- EDITIONS:
Spanish News Today
Alicante Today
Andalucia Today
PROPERTY SEARCH
HOME > MURCIA MAR MENOR & CARTAGENA > LA UNIÓN
La Unión Tourist Information
La Unión is a municipality of around 19,000 inhabitants enclosed by the municipality of Cartagena on all sides except 
the south, where it borders the Mediterranean sea and forms part of the Comarca del Mar Menor.
The most outstanding feature of the municipality is both historical and geographical: the mines, their exploitation the focal point around which the History of La Unión revolves.
For over 2000 years the mines of the Sierra Minera, which stretches from Cartagena to Cabo de Palos, were exploited for their reserves of minerals. The Romans tunnelled deep into the hillsides 2000 years ago, and the process ended with open cast mining gouging the landscape, millions of tons of waste material dumped into Portmán bay and in the area surrounding the town. In 1991 the mines finally closed when there were too few 
minerals left to make continued activity economically viable.However, the waste left behind by open-cast mining has left a distinctive landscape, scarred with slag heaps and abandoned mineworkings.
To exploit the tourist potential of the mines the Parque Minero, a mining park has been built, with the imposing Mina Agrupa Vicenta at its heart, and the town has also opened a Mining Museum, the Matildes Mine and a flamenco museum.
Further plans exist to increase the tourism potential of Portmán Bay through regenerating the bay into which millions of tons of sterile wasters were dumped, building a new marina and further residential accommodation.
The Cante de las Minas is the other important attraction of La Unión, the most prestigious celebration and competition relating to Flamenco in Spain, filling the historic old marketplace, the Catedral del Cante with flamenco every summer. Parallel to this, the town is also developing its potential with the addition of a flamenco school, and regular flamenco performances in the mine itself.
Where is La Unión?
La Unión is just a half hour drive from the regional airport at San Javier and is accessed via local rail and main road connections laong the shores of the Mar Menor and via Cartagena.
Click for map, La Unión
SELECT A SUBJECT OR READ THE LATEST TOWN ARTICLES BELOW
Cante de las MinasTourist Info and things to do.Whats On La UnionLocal News and Community InfoHistory of La UnionPortmán and RocheFiestas, traditions, annual eventsPolice, Town Hall, Useful InfoCultural and Community VenuesMarkets, Charity shops, ShoppingMedical and Doctors informationChurches, religious activitiesBeaches
LA UNIÓN
Cante de las MinasTourist Info and things to do.Whats On La UnionLocal News and Community InfoHistory of La UnionPortmán and RocheFiestas, traditions, annual eventsPolice, Town Hall, Useful InfoCultural and Community VenuesMarkets, Charity shops, ShoppingMedical and Doctors informationChurches, religious activitiesBeaches
Renfe introduces +Renfe&tú contactless card on Cartagena-Los Nietos Cercanías lineA new rechargeable smart card aims to streamline train access and offer flexible ticketing options Renfe has launched its ‘+Renfe&tú’ contactless card service on the Cartagena-Los Nietos cercanías line, effective from.. 17/06/2025
Puerto Mayor project in La Manga finally set for full dismantlingAfter years of delays, the failed marina scheme will be removed and the damaged coastline restored Nearly 20 years after construction first began on the ill-fated Puerto Mayor marina beside the Estacio canal in La Manga del Mar Menor, the Spanish.. 09/04/2025
Café Bar Yemanjá is now open all day for the spring-summer seasonEnjoy food, cocktails and seafront views at this much-loved spot in Cabo de Palos Café Bar Yemanjá in Cabo de Palos is once again open and ready to welcome customers all day long, just in time for the warmer months ahead. Nestled right.. 07/04/2025
Police catch killers of two Brits in La Manga speedboat crash last yearThere is justice for the victims of the La Manga del Mar Menor motorway crash as 17 people have been arrested in a human trafficking and drug smuggling operation linked to the fatal accident Police in Spain have dismantled a criminal organisation.. 27/02/2025
Follow the light: a tour of the lighthouses of the Costa Cálida!A seafront tour with a difference sheds light on the history of the coastline of Murcia The Faro del Estacio in La Manga del Mar Menor For millennia lighthouses have stood as guardians of the coastline in civilizations all over the world, shepherding..
Where to get 4 fry ups for 40 euros near La MangaStart your day with breakfast at La Manga Club Feeling hungry for a proper, slap-up breakfast with friends? There’s one place near the Mar Menor that will do you a great deal, serving 4 breakfasts of your choice for only 40 euros. At..
7 of the spookiest haunts in the Region of MurciaLocations to send chills down your spine even in the heat of the Costa Cálida summer! The Region of Murcia is renowned for its sunshine, the warmth of its climate and its people, the good living and the delicious food, but even the Costa Cálida..
217 kilometres of cycling on the EuroVelo 8 route as it passes through the Region of MurciaEasily manageable sections of the 7,560-km route which runs from Cádiz in south-western Spain to Athens and Cyprus! The Region of Murcia has long been a preferred destination for cycling holidays, the varied terrain attracting tourists from all over..
Top beaches to visit in Murcia, Spain: Ultimate Costa Calida beach guideVisit the top beaches on Spain’s Costa Cálida in Murcia The Costa Cálida on Spain’s southeast coast has hundreds of the highest quality beaches in the country, if not in Europe. The Costa Cálida – which literally..
New bus routes in the Cartagena and Mar Menor areaThere are now buses connecting Cartagena, La Manga, Torre Pacheco and Los Alcázares The new bus system came into effect across the Region of Murcia on Friday December 3 and included in the new plan are several remodelled routes in the Cartagena.. 06/12/2021
Weekly street market in La Unión Tuesday is market day in the Calle Mayor in La Unión For many expats and visitors, one of the great joys of shopping in Spain is the opportunity to buy fresh products and bargain clothes in the weekly local markets, which are awash with colour..
Weekly markets in the municipality of Cartagena Year-round and summer-only street markets in Cartagena Not all weekly markets are set in stone, and if they coincide with public holidays they may be cancelled or postponed. In addition, days can change, so if you're not sure a call to the relevant..
Introduction to the beaches of La UniónThe municipality of La Unión has two beaches, Playa Lastre and Playa de Portmán, both of which are on the Mediterranean coast and both in the urban area of Portmán. Although both are attractive in their own right and are very popular..
La Unión beaches: Playa LastreA charming wild beach with popular bar and small port The La Unión municipality has two beaches, Playa Lastre and Playa de Portmán, both of which are on the Mediterranean coast and both in the urban area of Portmán. Although both are..
La Unión beaches: Playa de PortmánA wide curving bay popular with fishermen The municipality of La Unión has two beaches, Playa Lastre and Playa de Portmán, both of which are on the Mediterranean coast and both in the urban area of Portmán. Although both are..
Train services Los Nietos - La Unión - Cartagena The journey between Los Nietos and Cartagena takes around 30 minutes The main railway station of Los Nietos marks the eastern end of the local FEVE line which runs between Cartagena and the Mar Menor, with approximately 15 services per day running in..
