Mar Menor, The Salted Lagoon

See highlights in and around Cartagena, including the natural attraction Mar Menor, the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe. One of the best views of the lagoon is from the former fishing village Los Alcázares along the middle of the western shore. While there, you will hear about the Romans that once occupied the village to extract valuable salt from the lagoon. A long, thin strip of land known as La Manga is all that separates the lagoon from the Mediterranean. The area is also known for its cuisine, particularly seafood, as you will discover while dining at a restaurant overlooking Mar Menor and while enjoying coffee at a nearby resort hotel. Back in Cartagena, you will pass landmark attractions such as the urban beach Cala Cortina, a modernist train station and an ancient Roman theater, which amazingly was hidden for centuries until excavations began in 1988. The 7,000-seat theater has been meticulously restored to reflect its original grandeur.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gaze out over sparkling Mar Menor, the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe. • Dine at a restaurant overlooking the lagoon, an area the Romans once occupied. • Marvel at the Roman theater in Cartagena, which was buried under rubble for centuries. • See highlights as diverse as Cartagena’s most popular beach and its modernist train station.

HELPFUL HINTS:
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.