The origins of La Manga del Mar Menor as a national summer destination date back to the early days of the development boom in the 1960s. This strip of land that connects Cabo de Palos with San Pedro del Pinatar and its salt flats, separating the Mar Menor from the Mediterranean Sea, became the preferred summer holiday spot for both local and national residents.
But what was and still is its main attraction? Undoubtedly its coastline full of wide beaches and small coves. The beaches of La Manga, coupled with the pleasant climate of the region and its lively day and night atmosphere (ideal for families and friends alike), make this town impossible to overlook.
Crystal clear waters, spectacular seafloors, rich local nature, the possibility of bathing in two seas in the same day, delicious cuisine, and an unparalleled atmosphere make these beaches some of the best in the Spanish Mediterranean.
Best beaches in La Manga and surrounding areas
The Costa Cálida boasts some of the best beaches in Spain, along with small coves and hidden spots where you can lose yourself among fascinating landscapes.
Many of these small corners are also little-known, so it’s possible to escape the crowds that can gather on some Mediterranean beaches. Today we’re going to highlight some of these La Manga beaches for you to enjoy on your next vacation.
Playa Honda
Playa Honda is one of the most prominent beaches in La Manga thanks to its 700 meters length and its 36 meters width. Its fine golden sands give it the appearance of a paradise-like Mediterranean beach that attracts local and foreign tourists each year.
But the look of its sand is not the only thing that catches the eye. Playa Honda is a semi-urban beach, with a perfect seaside promenade for enjoying sunsets, and it’s also a common scene for water sports activities thanks to its sailing school.
Being almost integrated into the city, it offers a wide variety of services, among which are leisure activities for the little ones, such as its play area. It also has a restaurant and a beach bar where you can enjoy a pleasant meal.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Playa Honda has excellent surveillance and lifeguard services to ensure your safety during your holiday. And if you prefer comfort for sunbathing, you can also avail of its sunbed service which is available until nearly the end of the day.
Playa Cala Cortina
Some consider Cala Cortina as one of the best beaches. Although it’s not located in La Manga but near the capital, Cartagena, Cala Cortina is a place that you cannot miss on your next vacation. Despite having coarser sand than most of the beaches on Murcia’s coast, its 210-meters length and 28-meters average width make it one of the most comfortable to enjoy its calm waters.
This cove opens up to the Mediterranean Sea and it’s possible to get to it by bordering the port of Cartagena, through the Santa Lucía neighborhood and a small tunnel. Being essentially the beach of the capital, it has a large number of services: restaurants, toilets, picnic area… The advantage is that, being hidden, you will feel as if you are in an isolated place, not just a few meters from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
Playa Paraíso
We could say that Playa Paraíso is the best beach in La Manga. This is one of the most visited semi-urban beaches, with an extension of 1.2 kilometers. It’s adjacent to the Salinas de Marchamalo and very close to some dunes of great ecological interest. A paradise where you can not only bathe, but also surf or scuba dive to appreciate its rich seabed.
Playa Paraíso also offers all sorts of services due to the large influx of people, especially during the summer months. But it’s also a perfect place for those warmer than normal spring weekends when you want to make a getaway.
Playa de Isla del Ciervo
You can’t talk about La Manga beaches without mentioning the beach on Isla del Ciervo. This beach is located on Isla del Ciervo, in the middle of Mar Menor and completely isolated from La Manga’s atmosphere. You can reach it by boat or on foot along a path where the water doesn’t fully cover.
Being isolated from the rest of the town, it’s surrounded by wild nature and lets you relax throughout the day. The beach is divided into two areas. One where you can enjoy the healing muds found in the area, and another one featuring a sandy beach about 100 meters long where you can sunbathe and enjoy its crystal-clear waters.
The only downside is that, being isolated, it does not have nearby services, so if you plan to spend the day here, you should keep that in mind.
Best coves in La Manga and surrounding areas
As you have seen, the Murcian coast is a natural wealth full of long golden sand beaches, fossil dunes, salt flats, abrupt mountains falling into the sea, and small coves. It’s precisely these small coves that we want to talk about now.
Finding a pleasant cove in La Manga or its surroundings is quite easy. However, both residents of the region and institutions themselves work for the use and responsible conservation of these, aware that they are a natural treasure that must be preserved.
Cala del Barco
Cala del Barco is a fantastic cove in La Manga that is also perfectly connected. This small semi-urban cove usually has a good influx of bathers during the summer months, and it’s no wonder since it’s one of the best-equipped and with the most services.
At Cala del Barco, you can find sunbed rental service, umbrellas, foot showers, toilets, and showers. Plus, there’s also a first-line restaurant serving directly on the beach.
This cove in La Manga is located within stage 3 of the GR92 Great Route trail that covers the Calblanque Regional Park. To get to it, you must go through the La Manga Club resort, following the signs to the parking lot located near the aforementioned restaurant.
Cala de los Dentoles
Another cove in La Manga worth visiting is Cala de los Dentoles. It’s a very secluded cove with only about 50 meters of beach and no services. Precisely its isolated nature attracts naturists to enjoy its waters from time to time.
Moreover, Cala de los Dentoles offers unmatched views, as from there, you can reach the Punta Negra viewpoint, where you can see the dunes and the Calblanque Regional Park, a protected natural space since 1987.
Cala de Las Mulas
Another cove in La Manga that you shouldn’t miss is Cala de Las Mulas. It’s one of the hidden coves within the Calblanque Regional Park, where you can enjoy a quiet beach day with not too much company, in a practically wild environment.
To get to this hidden cove, you need to leave the town of Los Belones and head to Cabezo de la Fuente, where the trail that leads to the cove starts. The destination is a beach about 180 meters long with very fine golden sand.
This cove is hidden among the mountains and surrounded by vegetation. Being in a protected space, it’s necessary to respect the environment even more to avoid altering it.
Cala del Pino
Among the coves in La Manga, there are also ideal ones for spending a family day like Cala del Pino. This cove is located next to the Mar Menor and a pine forest that provides shade on this small stretch of sand throughout the day. A quiet place where you can enjoy without worrying about the crowds you may find on larger beaches.
Many people come to Cala del Pino to walk, spend the day with friends, or have a family picnic under the shade of the pines. But it’s also possible to enjoy its beach bar during the summer months and thus save yourself from carrying food and drinks.
Choose your plan for this holiday and visit any of the beaches and coves in the La Manga del Mar Menor area. You’ll surely enjoy a unique day!
