Cabo de Palos is a rocky cape on the Mediterranean coast of the Region of Murcia, in the municipality of Cartagena, where the coast breaks into small coves, points and low cliffs. Its landscape combines rocky outcrops, embedded beaches and a marine environment of great ecological value, linked to the Marine Reserve of Cabo de Palos and Islas Hormigas, one of the best known areas of the coast of Murcia for underwater observation and diving. From the points of visit of the cape the open sea is dominated, the coast line towards La Manga and, in clear days, the succession of rocks, islets and transparent waters that explain the fame of the place among sailors and divers. The lighthouse, raised on the point, acts as a visual reference of the whole and helps to read the coastal relief and the historical function of this geographical feature as a navigational landmark. The relevance of Cabo de Palos is not only scenic: it is part of a protected marine area with posidonia sea beds, rocky areas and great biodiversity, regularly mentioned in regional tourist guides and official documentation on marine reserves. The best time to visit is usually at sunset, when the light highlights the profile of the cape and the sea acquires cleaner tones; in spring and autumn the environment is enjoyed with less affluence and milder temperatures.
