Cala Macarelleta

South coast, near Ciutadella

Cala Macarelleta

The twin coves of Macarella and Macarelleta are two of the closest ‘virgin’ beaches to the city of Ciutadella, and as a result the former can get very busy indeed. So much so, in fact, that since 2018 access to the area by private car has been stopped. In season the only way to get there is by shuttle bus. Macarella is the first beach you reach from the bus park, and that’s where most family visitors will stop. If you make the effort to follow the path around to the smaller Macarelleta cove you will be rewarded by stunning views along the journey and a charming beach nestling between cliffs and pine forest. It’s so perfect that like its larger sister it attracts many visitors in the height of summer, and clothes-wearers can sometimes outnumber the naturists, which is why we mark it down a little.

Facilities  Large beach cafe/bar at Macarella, no facilities at Macarelleta
Car park  Car parking available only out of season
Best time to go  Early morning/late afternoon
How to get there  Between June and mid-September the only way to reach Macarella and Macarelleta (other than on foot from Cala Galdana) is by bus from the outskirts of Ciutadella. This is because of vehicular congestion on the narrow access road and a lack of car parking space. Buses run from 0825, and the last returning at 1945 (2300 in July and August). You can book tickets on line here: www.bus2macarella.com

In April, May and October it’s possible to get there by car: From the Ciutadella ring road (a roundabout near the Canal Salut hospital), take the Cami Son Encinar, forking left down the Cami San Juan (well signed) and then turn left (again well signed). After many miles down a winding narrow lane you will come eventually to a car park, from which it is around a 15-minute walk to Macarella, and then a further 10/15 minutes walk around the cliff to Macarelleta

Satellite view of Macarelleta