Cala Pregonda
Menorca is the calm sister of the Balearics, and Pregonda its strangest beauty — rust-red sand and offshore rocks that look borrowed from Mars, reached by a twenty-minute walk along the Camí de Cavalls coastal path.
- Best forBeach lovers · Walkers & hikers · Couples
- In October23°C · 7 rainy days · sea 24°C
- Ideal stayA day trip from Fornells
- Approx. flying time~12h 25m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyEUREuro
- LanguageSpanish
- Local time11:301h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / FBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+34
Why go
On Menorca's rougher northern coast, this is a bay of reddish gold sand with dark rock stacks standing offshore, the colouring a result of the island's older northern geology. A twenty minute walk from the nearest parking keeps the numbers down, and there is nothing at the beach beyond sand, water and rock. Swimming is excellent whenever the tramuntana is not blowing.
Fornells or Es Mercadal make the obvious bases, with the whole north coast within half an hour. It is a beach for a half day, combined with a seafood lunch and another cove afterwards. This shore is exposed, so a windy day can rule it out entirely, in which case the sheltered south coast coves are the fallback.
- Ideal stay
- A day trip from Fornells
- The vibe
- Red rock, empty, wind-scoured
From our guides
No bars, no sunbeds, just extraordinary swimming. Base yourself in whitewashed Fornells, order the famous lobster stew once, and explore a different cove every day.
Featured in Ten quieter beach escapes: when to go and where to stay
Things to do
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The walk in from Binimel·là
Twenty minutes along the coast path from the neighbouring beach, over a low headland and past a smaller cove on the way.
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The offshore stacks
Eroded rock islets a short swim out, which give the bay its distinctive silhouette and take the edge off the incoming swell.
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Binimel·là
The beach at the start of the walk, with parking, a seasonal bar and dark reddish sand of its own worth an hour.
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Cap de Cavalleria
The island's northernmost point, with a lighthouse, high cliffs and the remains of a Roman settlement at Sanitja nearby.
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Fornells
A whitewashed fishing village on a long natural harbour, known for its lobster stew and for sheltered dinghy sailing and windsurfing.
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The northern Camí de Cavalls
The coast path along this shore is rockier and emptier than the south, running past red and black rock with very few people on it.
Getting there
-
Fly to
Mahón (MAH)
Nearest airport to Cala Pregonda, about 26km away as the crow flies.
-
Then
To Fornells
Around forty minutes by car from Mahón (MAH), north across the island to Fornells on the Me-7.
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On the ground
Getting around
Park at Binimel-là and walk about twenty minutes along the Camí de Cavalls coastal path to the beach. There are no facilities at Pregonda, so carry water and shade.
Public transport: Buses connect Mahón and Ciutadella with Fornells, but the north-coast beaches themselves are not served.
Flights
Los Angeles Cala Pregonda, 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
October23° · rain 7 days · sea 24°Mild with the odd shower.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Highlighted months are warm and mostly dry — May to August. Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Village houses and apartments, agroturismos in restored farmsteads, and a few mid-sized beach hotels. The north coast has deliberately little large-scale development.
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Best base overall
Fornells
A whitewashed fishing village on a huge sheltered bay, famous for lobster stew and windsurfing, and the nearest real town to the northern coves. It is small, so restaurants are few and book up.
Find stays in Fornells -
Best value
Es Mercadal
Inland at the centre of the island, with cheaper rooms and agroturismos and a short drive to both coasts. There is no sea view and no beach walk.
Find stays in Es Mercadal -
Best with children
Arenal d'en Castell
A crescent of sand with shallow water and family hotels on the north coast, ten minutes from Fornells. It is a resort development rather than a village.
Find stays in Arenal d'en Castell -
Quietest
Es Grau
A tiny cluster of houses beside the S'Albufera nature reserve, with a shallow beach and almost nothing else. You will drive for meals and supplies.
Find stays in Es Grau
Worth knowing before you book: The walk to Pregonda has no facilities and the nearest parking is limited, so arrive early. Most northern properties close from November to April.
Search everything else in Fornells 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
- Wind
- The tramuntana hits this coast hard. Check the forecast, because on a windy day the south coast is a far better bet.
- No facilities
- There is no bar, shade or toilet at Pregonda. Carry water and food from Fornells or from the car.
- Parking
- Space at Binimel·là is limited and the final approach road is rough in places. Arrive early through the summer.
- Footwear
- Both the path and the beach are stony. Something more substantial than flip flops makes the walk in much easier.
- Season
- Much of the north coast closes down outside roughly May to October, including the beach bars and boat hire.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Menorca
Spain · 12km away →
Cala Macarelleta
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Alcúdia
Majorca, Spain · 82km away →
Sa Coma
Mallorca, Spain · 107km away →
Mallorca
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Deià
Mallorca, Spain · 126km away →Elsewhere in Spain
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Cala Pregonda?
For warm, mostly dry days, May 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 Pregonda?
Our suggestion: a day trip from Fornells.
How do I get to Cala Pregonda?
Around forty minutes by car from Mahón (MAH), north across the island to Fornells on the Me-7.
Do I need a car in Cala Pregonda?
Yes, a car makes a real difference here. Buses connect Mahón and Ciutadella with Fornells, but the north-coast beaches themselves are not served.
What currency and language are used in Cala Pregonda?
Currency: Euro (EUR). Language: Spanish. Plugs: type C and F.
Who is Cala Pregonda best for?
Best for beach lovers, walkers & hikers and couples. In a phrase: red rock, empty, wind-scoured.