La Manga Apartment Blog

Mar Menor - Located on the Costa Calida coastline within the region of Murcia, the Mar Menor is Europe’s largest salt water lake, having an area of 170km2 and a depth no greater than 7 metres it is a unique location. The saltpans to the north of the Mar Menor are some of the most important wetland areas in Europe with a rich and varied wildlife, and are particularly important for bird species of which there are many.

The Mar Menor was known to the ancients and was in fact settled during the Palaeolithic Era. The Phoenicians and Greeks knew of the Mar Menor and would have no doubt stopped off there whilst trading along this part of the coast. The Romans established settlements along the coast and were the first to understand the importance of the huge salt deposits to be found in this part of Spain, they began the salt extraction industry which still remains important to this day. The Romans called it Belich and used the Mar Menor as a harbour (it is believed to have been deeper at that time) and built Spas to make use of the healing powers of the salt water.

There were further settlements during the Arab occupation of Spain (8th to 13th Centuries) and the Moors were well aware of the healing properties of the salt water and founded some resorts (for instance Los Alcazares) as places of relaxation and recuperation, the Moors also put in place some excellent irrigation systems which enabled the hinterland of the Mar Menor to become an important area for agriculture. The Arabs also introduced some unique fishing methods which resulted in the Mar Menor having a successful fishing industry.

It is very common for a bar or a small local restaurant to have 8 to 12 different kinds of tapas in warming trays with glass partitions covering the food. They are often very strongly flavored with garlic, chilies or paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, saffron and sometimes in plentiful amounts of olive oil. Often one or more of the choices is seafood (mariscos), often including anchovies, sardines or mackerel in olive oil, squid or others in a tomato based sauce, sometimes with the addition of red or green peppers or other seasoning. It is rare to see a tapas selection not include one or more types of olives, such as manzanilla or arbequina olives. One or more types of bread are usually available to eat with any of the sauce-based tapas.

Greetings:

• Hola - Hello
• Buenos Dias - Good Day
• Buenos Tardes - Good Afternoon (after lunch)
• Buenos Noches - Good evening/Good night
• Adios - Goodbye
• Hasta luego - see you later
• Hasta pronto - See you soon
• Hasta manana - see you tomorrow
• Hasta la vista - See you when I see you
• Como estas? - How are you?  You reply: Muy bien gracias, Y tu? - Fine thanks, and you? or Estoy enfermo - I’m not well
• Estoy cansado - I’m tired
• Bien gracias - well, thank you
• Muchas gracias - thank you very much
• Por favor - please
• Si - Yes /   No - No
• Como te llamas? - What is your name?
• Me llamo - My name is…
• Mucho gusto - pleased to meet you
• Encantado - Enchanted/delighted.  Encantada - if you are female
• Lo siento - I’m sorry
• Donde vives? - Where do you live?
• De donde - where are you from?
• Cual es tu direccion? - What is your address?
• Cuantos anos tienes? - How old are you? 
• Tengo __ anos -  I am __ years old.
• Que tal? - How’s it going?

It is possible to get about by bus. On the outskirts of the village are the bus stops which can take you to La Manga Strip or to Cartegena.  In Cartegena you can get buses to many places.

Car Hire is, of course available at the airport but we can arrange it for you if required.

Driving in Spain is not so different from driving in UK except that you have many more nationalities all driving in what they consider to be the correct way.
Roundabouts are relatively new to this part of Spain.  The correct way is to position yourself and indicate all the time, keep looking for where cars are around you.  Do not rely on just your mirrors.
Turning left can be a problem.  The original system still exists on some roads where you turn into a slip road on the right and then cross at right angles.  If you do not do this you may be driven into as the car behind will expect you to continue straight on.  The junctions are still in place on La Manga strip but elsewhere have been mainly replaced by roundabouts.
Roundabouts are called Rondas or Glorietas.  You may a sign saying “Peligrosa Glorieta” (Dangerous roundabout)

This small town is situated less than 10 minutes by car from Playa Honda and there you will find many restaurants and bars.  One of the first you will come to is “Casa Lee” a very good Chinese.  Further along is “Restaurant Oasis” with a varied menu and pleasant service.  Almost next door is “The Village Restaurant” which has recently been taken over by new people. There is also an Indian restaurant, Paras, and an Italian which is reported to be excellent but I cannot remember the name – will let you know. Down a side road off the main street is our favourite  “El Pelizzqito.  This a small Spanish restaurant very popular with the locals and reasonably priced.  A little more upmarket in the square at the end of the town is “La Fuente” and “Albatross” and both very good.  Also “Asiatica” serving a variety of oriental style meals.  Leaving Los Bolones you shortly come to La Manga Golf with several bars and eating places, Casa Victor, The Si Bar and La Finca to name a few.

Today some information about the restaurants in Cabos de Palos which is five minutes drive away and at the start of La Manga strip. You can walk along the beach or take the local bus. On Sunday morning there is a Market which is a very popular with locals and tourists. There are many restaurants in the village including a very good Chinese (opposite Upper supermarket) but the best are along the harbour situated beyond the sheltered Marina and the fishing boats and nets. Our favourites are Restaurant Miramar Llana and La Taverna. A very pleasant way to spend Sunday lunch time. On the beach on the Mar Menor side is El Parador, expensive but very Spanish and excellent food.

Welcome to our website.  We want you to enjoy your stay so we will try to give you as much information as we can.

You will want to know about the area immediately surrounding the apartment complex such as where are the shops and restaurants.  There is an excellent supermarket, “Supermercado Hondamar”, a few minutes walk away which stocks pretty much everything you will need.  They have a very good fresh meat counter deli and a good range of wines, beers and spirits. The staff are very helpful and friendly and all are learning English with varying degrees of success. There is a much larger supermarket “Upper” in nearby Cabos de Palos which is about 5 minutes drive away.
In the village of Playa Honda are several restaurants. The most popular, but most expensive is “Malvasia” which a favourite with Spanish locals. You would need to book (telephone 968 14 50 73). There are two English restaurants “Apicoco” and “Brambles” offering basic English style meals at reasonable prices.  Other restaurants include “Juliettas” and “Casablanca. Turning left out of the complex and a short stroll along the beach is “Restaurante Playa”.  Entry is through the bar and on the far side is the restaurant serving excellent meals. The Menu al dia is often particularly good value.
More info later for bars and restaurants a little further away