Los Alcazares, in the region of Murcia in the southeast of Spain, has a semi-arid Mediterranean climate, enjoyingextended hot summers and mild winters with long hours of sunshine and very low rainfall all year round. The town sits on the coast of Mar Menor, a saltwater lagoon. Mar Menor is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by La Manga, a 22 km strip of natural land, ensuring that the lagoonâs shallow waters are always about 4°C warmer than the sea. Murciaâs coast is the Costa Calida, which means âwarm coastâ.
Summer, from June till September, is hot and sunny: perfect for lying on the beach of Mar Menorâs calm shore. The average high temperature is around the mid 20s at the beginning and end of the season, rising into the high 20s in June and August. It can sometimes get into the 30s but the balmy waters are always nearby for a refreshing swim. While the lagoon is not exactly cool, a dip will certainly take the edge off the heat. The humidity is usually just bearable, rainfall is laughably low and the sun stays out for ten or eleven hours a day. The waters of Mar Menor are kept calm by their shallow depth and separation from the sea. Combined with winds coming in from the sea, this creates perfect sailing and windsurfing conditions.
Autumn, in October and November, receives pleasant day time temperatures and cool nights. The average high temperature drops from 23°C to 18°C while the average low drops from 18°C to 14°C. Those wishing to avoid the summer highs will find that October is gorgeous: still warm enough for the beach but not too hot to think, with refreshing nights and a good seven hours of sunshine per day. Rainfall increases to its highest levels but these levels are still not high enough to worry visitors to the area. November is probably a bit too cool for a true beach holiday, but still great for those into sailing and windsurfing.
Winter, from December till February, is hardly cold with an average high of 16°C dropping to its lowest point in January at 14°C. Night time lows hover around 7°C and it very rarely gets down to freezing. Frosts are possible but as a rule, winter on the Costa Calida is very mild; the mildest in Spain. The sun is less reliable, coming out for around six hours per day, as the sky can sometimes be overcast. This would be a good time for a walking holiday. Water sports on the lagoon are still possible but wetsuits are a must.
Spring, from March till May, gets hot fast. The average high temperature climbs from a pleasant 18°C to 23°C. Night time temperatures can remain low, but the days can sometimes get into the mid 20s as early as April. The temperature is a little unpredictable relying heavily on the sun which comes out for longer and longer towards the summer. At the beginning of the season the winter levels of six hours of sunshine per day are to be expected, creeping up to seven hours in April and jumping up to nine hours in May.
Los Alcazares, and the rest of Mar Menorâs coast, benefits from a warm, dry microclimate, even more pleasant than the rest of coastal Spain. The mountains that rise up behind the coast prevent northerly weather fronts from bringing rain and clouds over to the area. The shallow bottom of the lagoon allows the water to be heated by the sun and La Manga protects it from cooler sea currents. This very warm body of water moderates temperatures on shore. Other resorts on Mar Menor include the imaginatively named Mar Menor, Los Urrutias and Estrella del Mar.