Life in San Pedro del Pinatar revolves around the ocean – and it has for centuries. A proud maritime heritage still permeates this historic town, which can be experienced in local museums and festivals. But as well as preserving its roots, the town keeps up to speed with modern sights and facilities, too. Chic restaurants serving locally caught seafood and lively pubs and cocktail bars provide a quaint nightlife scene, while the weekly market supplies residents with locally-grown produce straight from the surrounding fields.
Moving to San Pedro del Pinatar also means moving closer to nature. Pine-scented walking paths and the dramatic mountains of Los Ginovinos are just a 30-minute drive away, while the adjacent salt flats - which have been in action since Roman times - are home to rose-pink flamingos during the winter months. From here, a network of raised wooden paths stretch to the seaside. On this stretch of coast, there's a string of wild and rugged beaches with pristine water.
So what's it like to live in San Pedro del Pinatar? This fabulous mix of nature and culture means that residents can choose what kind of experience they have. Choosing where to live in San Pedro del Pinatar will depend on what you want. Perhaps a traditional townhouse in the heart of the action or a cottage in the peaceful countryside. In the town centre, there are sea-facing condos in Santiago de la Rivera, while families love the residential area of Lo Pagan – which is around a 10-minute walk to the beach. Beyond the city and towards the mountains, more peaceful residential complexes offer generous villas with luxurious swimming pools.
Living in San Pedro del Pinatar: essential info
Population in San Pedro del Pinatar
The municipality of San Pedro del Pinatar had a population of 27,817 in 2023 according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Of this, 24.63% were made up of foreigners, and 25.98 were born in a foreign country. The majority of residents are aged between 40-49 years, and aside from Spain, most residents come from Europe (2,838) or Africa (2,709).
Tourism is a booming industry in the area; it rivals the more traditional fishing trade. While the number of hotels has stayed largely the same, the number of holiday homes and flats has soared. According to the Centro Regional de Estadística de Murcia, the number of holiday homes in San Pedro del Pinatar has grown from 0 in 2015 to 223 in 2023. Meanwhile, the number of fishing boats has dropped from 106 in 2003 to 72 in 2023.
Saltworks in San Pedro del Pinatar at sunset with flamingos in the water
Healthcare in San Pedro del Pinatar
It might not be a top priority initially, but having excellent healthcare on your doorstep could be an extraordinary advantage in the future. Not only is Spain known for its top-tier public healthcare, San Pedro del Pinatar has both health centres (centros de salud) and hospitals close to hand. The local health centre, Centro de Salud San Pedro del Pinatar, is equipped with all the basics: a pharmacy, healthcare consultancy and a paediatric team.
A ten-minute drive away, Hospital General Universitario Los Arcos del Mar Menor is an enormous hospital with a wide range of services. Opened in 2011, this relatively new complex offers 171 beds and a free translation service for people who don't speak fluent Spanish. In 2024, the hospital committed to generating 14% of its energy by self-produced renewable energy. In the town, there is a range of private services to supplement the public healthcare on offer. Ola Gracia offers physiotherapy for adults and children, while Axis specialises in pelvic floor treatment and postpartum care – it even has a "baby spa" jacuzzi which helps treat colic.
Working in San Pedro del Pinatar
With the amount of buzzy bars and tourist services in San Pedro del Pintar, work in hospitality is abundant. On sites like jobtoday.com list waiting, chef and bar jobs in the town. Big hotels (like the four-star Hotel Thalasia Costa de Murcia) may have a web page where jobseekers can submit their CV.
Remote workers and freelancers will be happy to hear that there's decent internet coverage. According to Fair Internet Report, the internet speed is above average, at 275 Mbps. And when the kitchen table gets uncomfortable, hire a desk at the local coworking office, Coworking Pinatar. The bright, modern offices offer super-fast 1Gb/s internet, meeting rooms and a chill-out area. Desks in shared rooms cost €99 per month, and private offices cost €180 per month.
For more support as a business owner living in Spain, the local Chamber of Commerce, Cámara de Comercio, is a treasure trove of information. The site will direct blossoming businesses to training, networking events and funding.
Thinking of moving to San Pedro del Pinatar with a family? You're in luck: the selection of schools is extensive and well-regarded. There are several options to choose from: público (public), concertado (semi-private, usually faith-orientated schools) and privado (private).
Among the most popular public primary schools is CEIP Los Pinos, a multi-cultural complex with accommodating teachers who speak English, French and Dutch. CEIP Nuestra Señora de Loreto is another good option. Just an 8-minute walk from Playas de Santiago de la Ribera beach, it offers bilingual teaching and an environment of collaboration.
New Castelar College International School is a private school which teaches 50% in English and 50% in Spanish. With high-spec classrooms, excellent sports facilities and an enriching range of extra-curricular activities, the centre hopes to create leaders with dedication and passion.
For more help finding the right school in Spain, this guide has everything you need to know. For information on government grants and education centres, check the local Ministry of Education website.
San Pedro del Pinatar is seeing a clear upward trend in property values, making it an increasingly attractive option for both investors and lifestyle buyers. As of April 2025, the average asking price for residential property stands at €2,608 per square metre—a 9.49% increase compared to May 2024 (€2,382/m²). Prices reached their recent peak in March 2025 at €2,624 per square metre, while the most affordable point in the past two years was July 2023, when the average dipped to €2,289. Prices vary significantly depending on location within the town. The Los Peñascos–El Salero–Los Imbernones area currently commands the highest asking price at €2,975 per square metre, while Lo Pagán remains the most budget-friendly, averaging just €1,752. The rental market reflects similar contrasts, with Los Cuarteros topping the list at €9.60 per square metre per month and El Mojón–Las Salinas at the lower end with €4.94. Despite these differences, average rental values across the municipality rose by nearly 25% in the past year, indicating strong and growing demand.
A look at current listings reveals the breadth of options available. A spacious four-bedroom village house in the heart of town is on the market for €235,000, offering excellent value for its size and location. At the more affordable end, a two-bedroom bungalow can be picked up for just €98,000—ideal for buyers seeking a holiday home or entry-level investment. This combination of rising values, solid rental prospects, and diverse pricing makes San Pedro del Pinatar a compelling place to consider, particularly for those priced out of more established coastal areas.
Things to do in San Pedro del Pinatar
Take a mud bath
While luxurious spas charge hundreds for mud mask treatments, the people living in San Pedro del Pinatar get to slather themselves in the rejuvenating clay for free. At the far right side of the Playa de Villa Nanitos, separated from the beach by a small stream, are the Baños de Lodo (mud baths). According to Murcia Today, the phenomenon occurs thanks to the perfect conditions of the Mar Menor for creating clay deposits charged with a high percentage of positive ions, calcium, magnesium, potassium and fluoride. Hundreds visit the free outdoor spa to cover their bodies in the healing mud, using the specially built wooden steps which lead to the water. Local legend goes that mud-covered folks should walk 2.5km to the windmill, Molino de La Calcetera, before washing it off.
Get out on the sea and learn to sail
Want to meet fellow locals and get out on the ocean? More than 400 people are proud members of the local sailing school, Escuela de Vela Socaire. Located just south of the town on a small pier, this humble club achieves mighty things in the local community by teaching children and adults how to sail and windsurf. Sign up for 12 hours of sailing classes for just €90, or hire a paddleboard for €15 for one hour.
Soak up the sun on sandy beaches
For a wilder beach, folks in the know head to Playa de la Llana. This rugged stretch on the far side of the Parque Regional de las Salinas y Arenales is a hidden spot for peaceful sunbathing. Breathe in the salty sea air on a walk through the dunes, or snorkel in the crystal-clear ocean.
And if good accessibility is a must for a beach day, Playa de Villa Nanitos is hard to beat. There are numerous disabled parking places close to wooden ramps that lead onto the sand, one of which has a range of equipment to help disabled people bathe in the water.
Explore quaint museums
San Pedro del Pinatar has a rich seafaring history, much of it revealed in the quaint maritime museum, Museo del Mar. The collection includes a variety of traditional fishing nets, antique boat models and traditional uniforms, all donated by local fishermen and sailors. Visitors can take a deep dive into the collection with a guided tour, which includes a selection of typical dishes from the area. Email info@museodemarmenor.es for more information and to book ahead.
Pedal along the coastline
Bikes are a fabulous way to explore the coast. Local bike hire Bay Bikes offers rental periods from days to months, and their fleet of wheels includes a four-seater family bike. From the beach-front shop, it's possible to cycle across the salt flats (wooden bridges weave through the rose-pink pools) and into the secluded beaches along the Mediterranean Sea.
Explore the Roman theatre in Cartagena
Just a 30-minute drive from San Pedro del Pinatar, Cartagena is a graceful city with a sublime position at the end of a natural harbour. 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 San Pedro del Pinatar
There is a strong expat community living in San Pedro del Pinatar, and the best way to keep in the loop is via the local Facebook group. Meeting fellow expats IRL is easy, too. Bars and restaurants often host activities and meetups. The local boozer Liverpool Pub, for example, hosts regular Lindy Hop dance classes. For a more relaxing introduction to the locals, try joining a vinyasa yoga class at Shala Ahimsa Yoga Studio – classes are in Spanish, but what better way to learn?
