A small but charming Costa Calida town that recently gained international acclaim for its top-of-the-line beaches has now been named as the best destination in Europe for a boat trip: Aguilas, located in Murcia, has been officially recognised by travel agency CV Villas, in a report that was also published in The Mirror.

Aguilas takes the #1 spot: The best in all aspects

The ranking was based on a variety of factors, from wind speed and water temperature to the total hours of sunshine as well as the availability of boats on its coastline. Aguilas came out on top for all of these factors, and has won out against other world-class Spanish destinations including the Balearic Island of Mallorca and the Costa del Sol, among others.

The town of Aguilas, which also boasts some of the best beaches on the Costa Calida, is located in Murcia, nearly on the border with Andalucia. It is about a half-hour drive from Mazarron. It is a standout municipality for its easy access to the Mediterranean coastline and its charming fishing port culture.

Shining white beaches and crystal blue waters

Some of the more famous because of the municipality include Poniente Beach, which boasts white sand and perfect blue waters and Las Delicias Beach, which provides visitors with an incredible view of the Castle of San Juan de las Aguilas and the nearby Pico de la Aguilica.

But the municipality is just as celebrated for its inland charm as it is for its coastline. The idyllic town centre is a major draw for tourists, and the savoury Mediterranean cuisine is another major plus that brings visitors to the town in droves. History buffs can also enjoy tours of the Castle of San Juan de las Aguilas, a 16th century structure rich with story and mystery. 

Costa Calida set to impress visitors during peak season

Another popular Costa Calida destination, the coastal municipality of Mazarron, also made the list in fourth place, showing off the touristic prowess of the Region of Murcia.

Without a doubt, as Aguilas continues to gain acclaim for its shining reputation on the Costa Calida, even more visitors will be charmed by its beauty and the scenic boat rides in this lovely coastal gem.

Once more, the Playa de Rihuete in Puerto de Mazarron was the kickoff point for one of the season’s most awaited sporting events, the Fuente Álamo Triathlon. The event, now in its incredible 34th edition, saw nearly 800 athletes participate and countless visitors gather in the charming coastal town to support their loved ones taking on the challenge.

A formidable challenge that sees Spain’s toughest athletes compete

The triathlon consisted of an intense swimming segment, followed by a challenging cycling course and finishing with a final footrace to determine the winners. The event began in the early afternoon and saw the athletes kick off the race at the beach with a fast and highly competitive pace. The race, maintaining its iconic route from previous years, finished on the Ronda de Poniente in Fuente Álamo.

In the end, Noelia Juan Pastor and David Cantero were crowned the overall winners, though all the athletes who participated were thoroughly praised for taking on such a challenging and all-encompassing course.

Apart from the organisations collaborating to make the event happen, the Fuente Álamo Triathlon counted on the hard work and support of nearly 300 volunteers. 

A major sporting event that prepares participants for the nationals

The Fuente Álamo Triathlon, as a major sporting event in the municipality, is one of the greatest points of pride for Puerto de Mazarron and each year it is a major draw for both athletes who come to take on the formidable challenge and their supporters and loved ones. It is nicknamed the “triathlon for triathletes” for its considerable, but rewarding, challenge.

The race is also a qualifier for the Spanish Triathlon Championship, showcasing its prowess not just on the Costa Calida but on a national scale. Puerto de Mazarron continues to establish itself as a top destination in Spain for sports tourism, whether in the water, on wheels, on foot, or even on horseback.

The Costa Calida was the hub of aviation in Spain over the weekend, as Santiago de la Ribera hosted the 2026 edition of the San Javier International Air Festival, taking to the skies and turning the Mar Menor skyline into a spectacular backdrop for aerobatics, incredible aircraft, and activities for the whole family to take part in.

A major aviation festival dazzles in the skies of the Mar Menor

The aviation festival took place at the Barnuevo Esplanade, the Paseo Colón, and the Mar Menor skyline. The festival featured a variety of activities, workshops, and interesting talks for aviation hobbyists. One of the major highlights of the event was the special Sunset Show, taking place just as the sun was setting over the sky and featuring sunset acrobatics with coloured smoke and standout visual effects.

Another major fixture was the Grand Air Show, the most anticipated moment of the festival. This major aviation event featured more than 15 national and international participants and aircraft, including aircraft from England, Portugal, and Italy, the Italian WeFly Team Patrol, which puts pilots with disabilities into the spotlight, the Eurofighter aircraft, other military aircraft including the Airbus A400M, the Canadair, and NH Lobo helicopters, and extremely skilled aerobatic pilots.

In addition to the aviation spectacle, the weekend also featured free concerts, autograph sessions with the pilots, a family Play Zone complete with simulators, VR setups, and children’s activities.

An aviation hotspot on the Costa Calida

During this weekend, Santiago de la Ribera was transformed into the epicentre of aviation on the Costa, combining air shows, live music, interactive experiences, simulations, and family entertainment in a major spectacle that could be enjoyed by both seasoned aviation hobbyists and newbies. All in all, the San Javier International Air Festival was a booming success in the municipality, and future editions are sure to be even grander, more exciting and more impressive still.