Hacienda Riquelme

Hacienda Riquelme resort offers a very open environment where you can enjoy great golf, food and climate. Close to both Murcia (San Javier) and Alicante airports, Hacienda Riquelme is very easy to find. Well located, within 20mins drive of several beaches and with excellent views of the hills, there are three superb cities within 50mins (Murcia, Alicante & Cartagena). Also, there is the neighbouring small village of Sucina  which offers bars, restaurants, banks and shops.

For non golfers, there are a wide range of activities available. The calm warm waters of the Mar Menor and its beautiful beaches, including the famous La Manga strip are the perfect places to find safe swimming, water sports and diving. The ancient cities of Murcia and Cartagena  and the surrounding areas are a must for those wishing to explore historical buildings and architecture.

Murcia Cathedral

The Sierra Espuña contains Murcia’s largest expanse of forest, as well as being one of its most exemplary areas of outstanding natural beauty. There is plenty here for the nature lover, cyclist or walker.

Sierra Espuna

Hacienda Riquelme is situated on the Costa Calida (warm coast) and has the most temperate climate in all of Spain. Rainfall is low, sun hours are high and the temperature in winter rarely goes below 12 degrees.

The unspoilt Costa Calida is where you can still find the real Spain while still enjoying all the comforts of home. The towns and beaches in proximity to Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort are as yet undiscovered by the masses and so you can enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle of other Costas.
There are beaches at Lo Pagan , where you’ll  find the locals bathing in the mud baths, Santiago de la Ribera or head towards La Manga strip or visit the quiet beaches at Playa Honda. You are spoilt for choice as in the local area alone there are 14 beaches to choose from, each offering a safe place for bathers and sun worshipers alike.

Mar Menor

For diving enthusiasts, the Hormigas Islands near Cabo de Palos have been declared a Marine Reserve due to their exceptional beauty and the conservation of the sea floor, but they are also acknowledged by scuba divers as being one of Spain’s premier dive sites.

The Murcia region is the market garden of Spain and as your drive you will pass fields of orange and lemon trees, artichokes, lettuce, melons and much more!

There is a feel of freedom when you get to the Hacienda but also the knowledge that you are only a short drive to the beach and cities. There is an indoor shopping centre called Dos Mares 15mins away at San Pedro  and one of the largest shopping centre in Spain called The Nueva Condominia near Murcia (30mins away)

Local Street Markets

The local markets are great places to look for souvenirs, pick up fresh produce or simply browse for a few hours. They are open from about 8am until 2pm.

Monday                 San Pedro del Pinatar  ( my personal favourite)
Tuesday                Los Alcázares & Los Belones
Wednesday           Santiago de la Ribera, Cartagena & El Mirador (afternoon)
Thursday              San Javier & Lo Pagan             
Friday                   Torrevieja          
Saturday               Torre Pacheco, & Los Narejos  (Los Alcazares)                        
Sunday                 Cabo de Palos & Los Nietos              

Local Area

Lo Pagan offers nightclubs and bars as well as water sports, fishing trips and beaches. The local therapeutic mud baths are a particular favourite as they are said to heal skin complaints and rheumatism. There is a nature reserve located on the salt lakes. This area is seen of prime ecological importance and  is home to over one hundred species of bird and is used by migratory flamingos on the journey to Africa. The local area is very flat and lends itself to cycling with dedicated cycle lanes commonplace.
San Pedro del Pinatar lies on a Saltwater Nature Reserve, a unique Mediterranean coastal spot, famous for Flamingos & other migratory birds. The Parque Regional de Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro is an important salt land national park and is a marvellous place to walk, cycle or relax in wonderful, unspoilt surroundings. At the edge of the Reserve are the mud baths, offering unique treatments and spa pools of therapeutic Mediterranean waters. The glamorous San Pedro del Pinatar Marina is a magnificent bonus as the number of water sports available for both adults and young families is extensive, including scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing and jet skiingThe town square is typically Spanish with tapas bars, restaurants and shops offering a local flavour. Bikes can be hired and there is a lovely flat cycle path to Lo Pagan and the Mar Menor
Los Alcazares boasts numerous bars, cafes and restaurants (Spanish, Indian, Chinese, English) providing a wide variety of drinks, meals and entertainment. There is also an attractive 7k promenade dotted with numerous beachfront bars. For families with small children the clean sandy beach is very safe, with shallow water and little tide.

Los Alcazares Plaza in the evening

Santiago de la Ribera evolved from a fishing village into the premier summer holiday destination for well-heeled Murcian families, who built their houses along the coastline. Although Santiago de la Ribera has a modern, exclusive feel with an attractive esplanade flanked by palm trees that run the length of the beautiful sandy beach, it has not lost any of its original charm. In addition there is an excellent sailing club,   water sports school and scores of excellent bars and restaurants.

  Santiago de la Ribera promenade

Shopping

If you do not want to travel far for your shopping, the Polaris World supermarket on site is reasonably well stocked and is quite competitively priced.
The nearby Dos Mares is a bustling shopping mall with many shops & eating places and bars of all descriptions. It also contains a large Eroski hypermarket and a Cinema and bowling complex.
There are several excellent shops and supermarkets in San Pedro del Pinatar: El Arbol, Maxi Dia, Lidl and, my favourite, Mercadona.
Likewise there are several supermarkets in San Javier where there is also an Aldi store next door to Lidl.

Public Transport

The nearest railway station is in Balsicas (about 5 km from Hacienda Riquelme) where the local train will take you to Murcia or Cartagena for about 2 euros.