Cala Macarelleta is a white-sand cove on the south-west coast of Menorca, in the municipality of Ciutadella in the Balearic Islands. Cliffs close it in on both sides, and the water in the cove is calm, clear and turquoise. It lies just west of the larger Cala Macarella, from which a path crosses the cliffs to reach it. Cala Macarelleta is a nude beach, and it is small enough to fill early in the day.
Macarelleta
Tiny white-sand nude beach in a cliff-lined cove near Ciutadella, reached on foot over the rocks.
- Entrance
- Free; there is no ticket.
- Accessibility
- Not accessible by wheelchair. The only way in is a steep path with many steps and uneven, rocky ground.
- Parking
- Two car parks at Cala Macarella: a paid one about 780 m away and a free gravel one about 1.2 km away, both in a straight line. When the parking is full, the road is closed to cars.
- Difficulty
- Steep, rocky cliff path with steps and uneven ground; trainers needed. About 15 minutes from the Macarella bus stop, or about 90 minutes there and back from Cala Galdana.
- Transport
- Bus 69 from Ciutadella to the Macarella stop, about 1.1 km away in a straight line and about 15 minutes' walk from the beach.
- Advance booking
- No booking needed for the beach. Bus tickets from Ciutadella can be bought online.
- Hours
- Open at any time.
What makes it special
The first sight comes from the cliff path above: a narrow strip of white sand between walls of pale rock, and turquoise water clear enough to show the seabed. Pines grow along the cliff tops and lean out over the cove.
Down on the sand the sea stays calm, and the clear water makes it good for snorkelling along the rocks. The walk in is half the point. Coming along the coast from Cala Galdana, the path passes a string of viewpoints over the sea before it drops to Cala Macarella and climbs again over the cliffs to Cala Macarelleta. It is also a nude beach.
Good to know
- Nothing is sold at the beach, and there is no drinking water nearby. Bring all your food and water.
- The nearest toilets are free, about 400 m away in a straight line.
- The path in is steep, stepped and uneven. Wear trainers; sandals and flip-flops make it harder.
- The cove is small and fills early: by 10 in the morning it is getting busy, and the crowds start as early as mid-May.
- Cala Macarelleta is a nude beach.
Getting there
The car parks and the bus stop are all at Cala Macarella, the larger beach next door, so the last stretch is always on foot. The bus from Ciutadella stops about 1.1 km from Cala Macarelleta in a straight line, and the walk from the stop to the sand takes about 15 minutes. The paid car park is about 780 m away and the free gravel one about 1.2 km away. Once the parking is full the road is closed to cars, and in early June that can happen by 8:15 in the morning.
From Cala Macarella the path climbs over the cliffs, steep and rocky, with steps and uneven ground, and in season you share it with a steady line of people. The alternative is the coastal walk from Cala Galdana, about 90 minutes there and back, with viewpoints along the way.
Best time to visit
Best: first thing in the morning, before the car parks fill and the cliff path crowds.
Avoid: late morning onwards in high summer.
The cove is small and the crowds build even in mid-May, when the sea is still cold, and once the parking is full the road closes to cars, so an early start decides whether you can drive in at all.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Macarelleta on the map
The cliff path from Cala Macarella is steep and rocky, with uneven steps and unfenced edges above the sea. Wear shoes with grip and keep back from the edge, especially when the path is crowded.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Cala Macarelleta?
On foot. The car parks and the bus stop are at neighbouring Cala Macarella, and from there a steep, rocky path crosses the cliffs to the cove; from the bus stop it takes about 15 minutes. You can also walk along the coast from Cala Galdana, about 90 minutes there and back.Can you buy food or drinks at the beach?
No. Nothing is sold at Cala Macarelleta and there is no drinking water nearby, so bring everything you need for the day.How early should you arrive?
As early as you can. The cove is getting busy by 10 in the morning, and in early June the parking can be full by 8:15, after which the road is closed to cars.Is Cala Macarelleta suitable for children?
Yes. The water is calm, and the walk from the bus stop takes about 15 minutes at a relaxed pace. The path has steep, rocky stretches and steps, so keep small children close near the cliff edge.Is Cala Macarelleta a nude beach?
Yes, Cala Macarelleta is a nude beach.