Ayuntamiento de Los Alcázares

Ayuntamiento de Los Alcázares is the town hall of Los Alcázares, a seaside municipality in the Region of Murcia sitting on the shore of the Mar Menor lagoon. The building marks the centre of town and works well as a starting point for exploring this stretch of the Costa Cálida.

Where exactly is this town?

Los Alcázares lies roughly 50 km from Murcia city and has a population of close to 19,500. The municipality stretches along more than 7 kilometres of Mar Menor shoreline — a brackish, shallow lagoon separated from the open Mediterranean by the narrow sand spit of La Manga. Because the lagoon stays calm and warm for most of the year, the town has long drawn families and visitors looking for gentle swimming rather than heavy surf.

What is there to see beyond the town hall itself?

Within a short walk of the centre are the beaches of Las Salinas, Los Narejos and Las Palmeras, all with a gentle slope into the water and popular with kayakers, windsurfers and sailors. The council recently opened a dedicated "nautical beach" at Las Salinas, built specifically to support water-sports activity throughout the year rather than only in summer.

History-minded visitors can head to the Torre del Rame, a 16th-century watchtower originally used to spot pirate ships along the coast; today it offers views over the surrounding flatlands. The town's Municipal Aeronautical Museum is worth a stop too — Los Alcázares was home to Spain's first seaplane base, and the museum holds uniforms, propellers and archival photographs tied to that history.

Fans of early 20th-century architecture can also look up the Hotel Spa La Encarnación, built in 1902, which has kept much of its period character and is associated with visits from notable guests, including King Alfonso XIII.

Anything for nature lovers?

The wetlands around town are a quieter draw: Marina del Carmolí, a protected salt marsh, and Playa de la Hita, a protected wetland where storks, terns and herons nest. Both make for an easy walk with binoculars, particularly in spring and autumn when migratory birds pass through the area.

Is Los Alcázares only worth visiting in summer?

The local council has been pushing to stretch tourism beyond the beach season for several years. Its 2025–2027 marketing plan focuses on water sports, active leisure and sustainable tourism as year-round offerings rather than a July-August rush. A new tourist information office is also planned on Avenida del Río Nalón, meant to make it easier for visitors to get their bearings once they arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to swim with children in Los Alcázares? Generally yes — the Mar Menor's waters near the shore tend to be calm and shallow, which is why the town is a popular choice for families with young kids.

How far is Los Alcázares from Murcia city? About 50 km, which usually means a drive of a little over 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and route.

What can I fit into a single day here? A good combination is walking the Las Salinas and Los Narejos beaches, then visiting the Torre del Rame and the Municipal Aeronautical Museum to get both the coastal and historical sides of the town.

Are there any protected natural areas worth visiting nearby? Yes — Marina del Carmolí and Playa de la Hita are wetlands valued for birdwatching and are worth a visit even outside beach season.