Overview of the beaches of Cabo de Palos

From tiny coves to long swathes of golden sand at the far east of the Costa Cálida

Cabo de Palos lies at the eastern end of the municipality of Cartagena on the headland of the same name which juts out into the Mediterranean, and as a result the beaches and coves face south, east and north, depending on their location. 

It is also the start point for La Manga del Mar Menor,which acts as the land barrier between the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean and Cabo de Palos is considered as km 0 of the "La Manga Strip" as it is generally known by holidaymakers..

All of the Cabo de Palos beaches are Mediterranean coastal beaches.

The beaches of Cabo de Palos range from tiny coves to long stretches of golden sand, the coastline dominated by the imposing lighthouse which provides the perfect backdrop for the cliffs, aqua sea and golden beaches, and the marina, a busy bustling area still used for fishing today.

The coastline of Cabo de Palos lies on the edge of the Islas Hormigas marine park, one of the most important areas of protected coastline in Europe, teeming with marine life, and hugely popular with divers.

Parking isn´t always straightforward for the Cabo de Palos beaches as many of them are hidden behind dense areas of residential construction. As the whole outcrop is fairly compact, it's often just a case of parking where possible and looking for a break between the houses; this inevitably leads to a beach. Parking is more plentiful by the lighthouse and in the marina.

There is an attarctive coastal pathway alongside the main headland beaches, running from Playa Levante right around to the marina, via the lighthouse.

Once out of the immediate area around the marina, the Cabo de Palos beaches continue along the coastline via the residential urbanisations which extend out along the Mediterranean, concluding with the attractive natural cove, Cala Reona.

At the other end of Cabo de Palos they merge into La Manga del Mar Menor which runs for 19 km, dividing the Mediterranean from the Mar Menor.and starting at the south-western end of the coast they are as follows:

Cala Reona: spectacular scenery and soft sand next to the Calblanque nature reserve (for further information click here)

Playa del Descargador: a small but picturesque rocky cove with spectacular views (for further information click here)

Cala Flores: fine grey pebbles on the beach of a picturesque cove (for further information click here)

Cala Medina: rocky coastline in the southern part of Cabo de Palos (for further information click here)

Cala Abellán: shallow rock pools west of the marina (for further information click here)

Playa de la Barra: bathing on the seafront but no beach in this urban area (for further information click here)

Cala de Melvas: pebbly coves just east of the marina (for further information click here)

Cala Botella/Cala Mayor: difficult access to craggy coves on the southern shore (for further information click here)

Cala Roja: south-facing beach accessed by stone steps (for further information click here)

Cala del Muerto: a gravel beach near the lighthouse (for further information click here)

Playa Calafría: a small but spectacular beach looking out towards Islas Hormigas (for further information click here)

Cala Túnez: an attractive sandy cove in the shadow of the Cabo de Palos lighthouse (for further information click here)

Cala de las Escalerillas: a tiny cove with clear water but no beach on the northern shore (for further information click here)

Playa de La Galera: a pretty rocky cove but no beach to speak of! (for further information click here) 

Playa Levante: a wide swathe of sandy beach looking out towards La Manga (for further information click here). Blue Flag.

Playa Amoladeras: a wide expanse of golden sand next to a nature reserve at the southern end of La Manga (for further information click here)

In among these areas, all of which are washed by the exceptionally clear water of this part of the Mediterranean, is something for practically everyone, from the tranquility of tiny secluded coves to the long, bustling beaches which are so popular in the north-west of Cabo de Palos.