Mar Menor

Cabo de Palos

Village

Cabo de Palos is a fishing village marked by a striking black-and-white lighthouse, beside the Islas Hormigas marine reserve that is regularly rated among Spain’s finest dive sites.

Region: Mar Menor Province: Murcia Type: Cape & village Landmark: Lighthouse Known for: Diving

Why visit Cabo de Palos

The village sits on a small cape at the southern end of the Mar Menor coast, its black-and-white lighthouse a well-known landmark above the harbour. Just offshore lies the Islas Hormigas marine reserve, whose clear, protected waters and dramatic underwater terrain are regularly rated among the best diving in Spain. Back on land it keeps the feel of a working fishing village, with seafood restaurants around the small port.

The cape

Southern point

Cabo de Palos sits on a small cape at the southern end of the Mar Menor coast.

Lighthouse

Black & white

A striking black-and-white lighthouse marks the cape above the harbour.

Marine reserve

Islas Hormigas

Just offshore lies the protected Islas Hormigas marine reserve.

Diving

Among Spain’s best

The reserve’s clear, protected waters are regularly rated among the finest dive sites in Spain.

The village

Fishing & seafood

It keeps the feel of a working fishing village, with seafood restaurants around the small port.

On the map

Practical information

  • Getting there: at the southern end of the Mar Menor in Murcia province; the nearest airports are Murcia–Corvera (RMU) and Alicante (ALC).
  • What to do: see the lighthouse, eat seafood around the port, and dive or snorkel the Islas Hormigas reserve.
  • Good to know: the Islas Hormigas reserve is protected, and diving is the main draw here.
  • Best time to visit: late spring to early autumn for the clearest, warmest water.

Explore more of the Costa Cálida

Cabo de Palos is one of many destinations on the CostaMap interactive map — browse beaches, villages, parks and viewpoints across the whole coast.

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