Stretching along Spain’s Costa Cálida, La Manga is a skinny strip of land with big appeal. Here, you’re sandwiched between the deep blue Mediterranean and the warm, calm Mar Menor Lagoon, giving you two very different seas to explore in a single day. You can start your morning floating in the saltwater lagoon, spend the afternoon gliding along its channels by kayaking or sailboat, and end the day on sun-soaked beaches as the water turns gold at sunset.

One side faces the Mediterranean, perfect for swimming and coastal walks, while the Mar Menor’s shallow, mineral-rich waters let you float with ease. You might be surprised to learn that the lagoon’s muds have been used for natural skin treatments since Roman times. At the southern tip, Cabo de Palos offers a fishing-harbour vibe, a historic lighthouse and a marine reserve full of colorful fish and the occasional turtle.