Clocks go back in Spain 2024: This is when Daylight Savings Time ends
Be prepared for the changing of the clocks The long Spanish summer is finally over and winter is on its way. The evenings are drawing in and it is time for the clocks to go back.  Many Spaniards and expats alike are happy to see the back of the hottest months of the year, and jumpers are now being sought for, in the depths of closets, where they have been hiding for the past four or five months. However, there is nothing that signifies..

Murcia photo of the month October 2024
Here’s the top image of the month taken by the Los Alcázares Digital Camera Club (LADCC)   What do we understand by ‘shadows’? LADCC had to get to grips with this problem for their last competition. A small presentation was given by club co-ordinator Richard Townend to assist the budding photographers, and then LADCC members set to work on the task in hand for their monthly competition.   Firstly, however, it was important to..

Gill's story: From Peter Pan to Pinocchio's Gepetto in Murcia
Gill Brown is a member of the ADAPT Theatre Group in San Pedro del Pinatar. Here she tells her story   “After 35 years of nursing, I came to Spain to retire and slow down. However, after being press ganged by friends into attending a rehearsal just to see how it worked... I was hooked, and life has become anything but slow.   “I have found myself doing so many unexpected things, like making scenery, costumes and props and I’m..

ASSSA Seguros opens its doors for Open Weeks 2024
Go along to the events in Los Alcázares and Puerto de Mazarrón to learn more about ASSSA ASSSA celebrates its traditional Open Weeks in October, an event created with the intention of getting closer to policyholders and interested parties.   ASSSA is a company with more than 80 years of experience in providing quality healthcare. It has a large number of branches located in different parts of the country, offers customer service in..

Experience professional-quality massage therapy at home with Eurospas
Get your very own masseur or masseuse for your home! Imagine having access to a professional-quality massage any time you want, right from the comfort of your home. With Eurospas’ premium range of hot tubs and spas, this dream becomes a reality, thanks to advanced features like the Aqua Rolling Massage from Passion Spas.   Specially designed to offer a powerful and rejuvenating massage experience, this unique feature replicates and..

Non-lucrative residence visa for Spain: A complete guide
How to retire to Spain and live there permanently with a valid visa If you’re considering moving to Spain and don’t plan to work, the Non-Lucrative Residence Visa (NLV) might be the perfect option for you. This visa allows foreigners to reside in Spain without engaging in any gainful employment or professional activity. It’s ideal for retirees, those with independent wealth, or anyone seeking a life in Spain without working.  ..

Life behind the scenes at Adapt Theatre Group
The Adapt Theatre Group are stepping the boards with ‘Snow White and the 7 Guiris’ in San Pedro this winter With a history of 12 years of performing traditional pantomimes to both English and Spanish speaking audiences, the Adapt Theatre Group has become well-known for their zany sense of humour and antics on stage.   Since they are all amateurs, and many of them came to showbiz later in life, a huge amount of group effort and support..

Save up your used stamps and help fight childhood cancer
Collecting stamps is a simple way to help a worthy cause without having to dip into your bank account This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Friends of Bone Cancer Research Trust has launched an appeal to ask for help collecting stamps as a way of raising money to fund cancer research, and they are reminding everyone how they can make a difference.   Friends of BCRT are a group of people throughout the UK who are raising funds independently..

Where to hire mobility scooters in Murcia
Find mobility products including wheelchairs and scooters to buy and rent in Murcia If you're planning to visit Murcia and need mobility assistance, Plaza Movilidad is the go-to place for renting or hiring mobility equipment. Located in San Pedro del Pinatar, this trusted company specialises in providing a range of mobility products, making it easier for you to enjoy your time with family and friends, whether it's summer, autumn or any time..

What is the life expectancy of a hot tub?
Homeowners in Spain should know the investment they are making when they purchase a hot tub or spa When investing in a hot tub, one of the key considerations is its life expectancy. Understanding how long a hot tub can last and what factors influence its longevity can help you make a wise purchase and maintain your investment for years to come, say professional traders Eurospas.   Factors affecting hot tub longevity   The life..

Powering your home and your future: The benefits of solar energy
You can use the sun's rays to generate energy for your home, charge your electric car and even heat your pool Sunlight, a seemingly endless resource, is being harnessed in a revolutionary way: solar energy. Solar panels are transforming homes across the country, and for good reason. This clean, renewable technology offers a multitude of benefits, making it a smart investment for both your wallet and the planet.   One of the most compelling..

5 tips to help you buy the right air conditioning unit this summer
What you need to know to purchase the correct air con for your home in Spain With the arrival of summer, air conditioning units become a necessity for some in Spain. Whether you are updating current units or purchasing new ones, getting what you need can be difficult.   These 5 tips from Air Menor will help you make the right choice for staying cool this summer:   Sustainability – Always read the label: Each air conditioning..

Have a Spa Day every day at home: Here is how
It doesn’t take a lot to spoil yourself rotten today and every day, say the experts on Spas in Spain Transforming your home into a personal spa retreat can be a fantastic way to unwind and rejuvenate daily. With a few simple steps and the right atmosphere, you can create a spa-like experience that allows you to enjoy the benefits of relaxation and self-care without ever leaving your home.   Setting the mood   Creating a spa..

What happens if you die without a will in Spain?
Here’s what happens to the money if someone dies and doesn’t have a will for Spanish assets Dying without a will can lead to significant complications, especially in a foreign country like Spain, where inheritance laws may differ considerably from those in your home country. Understanding these implications is crucial for anyone residing in Spain or holding assets there.   In Spain, if you die without a will, the law dictates that..

Does a hot tub use a lot of electricity?
Find out what the average energy usage is to help you decide if you want to buy a hot tub or spa product Owning a hot tub can bring immense relaxation and therapeutic benefits, but many potential buyers often wonder about the electricity usage and associated costs. Understanding how much electricity a hot tub uses can help you make an informed decision about incorporating a hot tub into your home, say experts in hot tubs and spas, Eurospas..

Murcia proves to be perfect place to install solar panels
There are few places better suited for the installation of solar panels to generate energy The Region of Murcia receives an average of 3,348 hours of sunlight per year, according to estimates from the European Commission’s EU Science Hub. Boasting more sun-soaked hours than any other autonomous community in Spain, this makes Murcia the perfect place for the installation of solar panels.   As they receive an average of 5.7 peak solar..

Plaza Movilidad scooter store moves into new location in San Pedro del Pinatar
The mobility rental and sales store has new premises in San Pedro, serving the whole Mar Menor area Plaza Movilidad, the trusted mobility scooter sales and hire specialists in San Pedro del Pinatar, have just moved into a new and improved store space to better serve customers in Los Alcázares, Alicante and beyond.   As of Monday June 10, Plaza Movilidad is located at Avenida Romería de la Virgen del Carmen, 72 in San Pedro del Pinatar..

See the new and improved relaunched Club MMGR website
Go to www.mmgrclub.com for all the most up-to-date information about top events and the best facilities at the Mar Menor Golf Resort Club MMGR, the leisure and sports club located at the very heart of the Mar Menor Golf Resort, has just revamped its website to help users and visitors to the club find information about the services they provide.   Available in two languages, Spanish and English, the website highlights the benefits of..

Hotels in Santiago de la Ribera
Holiday accommodation on the shore of the Mar Menor in San Javier Hotel Albohera (3-star) Calle Marín, Esquina Bolarín T: (+34) 968 335910 www.hotelalbohera.com   Hotel Mar Mediterráneo (2-star) Avenida del Mediterraneo Calle Farallon 12 T: (+34) 968 571901     Hotel Mar Menor (3-star) Avenida del Mediterraneo Calle Farallon 12 T: (+34) 968 571901 hotelmarmenor.eu     Hotel El Marino (..

The church of San Blas in Santiago de la Ribera
The chapel of San Blas in the municipality of San Javier The history of this small church dates back to the Reconquista, a time of transition between the Moorish occupation and the Reconquest of southern Spain by the Catholic forces of Castile and Aragón from the north of the Iberian Peninsula. In 1243 what is now Murcia was absorbed into the Crown of Castilla by means of the Treaty of Alcaraz. The area was then ruled by Prince Alfonso, who..

The outdoor Museum of the Air in San Javier
The Museo Aeronáutico Tiflológico in Santiago de la Ribera is fully adapted for the visually impaired The “Museo Aeronáutico Tiflológico” on the Explanada Barnuevo in Santiago de la Ribera is a new open-air facility which is fully accessible for everyone and adapted to people with impaired hearing and vision, providing information through both sight and touch. San Javier has for a long time been closely linked to aeronautics, the first..

Weekly street markets in San Javier
Regular markets throughout the municipality Spanish street markets are a great way to pick up some amazing bargains and offer an enormous range of products for sale, including clothes and accessories, shoes, beauty products, household items, soft furnishings as well as some of the freshest fruit and veg around. Tips Fruit and veg are generally one of the best options at weekly street markets as the Region of Murcia produces so much..

La Manga del Mar Menor Catholic churches
Salvator Mundi Urbanización El Vivero Km. 1 Telephone: 968 563054 Reina de Los Apóstoles Urbanización Castillo de Mar Km. 5 Telephone: 968 563054 Click for more information about the San Javier municipality: SAN JAVIER TODAY

The church of San Francisco Javier in San Javier
La Parroquia San Francisco Javier, parish church and museum   Parroquia San Francisco Javier Plaza de la Iglesia, Calle Luis Garay, 6, 30730 San Javier Telephone 968 571085   MASS TIMES April to September: weekdays 20.00, Saturdays and the days vefore religious holidays 20.00, Sundays and religious holidays 10.00 and 20.00. October to March:weekdays 19.00, Saturdays and the eve of religious holidays 17.30 and 19.00..

The Museo Parroquial in San Javier
Local history in a nutshell at the museum in the parish church of San Francisco Javier The Museo Parroquial de San Javier is located within the parish church of San Francisco Javier and was inaugurated in 1998 following the ffirts of José Ballester Esparza and Ana Díez Moreno, both teachers at a local primary school. It contains a number of pieces donated to the church or which formerly belonged to the church and exhibits relate mainly..

The roots of the cult of San Blas in Santiago de la Ribera
The Romería of San Blas takes place on 3rd February, when the figure of the saint is carried from Santiago de la Ribera to his church in the Calavera district The roots of the cult of San Blas in the municipality of San Javier date back to when what is now the Region of Murcia was conquered by the Christian forces of Castilla and Aragón after 500 years of Moorish rule. The advancing forces of the Reconquista, under the leadership of Prince..

The local history museum in San Javier
Discover local history at the Museo de San Javier  The San Javier Museum gives interesting insights into local life, showing the history of the municipality from pre-history through to its rôle as the modern-day home of the Spanish Air Academy. It also has a separate room dedicated to the Belén Monumental, the huge nativity scene which is displayed in the Plaza de España at Christmas, as well as another room upstairs which is used for..

The Explanada Barnuevo of Santiago de la Ribera in San Javier
Explanada Barnuevo, Santiago de la Ribera . The Explanada Barnuevo is the most used area of the seafront in Santiago de la Ribera and is used as the location for many of the open air cultural events which take place here throughout the year, including arts and crafts markets, concerts, exhibitions and displays. The marquee which forms the centrepiece for events such as carnival, and fiestas is usually located here. Traffic driving into Santiago..

Health, beauty and relaxation destinations in the Region of Murcia
Look after yourself by letting the Region of Murcia look after you! There are, of course, many reasons for visiting the Region of Murcia but as well as the climate, the beaches, the golf courses, the countryside, the mountains, the water sports, the gastronomy, the historical and cultural heritage, one of the best options is to take advantage of an opportunity to disconnect from the stress of everyday life and treat yourself to a little health..

7 of the spookiest haunts in the Region of Murcia
Locations to send chills down your spine even in the heat of the Costa Cálida summer! The Region of Murcia is renowned for its sunshine, the warmth of its climate and its people, the good living and the delicious food, but even the Costa Cálida has its darker, colder side…   1. The Sanatorium of Sierra Espuña Throughout the western world in the early years of the 20th century many sanatoria were built to house and treat orphans..

Official caravan and motor home campsites in the Region of Murcia
Enjoy coastal and inland caravanning holidays all year round in the Costa Cálida A large number of people visiting the Costa Cálida in motor homes choose to do so without booking into an official site with facilities, but the majority still prefer to relax in a designated campsite fully equipped to make their stay in the Region of Murcia as stress-free and pleasurable as possible. Hand in hand with motorhome tourism, of course, goes the traditional..

217 kilometres of cycling on the EuroVelo 8 route as it passes through the Region of Murcia
Easily manageable sections of the 7,560-km route which runs from Cádiz in south-western Spain to Athens and Cyprus! The Region of Murcia has long been a preferred destination for cycling holidays, the varied terrain attracting tourists from all over Europe 12 months a year, and its inclusion on the “EuroVelo 8” route, which runs a massive 7,560 kilometres from Cádiz in the south-west of Spain to Athens and Cyprus, is likely to further cement..

New bus routes in the Cartagena and Mar Menor area
There are now buses connecting Cartagena, La Manga, Torre Pacheco and Los Alcázares The new bus system came into effect across the Region of Murcia on Friday December 3 and included in the new plan are several remodelled routes in the Cartagena and Mar Menor area which aim to provide better public transport connections for residents all year round.   Movibus is the name of the new system, which is made up of new green buses which have..

Why it is so difficult to solve the current problems in the Mar Menor
The problems faced by the Mar Menor are caused by a complex combination of factors, making easy solutions equally difficult to find Anyone with even a passing interest in current affairs in the Region of Murcia and the Costa Cálida will be aware that the Mar Menor, for years the jewel in the crown of the tourism sector of the regional economy, has become a topic of heated debate. The events of the last four years have accelerated a deterioration..

Bike hire, cycling holidays, carbon road bike rentals for the region of Murcia Spain
Bicycle hire and cycling holidays for all levels of cyclists in the Costa Cálida Cyclists who have explored the Region of Murcia on two wheels often describe it as an undiscovered paradise for those who share their passion, with large expanses of both flat and mountainous terrain, generally uncrowded roads and of course a driving culture in which those behind the wheel in four-wheel vehicles are more than used to sharing the tarmac with others..

An introduction to Santiago de la Ribera
A beach resort on the coast of the Mar Menor in the Costa Cálida Santiago de la Ribera lies within the municipality of San Javier, and in terms of population is the largest district, occupying the area on the inland shore of the saltwater lagoon of the Mar Menor. The district includes some of the finest beaches in the northern half of the Mar Menor, and is also home to the Academia General del Aire, the Spanish air force’s officer training..

La Manga del Mar Menor Tourist Information
Tourist information office and tourism services La Manga del Mar Menor Tourist Office See below for information about tourist information offices and information points in the San Javier municipality. On La Manga del Mar Menor there is a tourist office at km 0 and a tourist information point at km 12, on Playa Mistral. For general information about La Manga del Mar Menor, use the subject heading La Manga del Mar Menor accessed via the..

La Manga del Mar Menor car, boat and bicycle hire
Car hire, boat charter and cycle hire in La Manga del Mar Menor CAR HIRE IBERCAR Commercial Centre Mangamar Telephone: 968 56 35 54 e-mail: ibercar@ibercar.net   CONCCORD CARS MEDITERRÁNEO Edificio Zambra 2, local 7, Km. 4.5 Telephone: 968 14 51 01 e-mail: mail@conccordcars.com  Website: www.conccordcars.com   LA MANGA RENT A CAR Urbanisation Copacavanna Telephone: 968 14 60 00 e-mail: carhire..

La Manga del Mar Menor watersports
A wide variety of watersport facilities in La Manga del Mar Menor Leisure ports PUERTO DEPORTIVO TOMAS MAESTRE Gran Vía, Km. 13 Telephone: 968 14 02 63 / 14 08 16 Fax: 968 33 70 89 e-mail: puertomaestre@puertomaestre.com  /  www.puertomaestre.com   CLUB NAUTICO DOS MARES Hcda. Dos mares, salida 31, camino varadero Telephone: 968 14 01 17 Fax: 968 14 03 42 e-mail: gerencia@clubnauticodosmares.com / www.clubnauticodosmares..

La Manga del Mar Menor sporting facilities
Private and municipal sports facilities in La Manga del Mar Menor CENTRO DEPORTIVO LA MANGA DEL MAR MENOR Kilometre 12, opposite Playa Mistral Municipal sports centre with Padel courts, Fitness facilities, summer schools, and much more. Tel.: 968 573 105 Click here for map: Municipal Sports Centre La Manga del Mar Menor   CLUB DOS MARES Paseo de la Dársena 10, Salida 32 Tel: 968 33 70 33 Fax: 968 33 70 80 e-..

San Javier entertainment venues and WIFI hotspots
CINEMAS CINEMA CENTRO COMERCIAL DOS MARES            Cinema showing the latest releases. AP 7 salida 777 –N-332 km 34 Tel: 968 547 047               Website: www.centrodosmares.com Click here for map.   CINE TERRAZA ESPAÑA Open-air cinema. Summer only. C/ Bernal, corner of San Martín de Porres, Santiago de la Ribera Click here for map.   CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS MINI MONSTRUOS..

San Javier buses, trains, planes and boats
Public transport in San Javier and Santiago de la Ribera Please contact the tourist office if you require further information about public transport options within the San Javier municipality Click for more information about Murcia-San Javier airport and public transport from the airport. See the subject heading "Public transport" under the Tourist Information option on the header bar for regular updates about public transport..

San Javier travel agencies
Travel agencies in the San Javier municipality Travel agents in Spain offer booking services for all types of travel and accommodation, so are regularly used to book coach, bus, rail and air travel tickets. Many also offer short breaks or excursions within the region and can also help with booking for rural houses. Santiago de la Ribera VIAJES CARREFOUR SANTIAGO DE LA RIBERA C/ Aguilar Amat 9, Santiago de la Ribera Tel: 968..

Fiestas and annual events calendar in the municipality of San Javier
There’s more to San Javier than just beaches! The municipality of San Javier is famous for its beautiful beaches (and the airport, of course) but it also has a full cultural offering all year round, including international festivals, concerts and fiestas. Here is a list of all the main fiestas and cultural activities for 2017. Events are loaded in the San Javier What's On section as programmes are made available. Please note, programmes..

Tourist information offices in San Javier
Oficinas de Turismo in San Javier, Santiago de la Ribera and La Manga del Mar Menor The municipality of San Javier has various tourist offices and tourist information points offering information to both locals and visitors, located in Santiago de la Ribera, on the ground floor of the Town Hall in San Javier and at the start of La Manga (theoretically in the municipality of Cartagena), while another tourist information point is located at kilometre..

The Balnearios or bathing stations of Santiago de la Ribera
Balnearios in the municipality of San Javier  These distinctive wooden structures, jutting out into the waters of the Mar Menor from the beaches of Santiago de La Ribera, are one of the characteristic sights of the municipality of San Javier. Their origins date back to the middle of the 20th century, when the area first started to experience a significant influx of summer tourists and bathing becoming a fashionable occupation both for..