From La Manga, Los Urrutias is the village you can see across the Mar Menor, on the western shore. It isn't in La Manga, although many people mix them up: it's a village in the municipality of Cartagena, in the El Algar district, with about 1.150 registered residents (1.151 in 2022 according to the INE, Spain's National Statistics Institute, counting the Estrella de Mar development).
It is not a place for monuments or big plans. You come to swim in calm water, stroll along the seafront and enjoy an unhurried meal. If you are coming from the Gran Vía, you notice the change of pace as soon as you park.
Quick fact
From the entrance to La Manga, next to Cabo de Palos, it's about 19 km by road to Los Urrutias: between 20 and 25 minutes by car, along the RM-12 and then the shore road (RM-F54) that runs through Los Nietos.
What to see in Los Urrutias
The list
- 1The seafront promenade and the beaches, separated by stone breakwaters, with La Manga in the background across the lagoon. At sunset the sun goes down behind, over the Campo de Cartagena.
- 2The yacht club's small marina, with dinghies and pleasure boats.
- 3The church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. The Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of sailors, is carried in procession on land and at sea on 16 July.
- 4Monte del Carmolí, north of the village, the remains of an ancient volcano, visible from all along the shore.
- 5El Saladar de Lo Poyo, a protected natural area between Los Urrutias and Los Nietos, with wading birds in the pools.
Half a day is enough to see it at a relaxed pace. Many people combine it with Los Nietos, the next village along, or with the drive back via Los Belones.
The beach at Los Urrutias and its bathing jetty
The town beach is around 1.500 metres long and some 20 wide, with dark sand, very shallow water and no waves. As across the whole Mar Menor, the water warms up earlier and stays warm longer than in the Mediterráneo, which is why families with small children and older people choose it. In some stretches the bottom is muddy, so water shoes come in handy.
What makes it different is its balneario: a wooden walkway that runs out into the water so you can swim where it gets a little deeper. It stays in place all year round, so you can use it outside the summer too.
If you would rather compare with the beaches on our side, there is the guide to La Manga del Mar Menor beaches and the one to Mar Menor beaches for children.
How to get to Los Urrutias from La Manga
By car is the most practical. Leave La Manga on the RM-12 towards Cartagena and, after about 5 km, turn off towards Los Nietos. From there, the RM-F54 skirts the shore of the Mar Menor to Los Urrutias. It is about 19 km from kilometre 0 of the Gran Vía; if you are staying further north, add the time it takes to drive down the Gran Vía to the exit, which is the only one by road.
There is no simple direct bus from La Manga: check this year's connections on our La Manga bus page or on the company's website before relying on it. For all other ways to get there, see the guide on how to get to La Manga.
Where to eat nearby
We do not yet have restaurant listings in Los Urrutias in the directory, so we are not going to recommend names we have not checked. The village has bars and restaurants on the seafront, built around caldero and fish. If you head back along the RM-12, in Los Belones you have Brasería Garnacha and Casa Rufino, both with a set menu, and at exit 7, Venta El Sabinar, a rice restaurant with a play area. The rest are in the restaurant directory.
And if you fancy some time on the water besides swimming, in Los Nietos there is the sailing school of Club Náutico Los Nietos, a couple of kilometres away.
Frequently asked questions
Is Los Urrutias in La Manga?
No. It's on the western shore of the Mar Menor, opposite La Manga, and belongs to the municipality of Cartagena (El Algar district).
How long does it take from La Manga?
Between 20 and 25 minutes by car from the entrance to La Manga, about 19 km. From the higher kilometre points of the Gran Vía, a little longer.
Is it a good beach for children?
Yes, for the water: shallow, no waves and warm. Bear in mind that the sand is dark and the bottom is muddy in places. The balneario, the wooden walkway, is there all year round.
