Stretching along Murcia’s Costa Cálida, the Mar Menor is Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon and one of Spain’s most unusual coastal landscapes. Separated from the Mediterranean by the narrow La Manga strip, its shallow, sheltered waters are warmer and calmer than the open sea, making it a natural playground for swimming and watersports. Around its shores, you’ll find sandy beaches, promenades and lively seaside towns.

You can swim, paddleboard, kayak or sail across the lagoon, with calm conditions making it particularly accessible if you’re new to watersports. The warm, shallow water also makes the Mar Menor popular with families, while the surrounding coastline offers plenty of places to stop for seafood and views across the lagoon. The Mar Menor is so salty that you can float more easily than in the Mediterranean, while its mineral-rich muds have long been used for wellness treatments.