Cartagena beaches: Playa Amoladeras (Cabo de Palos)

A wide expanse of golden sand next to a nature reserve at the southern end of La Manga

This 600-metre-long, 30 metre wide stretch of golden sand lies on the Mediterranean coast at the northern end of the headland of Cabo de Palos as the coastline curves north and becomes the southern end of La Manga del Mar Menor. In reality it is part of an almost unbroken sandy beach which runs from the Playa de Levante to the northern tip of La Manga, but the Playa Amoladeras is rather different in that it includes one of the last areas of this part of the Costa Cálida which has not been built up.

The reason for this green oasis existing next to one of the most attractive beaches in the Region of Murcia is its historical and environmental importance. Excavations in the 1980s found evidence that primitive human settlers lived here as long as 5,000 years ago, practising a kind of subsistence farming which depended largely on the collection of the plentiful shellfish along the coast. Ceramic ovens and kilns have been found, and flint tools and arrowheads and copper coins were also discovered alongside the remains of the small round huts in which the inhabitants lived. Cereal mills were located on the area which is now beach.

The wreck of a 1st century Roman ship was found off the shore here, also in the 1980s, containing various artefacts such as fishing net weights and an amphora. Nowadays the area is protected along with the Marchamalo salt flats in order to allow native plant species to survive and flourish. The northern end of Playa Amoladeras is sometimes referred to as Playa Marchamalo.

As is to be expected, this beach is very popular in the summer, although parking is not always easy. One option is to look for a space in the northernmost residential streets of Cabo de Palos, reached from the “Kilometre 0” junction on the RM-12 dual carriageway, while others approach from the south of La Manga and the Gran Vía, turning up left into the residential streets lining the Mediterranean coastline. There are also a couple of small areas where cars park right next to the sand in the Cabomanga area. Either way, the best way to truly enjoy this setting the best option is to walk a couple of hundred metres away from the built-up areas. 

A lifeguard post is manned at the southern end of the beach in summer, and litter bins are provided. The sand is cleaned all year round, and there is normally a good sprinkling of visitors on the sand on sunny days even in winter. More extensive facilities are provided on neighbouring Playa Levante.

The dunes immediately behind the beach are protected, but this is not to say that shops and restaurants are too far away. At the southern end of Playa Amoladeras is the Cabomanga residential area with various facilities, and the shopping centre at the entrance to Cabo de Palos lies just inland. Looking northwards, the first tower blocks and seafront restaurants of La Manga are just a couple of minutes’ walk away alongside the Playa del Barco Perdido, and beach bars also provide refreshments in the summer months.

Click for further local information about Cabo de Palos.

Click for introduction to the Cartagena beaches

Click for more information about the Cartagena municipality