The Mar Menor, an extensive body of water in the southeastern part of Murcia, is home to many beaches. Their calm, warm waters and shallow depths make them perfect for relaxing.
One of these beaches is Mar de Cristal, a small, quiet beach that looks like a paradise. It is located in a small town of the same name, which is surrounded by majestic nature and close to important tourist places and the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea.
Let’s discover the keys to this recommended destination for next summer: an incredible Mediterranean paradise in the heart of the Region of Murcia.
Table of Contents:
- Mar de Cristal | Discover the Pristine Waters of Mar Menor!
- What Is Mar de Cristal?
- Mar de Cristal Location
- Things to Do in Mar de Cristal and Surroundings
- Enjoy Your Private Paradise in Villa Murcia!
- A Relaxing and Chilling Out Beach in Mar Menor
What Is Mar de Cristal?
Mar de Cristal, or Crystal Sea, is a small settlement in the municipality of Cartagena. Its coastline is located on the south side of the Mar Menor and near La Manga. Like any tourist destination in the area, Mar de Cristal has all the necessary elements to enjoy its waters and sands.
Even so, the water of Mar de Cristal stands out compared to other beautiful beaches of the Mar Menor, such as Playa Honda or Cabo de Palos, for its pristine, crystalline body and luminescence.
According to the INE – National Institute of Statistics – Mar de Cristal has 761 inhabitants, which is perfect for tourists looking for a quiet, not-so-crowded place to enjoy a relaxing vacation.
The Mar de Cristal beach holds the Q for Quality as a reward for the facilities it offers.
Mar de Cristal Location
As we briefly mentioned above, Mar de Cristal is located at the southern end of Mar de Cristal, in the southeastern area of the Murcia region.
Mar de Cristal is two kilometers from Los Belones and fifteen kilometers from Cartagena, making it an easy settlement to visit, even for a day.
The best way to easily get to Mar de Cristal is to arrive in Cartagena and take the National Route CT-32 and the RM-12, towards Los Belones, towards the west.
As the image above indicates, it will take 23 minutes to get to the Crystal Sea by car and a few minutes more if you take the bus.
Things to Do in Mar de Cristal and Surroundings
Mar de Cristal has an unbeatable location in the Murcia region. You can easily reach other settlements and tourist areas. Some interesting activities that you can do in this rich area are the following.
Mar de Cristal Beach
Mar de Cristal is famous for its crystal clear waters and two small, quiet beaches that make up the town’s front. The main of these two beaches is Mar de Cristal beach, a chilling beach of soft sand that gives its name to the settlement.
On this 200-meter-long beach, you can find the Chiringuito beach bar—Punta de Lomas, a nice bar where you can enjoy classic Mediterranean dishes and cold drinks.
- Sand: Fine and gold sand.
- Waters: Calm.
- Average temperature: 18 degrees.
- Width: 38 meters.
- Restrooms.
- Foot washers.
- Ramps.
Islas Menores Beach
Islas Menores beach is immediately next to Mar de Cristal beach, which has climatic and natural conditions quite similar to those described above. Islas Menores is separated from Playa Mar de Cristal by the marina and the yacht club –Club Náutico–a sports institution with an ideal location to learn and practice scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, and other related activities.
Islas Menores offers the same services as Mar de Cristal Beach and spectacular views of the southern end of the Mar Menor and its natural environment. Furthermore, the best thing is the small number of residents so that you can enjoy the quiet beach on your next vacation.
The Sierra de Carrascoy National Park
This National Park is a little far from Mar de Cristal, but it is still an interesting natural place that you can reach by car in an hour or even less. It is south of Murcia and fifty kilometers from Mar de Cristal.
It is a great place to experience the flora and fauna of the Murcia region and relax when you want to swap the sea for the mountains. This National Park has ways to walk along trails in the middle of wild nature.
Salinas Bird Sanctuary
The coast of Mar Menor is the perfect place to enjoy some natural wonders, such as the birds that abound in the Salinas Bird Sanctuary in the city of San Javier, a few kilometers north of Mar de Cristal, at the extreme north of Mar Menor.
Cartagena and Its Ancient History
As we mentioned previously, the city of Cartagena is a 23-minute drive from Mar de Cristal. Therefore, it is also a good alternative to learn a lot about the region and the history between Christians and Moors.
In Cartagena, a majestic old port city, you can visit the National Museum of Archeology, the Punic Wall, the Molinete Roman Forum Museum, the Castillo de la Concepción, the Castillo de Galeras, among other interesting tourist attractions.
Golf Courses, Spa and Relaxing
Several golf courses, including Villamartín, La Manga, Campoamor, and Los Ramblas, are located in the local area of La Manga and the Mar Menor. These eighteen-hole courses are for professionals and average players who want to experience golf on a world-class course.
The Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Club Golf and Spa stands out for its dynamic, interesting, and difficult design, which includes several water obstacles and sand traps. A semi-desert environment surrounds the course’s eighteen holes, hundreds of palm trees, and short hills, which create an excellent playing climate.
Other Small Settlements You Can Visit
Los Urrutias and Los Nietos are two small towns in the same area as Mar de Cristal. The latter is two kilometers west of Mar de Cristal, while Los Urrutias is ten kilometers west of Los Nietos. These two cities also have excellent beaches that you can easily visit, in case you want to change your surroundings and experience different sands.
Additional Services You May Need
There is a small center on the Minor Islands. Here, you can receive first aid and help in case of wounds or minor injuries. It is on the corner of Islas Columbretes and Calle Isla Ízaro.
There are alternative health centers, including the La Manga Costa Cálida Health Center and the Los Nietos Medical Center. As for hospitals, the closest are Hospital Los Arcos in San Javier and Santa Lucía on the eastern outskirts of Cartagena. Both are open 24/7 and are approximately a 15-20 minute drive away.
If you are looking for accommodation, you should probably visit Los Belones or Cartagena. These cities have hotels with all kinds of amenities, and they serve breakfast, among other things. Some hotels even offer tours of tourist sites in the area.
Another good alternative is to stay at one of the many resorts in the area. Here, you can enjoy outdoor activities and sports, such as tennis, soccer, and gym, and even take windsurfing, sailing, and similar classes.
Enjoy Your Private Paradise in Villa Murcia!
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Highlights:
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Whether it’s a romantic escape, a family getaway, or a relaxing break with friends – Villa Murcia is your dream stay.
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A Relaxing and Chilling Out Beach in Mar Menor
Without a doubt, Mar de Cristal has two of the best beaches in the Mar Menor, the Region of Murcia and the Costa Cálida. The small population of the town, plus the few properties in the area and the relaxing atmosphere, make Mar de Cristal one of the best destinations for visitors from all over Spain and Europe, whether they are families or solo tourists. Furthermore, visitors can easily explore the surrounding area and other wonders that the Murcia region has to offer.