Cartagena beaches: Playa Levante (Cabo de Palos)

A wide swathe of sandy beach in Cabo de Palos with fabulous view

This is a kilometre long Mediterranean coastal beach.

Of all the beaches in Cabo de Palos, this is the one which most resembles the stereotypical Costa Cálida dream beach: a long expanse of golden sand which sweeps round a curve in the bay on the northern shore of the headland, with fabulous views out along the length of La Manga del Mar Menor and towards the islands of Isla Grosa and El Farallón, set against the unbeatable backdrop of Cabo de Palos lighthouse.

The water in this bay is generally calm here, as the corner of the bay is protected by a small breakwater, and this makes it an ideal beach for a family day out with safe bathing for visitors of all ages (a children’s play area is provided in summer). Be aware that there is a section of this beach near to the La Manga end and the neighbouring beach of Amoladeras where there are rip currents, and this is clearly signposted in both English and Spanish.

The Playa de Levante boasts Blue Flag and Q for Quality status, and is one of the best equipped in the municipality of Cartagena. There are foot showers, wooden walkways to improve access, public toilets, including specially adapted toilets for use by those with limited mobility, bins, recycling collection points, and access ramps, and in the summer a first aid and lifeguard service is in operation from mid-June until mid-September between 11.00 and 20.00. 

A beach bar with sunbeds and sun shades for hire opens in the summer months and there is a children's play area near to the end of the beach by Playa Amoladeras.

There are also three parking spaces reserved for the disabled, and for other visitors in summer the advice is to park where you can at the back end of the marina and take the short walk to the sand. It is more difficult to park here during the summer months, but there are so many side streets through which this vast beach can be accessed, that it's generally just a  question of keep driving until you spot a space and be prepared to walk.

There are generally spaces in the marina of Cabo de Palos and from there it's just a question of walking across the road and choosing a side alley between the houses to access the beach. This is one of those beaches which would never be found by those who don´t know it's there, but once discovered, will remain a firm favourite.

Urban buses run along the back of the beach and into the marina of Cabo de Palos, so it is easy to reach the beach by public transport.

The main reason for the popularity of the Playa de Levante is the kilometre-long and 25 metre wide stretch of sand which fills out the sweeping north-east-facing curve between Cabo de Palos and the long sandy strip of La Manga. To the north the Playa de Levante merges imperceptibly into the Playa de las Amoladeras, where the residential buildings are interrupted by a small nature and historical reserve (the remains of prehistoric settlements have been found here), while to the east the beach ends abruptly as the headland becomes rocky and a series of small coves such as La Galera punctuate the cliffs. 

Immediately behind the Playa de Levante is the footpath that leads past these coves to the lighthouse, which looks out over the beach, and this footpath then winds all the way around the headland to the marina. For those wishing to reach the restaurants and shops of the town centre, though, the footpath is a long if picturesque walk: Cabo de Palos is very narrow at this point, and by the direct route southwards from the beach the centre and the marina are no more than 150 metres away.

Click for further local information about Cabo de Palos.

Click for introduction to the Cartagena beaches

Click for more information about the Cartagena municipality