El Carmoli Today

The village of El Carmolí nestles in the north-eastern corner of the large municipality of Cartagena, next to the boundary with Los Alcázares on the western shore of the Mar Menor, the huge saltwater lagoon which is enclosed on the other side by La Manga. 

Although it has not grown in size to the same degree as the neighbouring settlements of Los Urrutias and Los Alcázares, it is still true to say that most of the buildings here are holiday or second homes, and were built in the decades between 1960 and 1990, when many inhabitants of Murcia and Cartagena acquired the luxury of a second residence close to the beach. In the first years of the 21st century there was something of a second wave of growth as more international interest accompanied the advent of flights into and out of the nearby airport of San Javier, and as a result there are now also some more modern properties in El Carmolí.

Many of these properties are on the slopes of the volcanic plug by which El Carmolí can be located from almost anywhere in the surrounding area. This peak stands only 113 metres above sea level, but the flat countryside of the Campo de Cartagena and the hinterland of the Mar Menor makes it an instantly recognizable landscape feature and provides impressive views for those making the climb!

As a seaside resort El Carmolí admittedly loses out to some of its neighbours, as the beach itself is not always kept in good condition, but nonetheless it is a pleasantly genteel village in an attractive setting, and still attracts a large number of visitors during the summer as well as residential tourists all year round. In addition, many of those undertaking the 26-kilometre walk along the inland shore of the Mar Menor, which runs between here and Cabo de Palos.

Where is El Carmolí?

El Carmolí is situated close to the westernmost point of the shore of the Mar Menor, just a couple of kilometres south of Los Alcázares. It is best reached by road from the exit at kilometre 794 of the AP-7 motorway, and is under 20 minutes by car from the city of Cartagena.