The Costa Murcia (Calida) is the second sunniest province region in Spain with 315 days of sunshine a year (Almeria province in Andalucia has 320 days per year) and offers varied facilities from small virtually private coves to established cosmopolitan resorts such as Mazarron and La Manga.
Águilas is an old roman fishing port and maritime centre and evidence of its history as a mining town in the 19th century can still be seen at the old wharf. It is a thriving town, but not the most attractive as it has many high rise apartment blocks. However it is a clean town with stunning safe beaches and excellent leisure and restaurant facilities. The famous Aguilas Carnival in February each year is not to be missed. The Aquileños take lifestyle and leisure very seriously indeed with the area offering excellent diving and nautical activities as well as everything you would expect from a cosmopolitan town. Águilas is an up and coming area, representing an excellent area for investment with a new water sports marina development and a controlled expansion of permanent and tourist accommodation. It also now boasts an Indian restaurant with extensive sea views (attracting clientele from Lorca, Purias, Calabardina, and other areas). The castle of San Juan de Águilas, built in 1579 can be seen as you approach the town and from all of its beaches, and below this is the harbour and lighthouse.
Puerto de Mazarrón is a typical seaside resort town surrounded by many beaches and unspoilt coastline. The port area offers excellent hotel, accommodation and leisure facilities as well as lively nightlife. Particular places of interest are the attractive fishing port and the fish auction. The town (pueblo) of Mazarrón is approximately 3km inland of the port with some attractive old buildings and churches.
Cartagena is now the largest city and historical port (thriving for many centuries) in the Murcia area with excellent motorway links to Murcia, Alicante and the E15 A7 coastal. Despite its industrial appearance it has many places of architectural and historical interest including a recently discovered roman theatre. The city is approached from all directions by beautiful rural flat sierras, rolling hills and mountains, traditional towns and villages and of course golf complexes and stunning beaches in every direction.