Cartagena beaches: Cala Medina in Cabo de Palos

Rocky coastline in the southern part of Cabo de Palos

Cala Medina is a cove at the southern end of Cabo de Palos, facing east towards the lighthouse and the marina and the Islas Hormigas beyond. Just to the south lies Cala Flores, while around the headland to the north is the Cala Abellán and the Playa de la Barra (see map).

The clear water in Cala Medina makes it attractive for bathers and snorkelers, but access to the sea is not easy in this area and in general not many people choose to spend their visit to the beaches of Cabo de Palos here, except as one end of a pleasant walk along the coast to the lighthouse.

Officially Cala Medina is 90 metres long, but this is hard to appreciate as a walk along it involves a certain degree of precaution in order to avoid slipping down onto the rocks. Access to the shore is extremely difficult: ladders are sometimes installed, but at the time of writing the easiest way to reach the shore would be from the sea rather than from the coastal path!

Other facilities and services are also sparse: the residential area behind the cove is attractive enough, but this part of the coast is not really accessible and is not served by shops or restaurants in the immediate vicinity.

The coastal walk is a popular outing, with people admiring the spectacular black rocks and the views towards Cabo de Palos to the east and the natural park of Calblanque and Monte Cenizas to the west. Otherwise, Cala Medina hardly attracts beach visitors!

Click for further information regarding the beaches of Cabo de Palos or the town of Cabo de Palos.

Beaches in Cabo de Palos

Cabo de Palos lies at the eastern end of the municipality of Cartagena on the headland of the same name which juts out into the Mediterranean, and as a result the beaches and coves face south, east and north, depending on their location. 

It is also at the southern end for La Manga del Mar Menor, which acts as the land barrier between the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean, and just outside the town is "kilometre 0" of La Manga.

The beaches of Cabo de Palos range from tiny coves to long stretches of golden sand, many of them dominated by the imposing lighthouse or cliffs. There is also a marina, which is bustling with life all year round as it doubles as a fishing port. 

The coastline of Cabo de Palos lies on the edge of the Islas Hormigas marine park, one of the most important areas of protected coastline in Europe, teeming with marine life and hugely popular with divers, and the regional park of Calblanque.

Click for further local information about Cabo de Palos or Cartagena, or for an overview of the beaches of Cartagena.