire vehicle, so you had better check that your destination accommodation is within easy reach of local facilities and beaches or you could be in for a long walk.
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El Mojon Beach
A small coastal resort located near to Pilar de la Horadada on the southern Costa Blanca, El Mojon is right on the border between the regions of Valencia and Murcia in fact some of the homes come under the control of one region, whilst other come under the auspices of the other. Situated beside the Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar (Natural Park of the Salt Lagoons), its development threatens this protected area. El Mojon has excellent beaches and its small population of around 600, increases many fold during the summer months, when many visitors arrive to enjoy the climate, beaches and sea. Quite a bit of property development has taken place in the area and many have chosen to settle in El Mojon or buy holiday homes there.
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Situated at the confluence of four rivers, the town of Calasparra is located in a rugged and mountainous part of the Murcia region of south-eastern Spain, the Sierra de Molina and Sierra de Puerto surround the town. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Calasparra has seen settlements by Iberians, Romans, Moors and Christians. Its proximity to so much water via the nearby rivers, led to its being important for the growing of rice, no a product that most would associate with the mountainous regions of Spain. Nearby places of interest include the holy town of Caravaca de la Cruz, Mula, Hellin, Moratalla and Cieza. Calasparra Map.
One of the finest golf complexes in the Murcia region of Spain, the Roda Golf Resort Murcia is a superb development of villas, townhouses and apartments in a wonderful location, close to the popular Mar Menor (Lesser Sea). The Par 72 golf course was designed by Dave Thomas, one of Europe’s leading course designers, and though set on flat land, has still been made challenging and exciting to play. When complete the Roda Golf Resort will have some of the best facilities in Murcia including the 5 Star De Vere Hotel. If you are looking to buy a property on a golf course in Spain or in particular Murcia, then the Roda Golf Resort may be just what you are looking for.
The capital of the autonomous community of the same name, the city of Murcia is located in south-eastern Spain and has a population of around 433,000 and a municipal area of 881 square kilometres. Lying at the confluence of the River Guadalentin and River Segura, Murcia is in a rich and fertile area, despite experiencing some of the lowest rainfall in Spain. The surrounding fertile countryside is known as the “Huerta” (Orchard) and it is irrigated by the previously mentioned rivers, using methods introduced by the Romans and later the Moors. The city has a long history and was settled even before the Romans arrived in Spain. Its biggest changes occurred during the Arab occupation, when it was established as a provincial capital in 825 AD. Freed from Muslim control by the Castillians during the 13th century, Murcia subsequently came under the control of the Kingdom of Aragon, and then back to Castile in 1304. After various periods of decline Murcia became wealthy during the 18th century as the city saw a boom in silk manufacture, though it was hit by a great earthquake in 1829, and was often flooded over the centuries. Murcia cathedral was built between 1394 and 1465, it displays various architectural styles including Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo. During the late 20th century Murcia city and region developed into a significant area for tourism, in particular golf resorts, which surround the city. Boasting some of the lowest rainfall in all of Spain the area is perfect for holidays all year round with Murcia weather conditions generally sunny and dry for over 300 days each year. Especially popular are the resorts along the Mar Menor coastline where such popular destinations as La Manga, Los Alcazares and San Javier, where the airport for the city is currently located, though a new airport is under construction as this article is being written are located. Murcia Map.
If you are travelling to south eastern Spain and heading for the Costa Calida region, there is a good chance that you will be arriving at San Javier airport. Generally called Murcia airport, it is actually some distance from the city of Murcia which can be confusing to visitors.
The town of San Javier itself is a traditional Spanish town with a resident population of about 23,000, it was named after Saint Francis Xavier. The municipal district of San Javier consists of 8 boroughs and covers an area of 74km2, it is an important area for agriculture as it has been for many centuries, though tourism is quickly taking over in importance.
The town sits beside the Mar Menor (“Lesser Sea”), the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe, and looks across to the famous resort of La Manga, which looks like a group of tower blocks rising vertically from the sea.
San Javier was originally developed during the Moorish occupation and it was their irrigation methods which enabled the region to be put to agriculture, they also developed fishing methods which were ideal for the Mar Menor’s conditions.
San Javier today is a busy little town enjoying a wonderful Mediterranean climate and typically the weather in San Javier is dry and sunny. This is a popular area for golfers as there are a number of complexes built or under construction nearby. To view a map of San Javier follow this link: San Javier Map.
In the northern section of the Mar Menor coastline of Murcia, you will find the charming little town of San Pedro del Pinatar (St Peter of the Pinewoods), a popular holiday destination for both International holidaymakers and the Spanish themselves, especially those from the city of Murcia. The town itself has a population of just over 21,000 and is located just 4 kilometres from San Javier airport. The history of San Pedro del Pinatar goes back to the 17th century when a hermitage was constructed, dedicated to the apostle San Pedro, though it was probably settled much earlier by Romans who left remains of villas in the area, it could possibly even have been a Roman base during the Punic Wars as the Romans battled for control of Cartagena. Until the relatively recent arrival of tourism as a source of income, San Pedro del Pinatar relied mostly on fishing for its economic survival, even today still using Arabic fishing methods, which proved ideal for the conditions on the Mar Menor. Nature lovers should head for the Parque Regional de Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro a significant area for migrating birds and a protected Natural Park, culture lovers can try out the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum. San Pedro del Pinatar is located on the N-332 in the north of the Costa Calida region of Spain.
Whilst visiting the Costa Calida, you might want to take a look at the newly restored Mazarron castle, which while still largely a ruin, has been conserved for the future. Originally built by the Duke of Velez in the 16th century, Mazarron castle served the area both as a defense against pirate attacks and for the protection of the valuable alum mining industry, which was important in Mazarron at that time. Mazarron and its coastal limb Puerto Mazarron, are popular tourist locations for the region of Murcia, and there are plenty more locations to visit in the area during your stay. Beach lovers will find over 30 beaches in the region. Mazarron Map.