Santiago de la Ribera Santiago de la Ribera is a lovely town that sits on the shores of the Mar Menor. It started life as a simple fishing village, then grew into the prime holiday destination for wealthy Murcians. Today Santiago is popular with the Spanish for their vacations but also attracts tourists from all over Europe and although it has a modern air, it has still maintained its ‘fishing village’ atmosphere. Santiago has a very beautiful promenade, which is flanked by attractive palm trees. The promenade leads to an area known as La Ciudad del Aire ('City of Air') which was so named because many of the pilots and their families from the nearby air base lived there.
The main reason for visiting is to take the 40 minute ferry across to the Port of Tomas Maestre on the La Manga Strip. A single ticket costs 4€ and a return is 8€ per person, it is free for all under fours! You can put a bicycle on the ferry for an additional 1€ each way. The ferry departs Santiago every 2 hours starting at 11.30 and finishing at 21.30. It departs La Manga every 2 hours starting at 10.30 and finishing at 20.30. In the summer (March-November) it goes every day of the week, but during the winter it does not operate on a Sunday. In the height of summer the operating hours are extended for another 4 hours at the end of the day, making the last ferry depart Santiago at 01.00! For more information please call (0034) 649 201 610, there is usually someone who speaks a little English to answer your questions.