Cala Major is a sandy beach on the west side of Palma, Mallorca, about 200 m long, set in a cove on the Bay of Palma. High-rise hotels stand almost directly behind the sand, and the streets around it hold souvenir shops and restaurants. The beach is free and public, with fixed umbrellas, open sand and two bars at beach level. The Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró, the museum in the artist's former studios, stands in the same neighbourhood.
Cala Major
Sandy city beach on the west side of Palma, with clear, shallow water and high-rise hotels close behind the sand.
- Entrance
- Free; public beach.
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible parking and entrance; the beach itself is sand, with a shallow, rock-free entry into the water.
- Parking
- Paid car park, plus free and paid street parking around the beach. A car park about 200 m away is private; another lies about 320 m away in a straight line.
- Difficulty
- None to speak of: the nearest bus stop is about 100 m away, and the sand runs into shallow water with no rocks.
- Transport
- City bus to Joan Miró – Nixe (about 100 m away) or Mirador Cala Major (about 135 m away).
- Advance booking
- Not needed; the beach is public and free.
- Hours
- Open at all times; public beach.
- Address
- Carrer Gavina, 9, Ponent, 07015 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
What makes it special
The water is the reason to come. It is clear and blue, and on a sunny day the light shimmers through it right down to the sand. The entry is shallow and sandy with no rocks underfoot, so you walk straight in, and children can paddle at the edge.
The setting is the trade-off. High-rise hotels rise almost off the back of the beach and close the cove in, and about 200 m of sand does not go far on a hot day, so it gets crowded. The beach itself is kept clean, and a city bus ride from Palma puts you on it.
Good to know
- The beach gets crowded and sunbeds run short. Bring a towel and your own shade.
- A lifeguard is on duty in the bathing season, and the shallow, sandy entry suits children.
- Two bars at beach level serve drinks and bar food; souvenir shops and restaurants fill the streets behind.
- A free drinking-water fountain stands about 230 m away in a straight line.
Getting there
The city bus is the easy way in, a short ride from central Palma. Two stops serve the beach: Joan Miró – Nixe, about 100 m away in a straight line, and Mirador Cala Major, about 135 m away. From either one you cut through the hotel strip and you are on the sand.
By car, there is a paid car park and street parking, both free and paid, in the streets around the beach. A car park about 200 m away is private; another lies about 320 m away in a straight line.
Best time to visit
Best: a sunny morning, ideally outside July and August.
Avoid: the middle of the day in high summer.
Sunshine is what lights the water up, and a hotel-backed city beach of this size fills quickly once the island's summer crowds arrive.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Your whole travel map in one place
Get inspired by new places around the world and find the ones worth the journey
Frequently asked questions
Is Cala Major free?
Yes. It is a public beach with no ticket; anyone can walk on and lay down a towel.Can you get to Cala Major by bus from Palma?
Yes. City buses stop at Joan Miró – Nixe, about 100 m from the beach, and at Mirador Cala Major, about 135 m away.Is Cala Major good for children?
Yes. The entry is shallow and sandy with no rocks, and a lifeguard is on duty in the bathing season.Is there parking at Cala Major?
There is a paid car park, and street parking, both free and paid, in the surrounding streets.Can you eat and drink at the beach?
Two bars at beach level serve drinks and bar food, and there are restaurants in the streets behind the beach.