Mar Menor
A coastal saltwater lagoon in the south east of the Iberian Peninsula, in the region of Murcia near Cartagena. Its name means the lesser sea, as opposed to the Mediterranean, the Mar Mayor. A long sand strip called La Manga separates it from the open sea.
- Where
- Cartagena, Murcia, Spain
- Grade
- Heritage site
- Worth
- 10 points collected on site, plus 3 for its grade
- Coordinates
- 37.7500, -0.7833
Get the Mar Menor stamp
Open LOQAH when you are at Mar Menor. It checks where you are once, at that moment, and the stamp is yours: confirmed on site in gold and struck with the date. It goes into your Murcia volume with your photos and a note.
Near Mar Menor
La Manga 12 km
A narrow strip of land about 22 kilometres long between the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor lagoon. It is lined with beaches on both sides and is a popular holiday area for sailing and watersports.
Murcia Cathedral 40 km
The Cathedral Church of Saint Mary in Murcia, the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cartagena. It mixes Gothic and Baroque styles. A tall bell tower rises beside its curved Baroque facade on the city's main square.
Palmeral of Elche 58 km
A grove of more than 100,000 date palms in the city of Elche, planted in the Moorish period with a network of irrigation channels. It is the largest palm grove in Europe, and it includes the walled Huerto del Cura garden.
Penyal d'Ifac Natural Park 124 km
A natural park in Calpe on the Costa Blanca, built around a limestone rock that rises about 332 metres straight from the sea. A path and a tunnel lead up the rock. It is a sanctuary for seabirds.
Xàtiva Castle 139 km
A castle above the city of Xàtiva near Valencia, made up of a twin fortification. The older Castillo Menor was built on Iberian and Roman remains, and the more recent Castillo Mayor was built later. Long walls follow the ridge above the town.
Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park 145 km
A natural park on the southeast coast of Spain, the largest protected coastal area in Andalusia. Its rugged volcanic landscape lies in the only region of Europe with a hot desert climate. Cliffs, salt flats and quiet beaches run along the shore.
Tabernas Desert 169 km
A dry badlands in Almería, one of the few true deserts in Europe. Its barren hills were used for many spaghetti westerns, and old film sets survive as tourist attractions. Rain is scarce and summers are very hot.
Albufera of Valencia 180 km
A freshwater lagoon and estuary on the Gulf of Valencia coast, the main part of the Albufera Natural Park. The protected area covers 21,120 hectares. Rice fields surround the lagoon, and boat trips at sunset are a local tradition.
Questions
Where is Mar Menor?
Mar Menor is in Cartagena, Murcia, Spain. The nearest other LOQAH stamps are La Manga (12 km), Murcia Cathedral (40 km), Palmeral of Elche (58 km).
How do I get the Mar Menor stamp?
Open LOQAH when you are at Mar Menor and get its stamp. The app checks where you are once, at that moment, and the stamp goes into your Murcia volume, confirmed on site, with the date.
I have been to Mar Menor before. Can I still have the stamp?
Yes. Add it from Earlier trips in your Murcia volume, with the date if you know it, or import your Google Timeline and LOQAH matches the places you were.
Collect your first stamp.
LOQAH is free on iPhone and Android, in India and 40 more countries, with more countries on the way. Stand at a place, collect its stamp, and keep every trip in a passport that grows.