S'Escala is a pebble-and-rock cove on the north-east coast of Menorca, within the municipality of Maó. It lies near the Favaritx lighthouse (Far de Favaritx), in the area of the s'Albufera des Grau Natural Park (Parc Natural de s'Albufera des Grau). The cove is sheltered and quiet, and it is known as a place to swim after a visit to the lighthouse.
S'Escala
Quiet, sheltered cove of flat pebbles and rock near the Favaritx lighthouse on Menorca's north-east coast
- Entrance
- Free; it is an open beach with no ticket.
- Accessibility
- The shore is pebbles and rock, which a wheelchair cannot cross. There are no toilets at the cove or nearby.
- Parking
- Two parking areas, about 177 m and 582 m from the cove in a straight line.
- Difficulty
- Easy: the walk down from the nearer parking area, about 177 m away in a straight line, is easy.
- Advance booking
- Not needed; it is an open beach.
- Hours
- Open at any time.
What makes it special
The stones on this shore are flat pebbles, and rock closes the cove in on either side, so on a still day the water lies calm. It is a quiet spot, and the quiet is much of the appeal.
Most people arrive here on the way back from the Favaritx lighthouse, and the cove turns that visit into a swim. The wind decides how good the swim will be: the shelter helps, but it does not cancel a wind blowing straight in.
Good to know
- There are no toilets and no drinking water at the cove or nearby — bring water with you.
- The cove is sheltered, but a swim still depends on the wind; check its direction before you set out.
- The shore is flat pebbles and rock, so water shoes make getting in easier.
- The sea washes rubbish up onto the shore.
Getting there
You arrive by car. Two parking areas lie near the cove, about 177 m and 582 m away in a straight line, and the walk down from the nearer one is easy.
The cove sits close to the Favaritx lighthouse, so it pairs naturally with a drive out to the cape. A map board stands about 147 m from the cove, and an information board for the s'Albufera des Grau Natural Park about 244 m away.
Best time to visit
Best: a warm, still day in summer, ideally combined with a visit to the Favaritx lighthouse.
Avoid: days when the wind blows straight into the cove, and the colder months if you came to swim.
The cove's shelter keeps the water calm only while the wind stays off this shore, and the pebbles give no shade at midday.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
S'Escala on the map
The rocks at the water's edge are slippery. When the wind drives the sea into the cove, waves break on the rocks — stay out of the water then.
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Frequently asked questions
Is S'Escala good for swimming?
The cove is sheltered and the water is calm on a still day. How good the swim is depends on the wind, so check its direction before you go.Is the beach sandy?
No. The shore is flat pebbles and rock.Is there parking near S'Escala?
Yes. Two parking areas lie about 177 m and 582 m from the cove in a straight line.Are there toilets or drinking water?
No, there are none at the cove or nearby. Bring water with you.Can I combine S'Escala with the Favaritx lighthouse?
Yes. The cove lies near the Favaritx lighthouse and makes a natural swim stop after a visit to the cape.