Los Alcázares Property Market

The property market in Los Alcázares, a charming coastal town on Spain’s Costa Cálida, is increasingly popular among international buyers seeking affordable homes and a laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle. Known for its sandy beaches along the Mar Menor, Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon, Los Alcázares offers a variety of properties, including modern apartments, townhouses, and spacious villas, many with sea views.

The town’s appeal lies in its excellent amenities, golf courses, and mild climate, making it a favorite for retirees, holiday homeowners, and investors. Buyers from the UK, Scandinavia, and Germany are particularly drawn to the area, with international buyers accounting for a significant portion of property transactions.

Property prices in Los Alcázares remain attractive, averaging around €1,500 per square meter, offering excellent value compared to other coastal areas in Spain. With its combination of natural beauty, affordable property options, and proximity to Murcia Airport, Los Alcázares continues to be a sought-after destination for those looking to enjoy the relaxed pace of life on the Costa Cálida.
 

What's it like to live in Los Alcázares?

So what's it like to live in Los Alcázares? Life here often revolves around the water. Historically, this would have been through fishing, but now the coastal town is aimed squarely at leisure. The swimming pool-like Mar Menor is the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe, separated from the ocean by a narrow strip of land called La Manga. Because of this, Los Alcázares benefits from 7km of sheltered coastline, and activities take place on the sand from morning until sunset.

The beach is best in the morning. Saunter along the promenade overlooking the calm water and try to spy the swish apartment blocks of La Manga across the Mar Menor. Some mornings, the sand is occupied by yoga groups saluting the sun, other days it's a tranquil expanse with the odd sunbather soaking up the rays.

Afternoons could be spent at the five-star La Manga Club, either playing golf or indulging in a spa day. The hydrotherapy suite features a sauna and thermal contrast pool, all within the hotel's luxurious surroundings.

In the evening, return to the coast and dine over the water. Restaurante San Antonio is based at the end of a nostalgic wooden pier and promises the best views over the palm tree-dotted beach. Order a tinto de verano and watch the sky turn pink at sunset. 
 

Essential Information

In 2023, the population of Los Alcázares was 18,497, according to ine.es. It has been rising over the years – in 2010 the population was 15,993. 

Of the 18,497 people living in Los Alcázares, 37% are foreigners. It's a high percentage when compared to the neighbouring municipality of Cartagena, where just 11% of the population are foreigners. According to Centro Regional Estadística de Murcia, aside from Spanish (11,107), most residents come from the continents of Europe (2,251) and Africa (2,168).

Industry, such as farming and manufacturing, is declining while tourism is blossoming. The number of hotel beds is rising; in 2006 there were a total of 898 which rose to 1266 in 2023.

Healthcare in Los Alcázares

Public healthcare has an excellent reputation in Spain, and there are lots of medical facilities within easy reach of Los Alcázares. The biggest hospital, Hospital Los Arcos del Mar Menor, is a 12-minute drive, or 15-minute bus ride from the town centre. Opened in 2011, this relatively new complex offers 171 beds and a free translation service for people who don't speak Spanish fluently. In 2024, the hospital committed to generating 14% of its energy by self-produced renewable energy.

Aside from the main hospital, the first port of call for any health concern will be a centro de salud (health centre). There are two in Los Alcázares: Centro de Salud Los Alcázares, which offers the biggest range of healthcare including a midwife, paediatric services and social security, and a smaller centro de salud in Los Najeros called Consultorio Los Narejos.

For more information on healthcare in Spain read our full guide here.

 Working in Los Alcázares

Popular with national and international holidaymakers, many people who live in Los Alcázares find work in hotels, restaurants and tourism. It's a brilliant option for English speakers, and a fantastic way for people moving to Los Alcázares to join the local fold. Check out websites such as Costa Calida Forum and Job Today for work vacancies in the area, such as barista, bar staff and waiting jobs. Read our guide to finding a job in Spain for more help.

The elegant port city of Cartagena is just a 25-minute drive away and promises a wider selection of work. The municipality of Cartagena has 35 hotels to choose from. It's well worth contacting big hotels directly; some places - like La Manga Club - have job vacancies pages which are kept updated with the latest job adverts.  

Work remotely? There are several coworking spaces within easy reach. A 13-minute drive from Los Alcázares, Coworkium in San Javier offers desks in shared bright offices from €9 a day, or €99 per month. Entrepreneurs can also hire four-person meeting rooms or classrooms with space for 12 for €20 a day.

And while it might seem daunting to set up a business in Spain, entrepreneurs can access free support and advice from the local Chamber of Commerce, the Cámara de Comercio de Murcia. Here, you'll find everything from networking events to information on government grants. 

 

Schools and education in Los Alcázares

It's hard to emphasise the importance of schools enough; for some people, it will hugely influence where they live in Spain. Families will be happy to hear that there is a wide range of schools in Los Alcázares, many with an excellent reputation. In Spain, there are three types of schools to choose from: pública (public), concertada (semi-private, usually faith-orientated schools) and privada (private).

Public schools are taught in a mixture of Valencian and Spanish (with a small percentage of English). In 2024, the local government invested nine million Euros in a new public school in Los Alcázares called Colegio Bienvenido Conejero de Los Alcázares. The well-equipped 4,900 m sq school encompasses primary and secondary education across 36 classrooms – all just a 10-minute walk from the beach.  

If private school is an option, King's College Murcia is a 20-minute drive away from the town centre. Described as "outstanding" by a 2022 British Schools Overseas report, it follows the British curriculum and is taught mostly in English by native English speakers.

For more information on government grants and education centres, check the local Ministry of Education website. 

Transport in Los Alcázares

There is an international airport just 4km north of the town centre, but it was confirmed in 2024 that this is due to be closed and turned into a satellite and technology centre for the local government. It's good news for those who don't enjoy air traffic noise, and the nearest airport, Aeropuerto Internacional Región de Murcia, is still only a 35-minute drive away.

There is no train station in Los Alcázares but motorways connect it to elegant cities like Cartagena (30 minutes) and Murcia (50 minutes). Buses also run to Murcia in just over 1 hour, and cost €4.30.

If a car is the option you decide to go for, our guide to driving in Spain after Brexit is a must-read.

Things to do in Los Alcázares

Sunbathe on sandy beaches

Beach lovers will adore exploring the 7km sandy coastline. Las Salinas is one of the best places to roll out a towel, with shallow, still water and the softest sand. Near the promenade, a cool crowd gather at Piropo Beach Bar to graze on sea-fresh scallops and octopus with azure water views.

Find your new favourite cocktail

A good cocktail bar is not a prerequisite to a liveable town – but it certainly helps.  For many people living in Los Alcázares, Zarcos Cocktail Bar is the best-loved watering hole. Find a table on the buzzy terrace, sandwiched by ice cream parlours and chic restaurants, and sip on a classic Tequila Sunrise (€5), or a cheeky Espresso Martini made with Kahlua and fresh coffee (€6).  

Play golf by the sea

Choosing where to tee off in Los Alcázares could cause headaches for keen golfers. There are 15 golf clubs in the area, one of which has a staggering 54 holes. Wondering where to start? A sunny idyll overlooking the Mediterranean sea, Roda Golf Course is a fairyland for golfers. The demanding 18-hole course requires a good drive and a keen eye for hidden bunkers – it's usually completed in under 4½ hours. Open to the public, the on-site restaurant Vive Roda offers traditional arroz a banda (seafood rice) and fabulous views from the terrace.

Enjoy a fun round of mini-golf

Fancy putting your putt to the test on a wackier course? A 10-minute drive from the city centre is Golf Delux, the self-proclaimed biggest artificial grass adventure golf course in Europe. Groups of friends and families compete on the sunny course, interspersed with wild water features, a restaurant and a cocktail bar.  

Party at local festivals

Despite being a relatively peaceful town, residents do love to celebrate. One of the biggest dates in the calendar is Las Fiestas de Octubre, when the region celebrates its independence. Expect parties and parades all month, but Día del Caldero (day of the soup) is a major highlight. The beach fills with hundreds of cast iron pots bubbling over open fires, scenting the coast with sweet stewed tomato and sea bream, while DJs and brass bands provide a party soundtrack.

Unwind in the spa of a five-star hotel

Thought the serene water views were relaxing enough? Combine it with a spa day for total bliss. The nearby five-star resort La Manga Club leads the way for luxury. The hydrotherapy circuit combines jacuzzis, saunas and a thermal contrast pool to thoroughly detangle tense muscles. Pair this with a treatment - like a Thai foot massage or deep tissue massage - to leave feeling heavenly.

Explore the Roman theatre in Cartagena

Just a 30-minute drive from Los Alcázares, Cartagena is a graceful city with a sublime position at the end of a natural harbour, surrounded by hills and echoing with the sound of seagulls. One of the most impressive landmarks is Museo Teatro Romano, a beautifully designed museum detailing Cartagena's history and the astounding 1 BCE theatre. Round off the trip with tapas crawl through the historic centre, lined with pastel-coloured Modernista mansions.

Expat clubs and activities in Los Alcázares

Outgoing residents will find it easy to meet fellow expats in Los Alcázares – the vibrant terraces lined with pubs and bars on Avenida Río Nalón are a natural meeting point. Head here day or night to find a fun atmosphere and a plethora of food and drink. Settle in for a traditional afternoon tea, with scones, finger sandwiches and clotted cream, at the Tipsy Thistle, or a frosty Mojito on the sun-baked astroturf of La Bodeguita de Willy and make some friends.

The local Facebook group is also a brilliant place to keep up to speed on the gossip in the town. There are older Facebook groups which have become dominated by adverts, but the chat in Los Alcázares Mar Menor still revolves around events, restaurants and recommendations.  

For more formal opportunities to mingle with people living in the area, consider heading to nearby Murcia (a 40-minute drive). The city is home to regular language exchanges, cinema groups with films shown in their original language, and bilingual running clubs.