Costa Blanca
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Living in Los Narejos and Los Alcazares
If you have been quietly researching places to live in southern Spain, Los Narejos and Los Alcazares might not be the first names that come up. They tend to fly under the radar compared to the busier stretches of the Costa Blanca or the Costa del Sol. But for a growing number of retirees, second-home buyers, and golf enthusiasts from across Europe, this low-key corner of the Costa Calida is exactly the kind of place they were hoping to find.
Sitting on the western shore of the Mar Menor, Europe's largest saltwater lagoon, Los Alcazares is a small coastal town in the Region of Murcia with around 17,500 permanent residents. Los Narejos, its popular residential neighbourhood to the north, blends seamlessly into the town and is home to a significant share of the area's international community. Together, they offer a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle without the crowds or price tags found elsewhere along the Spanish coast.
This guide is designed to give you an honest picture of what life here actually looks like, from the climate and the golf to the everyday practicalities, so you can decide whether it deserves a closer look.
The Climate: Why People Come and Why They Stay
One of the main draws of Los Alcazares is its weather. The Region of Murcia enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year, and Los Alcazares sits right in the heart of that. Average annual temperatures hover around 18 degrees Celsius, with winter daytime highs typically reaching 15 to 17 degrees. Even in January, the coldest month, you can expect clear skies more often than not.
For anyone coming from northern Europe, the difference is striking. Daylight lasts until at least 6pm even in the middle of winter, and it is not unusual to see people walking the promenade in a light jacket on a December afternoon. Summers are warm and dry, with August highs around 30 to 33 degrees, though the proximity to the sea keeps things more comfortable than further inland.
The mild climate is not just pleasant. It shapes daily life here. People eat outdoors for most of the year. Morning walks along the seafront are a year-round habit, not a seasonal luxury. And for golfers and anyone who enjoys being active outdoors, it means the lifestyle you came for does not disappear once autumn arrives.
The Mar Menor and the Beach Lifestyle
Los Alcazares stretches along roughly seven kilometres of sandy shoreline on the Mar Menor. The lagoon is separated from the open Mediterranean by a narrow strip of land called La Manga, which creates unusually calm, shallow waters. On a still morning, it can look more like a lake than the sea.
The beaches here, including Playa de Los Narejos, Playa La Concha, and Playa de las Palmeras, are connected by a long promenade that runs the length of the town. It is the social backbone of the area. Early mornings bring yoga groups and joggers. By mid-morning, the cafes along the front are filling up. The atmosphere is unhurried and local, a long way from the high-rise resort feel of some neighbouring stretches of coast.
Water sports are popular thanks to the sheltered conditions. Windsurfing, sailing, and paddleboarding are all common, and the flat, warm waters of the Mar Menor make it particularly beginner-friendly. For those who prefer to simply sit on the sand with a coffee, there is plenty of space for that too.
Golf on the Costa Calida: Courses Within Easy Reach
If golf is a significant part of why you are considering this area, you will not be disappointed. The stretch of coast between Los Alcazares and the surrounding municipalities is one of the most golf-rich parts of southern Spain.
The closest course to town is Serena Golf, an 18-hole layout designed by former Ryder Cup player Manuel Pinero. It sits just a few minutes from the centre of Los Alcazares, right on the shores of the Mar Menor, and is open year round. The course winds around a centuries-old watchtower called the Torre del Rame, with water features coming into play on most holes. It is a proper test for experienced golfers but welcoming enough for higher handicappers too.
A short drive away, Mar Menor Golf Resort offers another 18-hole championship course, this one co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and Dave Thomas. The resort itself includes restaurants, a five-star hotel and spa, and a range of other sports facilities. Beyond that, Roda Golf and La Torre Golf are both within easy reach, and the legendary La Manga Club, with its three full courses and world-class sporting complex, is roughly 30 minutes away.
For many buyers in this area, being able to play year-round golf in warm sunshine, without the green fees and travel costs of a dedicated golf holiday, is a major part of the appeal. Several of the resorts also offer discounted rates for local property owners.
The Expat Community and Social Life
Los Alcazares and Los Narejos have a well-established international community, with residents from the UK, Scandinavia, Germany, and other parts of Europe. Around 35 percent of the permanent population is non-Spanish, though the town still retains a distinctly Spanish character. This is not an exclusively expat enclave. Local markets, traditional restaurants, and Spanish-language daily life are all very much part of the picture.
The social scene tends to centre around a few key areas. Avenida Rio Nalon, with its cafes, pubs, and restaurants, is a natural meeting point for both locals and internationals. Los Narejos has its own cluster of bars and a Saturday morning market that draws a good crowd. There are English-language social groups, quiz nights, and community noticeboards that make it relatively straightforward to connect with people when you first arrive.
For some, this blend of Spanish authenticity and international familiarity is exactly what they are looking for. It offers the chance to settle into a new country without feeling completely isolated, while still being immersed in a culture that feels different from home.
Day-to-Day Practicalities
One of the things that surprises people about Los Alcazares is how well-served it is for a town of its size. There are supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, and medical facilities including the Centro de Salud in Los Alcazares and a smaller health centre, Consultorio Los Narejos. For anything more specialist, the city of Cartagena is around 30 minutes south and Murcia around 40 minutes north.
Shopping is a mix of local options and larger centres nearby. Los Narejos has a small shopping centre called Las Velas, complete with a supermarket and a cinema that shows English-language films. The larger Dos Mares shopping centre in nearby San Javier offers a wider selection of retail stores. Weekly markets on Tuesdays in Los Alcazares and Saturdays in Los Narejos sell everything from fresh local produce to clothing and household goods.
The dining scene is worth mentioning. As a coastal town, Los Alcazares is known for fresh seafood, and the local signature dish, caldero, a rice and fish stew with roots in the area's fishing heritage, is worth seeking out. Tapas bars, international restaurants, and simple beachfront cafes all coexist comfortably.
Getting Here and Getting Around
Los Alcazares is well connected by air. The Region of Murcia International Airport at Corvera is the closest, with a growing number of routes from across Europe. Alicante Airport, one of Spain's busiest, is around 50 minutes to the north and offers even more flight options. Both airports make it convenient for second-home owners who want to come and go easily, or for friends and family visiting from abroad.
Within the area, having a car is useful, particularly if you want to explore the wider region or visit golf courses and beaches further afield. That said, the town itself is quite walkable and flat, and the seafront promenade connects most of the key areas on foot or by bicycle. Cycling is popular here, and the terrain makes it accessible for all fitness levels.
What to Explore Nearby
While Los Alcazares has plenty to keep you occupied, the surrounding area adds depth. Cartagena, about half an hour south, is one of Spain's most historically rich cities. Its Roman theatre, harbour views, and tapas scene make it a rewarding day trip. The city of Murcia, the regional capital, offers a different flavour with its cathedral, university atmosphere, and thriving food culture.
The natural landscapes around the Mar Menor also deserve attention. Birdwatching along the lagoon's shores, the salt flats of San Pedro del Pinatar, and the beaches of La Manga all offer easy escapes without needing to travel far.
Is Los Narejos and Los Alcazares Right for You?
No single place is perfect for everyone, and Los Alcazares is no exception. If you are looking for a vibrant nightlife scene or a large cosmopolitan city, this probably is not the right fit. It is a quiet, community-oriented town that moves at its own pace.
But if what you are after is a genuine Mediterranean lifestyle with sunshine, sea, good golf, friendly people, and a cost of living that tends to be gentler than Spain's more famous coastal stretches, this area has a lot going for it. It is the kind of place that rewards a longer look, ideally a visit of a few days where you can walk the promenade, sit in a cafe on the square, and get a feel for the rhythm of life here.
If the Costa Calida is on your radar, spending some time exploring what is currently available in Los Alcazares and the surrounding area can be a good next step. Sometimes the places that are not shouting the loudest turn out to be the ones that feel most like home.
