One of the greatest attractions of the Murcia Region, apart from its cuisine, is its beaches. Some of these are amongst the best beaches in the Spanish Mediterranean, and it’s not surprising. Year after year, visitors are attracted by its clear waters and its fine, golden sand.
Cala Cortina is one of those breathtaking beaches, one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and undeniably one of the best beaches in Cartagena. In fact, it is regularly in the top 3 of the “Best Beach in Spain” contest of the renowned travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler Spain.
Cala Cortina rivals the best beaches and coves of La Manga, and is located in the Bay of Cartagena, close to the port and the Santa Lucía neighborhood. A location that allows easy access by foot from the city itself. Many consider it a gem among the numerous beaches found along the 250 kilometers of the Costa Cálida.
This small oasis near the bustling city is not only an ideal place to disconnect, but it also allows you to enjoy an incredible day alone or with whomever you choose. Being fully equipped with all the necessary services for a day at the beach also makes it one of the safest beaches for family swimming.
The Best of Cala Cortina
Although Cala Cortina is considered to be in the city of Cartagena, it is certainly not your typical urban beach. Located in a protected area and sheltered by cliffs, it conveys a feeling of privacy and isolation that allows you to easily disconnect from your surroundings. This beach not only borders a bay, but is situated at the foot of a mountain, in the same area as the San Julián fortress, a historic landmark on the coast of Cartagena.
This is a beach with a length of 210 meters, which only became accessible to tourists in 1988. Cala Cortina is the perfect example that it is possible to balance tourism and tranquility. This small piece of paradise stands out for its water, gleaming in a gradient of different shades of blue, lined with golden sand.
But, apart from its beauty, what makes Cala Cortina special is that it offers all the necessary services such as foot showers, litter bins, accessible toilets, first aid area, lifeguard services and even a play area for children.
What to do at Cala Cortina
The weather at Cala Cortina (Cartagena) is one of its biggest attractions, along with its natural beauty. But there is more to it than just clear blue waters. Cala Cortina has a lot to offer its visitors.
If you want to fully enjoy the beach you can join one of the many excursions organized by the surrounding diving centers. On these excursions, you will discover one of the most impressive secrets hidden by the cove, the large fields of posidonia seagrass that carpet the seabed and hide the biodiversity of the coast, such as octopuses and eels that can be seen during dives. You can make your experience even more special by opting for one of the diving tours and immersions they offer at dusk.
Even though it is a beach, not everything revolves around water. From Cala Cortina you can wander along one of the blue trails in the area, which will take you all along the coastline that connects the beach with the port or the cultural center of the area.
The most popular one is the Cartagena blue trail, which begins at the Sports Port of the Real Club de Regatas of Cartagena and continues along Alfonso XII promenade until reaching the Fishermen’s Brotherhood, where you can visit the fish market. Whether you choose to stop or would rather not stray from your path, shortly thereafter you can keep walking towards the Curra Lighthouse and start your climb to Cala Cortina, passing by a series of viewpoints with incredible views of the Bay of Cartagena and its defensive forts: the batteries of San Leandro, San Isidoro, Santa Florentina, Santa Ana Acasamatada and the Santa Ana complementary battery. Contrary to what one might think, this is an easy, 5km long trail that is perfect for a family hike.
How to get to Cala Cortina
Visiting Cala Cortina can be compared to some of the best plans in La Manga del Mar Menor. To get to Cala Cortina beach in Cartagena, a good option is to follow the route described above. However, it’s not the only one.
The most common option is to drive. This will allow you to capture some of the best panoramas of the coastline of Cartagena. Starting from the city center, all you need to do is go around the cultural heart formed by the Naval Museum and the Underwater Archaeology Museum and cross the marina neighborhood of Santa Lucía. After reaching this point, all that’s left is to get to the Curra Lighthouse.
After reaching the lighthouse, you need to continue until you reach the Santa Florentina Battery, an 18th-century fort that offers a spectacular panoramic view of the port, then descend until you reach Cala Cortina. During this journey you will be able to see the famous Tiñoso Cape and the Christmas Fort, two key points of Cartagena Bay.
In Cala Cortina you won’t even have to worry about parking, as it has its own parking lot on the outskirts of the beach, allowing access only on foot via the stairs that descend to the beach. The reward is warm and crystal-clear waters in which to relax.
Where to eat at Cala Cortina
Given the special location of Cala Cortina Beach in Cartagena, the range of restaurants in the area is not very wide. However, if there is an iconic spot on this beach where you can enjoy fine Murcian cuisine, it’s the legendary Mares Bravas restaurant.
In this beachside restaurant, you will enjoy the best panoramic views of Tiñoso Cape from the terrace as you sample a squid tapa or some seafood rice made with local products. This is a must if you want to top off your day at the beach watching the sunset over the Mediterranean.
Discover wonderful corners of our geography on your next family vacation. Cartagena, the La Manga area, and its surroundings have many treasures offering sea and nature. Cala Cortina is a unique spot for a very special beach day. It’s sure to surprise you!
