article_detail

 

Cabo de Palos has officially opened its newly renovated harbour mouth, the Bocana de Cabo de Palos, marking the completion of a major urban improvement project aimed at enhancing the coastal environment and boosting local tourism.

 

The redevelopment, which cost over €300,000, was unveiled by the mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo, who described it as a transformative space that blends the area’s traditional fishing character with its modern touristic and cultural appeal.

 

A year ago, the project had to undergo a rethink after environmental rights groups pointed out that the proposed plans would have damaged the area’s ‘Muro de Sal’ (Salt Wall), and since taking on board that feedback, the project has moved ahead in a way that satisfies all parties.

 

“Today we are giving back to Cabo de Palos a space that had been relegated to a simple car park,” Arroyo said. “Thanks to this action, it has become a place for walking, rest and connection with the sea. We have invested in giving it life, functionality and safety.”

 

The project, which forms part of the Territorial Plan for Sustainable Tourism in the Region of Murcia and is linked to the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, covers a surface area of 1,384m2.

 

This includes a newly paved 870m2 plaza integrated into the existing harbour promenade, a reinforced and extended 400m2 breakwater, and an additional 115m2 section to improve structural resilience.

 

To enhance the area’s functionality and aesthetic, LED lighting towers have been installed, one of which serves as a visual landmark at the end of the promenade. Automatic bollards have also been added to limit vehicle access, giving priority to pedestrians while allowing entry for essential services such as deliveries, maintenance and special events.

 

Arroyo highlighted that the redesign creates a more welcoming connection between the port’s fishing roots and the tourism and cultural routes of Cabo de Palos. “It’s a step forward in making our coast a benchmark for urban innovation and sustainable tourism,” she said.

 

The renovated port mouth is part of a broader municipal strategy to revitalise the coastline. Other projects currently underway include the restoration of the San Leandro gun battery, the creation of an ecological walkway and cycle path between Playa Honda and Villas Caravaning, and new lighting for the hill of El Molinete.

 

Images: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena