Cala Macarelleta
Little sister to the famous Macarella, and reached by a ten-minute clifftop path that filters out anyone carrying too much kit.
- Best forBeach lovers · Couples · Walkers & hikers
- In December16°C · 9 rainy days · sea 18°C
- Ideal stayA day trip from Ciutadella
- Approx. flying time~12h 25m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyEUREuro
- LanguageSpanish
- Local time12:231h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / FBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+34
Why go
Two coves sit side by side on Menorca's south coast, the smaller of them reachable only on foot: a short pine-shaded path over the headland separates the car park crowd from the quieter sand. The water is shallow, pale and unusually calm, held between low limestone walls. There are no facilities at all on the smaller beach, which is very much the appeal.
This is a half day rather than a destination, usually taken from a base around Ciutadella or the south coast resorts. High season demands an early start or a late afternoon arrival, as the car park fills by mid morning and a shuttle bus takes over. May, June and September are considerably more comfortable than August.
- Ideal stay
- A day trip from Ciutadella
- The vibe
- Pale, pine-framed, blissfully plain
From our guides
What's left is a pocket of white sand between pine-topped cliffs and water like a swimming pool. Come by foot along the Camí de Cavalls or by the summer boat from Ciutadella; either way, arrive before ten or after four in high season.
Featured in Ten hidden coves worth the scramble
Things to do
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Macarelleta
The smaller cove, reached over the headland from Macarella in about ten minutes, with fine sand, shallow water and no services whatsoever.
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Macarella
The larger neighbour, with a beach bar, some natural shade and easier access, which makes it the better option for families carrying kit.
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Camí de Cavalls
The historic bridle path circling the island links these coves on foot with Cala Turqueta to the east and Cala Galdana to the west.
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Cala Turqueta
A comparable cove a short drive east, sometimes quieter than its neighbours, with the same pale water and pine-topped surroundings.
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Boat from Ciutadella
Summer boats run along the south coast, sidestepping the car park entirely and giving you the cliffs from the water on the way.
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Cala Galdana
The nearest resort bay, with restaurants, kayak hire and the coastal path heading west towards Macarella through the pines.
Getting there
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Fly to
Mahón (MAH)
Nearest airport to Cala Macarelleta, about 26km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Ciutadella
About forty-five minutes by car from Mahón (MAH) straight across the island on the Me-1 to Ciutadella.
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On the ground
Getting around
Drive or take the summer shuttle to the Macarella car park, then walk ten minutes over the clifftop path to Macarelleta. Boats from Ciutadella also call in through the season, and the Camí de Cavalls links the coves on foot.
Public transport: A seasonal bus runs to the Macarella car park from Ciutadella; out of season you will need your own wheels.
Flights
Los Angeles Cala Macarelleta, Menorca, Spain
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Roughly 12h 25m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 14°C in January to 28°C in August. Driest in June and July; wettest in November, with rain on about 11 days. The sea is warmest in August at around 28°C, coolest at 15°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
December16° · rain 9 days · sea 18°Cool with rain most weeks.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Highlighted months are warm and mostly dry — June to August. Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Town hotels and apartments in Ciutadella, resort hotels in the purpose-built calas, and a strong line in agroturismos, restored farmhouses inland.
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Best base overall
Ciutadella
The handsome old capital at the western end, with the summer boat to the beach, a harbour full of restaurants and plenty of rooms. The town has no beach of its own to speak of.
Find stays in Ciutadella -
Closest to the sights
Cala Galdana
The nearest resort bay to Macarella, with the coastal path leading round in half an hour. It is a purpose-built resort, so charm is limited and it is packed in August.
Find stays in Cala Galdana -
Best with children
Cala en Bosc and Son Xoriguer
Shallow, sheltered beaches with family hotels, boat trips and everything within pushchair distance. Very much a package-holiday enclave and busy through the summer.
Find stays in Cala en Bosc and Son Xoriguer -
Best value
Ferreries
An inland town on the road towards the southern coves, with far cheaper apartments and agroturismos nearby. You drive to every beach and parking fills by mid-morning.
Find stays in Ferreries
Worth knowing before you book: Beach car parks close when full and some access roads are restricted in summer, so check transport. Menorca largely shuts from November to April, including many hotels.
Search everything else in Ciutadella by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Parking
- The car park has a daily cap and fills early in summer, after which access is by shuttle bus from Ciutadella.
- No facilities
- Macarelleta has no bar, toilets or shade. Bring water, food and an umbrella if you intend to stay all day.
- Timing
- Before ten or after four is the practical advice. The middle of an August day is both crowded and uncomfortable.
- Footwear
- The path between the two coves is rocky and crossed with tree roots. Flip flops make it harder than it needs to be.
- Naturism
- Macarelleta is partly used by naturists. It is relaxed and entirely unremarkable, but worth knowing about beforehand.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Menorca
Spain · 10km away →
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Alcúdia
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Sa Coma
Mallorca, Spain · 92km away →
Mallorca
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Deià
Mallorca, Spain · 112km away →Elsewhere in Spain
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Cala Macarelleta?
For warm, mostly dry days, June to August. That means highs of 20–34°C with rain on six days a month or fewer. Daytime highs run from about 14°C in January to 28°C in August. Driest in June and July; wettest in November, with rain on about 11 days. The sea is warmest in August at around 28°C, coolest at 15°C.
How long should I spend in Cala Macarelleta?
Our suggestion: a day trip from Ciutadella.
How do I get to Cala Macarelleta?
About forty-five minutes by car from Mahón (MAH) straight across the island on the Me-1 to Ciutadella.
Do I need a car in Cala Macarelleta?
Yes, a car makes a real difference here. A seasonal bus runs to the Macarella car park from Ciutadella; out of season you will need your own wheels.
What currency and language are used in Cala Macarelleta?
Currency: Euro (EUR). Language: Spanish. Plugs: type C and F.
Who is Cala Macarelleta best for?
Best for beach lovers, couples and walkers & hikers. In a phrase: pale, pine-framed, blissfully plain.