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
Cartagena Harbour Tours for summer 2024 start again this MayBook your place on a 3-hour-long morning tour to discover the history of Cartagena harbour! The popular Cartagena Harbour Tour is restarting its programme for the summer, beginning at the end of May. Yes, Cartagena Harbour Tours are setting.. 09/05/2024
Roadworks to start on the RM-12 into La Manga after the summerBefore the summer is out, there will also be a new public access road to one of La Manga’s most popular beaches The Governing Council of the Region of Murcia has given the go-ahead to a contract to reinforce the road surface of the RM-12.. 02/05/2024
May 16-26 Tapas route at La Manga ClubTry delicious tapas at La Quinta and around La Manga Club this May Between Thursday May 16 and Sunday May 26, La Manga Club resort will be hosting its third ‘Ruta de la Tapa’ or Tapas Route, with different establishments around the resort..
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..
Protect your building projects in Spain with the best Waterproofing systems in the industryThe last thing you want during your Spanish construction project is for the building works to get drenched When a building project is under construction, the most important factor is Waterproofing, says Leak Proof, the leading flat roof Waterproofing company..
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
Leroy Merlin stores in the Region of Murcia: huge range of home, garden and DIY products Everything you need to create your perfect home Leroy Merlin is one of the Region of Murcia’s top suppliers of home, garden and DIY products. With items ranging from garden sheds and power tools to bathroom furniture and air-conditioning, you&rsquo..
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..
Introduction to Portmán Portmán is a pedanía of the La Unión municipality Portmán is without any doubt one of the most surprising places in the Region of Murcia and the Costa Cálida and lies within the municipality of La Unión...
