Planning to visit Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelletta, the two neighbouring coves in Menorca?
Our guide has everything you need to know before you go.
Updated March 2024
Cala Macarelleta, the pocket-sized paradise which began our love affair with Menorca, remains one of the most popular beaches to visit on the island, despite its relative inaccessibility.
Requiring a good walk along a dusty road, then a scramble up and along the cliff trail dotted with pine trees and overlooking the sumptuous Mediterranean blues, it certainly takes more effort to lay down on its white sand and swim in its perfect clear, shallow waters than many other beaches in Menorca.
That is absolutely part of its appeal and its fame though: rustic, natural, secluded, and remote.
It’s pretty spectacular.
Its neighbouring big sister beach, Cala Macarella, is also popular and has more family-friendly facilities, with easier accessibility.
However, the most important thing to know before planning your route or day trip is that visiting Cala Macarelleta also means visiting Cala Macarella as all trails and transport connections lead to or through Macarella first before you continue on foot for fifteen minutes over to the smaller, more popular beach hidden behind the cliffs.
You can only get to Cala Macarelleta via Cala Macarella.
Therefore, when looking for transport connections or routes, you need to first make your way to Cala Macarella.
In this post, we've shared everything you'll need to know in a clear, straightforward way. It's got all the necessary information on how to visit Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta on foot, by bus, and with your rental car, plus personal tips on what to bring, how long you need, and facilities (or lack thereof) at these virgin beaches.
+ This south coast boat tour includes a stop at the two beaches - find out more here or here.
the essentials
// Remote twin coves in southwest Menorca
// Limited numbers and traffic restrictions
// Only one direct bus available in summer
// Located along the Cami de Cavalls
// Macarelleta is nudist-friendly, and is located a 15-minute walk from Macarella
How To Get To Cala Macarella
Cala Macarella Bus Connections
The most convenient option is the Line 69 bus service from Ciutadella to Cala Macarella.
The Torres shuttle runs in the summer season only (1st June - September) from the west coast city to the Cala Macarella drop-off point.
Tickets cost €4.60 one-way and travel time is 40 minutes. You can purchase them at ticket kiosks by the bus stop in Ciutadella but, as this is the only public transport connection straight to the popular beach, you are strongly advised to reserve your ticket online in advance and / or turn up early to guarantee yourself a seat (each bus only has space for 30 passengers).
If you buy online, you're able to save a little overall with an or €8.40 return ticket. Tickets can also be modified or refunded up to 1 hour before your trip time, which does give you flexibility.
The last bus leaves Macarella at 8:20 pm (later on Fridays and Saturdays in July & August).
You can find schedules and buy tickets here or here.
In Ciutadella, the 69 bus picks up from the Via Perimetral (maps) and Plaça dels Pins (maps), but note that there are more daily departures from the former than the latter. It drops you off at the Macarella car park / Santa Anna (maps), which is a 15-20 minute downhill walk to the beach.
For the bus journey back, we recommend arriving at least 10 minutes in advance of the scheduled departure time to give yourself a better chance of a seat - it will be oversubscribed and not everyone can get on.
Bus From Mahon to Ciutadella
There is no direct bus from Mahon to Cala Macarella or from the tourist town of Cala Galdana to Cala Macarella.
Instead, you should take line 51 or line 52 to Cala Galadana, and do the walk from there (see below). You also have the option of travelling by bus from Mahon to Ciutadella first, in order to connect to line 69, but we wouldn't recommend this.
From elsewhere in Menorca, take a bus to Ciutadella or connect in Ferreries to a Cala Galdana bus.
Cala Macarella By Car / Scooter
The first time we visited Cala Macerella and Macarelleta, back in 2017, we just drove our scooter to the car park and walked 15 minutes from there. Straightforward and simple, but not something you can now do.
The increasing popularity of the two south western beaches, with increased traffic on the single narrow access road and the potential for overcrowding having a negative environmental impact, saw the local government impose transport & access restrictions.
Can you drive to Cala Macarella? Yes, but only outside the high season summer months. At present, you cannot drive or park in the official car park between 1st June and 30th September. This means you have to take the bus from Ciutadella or arrive by foot via the Cami de Cavalls.
Before June and after September however, you are able to drive in and park in the official Macarella cark park (maps), which is the same place the shuttle bus drops off and collects. From there, it's a 1 km / 15-minute walk to Cala Macarella.
The drive to Cala Macarella from Ciutadella is signposted and straightforward along the Camí de Sant Joan de Missa, with a typical journey time of 25 minutes. Note that, because of the quirks of Menorca's roads and the remoteness of the two calas, you have to drive into Ciutadella from elsewhere in the island and take that same road. This means we don't recommend Cala Macarelleta as a day trip from Mahón, and you should just do the nature walk from Cala Galdana rather than drive.
And remember, do not attempt to drive or park in summer.
If you’re going to rent a vehicle on the island, then make sure you check our guide first to save money and stress: 7 Things To Know Before You Hire A Car In Menorca
Travel Tip // Alternatively, you can join this half-day south coast beaches boat tour, which includes Macerella and its sister beach.
Walk To Cala Macarella from Cala Galadana
Looking at a map of south east Menorca, one could understandably assume that the coastal tourist town of Cala Galdana would be the easiest start point to reach Cala Macarella & Macarelleta?
Well, yes and no.
Although very close together, there's no bus service between them and no road (which means you'd have to go via Ciutadella first).
Cala Galdana is however the start point of a signposted 2.2 kms walking trail, which leads you along the coast, through the pines, and down to Cala Macarella & Macaralleta.
This is the most adventurous and enjoyable way to visit the two beaches, as well as the way to really earn paradise and your first up in that water.
On Section 13 of the Cami de Cavalls, an old trail which circumnavigates the whole island, the trail startpoint in Cala Galdana can be found by the bridge here (maps); you’ll see a map and wooden signpost pointing you in the right direction. It's slightly uphill and uneven on rocks for the first five minutes before the trail becomes flat, wide, and dusty. At one point toward the end of the trail, you'll come to a large map detailing three different options - they all connect and take you down to Cala Macarella, so just take the wooden staircase straight ahead of you as it's the quickest way down to the beach.
Walking at a gentle pace, we arrived at Cala Macarella after 40 minutes.
This is a popular option and sees its fair share of walkers. Although it's a straightforward and manageable trail, ensure that you bring enough water, avoid doing it under peak afternoon sunshine, and follow the signs (the route is available to download on Google Maps).
Unlike many other coastal trails to beaches in Menorca, this one can actually done in sandals, but avoid flip-flops.
Our walk back to Cala Galdana took 60 minutes (much less enjoyable too).
Note that, for the walk back to Cala Galdana, it will take longer because it involves more ups and you'll be less energetic after a day at the beach. Just please make sure you bring & keep enough water and give yourself enough time to do it safely before darkness falls.
There are no facilities or water points on the trail, and you have to carry everything out which you take in (especially any rubbish). Please don't be a dickhead tourist and litter the beaches or the trail.
Insider Tip // If you’re looking to do a day trip to Cala Macarelleta, then your best bet is to drive to Cala Galdana and park up there to do the walk. Alternatively, you can stay in Cala Galdana itself (it’s close to a bunch of excellent beaches) - find out more in our destination guide here.
How To Get To Cala Macarelleta
Now you know exactly how to reach Cala Macarella, the next part is pretty easy.
Whether you've arrived by bus, on foot, or with your own vehicle, from Cala Macarella you all need to do the same thing.
Simply walk across the beach, with the water on your left, to the stone staircase hidden amongst the trees (maps). It's narrow and a little steep, with only a traditionally Menorcan wooden handrail for support. Head up to the viewpoints and the stairs will give way to an uneven flat rocky stretch with no rails, where you need to be a little more concerned for your footing or your knees.
Follow this round, and you'll eventually open out to view of the beautiful waters of Cala Macarelletta below you on the left. Continue on, and you'll start the relatively steep, rocky descent to emerge out at the gorgeous piece of paradise.
Overall, it's a 10 to 15-minute walk from Cala Macarella to Cala Macarelleta. The path is narrow and sees quite lot of people, so be considerate of others, give way on occasion, and watch your footing.
You have to return the same way to exit Cala Macarelleta, unless you are a hiker planning on continuing along the Cami Sections 12/13.
It’s worth knowing that you can also arrive at Cala Macarelleta on the Cami de Cavalls from the west, walking a combination of Section 12 and 13 from Cala en Bosc, Son Xoriguer, or Cala en Turqueta. This is however only an option for hikers setting out with the necessary preparation and experience, rather than visitors just going for a beach day.
What To Bring, Responsible Travel + Facilities
We recommend spending at least a half-day in this corner of southwest Menorca, but it’s best to factor in a full day for Macarella and Macarelleta, especially if you’re walking in.
The beaches get very busy and can sometimes be overcrowded in high season, and it’s common for the water to have boat trips or tours stop at them.
The larger Cala Macarella has a lifeguard, toilets and restaurant & snack bar on site, meaning it's the better option for families (we'd actually direct families there for the day rather than Macarelleta as the two vibes are distinct).
Cala Macarelleta has zero facilities on it or near it, so you have to bring in all your snacks and drinks for the day. Most importantly, you are also 100% responsible for bringing them out and back with you - do not litter and do not leave it behind on the trail. A hat is also a good idea, especially if you'll be walking in / out along the Cami de Cavalls.
Bring your own towels, parsaol, suncream, rubbish bag, snacks and drinks, entertainment, extra water for the walk home, and anything else you think you'll need for the day.
We recommend making use of the facilities before you walk to Cala Macarelleta and before you start the walk back to Cala Galdana.
Both beaches and coves are part of a protected nature zone too, and you'll notice a protected / roped-off zone at the back of the beach Cala Macarelleta. This is a relatively new addition which limited the amount of beach available, but was done to protect the natural ecosystem, so please respect its boundaries and don’t go on it.
Note that Macarelleta is a nudist beach which, due to its increasing popularity with visitors, may come as a bit of a surprise to some. So the many people arriving who stay clothed has also unsettled the historic balance a bit. Therefore, respect the privacy and rights of those enjoying it in their birthday suits and feel free to get your kit off too.
For more advice and inspiration, or to find out where replaced Macaralleta as our favourite during our last trip, read this post next: The 19 Best Beaches in Menorca
