Cala Macarelleta (Menorca): how to get there and what to see

Cala Macarelleta is the little sister of Macarella, just to the south-east, on the southern coast of Ciutadella. Plenty of people know it from the photos of white sand and turquoise water, but few realise there's no road to it: to set foot on its sand you have to arrive on foot or by sea. That, in large part, is the reason it still is what it is.

Where it is and what it's like

You're on the unspoilt stretch of southern Menorca, the same one that strings together Son Saura, Es Talaier, Turqueta and Macarella. Macarelleta is the most tucked-away of them all: a small inlet, wedged between pines and rock, with a band of fine sand and water that shifts from turquoise to blue depending on the hour. There's no resort, no beach bar, nothing that isn't coastline.

Because of its size it fills up fast. In summer, by mid-morning, the sand runs short and the mirror of water out front fills with anchored boats. That tells you all you need to know about the place: lovely, yes, but intimate and limited. Anyone after a quiet visit goes early or outside the busy months.

How to get to Cala Macarelleta

The first thing worth knowing: you can't reach Macarelleta by car. There's no car park of its own and no track that drops down to the cove. The two real ways to set foot on it are on foot from Macarella and by sea.

On foot from Cala Macarella

The usual route is to head to Macarella first and walk from there. Macarella does have road access out of season; in the summer months (roughly June to September) the road is closed with a barrier and you get in by shuttle bus, on foot along the Camí de Cavalls, or by sea. Once at Macarella, a short path crosses the pine-covered headland that separates the two coves. It's a walk of just a few minutes, with a section of steps and roots; comfortable footwear and little else.

Anyone wanting to make a proper walk of it can link up with the Camí de Cavalls, the path that rings the whole island and which, around here, connects Galdana with Macarella and the rest of the coves of the south-west. It's the way to arrive without a car and take in the coast from above as you go.

By sea

The other way in is the water. Macarelleta has no harbour or jetty: boats anchor out front, over sand, and you swim ashore or go in on a small tender. Arriving by sea has an obvious advantage: you skip the closure of the Macarella road in summer and the bother of the shuttle bus. In high season, mind you, the anchorage is in great demand, so don't expect to have it to yourself.

We set out by llaüt from Es Canutells and sail south or north depending on the day, according to the sea and the wind. It's not a destination we promise in advance for every outing; if you're interested in the south-western area, the natural thing is to look over the various boat trips around Menorca and talk through what can be done given the day's conditions.

What you'll find

The landscape of an unspoilt southern cove: pale, fine sand, clear water and a wall of pines dropping almost to the shore. The sandy bottom gives the water that postcard colour and makes for easy swimming; on the rocks at the sides, with mask and snorkel, you'll see life in shallow water. It's a good spot for calm snorkelling, with no currents or great depths.

What you won't find is facilities. There's no bar here, no toilets, no sunloungers, no parasols for hire. Natural shade, only just: a little pine at the ends and not much in the middle of the sand. Whatever you need — water, food, sun cream — you bring yourself and carry down on foot or in the boat. And what comes in, goes out: the cove stays this way because people take their rubbish with them.

Best time to go and tips

Macarelleta looks good all year round, but the experience changes a great deal with the month:

• Spring (May–June) and September–October: the best combination. Water already pleasant, good light and far fewer people. If quiet matters to you, this is your moment.
• July and August: peak season. The cove is tiny for the demand it gets; go first thing if you want a spot on the sand, and count on the barrier and the shuttle bus at Macarella.
• Shade: scarce. Bring a hat and sun protection, and if you're going with children reckon on the sun hitting full-on at midday.
• Respect for the surroundings: you're on protected, unspoilt coast. No loud music, no leaving a trace, no touching the dune vegetation.

If Macarelleta tempts you but you'd like it with its bigger sister alongside, the sensible plan is to build the day around Cala Macarella, which has more sand, some service in season and a connection on foot to Macarelleta in a matter of minutes. And if you're after the broader, calmer version of the same stretch, Cala en Turqueta and Son Saura are a short walk away along the Camí de Cavalls.

To place this cove within the wider area, take a look at the guide to the coves of southern Menorca, and for the full picture of the island, the guide to the coves of Menorca.

Frequently asked questions

Can you get to Cala Macarelleta by car?

No. Macarelleta has no road access and no car park of its own. You reach it on foot from Cala Macarella (a short path crossing the pine-covered headland) or by sea.

How long does it take to walk from Macarella to Macarelleta?

A few minutes. The path linking the two coves is short, with a section of steps and roots. Comfortable footwear is enough.

Are there any facilities at Cala Macarelleta?

There's no bar, no toilets and no sunlounger hire. There's barely any shade either. Bring your own water, food and sun cream, and take your rubbish back with you.

When is the best time to visit?

May, June, September and October offer pleasant water and far fewer people. In July and August the cove gets crowded quickly because of its small size; it's best to go first thing.

Can you go to Cala Macarelleta by boat?

You can anchor at sea in front of the cove, over sand. We set out from Es Canutells and sail south or north depending on the day's sea and wind, so it isn't a guaranteed destination; the best thing is to check the routes and see what fits the conditions.