Very few people know that Murcia has some of the most stunning beaches in Spain and that it is one of the regions with the most Blue Flags for the quality of its bathing areas. Its spectacular coves are not very well known either, as the usual image of the Murcian coast is of large, overcrowded white sandy beaches and not of magical corners where the waves of the sea combine with mysteriously shaped rocks or incredibly warm sand.
This guide shows you the top ten beaches for swimming in Murcia.
- La Manga del Mar Menor
- La Llana
- Calblanque
- Bolnuevo coves
- Mazarrón bay
- Calnegre coves
- La Carolina
- Cortina cove
- Poniente beach
- Bolnuevo
- Where to stay in Murcia
La Manga
This is one of the best known beach areas in Murcia. Its sand barrier, almost 20 kilometres long, makes it a unique place in the whole of Spain as it separates the lagoon formed by the Mar Menor from the Mediterranean Sea, creating great areas for swimming with the family. The Honda, Paraíso and Alemanes beaches stand out.
In this barrier you can enjoy a large area of white sand, broken only by the channels between the two seas, and transparent waters that in many cases seem to have been brought from other latitudes.
The beaches in La Manga are also one of the best places in Murcia to enjoy the sunrise and sunset, especially in Las Encañizadas.
La Llana
This is the nearest beach to the city of Murcia, within the famous regional park of the San Pedro del Pinatar salt flats. Along its white sand you can see how the Mediterranean Sea meets the Mar Menor, although the water is still calm enough to be enjoyed by the whole family.
The dunes that make up La Llana are very well preserved so that you can enjoy areas that are not very crowded and which can only be reached on foot or by bicycle in some cases.
Calblanque
The best preserved beaches and cliffs in the region of Murcia are at Calblanque. They were declared a regional park in 1987 and therefore preserve some almost untouched and very natural bathing areas since access by car is restricted to private individuals in the summer.
The long golden sandy beaches alternate with uncrowded coves that form curious refuges where you can isolate yourself from mass tourism and enjoy the immensely blue sea. Many of the coves have become nudist beaches such as Parreño.
Larga beach is the longest and most crowded as it has the easiest access from the car park.
Bolnuevo coves
The village of Bolnuevo, near Mazarrón, has the most spectacular coves in Murcia such as the Gredas de Bolnuevo, known as the Enchanted City, due to the rock formations that the wind has shaped next to the sea. The area is located in an unspoilt, mountainous area that gives rise to grey stone coves that are not usually very crowded, even in summer. In fact, some of those coves are highly valued by nudists.
Its bathing areas are not accessible by car; you have to leave it in the car park near the erosions and continue on foot or by bicycle.
Mazarrón bay
The town of Mazarrón is another popular destination, especially for family tourism thanks to its large white beaches that are quiet and accessible. The most famous beach is the shell-shaped Bahía de Mazarrón, surrounded by houses that were originally built by fishermen. Awarded with a Blue Flag, this bathing area has very fine sand and transparent waters with very few currents.
The Bahía de Mazarrón beach is also very close to the urban area, which provides easy access by any type of public or private transport.
At one end of the beach there is a headland known as Cabezo del Gavilán with spectacular views of both the sea and Mazarrón itself.
Calnegre coves
These coves are the most natural and unspoilt area in the region of Murcia and almost the entire Mediterranean. They are located between Mazarrón and Águilas, just after those of Bolnuevo, in the municipality of Lorca.
The water is three to five degrees warmer than the Mediterranean, as no southerly currents reach it. However, some of the coves are slightly more dangerous due to the waves, such as Calnegre, which is the largest and most visited as it has a beach bar in the summer and a lifeguard service.
Baño de Mujeres is more pleasant, and also more recommendable if you go with children. Calahonda and Siscal are not to be missed either.
La Carolina
This beach, located near Águilas, is one of the most popular places in the area for families to spend their summer days. It is wide, with very fine and abundant sand, and the water is warm and calm, which makes it perfect for children. It is the last coastal point in Murcia on the border with Almería and faces east, which gives it beautiful views of the town.
La Carolina is part of the area known as Cuatro Calas (Four Coves), a Protected Natural Landscape, which includes beautiful natural and wild areas, except for the car park and a couple of beach bars.
Cortina cove
Located in Cartagena bay, this is a beach with dense white sand that is very suitable for bathing with children as it does not have a lot of waves. The various blues of its water and the natural beauty of the surroundings have made it famous among those who are looking for something different on the Mediterranean. The beach has all the services and amenities as well as a beach bar famous for its squid and rice dishes, which makes it a unique plan if you are in the area.
There are also diving trips both during the day and at dusk to enjoy the secrets of its seabed with fields of posidonia, octopus and eels.
Poniente beach
This is an urban beach in Águilas with a length of more than one kilometre. It is made up of sand and gravel and the entrance to the sea is smooth, although in the central area there may be sudden steep slopes.
It is a good bathing area for children as it is protected from the easterly winds by the castle hill and also has a play area for them.
Its location, within downtown Águilas, also makes it an ideal place to take a stroll or enjoy some of its services.
Bolnuevo
This is one of the best beaches in the region, located in Mazarrón, and one of the trendiest at the moment. It is one of the most popular beaches for families who find its coarse golden sand and calm waters the ideal place for children to swim with safety. Bolnuevo has also become a very important tourist centre with all the services you may need.
Next to the beach you can see the erosions in the rocks created by the wind, giving magical shapes to form the Enchanted City. It is a protected area that gives access to more unspoilt beaches and coves as far as Calnegre in Lorca.
Where to stay in Murcia
The city of Murcia is a good intermediate point after enjoying a day at the beach in any of the bathing areas in this guide. There, the four-star Occidental Murcia Siete Coronas combines perfect service with a hotel that was founded in 1971. Located on Paseo de Garay, in the heart of the city centre, it is ideal for enjoying the city’s day-to-day and nightlife. The river Segura, the bullring and the cathedral are very close to the Occidental Murcia Siete Coronas.
Many of its 156 rooms provide beautiful views of the city, and its magnificent Bistro restaurant has a terrace. The hotel has a car park and is pet-friendly.
