# Living in Los Alcázares: natural hazards, housing and amenities Los Alcázares is a municipality in Región de Murcia, Spain, with 20,408 registered residents (1 January 2025). The centre lies in a mapped flood area. Resale homes pay 7.75 % transfer tax (ITP). This overview covers 8 topics from official open data, measured at the centre; values at a specific address can differ. As of: 9 November 2026 · Source: https://www.place-check.com/places/spain/los-alcazares ## About Los Alcázares ### Los Alcázares: living beside the Mar Menor Los Alcázares sits on the western shore of the Mar Menor, the saltwater lagoon separated from the Mediterranean by La Manga, in the province and autonomous community of Murcia. Its landscape is low, open and coastal, with the agricultural plain of the Campo de Cartagena behind it. Living here means having the lagoon and its promenade close at hand, rather than the exposed Mediterranean directly outside the town. With around **20,400 residents**, Los Alcázares is more than a summer resort. Its population grew by **23% over five years**, and its mean age of 41 points to a mixed community rather than an exclusively retirement destination. For anyone moving here, the main considerations are the balance between year-round services and seasonal activity, dependence on road transport, and flood exposure at the particular property. ### Living in Los Alcázares: a lagoon town with a bathing history Los Alcázares has a long association with bathing, extending back to Roman times. Its name derives from the Arabic word for palaces, reflecting another layer of the settlement’s history. That relationship with the water still shapes everyday life: the waterfront is a place for walking, meeting people and spending time outdoors, not simply a holiday attraction. The Mar Menor offers a different coastal experience from an open-sea beach. Its sheltered setting supports sailing and other water-based leisure, although the lagoon has suffered well-documented ecological problems. Water quality and beach conditions deserve attention from anyone expecting swimming to be central to daily life. Summer brings a busier atmosphere and greater demand for waterfront hospitality. Outside the holiday season, the permanent population sustains everyday activity, but a home beside visitor accommodation may feel quite different from one surrounded by year-round households. ### Shops, healthcare and families moving to Los Alcázares The centre has a useful concentration of everyday services. Within 2 km, OpenStreetMap records nine supermarkets and groceries, four pharmacies and four doctors’ practices. The nearest mapped supermarket is about 50 m from the centre, the nearest pharmacy about 100 m, and a doctor or health centre about 700 m away, all measured in a straight line. Those figures suggest that central living can make routine errands manageable without driving. They do not establish opening hours, healthcare eligibility or whether a particular practice provides the services a household needs. For families, three schools are mapped within the same radius. That confirms local provision, but not language of instruction, available places or suitability for a particular age group. These are important checks before choosing a home around an assumed school run. The mapped mix of restaurants, cafés and bars also supports a social life beyond the beach. However, proximity to evening venues can be a convenience or a disturbance, depending on the building and its surroundings. ### Commuting from Los Alcázares: roads matter more than rail Road access is a significant part of the town’s practicality. The AP-7 runs about 1.6 km from the centre, with motorway exit 790 about 1.7 km away. Avenida de la Libertad passes through the centre, so traffic exposure will vary between properties even within the central area. Los Alcázares does not have a central railway station: Torre-Pacheco station is about 10.2 km away in a straight line. Although 27 public transport stops are mapped within 2 km, stop numbers alone say little about useful frequencies or connections. The supplied weekday-morning journey to Murcia takes about **175 minutes with three changes**. That makes public transport a substantial constraint for a regular Murcia commute. Anyone planning to work elsewhere should test the actual door-to-door journey rather than judge accessibility from the motorway’s proximity. ### Housing and flood risk in Los Alcázares The supplied housing figures show a rising regional market: prices across the Región de Murcia increased by 14.4% year on year and 56.2% over five years. These are not Los Alcázares price figures and cannot establish the value of an individual home. More locally significant is flood exposure. The measured centre lies within the national mapping system’s **10-year river flood area**, with modelled water depth of about 0.1 m. This describes a statistical likelihood, not a timetable or a limit on what another event could bring. The centre is outside the strategic noise-map contours supplied, but those maps cover only major sources. They do not rule out disturbance from local traffic, nightlife or neighbouring properties. ### Who Los Alcázares suits—and what to check before moving Los Alcázares suits people who value lagoon-side walks, a permanent town population and central access to daily essentials. It is less straightforward for those relying on public transport for frequent travel to Murcia. At the specific address, check flood mapping, previous water entry, entrance and garage levels, drainage, seasonal noise and the walking route to shops. Remote workers should verify broadband at the building; families should confirm school arrangements. Here, the property’s immediate setting matters as much as its distance from the Mar Menor. ## Where Los Alcázares is Los Alcázares is a municipality in Región de Murcia, Spain (INE municipality code 30902). The centre lies at about 10 m above sea level, on level ground. - Autonomous community: Región de Murcia - INE code: 30902 - Elevation of the centre: 10 m ## Population Los Alcázares had 20,408 registered residents on 1 January 2025 (+23.0 % over five years), according to the municipal register (padrón). The mean age is 41.0 years; 16.7 % of residents are 65 or older; 20.1 % are under 18 (2024). The average household has 2.6 people. Average net income is €11,395 per person and €30,516 per household a year (2024, INE household income atlas, based on tax records). - Residents (1 Jan 2025): 20,408 - Change over five years: +23.0 % - Mean age: 41.0 years - Net income per person (2024): €11,395 ## Housing: prices, rents and purchase taxes In Región de Murcia, house prices changed by +14.4 % over the last year (resale homes: +14.6 %) and by +56.2 % over five years, according to the INE house price index (IPV) for 2026Q2. The index is only published per autonomous community and does not give prices per square metre. Rents in Los Alcázares changed by +2.9 % year on year in 2024 (INE rental price index, IPVA). Buying a resale home in Región de Murcia costs transfer tax (ITP) of 7.75 % of the price. A new home bought from a developer pays 10 % VAT (IVA) plus stamp duty (AJD, 0.5 to 1.5 % depending on the region) instead. Reduced rates exist, for example for young buyers, large families or a main residence. Los Alcázares is not a declared stressed rental market area under Spain's 2023 Housing Act (declarations published up to 3 November 2026), so the rent caps for such areas do not apply. - House prices, year on year (Región de Murcia): +14.4 % - House prices, five years: +56.2 % - Rents, year on year (2024): +2.9 % - Transfer tax (ITP), resale: 7.75 % - Stressed rental area: no ## Everyday life and amenities Within 2 km of the centre, OpenStreetMap lists 9 supermarkets and groceries, 22 restaurants, 9 cafés, 10 bars, 3 schools, 4 doctors' practices, 4 pharmacies and 27 public transport stops. Nearest to the centre, in a straight line: supermarket, about 50 m; pharmacy, about 100 m; doctor or health centre, about 700 m; public transport stop, about 50 m. The nearest railway station (Torre-Pacheco) is about 10.2 km from the centre. ## Noise and traffic The AP-7 runs about 1.6 km from the centre. A main road (Avenida de la Libertad) passes through the centre. The nearest railway line is about 10.2 km from the centre. The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Alicante-Elche (ALC), about 66 km in a straight line. An airfield lies about 3.9 km away. The centre is not inside any noise contour of the strategic noise maps (European Environment Agency, 2022); the maps only cover major roads, railways, airports and large urban areas, so this is no guarantee of quiet. ## Natural hazards The centre lies inside the 10-year river flood area of Spain's national flood mapping system (SNCZI), with a modelled water depth of about 0.1 m: statistically, a flood of that extent occurs once in 10 years. Small streams and dry riverbeds (ramblas), flash floods after torrential rain (DANA) and urban runoff are largely not mapped: "not mapped" does not mean "no risk". Under Spain's seismic building code (NCSE-02), Los Alcázares has a basic seismic acceleration of 0.08 g, so buildings must be designed to resist earthquakes. Since 2000, the European seismic catalogue (EMSC) lists 26 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or more within 50 km, the strongest of magnitude 4.5 (2003). Radon: the radon potential map of Spain's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) puts the area at 101-200 Bq/m³ (P90, class 2 of 5), below the 300 Bq/m³ reference level. Actual indoor levels depend on the building; only a measurement gives certainty. No landslides or other ground movements are documented within 2 km of the centre (IGME BDMoves inventory). - Flood area at the centre: T10 - Seismic acceleration (NCSE-02): 0.08 g - Radon potential (P90): 101-200 Bq/m³ ## Connections and internet By public transport from the centre on a weekday morning (from 07:30): about 175 min to Murcia (3 changes) and about 370 min to Madrid (2 changes). The nearest motorway junction (exit 790) is about 1.7 km from the centre. 100 % of households in Los Alcázares can get fibre to the home (FTTH) and 99 % at least 1 Gbit/s; 5G reaches 100 % (operator data, 2025). Coverage can differ from street to street. ## Climate and sun On 21 December the centre gets about 9:06 h of direct sun, on 21 June about 14:24 h (terrain only; buildings and trees not included). A solar PV system at the optimal tilt yields about 1,680 kWh per kWp a year here (PVGIS). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a flood risk in Los Alcázares? The centre lies inside the 10-year river flood area of Spain's national flood mapping system (SNCZI), with a modelled water depth of about 0.1 m: statistically, a flood of that extent occurs once in 10 years. Small streams and dry riverbeds (ramblas), flash floods after torrential rain (DANA) and urban runoff are largely not mapped: "not mapped" does not mean "no risk". For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### What purchase tax do you pay when buying a home in Los Alcázares? Buying a resale home in Región de Murcia costs transfer tax (ITP) of 7.75 % of the price. A new home bought from a developer pays 10 % VAT (IVA) plus stamp duty (AJD, 0.5 to 1.5 % depending on the region) instead. Reduced rates exist, for example for young buyers, large families or a main residence. For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### Is Los Alcázares a stressed rental market area? Los Alcázares is not a declared stressed rental market area under Spain's 2023 Housing Act (declarations published up to 3 November 2026), so the rent caps for such areas do not apply. For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### Is Los Alcázares in an earthquake zone? Under Spain's seismic building code (NCSE-02), Los Alcázares has a basic seismic acceleration of 0.08 g, so buildings must be designed to resist earthquakes. Since 2000, the European seismic catalogue (EMSC) lists 26 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or more within 50 km, the strongest of magnitude 4.5 (2003). For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### How many people live in Los Alcázares? Los Alcázares had 20,408 registered residents on 1 January 2025 (INE). For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### Are there schools and shops in Los Alcázares? Within 2 km of the centre, OpenStreetMap lists 9 supermarkets and groceries, 22 restaurants, 9 cafés, 10 bars, 3 schools, 4 doctors' practices, 4 pharmacies and 27 public transport stops. For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ## Sources - Photon geocoder (OpenStreetMap data) (komoot / OpenStreetMap contributors; ODbL 1.0): https://photon.komoot.io - CartoCiudad reverse geocoding (municipio, provincia, comunidad autónoma) (Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) / CNIG, CartoCiudad; CC BY 4.0; data 2025-02): https://www.cartociudad.es/geocoder/api/geocoder - INE: Padrón municipal (population), Atlas de distribución de renta de los hogares (ADRH: demographics, income) (Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE); INE terms of use (free reuse incl. commercial, citing the source); data padrón 1 Jan 2025; ADRH 2024): https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736177088&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735976608 - INE Índice de Precios de Vivienda (IPV, base 2025, by comunidad autónoma) and Índice de Precios de Vivienda en Alquiler (IPVA, by municipality) (Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE); INE terms of use (free reuse incl. commercial, citing the source); data 2020Q3-2026Q2): https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736152838&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735976607 - OpenStreetMap via OpenFreeMap vector tiles (OpenMapTiles schema) (OpenStreetMap contributors; tiles: OpenFreeMap (fallback VersaTiles); ODbL 1.0 (OpenStreetMap data); OpenMapTiles schema CC BY 4.0; data 2026-11-01): https://openfreemap.org/ - Transitous stop index (MOTIS 2 map/stops) (Transitous (community service); timetable data per transitous.org/sources; Transitous usage policy: non-commercial only (fallback, replace before launch); data per source licences; data 2026-11-09): https://transitous.org/sources/ - Transitous public transport routing (MOTIS 2) (Transitous (community service); timetable data per transitous.org/sources; Transitous usage policy: non-commercial only (fallback, replace before launch); data per source licences, OSM ODbL; data 2026-11-10): https://transitous.org/sources/ - Strategic noise maps (Environmental Noise Directive, round 2022), EEA noise contours (European Environment Agency (EEA), data reported by the member states; EEA standard re-use policy (CC BY 4.0); data 2022): https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/noise - Purchase taxes (ITP by comunidad autónoma; IVA / AJD) and stressed rental zones (Ley 12/2023), static tables (Regional tax laws (BOE / regional gazettes); Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana, quarterly BOE resolutions; Official legal texts (BOE: free reuse, Real Decreto 1495/2011); data 2026-11-04): https://www.boe.es/ - SNCZI flood hazard maps T10/T100/T500 (fluvial) and T500 (coastal), INSPIRE WMS (Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico (MITECO), served by the IDEE / IGN; CC BY 4.0): https://sig.miteco.gob.es/snczi/ - BDMoves landslide inventory and Mapa de Movimientos del Terreno 1:1,000,000 (Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME-CSIC); CC BY 4.0): https://mapas.igme.es/gis/rest/services/BasesDatos/IGME_BDMoves_ES/MapServer - NCSE-02 seismic code, Annex 1 (basic acceleration per municipality); EMSC earthquake catalogue (FDSN event service) (Ministerio de Fomento / IGN (NCSE-02, BOE); European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC); BOE: free reuse; EMSC data policy (free use with attribution); data 2000-2026): https://www.seismicportal.eu/ - Mapa del potencial de radón de España (P90 classes), republished in the SIU (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear (CSN); service: Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana (SIU); CSN / MIVAU open data (reuse with attribution)): https://www.csn.es/mapa-del-potencial-de-radon-en-espana - Cobertura de banda ancha en España, by municipality (FTTH, ≥ 100 Mbit/s, ≥ 1 Gbit/s, 4G, 5G) (Ministerio para la Transformación Digital y de la Función Pública, Secretaría de Estado de Telecomunicaciones e Infraestructuras Digitales; Public sector information, free reuse with attribution (Ley 37/2007, RD 1495/2011; datos.gob.es); data 2025-06-30): https://digital.gob.es/telecomunicaciones-infraestructuras-digitales/areas-interes/banda-ancha/informacion-cobertura - Copernicus DEM GLO-30 (30 m surface model, read live) (European Space Agency (ESA) / Copernicus, served by AWS Open Data; Copernicus DEM licence (free use with attribution); data 2021): https://copernicus-dem-30m.s3.amazonaws.com/ - Terrain horizon + sun path, computed from Copernicus DEM GLO-30 (radius 20 km) (European Space Agency (ESA) / Copernicus, served by AWS Open Data; Copernicus DEM licence (free use with attribution); data 2021): https://copernicus-dem-30m.s3.amazonaws.com/ - PVGIS 5.3 PVcalc (1 kWp, crystalline Si, 14 % losses, optimal angles) (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC); EC reuse notice (Decision 2011/833/EU), reuse incl. commercial with acknowledgement; data PVGIS-SARAH3 2005-2023): https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/ --- What is it like at your address? Create a report for your exact address: https://www.place-check.com/es?address=Los%20Alc%C3%A1zares