Practical Information

Directions

Directions (1h30, 125 km)
Depart from Alicante heading south via the A-7 (Autovía del Mediterráneo).
Follow the A-7 until the AP-7 towards Cartagena / Murcia.
Continue on the AP-7 (toll road, but fast and comfortable).
Take exit 800 towards La Manga / Los Belones.
Follow the RM-12 towards La Manga del Mar Menor.
Take the Los Belones exit (11) and follow the roundabouts towards Los Nietos / Islas Menores.
You can reach Mar de Cristal in several ways: through the center of Los Belones or via Islas Menores.

Tips

Tolls: The AP-7 is partly a toll road, so keep some change or a credit card handy.
Traffic: During high season or weekends, it can be busier, especially around Cartagena and La Manga.
Alternative: You can also take the N-332 (coastal route), which is free but slower due to passing through villages and roundabouts.
(This toll road will become free in the near future.)

From Murcia Corvera (40 km)

You are almost there

Do not take the first large street on the right, but continue towards the low-rise urbanization and take the main street 'Av Mar Menor' (dual carriageway) there. Take the first street on the right again, and immediately right again (at the small red/white urbanization). Past the urbanization, turn left. This will lead you to the last photo where you will see the white apartment block. It takes a bit of searching at first due to the one-way traffic.

La Manga del Mar Menor

From the apartment, head towards the inland sea. Islas Menores is the nearest beach. If you walk left along the water, you will go towards Los Nietos.

You will be walking through a nature reserve here.
If you go to the right, you will head towards the beautiful wide beaches of Playa Honda.
The ‘Salinas de Marchamalo’ salt lake nature reserve connects to this.
Further along, you will reach ‘La Manga’.

La Manga del Mar Menor is a unique spit of land: a narrow strip of land approximately 22 kilometers long and averaging 100 to 1,200 meters wide, separating two seas: La Manga separates the Mar Menor (little sea) – a large, shallow, and salty lagoon – from the Mediterranean Sea. The Mar Menor is exceptionally warm and calm, making it ideal for swimming and water sports. On the other side, you have the open Mediterranean Sea with wider beaches and more waves. You can literally choose between two seas within a few minutes’ walk.

The many beaches of the Mar Menor (inland sea) as well as the Mediterranean beaches are easily accessible on foot, by bicycle, or by car.

The small, typically Spanish but versatile village of ‘Los Belones’ is 1.5 km away and has much to offer: terraces, shops, the weekly market, restaurants, a local butcher, fresh fish shop, bakery, schools… A small village with all amenities.

Los Nietos (2 km)

The station in Los Nietos is usually referred to as “Estación de Los Nietos”.
Address: Calle de la Estación, Los Nietos, 30383, Diputación de El Beal, Cartagena, Región de Murcia
(There are 2 additional boarding points in Los Nietos)

Travel time is approximately 35 minutes. Tickets are to be paid on the train.
The frequency is approximately every hour.
Towards Cartagena: After 12:00 PM, departures are every hour on the hour, with the last departure at 10:00 PM.
Towards Los Nietos: After 4:15 PM, departures are every hour at 15 minutes past the hour, with the last departure at 10:15 PM.
Please double-check these times!
On weekends and public holidays, there is often a limited schedule (e.g., fewer early or late trains). It is best to visit Cartagena on a weekday.
You can find current times via the official site: www.renfe.com

Cartagena

Cartagena is a large, lively city (200,000 inhabitants), rich in history and culture, located on the Mediterranean Sea. The natural harbor is a very deep bay which houses Spain’s primary naval base.
The Los Nietos station is within walking distance of the apartment (2 km).
Cartagena is 15 km away; you can reach it by train in 30 minutes.