Cabo de Palos at the start of the La Manga strip, is a typical Spanish fishing village with a number of fantastic fish restaurants, bars and cafes, take a stroll around the picturesque harbour, watch the fishermen come in with the catch of the day, then sample the delights in one of the excellent restaurants, the perfect spot to spend a relaxing summer evening.
This 'rocky outcrop' into the Mediterranean has beaches on either side and even boasts it's own lighthouse, built in 1865 and until recently housing the largest school for lighthouse keepers in Europe. The tower itself is closed but the grounds are open all year round and it is well worth making the climb for the fantastic views.
The main attraction here, however, is in the sea itself, 2.5 miles off the coast is the Islas Hormigas, a string of islands and reefs stretching out from a corner on the Spanish coast where the sea bed has been designated a Marine Reserve for its exceptional beauty and good state of conservation, considered one of the best scuba diving sites in Spain. Here you will find reefs and corral deep underwater, as well as the remains of shipwrecks and sunken boats: victims of the Islas Hormigas, poor weather and even war, though Spanish waters were supposedly neutral: a real adventure for scuba fans. Its sea bed is one of the Mediterranean's most important reserves, with hordes of fish swarming where the rocks rise into the current.
This part of the Spanish coast has an abundance of safe, clear and warm waters perfect for exploring the underwater world on a guided dive, or learning how to dive with one of the areas first class diving schools.
One of the other big attractions at Cabo de Palos is the large street market held every Sunday morning, where you can find everything from handbags to carpets, shoes, fruit and vegetables. Why not complete your shopping trip with Sunday lunch in one of the many bars and restaurants in the area.
On the outskirts of the village is a full size go-kart track which has karts and circuits to cater for all ages, an amusement hall, billiards, darts, a ball park for the younger children and a cafe with plenty of terraces to sit and relax while you watch the action on the race track.
