Along the Mar Menor there are residential and fishing villages, including Los Urrutias, Los Nietos, Isla Menores and Playa Honda, many have a weekly market, it is possible to visit a market every day, two if you like.

Cabo De Palos

Is a lovely fishing harbour, with many bars, and with great fish restaurants cooking locally caught fish, and caldero (a soupy rice dish). Or why not visit the fish market and buy your own or be tempted by the patisserie next door. It also has two bathing areas, Playa de Levante, and endless beach connected to La Manga ideal for long walks and Calas de Poniente, steep and rocky coves with crystal-clear waters and spectacular underwater scenery.

On Sunday there is a very popular market.

Calablanque

Is a wonderful nature reserve with unspoilt beaches and crystal-clear waters, the bumpy track is well worth the effort.

Cabezo de la Fuente

Observation point 1,120 feet high. To admire the best panoramic view of the Mar Menor the climb takes approximately 45 minutes and is not difficult but comfortable shoes are recommended. From here you can see the five islands of the Mar Menor: Baron, Redondela, Sujeto, Ciervo and Perdiguera

Perdiguera ( Island in the Mar Menor)

The island is good for a relaxing swimming and enjoying sardines and the caldero rice.

Boats make the crossing from various points along the coast.

Cartagena

Cartegena, built around a superb natural harbour was founded by Hannibal. It is a large busy city with hyper-markets, El Corte Englais etc. The old part of the city has museums, superb architecture and old-fashioned shops. The port has a palm-lined esplanade which is a pleasant place to explore, enjoy a meal at one of its restaurants or take a boat trip. Isaac Perel’s submarine, a world-first built here in 1888 can be found at the port.

For those wishing to travel further

Torrevieja

Torrevieja, a busy seaside resort with marina and promenada with craft market 8 p.m till midnight every evening. Large market every Friday morning. Habanera shopping centre. Aquopolis Water Park open second week of June till early September.

Murcia

Founded on the Segura River in the 9 th century by the Moors is now the regional capital.

The major sights, the baroque cathedral, cluster around the medieval arteries of the Traperia and Plateria, today upmarket shopping streets. Casino built between 1847 and 1901 a mixture of Moorish features, marble and metalwork, French-inspired grandeur, painted ceilings and English craftsmanship. Museums. Centro Regional Artesania (regional craft centre). The city has some excellent restaurants specialising in Murcia’s vegetable-based cooking.

Elche

Elche is surrounded on three sides by 300,000 palm trees, a good view can be had from the church tower. The botanical gardens are well worth a visit. There is also a Zoo near Elche.