Los Narejos merges easily with Los Alcazares and has much to offer in spite of its recent development:
Las Vellas - a commercial mall with cinemas, restaurants, bars and a supermarket, etc., is just 400m from the Hotel.
Restaurants across a range of price levels
Beach and sailing clubs
The INFANTA CRISTINA WATER SPORTS CENTRE (close to the hotel.)
Shops, including a tobacconist´s
Variety market every Saturday
Tourist train which visits the whole area every afternoon.
Services in the area are extensive:
e.g. Chemist´s 300m from the Hotel.
Health Centre 300m from the Hotel
Local Police 400m from the Hotel.
Library. (200 m from the Hotel)
Congress Hall under construction 200 m from the Hotel
LA RODA GOLF CLUB 3 km from the Hotel and LA SERENA GOLF 5 km from the hotel.
Airport 3 km from the Hotel
Los Alcázares
With a population of 18,000, rising to 100,000 in the summer, Los Alcazares is the youngest municipality in the Murcia region (1983). The special climate of this locality was favoured by farmers who visited its beaches in the past for festivals and bathing in the Mar Menor in August. Today, this tradition is maintained in the same month during International Week of the Huerta and the Sea. Los Alcazares was formerly known for its wooden bathing huts which allowed women access to the sea away from the gaze of men. The best example was the Balneario of King Alfonso XIII which had 3 wide pavilions, one for women, one for men and another for couples. Those still in existence have great cultural value.
Finally, the attractive pedestrianised streets, the Aeronautical Museum, traditional shops and maritime walkways will all add to your holiday enjoyment.
Cartagena. Port of Many Cultures.
The city of Cartagena has lived through 3,000 years of history and has been the home of many different peoples and civilisations which have all contributed to the city we know today. Through the various elements which make up the city’s Cultural Centres, you will get to know not only the history, but also the present of Cartagena.
Punic Cartagena, known in those days as New Carthage, was founded around 229 B.C. The great riches of its mining resources attracted the Romans some years later, and they conquered the city under the command of Scipion in 209 B.C. Later on it was sacked by the Germanic tribes, then won back by the Byzantines, taken by the Arabs and then reconquered for Christianity by Alfonso X in 1245. In the 19th century Cartagena lived through one of its most splendid eras thanks to industrialization and the importance of its port. CARTAGENA PUERTO DE CULTURAS is a combination of thematic areas in various parts of the city, through which the visitor can get to know in a pleasant and accessible way the history, archeology and culture of this city of a thousand years. Not to be missed is the visit to the Punic town wall, built at the end of the third century B.C. at the time of the foundation of the city by the Carthaginian general Asdrúbal in the year 229 B.C.
The AUGUSTEUM is an important public construction, containing great decorative richness, as revealed by the luxurious marble floors of the area.
CIVIL WAR REFUGES. A walk through the galleries of this refuge allows you to relive the vicissitudes and afflictions experienced by the people of Cartagena during the Civil War, bringing you into contact with the daily life of the time and revealing the different defence methods used in the face of the numerous air attacks which devastated the city. Of no less interest are the La Concepción castle, the Roman theatre and the Decumanus. Enjoy a trip on the Tourist Bus or on the Tourist Boat which is suitable for all ages and which will show you the most important elements of Cartagena as a strategic location throughout history. Enjoy a different view of Cartagena from the sea. Discover all the corners of the natural port of Cartagena and get to know all its principal districts.
The discovery and excavation of the Roman Theatre of Cartagena is one of the most surprising archaeological finds of the city. Its unique characteristics confirm the important role which the city of Cartagena placed in the history of Ancient Hispania.
The reason why a monument of this category and dimensions has been hidden for centuries is that it is located in one of the few areas of the city which have been continuously occupied until present day. For this reason its original physiognomy was hidden with the passing of time. One example of this occupation is the partial superposition of the Old Cathedral on the upper part of the Roman theatre, one of the greatest singularities of this archaeological complex.
The complete recovery of the roman building has transformed from being a simple archaeological investigation to being a driving force for the regeneration of what was one of the most run down areas of the city. Furthermore, its proximity to some of the most emblematic buildings such as the Cathedral, the Consistorial Palace, the medieval castle and the port area make it one of the most attractive areas and monuments of Cartagena.
The Museum came about as a response to the need for an area in which to gather together all of the pieces which have been found during the successive excavations. The Museum allows for the incorporation of the Palace of Riquelme and the placement of the Church of Santa María la Vieja in the complex, converting the Theatre in the latest and most notable piece presented in the Museum. Through these exposition areas, illuminated by a complex system of skylights, visitors will be guided from the lowest part of the city to the interior of the roman theatre.
Of no less interest are the ARQUA MUSEUM in front of the harbour.
The Salt Lakes and Sand Dunes of San Pedro del Pinatar.
The SALT LAKES AND SAND DUNES OF SAN PEDRO have an area of 21.4 sq. km and are a must for anyone visiting San Pedro del Pinatar. Designated a Regional Park, its virgin beaches and dune ecosystem hold a treasure of important species of vegetation and fauna which are no longer found in many areas of the Mediterranean coast. In the Salt lakes there is an abundance of flamingos (phoenicopterus ruber) which are the birds with the largest wing-span in the park. These are present throughout the year since they use the salt lakes of San Pedro as a resting place and winter sojourn. The average annual population is 300 individuals. Thanks to labels placed on their feet, we know that they were born in such diverse places as Malaga (Fuentedepiedra lagoon) and France (Camarga).
The flamingo is a protected species which is becoming more and more scarce due to the degradation of its mating, resting and wintering habitats. The largest number can be seen at the end of its mating season in July and August when up to around 4,000 flamingos are in our salt lakes
Other bird species present in the Salt lakes are the Black-necked grebe, (Podiceps nigricollis, Stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus,) and Little tern (Sterna albifrons). In the areas of CARRISAL there is an abundance of birds such as the Reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus), the Water rail (Rallus aquaticus), thePenduline tit (Remiz Pendulinus),the Cetti's Warbler (Cettia Cetti), the Reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus), and the Common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus). In the SALADAR we can find the Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus, the Blue throat (Luscinia svecica,) the Common redshank (Tringa totanus) and the Tiger beetle (Megacephala euphratica).
The area of DUNES which extends from El Mojón to the far end of the Punta de Algas, is largely held in place by indigenous vegetation and by species introduced by man in order to stop its movement towards the salt lakes in times past.
Some of the species which are most interesting for their rarity and attractiveness are: Short-toed lark (Calandrella brachydactyla), Dartford warbler (Sylvia undata), the Great grey shrike (Lanius senador), and the Sanderling (Calidris alba).
The Great Guns.
During the early part of the 20th century a system of coastal defences was constructed to protect the vital harbour of Cartagena. This included forts, guns, fire control systems, searchlights and many other elements.
The system included four of the largest artillery pieces ever made – huge 38.1 Vickers guns with a range of some 20 miles. These guns remain in place, two at the Castillitos battery, at Cabo Tiñoso, near Puerto de Mazarron, two at the Cenizas battery, near La Manga Club.
Although guns and forts are popular subjects, what is so fascinating about the military remains around the Cartagena coastline is that they are part of a completely co-ordinated system of defence. Every element was placed as a part of a carefully planned scheme of fields of fire, overlapping target areas, different roles for different batteries, illumination, management and control. This was no haphazard jumble of defences constructed piecemeal over time. There were dozens of elements.
In fact, the last time the big 38.1 centimetre guns fired is said to be as late as 1973 and you can see the target that was blasted from Castilitos in the Cartagena Military Museum. This also displays engines from beneath the guns and other equipment, including one of the huge breech closure mechanisms. For closer in use, Vickers 15.24 centimetre guns were used at many batteries and one of these, completely restored, can also be seen at the museum.
Up at the Cenizas Mountain, the two giant 38.1 centimetre guns attract a small, but enthusiastic, stream of visitors anxious to see such an impressive part of Cartagena’s military history.
What makes the Cenizas battery so interesting is not just the huge guns, but the way in which the underground machinery rooms have survived.
Up in the open air, the mean and menacing guns point seaward and they would have been virtually impossible to spot from any distance, with their low profile and camouflage. At the back of the battery, out of sight of observers on warships, however, imagination has been allowed to run riot in a mass of turrets, castle walls and decorative stonework.
On 26 April, 1937, the two guns, which were in the hands of the Republicans, fired on a group of Nationalist cruisers.
Nature Reserve. Calblanque Regional Park.
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. To reach Calblanque, take the motorway from Cartagena towards La Manga, once past Los Belones, take the next singposted exit. There is a car parking area, an information booth, a camping area and a list of recommended routes.
Visit Calblanque driving your car (Shown in black dots on the map). Get ready to wash your car after the visit. The non paved trails you will drive through are very dusty and their dust is very sticky. Anyway, you can be sure that the visit is worth.
Suggestions: The Nature Reserve is a very fragile and delicate environmental system, therefore keep in mind, please, the next suggestions: Follow the established tracks, do not step on the dunes or vegetation, do not disturb the birds. Unleashed dogs, bonfires, camping, car parking (outside the established sites) and picnic are non allowed activities. Thank you for regarding these few rules. Your bird watching will be easier if you carry binoculars.
Naturist people like Calblanque beaches. Respect the privacity of the people you see, wether they are naked, dressed up or wearing a bathing costume.
Description of routes: The route beggins in the signposted "Calblanque" exit of the motorway Cartagena - La Manga del Mar Menor (driving towards La Manga), one or one and a half Km. past the cros exit to Los Belones. You have to take the non-paved trail that starts there.
Once you find the first signposts, one drives you to the left, to "Salinas de Rasell" (Rasell saltworks) Visit it, please. After the saltworks you can reach the nice Calblanque Beach and, from the saltworks, you can drive to the spectacular "Playa Larga" beach also.
The other signpost drives you to the right, first to the "Information" little house, maintained by the Regional Government (they give a map for your visit), then to the large parking lot on top of the beginning of the beautiful "Playa Larga" beach (Long Beach!). After this first parking lot, the track goes inland again, paralel to the beach and ends in other parking area. You are, then, about the middle of "Playa Larga" beach. Park your car, walk to the beach and enjoy it.
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The city of Cartagena has lived through 3,000 years of history and has been the home of many different peoples and civilisations which have all contributed to the city we know today. Through the various elements which make up the city’s Cultural Centres, you will get to know not only the history, but also the present of Cartagena.
Byzantines, taken by the Arabs and then reconquered for Christianity by Alfonso X in 1245. In the 19th century Cartagena lived through one of its most splendid eras thanks to industrialization and the importance of its port.
Enjoy a trip on the Tourist Bus or on the Tourist Boat which is suitable for all ages and which will show you the most important elements of Cartagena as a strategic location throughout history. Enjoy a different view of Cartagena from the sea. Discover all the corners of the natural port of Cartagena and get to know all its principal districts.
The flamingo is a protected species which is becoming more and more scarce due to the degradation of its mating, resting and wintering habitats. The largest number can be seen at the end of its mating season in July and August when up to around 4,000 flamingos are in our salt lakes
The area of DUNES which extends from El Mojón to the far end of the Punta de Algas, is largely held in place by indigenous vegetation and by species introduced by man in order to stop its movement towards the salt lakes in times past.
