Places with character
Places to visit in La Manga and Cabo de Palos
A lighthouse, coves, a marine reserve and places tucked between two seas. The area's highlights, with a taste of what makes each worth visiting.
At a glance
The area's must-sees are the lighthouse at Cabo de Palos near La Manga, the viewpoint at the end of Gran Vía in Veneziola and the salt flats around the Mar Menor. Within half an hour's drive are Roman Cartagena, the old town of San Javier and the mud pools at Lo Pagán. Most visits are free and fit into half a day.
On the strip
The lighthouse at Cabo de Palos, built in 1865, is a fifteen-minute walk uphill from the harbour. Fifty-one metres above the sea, it offers views along the whole strip. It gets busy at sunset, but it's still worth it.
At the far end, the Veneziola viewpoint marks the end of the road. You can see both seas at once, and on a clear day Isla Grosa seems close enough to touch.
Half an hour's drive away
Cartagena is 25 minutes away, with a Roman theatre, Punic walls and a modernist old town you can explore in a morning. It's the best day trip from La Manga when it rains or the easterly wind keeps you off the beach.
To the north are the mud pools of Lo Pagán and the Salinas de San Pedro regional park, with flamingos almost all year round and a flat cycle path starting right at the beach.
Frequently asked questions
Can you climb the lighthouse at Cabo de Palos?
The forecourt and viewpoint are freely accessible. The tower is not: this is a working lighthouse and is closed to the public.
What can I do in La Manga if it rains?
Cartagena, 25 minutes away, has a Roman theatre and museums. On the strip itself, there is bowling, covered summer cinemas and a couple of spas with water circuits.