Beach guide
Beaches of La Manga del Mar Menor
Two seas and 21 kilometres of coast. How to choose a beach according to the wind, if you have children or whatever you feel like that day.
At a glance
La Manga has beaches on both shores. Those on the Mar Menor have warm, shallow and almost always calm water, the favourites for going with children. Those on the Mediterráneo have more waves and slightly cooler water. All are located by the kilometre point of the Gran Vía, from Cabo de Palos in the south to Veneziola in the north.
Mar Menor or Mediterráneo?
It depends on the wind. With an easterly, the Mediterráneo gets rough and the Mar Menor is usually better; with a westerly it's the other way round. As the two shores are so close, switching from one to the other takes minutes.
The Mar Menor is a shallow lagoon and warms up earlier than the Mediterráneo, so the swimming season starts earlier there and lasts well into autumn.
Some beaches, from south to north
In Cabo de Palos, Levante beach is urban, has a Blue Flag and all services, and around the lighthouse there are small rocky coves. In La Manga, Playa las Sirenas, at kilometre 2, is one of the stretches of the urban Barco Perdido beach, with adapted access, and Playa Galúa, next to it, has fine sand and faces the Mediterráneo.
On the Mar Menor side, Cala del Pino, between kilometres 3 and 4, has a pine grove that gives shade almost down to the water. Further north, on the same side, are Playa Mistral, Playa Chica and La Veneziola. Playa del Estacio, at kilometre 12, faces the Mediterráneo again.
Services and dogs
The urban beaches of La Manga have lifeguards, showers and walkways to the shore in summer, and several have adapted access. You can check the flags every day on our Information page.
If you have a dog, the nearest dog beach is at Playa Paraíso, on the southern shore of the Mar Menor.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in the Mar Menor?
Yes. The state of the water and the flags is published daily, and you can check it on our Information page before you go.
Which beach is best for young children?
Those on the Mar Menor, such as Cala del Pino, Playa Chica or La Veneziola: calm, shallow and warmer water.