Exploring the Shores of Mar Menor

Leaving the city of Murcia, you'll strike out southeast towards the coast, with your first stop at the beautiful Regional Park of Las Salinas de San Pedro. Anchoring the northern end of Mar Menor, this expansive wetland is a protected area filled with beautiful landscapes and plenty of wildlife, such as the pink flamingos that you can see in the water.
Your first stop should be the visitor's center, after which you can wander freely around the area from the Mediterranean coast to the wetlands a bit further inland.
Visitors Center Opening Hours: 09:00 – 14:00 & 15:00 – 17:30 Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 15:00 Sundays

After exploring the wetlands, jump back in the car and drive further south towards the tip of the Mar Menor inlet. The beach here is one of the most popular areas for mud bathing in the region. Bring your swimmers, wade in the water, and smear the mud all over your body. Then, hop out and let it dry, wading into the water again when you want to wash it off. Your skin will be left feeling soft, smooth, and rejuvenated.

After a fun time at the mud baths, it's time for lunch. This nearby restaurant enjoys fantastic views over Mar Menor, with a shady terrace as well. There's paella on offer, as well as a whole lot of grilled meats and Murcian specialties.
Opening Hours: 13:00 – 00:30 Sunday – Monday & Wednesday – Thursday 13:00 – 01:00 Friday – Saturday
Reservations can be made through the restaurant's website.

After lunch, you'll jump back in the car for a leisurely drive down the Mar Menor, swinging back up the southern side to this lookout. From here, you can really appreciate the thin strip of land that continues to the north, separating the tranquil bay inland from the Mediterranean.

Now, it's time to start making your way into Cartagena. But before you get there, the town of La Unión is home to some fantastic examples of Spanish modernist architecture. The first building is Casa del Piñón, which acts as the town hall and tourist information office.
The beautiful exteriors were fully restored in 2008. Keep an eye out for the dome on top of the building, a unique feature designed by the French civil engineer behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Gustava Eiffel.
Tourist Office Opening Hours: 09:00 – 21:00 Monday – Saturday

After the town hall, it's a short 5-minute stroll down to the impressive Mercado Público, one of the prettiest buildings in the entire coastal region. The exteriors make it look like it belongs in Barcelona alongside the creations of famous architect Antoni Gaudí, and the entire building is a point of pride for locals in the area.
Short guided tours are available (Monday – Saturday) for those who want to see inside, arranged at the tourist office inside Casa del Piñón.

To complete the first day of this coastal itinerary, you'll make the short drive from La Unión into Cartagena. For dinner, the Alhambra Restaurante Tetería is one of the most popular in the city, with a wide range of delicious, Moroccan-style foods, giving plenty of nods to the area's Moorish history.

You'll spend the evening in Cartagena, where there's a wide range of hotels to choose from. This beautiful port city is loaded with history, a lot of which you'll experience in the morning – so get a good night's rest!