Cabo de Palos and natural parks in Mar Menor (Murcia)

If I talk to you about Mar Menor in the Murcia Region, surely the image that comes to mind is that of the tourist area of ​​La Manga where tall apartment buildings are concentrated that fill with tourists every summer.

But I tell you, in your holidays in the Mar MenorBeyond the sun and beach, you will be able to enjoy the attractions of several natural areas that maintain various levels of protection.

At the outset it is worth knowing that the Mar Menor It is the largest lagoon or coastal saltwater lagoon in Spain.

The strip known as The Sleeve of the Mar Menor It extends 22 kilometers separating the aforementioned lagoon from the one called Mar Mayor, which is how in this area of ​​Murcia the Mediterranean Sea.

The truth is that on my recent getaway I discovered the numerous and varied natural areas that extend in the surroundings of the Mar Menor, which gives a special attraction to this tourist coastal enclave.

Apart from the small islands of volcanic origin that you can see in the Mar Menor, Or the Grosa Island Located already on the Mediterranean coast very close to La Manga, I am going to highlight you three natural corners What you should know on your vacation.

What to see when visiting Cabo de Palos in Mar Menor

Right at the road entrance to La Manga, south of the Mar Menor, you have access to the Cabo de palos, one of the most charming corners in this natural area.

In a beautiful natural enclave is located the Cabo de Palos Lighthouse, on a hill where a watchtower was installed in the 16th century to warn of pirate attacks.

This monumental lighthouse located 80 meters above sea level began operating in February 1865, and has a tower with an octagonal base 54 meters high.

Below the lighthouse opens a small cove where the transparency of its waters caught my attention.

Cabo de Palos Marine Reserve in Murcia

This is explained by the presence in the area of ​​the Mediterranean Posidonia, an aquatic plant that ensures the quality of coastal marine waters, and is the key to the famous transparent waters that surround the islands of Ibiza y Formentera, in the Balearic Islands.

In fact, that entire coastal area is a marine reserve which has become an ideal place to practice scuba diving.

It should also be noted that to get to the lighthouse you will pass through the town that has the same name as Cabo de palos, in whose marina you can still find several boats that maintain the spirit of the old fishing port.

In fact in Cabo de palos you can still see some colorful ones fishermen's houses.

It is also one of the most popular enclaves among tourists who go on holidays to La Manga To enjoy the gastronomy, how to taste the typical Murcian cauldron, and also as a drinks area for the evening.

How to visit the Calblanque park next to Mar Menor

From Cabo de palos you can access the Calblanque park, another of the natural areas that you can see around the Mar Menor.

This parque natural It extends 13 kilometers along the coast and is a protected space in which various scenery, from pine forests and scrub areas, to cliffs, coves, sandbanks and dunes.

En Calblanque you can go hiking or cycling, and of course enjoy its bays.

How to get to Calblanque in Mar Menor

Given its level of natural protection, during the summer it cannot be accessed by vehicle, so you must follow the rules that regulate access to the Calblanque park.

Specifically, from the end of June to the beginning of September you must leave your car in the parking spaces provided for this purpose.

From there you can use the service bus that takes you to the coves that occur in this coastal environment.

Here you have the information about how to access Calblanque in summer.

Salt flats and sand flats of San Pedro del Pinatar

Just on the opposite side of the Mar Menor, to the north of it, is the Salinas y Arenales park in San Pedro del Pinatar.

It is a large wetland that extends over 856 hectares with up to 6 kilometers of Mediterranean coast, being the space that is located in front of the end of La Manga, separated from it by the natural channel connecting the waters between the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean.

When you access this parque natural to, for example, reach the sandy beaches that overlook the Mediterranean, you will see the various lagoons of the saline area, an activity that is still maintained.

In these lagoons known as ponds The salinity level of the waters is regulated, and do not be surprised to find some of the ponds with striking reddish waters.

This is the crystallizing lagoons, which have the highest salinity, and the last stage in the salt production process.

In this natural area you will also see big dunes, like those of the Torre Derribada beach that reach three meters in height.

Without a doubt, it will also catch your attention to see large colonies of Flemish resting on the waters of the ponds, the most striking sign that you are in a natural park with special protection for birds.

Mud Baths in San Pedro de Pinatar

Finally, it is also worth highlighting the area of Mud Baths that extends from the same town of San Pedro de Pinatar.

Specifically, the action of Mar Menor has led to the authorization of this area in the Lo Pagán Ponds where you can access to benefit from the therapeutic and beautifying value of the sludge that is generated there.

For this in the promenade known as Mota of the Mills You find several wooden walkways that give you access to the waters of the pond so you can cover your body with its mud.

You will see that many visitors do this every day as they walk around with their bodies covered in striking dark gray mud.

As a curiosity, I also tell you that at both ends of this three-kilometer-long walk you will be able to see two water mills that were used to transfer them between these salt lagoons.

You can see the map-guide of the Salinas de San Pedro park.