Los Alcázares beaches: Playa del Espejo

Playa del Espejo in Los Alcázares is over 1km long

This urban beach is 1,200 metres long, but while this makes it one of the longest stretches in the group of beaches that make up this coastal resort, it is also the narrowest at only 15 metres, making it perfect for those who like to constantly dip in and out of the warm waters of the Mar Menor close to the centre of Los Alcázares. Playa del Espejo starts at Plaza de la Pescaderia and stretches to Avenida Carril de Las Palmeras, close to the the monument to the fishermen of the municipality.

Parking is limited to on street parking in the streets behind the promenade which continues all along the seven beaches that complete this stretch of sand. This beach has a high occupancy of tourists during the summer months due to the popular water sports and activities available, which include canoeing, kayaking and sailing.

There is also a shaded children’s play area, and other facilities include sunbed and sunshade hire with several showers, footwashes, toilets, bins, recycling point, and bicycle parking available.

This beach has been awarded the Q for Quality in recognition of its cleanliness and good services, so during the peak summer months there is lifeguard cover and Protección Civil are on hand to help bathers with mobility problems.

There is also a tourist information point open here during the summer.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants within easy walking distance of the beach and all types of facilities within a few minutes walk.

Safety precautions at Mar Menor beaches

As this is a Mar Menor beach, it´s advisable to observe the following safety precautions when bathing.

Most of the Mar Menor beaches have very gently sloping shelves, meaning that bathers can walk a considerable distance from the shore and still only be waist high in the water. These shore fringes are also very warm, heating up more than the deeper water and the Mediterranean , particularly during the hot summer months.

Many beaches are also protected by netting to exclude jellyfish. This creates safe bathing areas for families but also leads to a situation which can be life threatening, as the safety of the beaches results in many elderly bathers bathing alone. This in itself is not dangerous, but every year there are unnecessary deaths when bathers suffer a heart attack, stroke, faint or have a dizzy spell of some sort whilst bathing alone, slipping into the water without anybody else being aware that this has happened.

The transition from hot beach to cold water can shock the body, causing dizziness or fainting, so it is advisable to splash the body with water to cool down before wading out into the Mar Menor or Mediterranean.

Even though there are lifeguards, accidents happen and every year there are unnecessary fatalities, the simple rule being if you have a medical condition, are taking medication, or are of advanced age, don't bathe alone, no matter how shallow and calm the water is.

Click for more information about the beaches of Los Alcázares, or for more local news, events and information in the Los Alcázares section of Murcia Today.