10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN CABO DE PALOS

10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN CABO DE PALOS

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INTRODUCTION: CABO DE PALOS

BEST THINGS TO DO IN CABO DE PALOS: Are you planning a trip and considering Cabo de Palos but you’re just not sure? Are you looking for information on this town to help you make your final decision? If that’s the case, then this post is for you. This article will definitely fill in the blanks and provide the information that you need to plan the best vacation ever. As someone who moved to Costa Calida 10 years ago and has extensively explored this region of the Mediterranean, I’m happy to share my insider knowledge of this beautiful Spanish destination.

The town of Cabo de Palos (also known as Cape Palos) began years ago as a quiet fishing village on the Mediterranean. It is located on the southeastern coast of Spain on the Costa Calida. Starting off as a fishing village, it has been transformed over the last few decades into a successful tourist destination in its own right. Elements of its “fishing village” past still exist however and this is a major reason that people come to visit Cape Palos every year.

The town is situated where the Sierra Minera mountains end and where the La Manga beach begins. It sits on a rocky cape that extends about 1km into the Mediterranean, ending with its iconic lighthouse overlooking the sea. The town’s marina is carved right out of the rock itself and builds the focal point for the town’s market and fishing district. It has sandy beaches on one side and a rocky coastline on the other. This small “fishing village” is one of the gems of the Costa Calida and is an ideal place for a holiday on the Mediterranean. (see our related post on Costa Calida and our Guide to the Coast of Spain for more information)

WHAT ARE THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN CABO DE PALOS?

Local Cuisine and Gastronomy

Make sure to try out some of the local delicacies such as Espinacas con Garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas seasoned with paprika and garlic), Caldero Rice (rice dish cooked with fish, garlic, saffron, and other spices), and Michirones (stewed beans with pork and chorizo).

As mentioned above, Cabo de Palos began as a fishing village and through the years a series of restaurants have established themselves around the marina, all offering fresh seafood daily. This is a major draw for the town and the restaurants don’t disappoint. Here you will find a wide selection of fish on the menu for every taste and pricepoint. There are 5 star restaurants and basic hole in the wall fish stands. 

And for local desserts try the Pastel de Carne (sweet cake filled with nuts, dried fruits, and spices), Paparajotes (a crispy pastry made from lemon tree leaves, coated in batter, fried and then dusted with sugar), and Arrope (a syrupy dessert made from grape juice, honey, and spices).

Tip: I highly recommend Cafe bar Yemanja located right at the marina. I’ve been there a few times and my favorite is hands down there “garlic butter potatoes”. Murcia Today has an excellent about Cafe Bar Yemanja that I recommend reading.

Beaches

Cape Palos is located on the Costa Calida and benefits from the warm Mediterranean climate and has over 300 days of sunshine a year. The beaches around Cape Palos are known for their clear waters and are great for swimming and snorkeling. Here are just a few of the beaches located in Cape Palos.

Cala Reona

This small sandy beach sits directly on the northern edge of the town and marks the southern access to the Calblanque Regional Park and the beginning of the Sierra Minera mountains. The waters are crystal clear and the beach is surrounded by a rocky shoreline, ideal for snorkeling. This beach is a little more secluded than other beaches in the area. There is parking and a small chiringuito located just meters away from the water.

La Manga Beach
The start of the Calblanque trails (A view of the Sierra Minera mountains as seen from Cala Reona).
Playa de Levante

In contrast to Cala Reona,  the wide sandy beach of the Playa de Levante is extremely busy and is a popular destination for sunseekers. It is the southernmost point of the La Manga shoreline and is ideal for kayaking, paddle boarding or just relaxing on the beach.

Playa del Faro

Playa del Faro is just to the south of the lighthouse, a small sandy beach surrounded by cliffs and a rocky shoreline, great for snorkeling. If you were looking for an ideal photo opportunity this is it.

Lighthouse

The lighthouse is the single most iconic building in Cape Palos, and at 81m at its highest point, can be seen for miles around. It sits right at the eastern part of the town directly on the Mediterranean. Originally the location of a 16th-century watchtower, it was replaced with a lighthouse in 1865. The lighthouse is a major tourist draw attracting thousands of visitors throughout the year. At the base of the hill where the lighthouse sits is ample parking and of course another little chiringuito just off to the side. From here, visitors can also set off on foot towards the marina following the trail along the coastline or head north on the promenade that runs along the edge of the Levante beach.

The start of the promenade that leads to the Playa de Levante, Cabo de Palos, Costa Calida, Spain

Marine Reserve and Diving

Cape Palos is home to the Islas Hormigas Marine Reserve, considered the best diving destination in Spain and rated as one of the top 20 diving destinations in the world in 2016. SCUBA diving companies operate out of the Cape Palos marina and have organized dives all through the summer. Here you can choose from several dive locations of various ability levels and depths. There are multiple wrecks to explore and all locations are teeming with sea life. SCUBA diving courses are also offered to provide certification to beginners and more advanced certifications for more experienced divers.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN CABO DE PALOS: SCUBA Diving Lessons in Cabo de Palos, Costa Calida, Spain

Water Sports and Boat Trips

The waters around Cape Palos are crystal clear and with the rocky shoreline, are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Further out from shore is the Marine Reserve, mentioned above, which is an ideal place for SCUBA diving. 

Nearby is the Mar Menor, a shallow saltwater lake with no current, undertows, or waves which provides an ideal place for various water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling, for both beginners and pros.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN CABO DE PALOS: Kite Surfing on the Mar Menor, La Manga, Costa Calida, Spain

At the Cabo de Palos marina, there are several operators offering sailboat and boat excursions around the area. These excursions can range from less than an hour to the entire day. Check with the local operators for departure times and rates as these are seasonal and weather-dependent. 
Tip: The excursions heading southeast along the coastline provide an ideal view of the mountains and the beautiful rugged shorelines. 

“Walking the Greasy Plank”: Festival Crowd at the Marina, Cabo de Palos

Hiking in the Calblanque Regional Park

One of the best things do to in Cabo de Palos is to hike the trails in Calblanque Regional Park. A few of the trails start right at the beach at Cala Reona. The trails come in various levels of difficulty and distances, offering excellent views of the mountains and the Mediterranean. You can go for an hour or make a day trip out of this, My recommendation is to pack a lunch, bring a towel, a good pair of walking/hiking shoes, and head to the beautiful Calblanque Beach. This beach is one of the few remaining places on the Mediterranean that is untouched by commercial or residential development. (To find out more about the park see our related post on Calblanque.)

BEST THINGS TO DO IN CABO DE PALOS: Hike on the trail to Calblanque (View of Cabo de Palos from the trail)

La Manga

The town of La Manga took shape in the 1960’s, on the long stretch of sand that runs north-south about 18km and forms the barrier between the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean. The town is essentially 18km by about 200 wide. There are beaches along the entire distance on both the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean sides. Here you will find restaurants, bars, and shops all along the La Manga “Strip”. La Manga is only about 1km north of Cape Palos and can be easily explored by bike using the bike path that runs the entire length of La Manga. (see our related post on La Manga to find out more about this town and what it has to offer)

The La Manga “Strip” , Costa Calida, Spain

Day Trip Ideas

From Cape Palos, it’s a short bus ride into Cartagena (3 EURO one way) and a short drive or train ride to Murcia and Alicante. To find out more about these destinations please see our related posts; Cartagena, Murcia, Alicante.
Tip: Cartagena is home to a completely refurbished Roman Amphitheater in the middle of town and just a short walk from the main bus station.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN CABO DE PALOS: Day Trip, Roman Amphitheater, Cargatena, Costa Calida, Spain

Location and Accomodations

The town is located on the southeast coast of Spain, on the Mediterranean coast, about 20km east of Cartagena.

There is a local bus line operating daily making several trips a day to the city. There is also a bus that runs up and down the La Manga strip daily making it easy and economical to visit La Manga. The buses run several times a day (check online for schedules).

Accommodations are available in Cabo de Palos and in the surrounding area (see link at the bottom of the post to book your rooms), however, it does get quite busy in the summer so you are advised to book well in advance. 

The Mediterranean Shoreline, Cabo de Palos, Costa Calida, Spain

FINAL THOUGHTS: BEST THINGS TO DO IN CABO DE PALOS

Cabo de Palos is an excellent travel destination, whether you are considering a weekend or a couple of weeks. There are tons of activities to keep everyone busy, the weather is nice all year round (and excellent during the summer) and the town is ideally located for SCUBA diving, hiking or just laying on the beach relaxing. If you are looking for a Mediterranean vacation that hits all the marks then Cape Palos, on the Costa Calida, should be at the top of your list.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN CABO DE PALOS, the Mediterranean, Costa Calida, Spain
10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN CABO DE PALOS: Visit La Manga, View of the Lighthouse from La Manga del Mar Menor

Are You Ready To Discover Cabo De Palos?

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Reg Auge

Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.

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