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

Cala Presili is one of those beaches that sticks in your memory because it looks like nothing you expect from Menorca. It sits in the municipality of Maó, inside the Parc Natural de s'Albufera des Grau, right next to the Far de Favàritx, on the northern coast. It is unspoilt, undeveloped and without a single building in sight. The first thing that catches your eye isn't the water, though that too, but the rock: here the ground is dark slate, almost black, laid out in tilted sheets that slope down towards the sea. That contrast between the pale sand, the turquoise water and the grey stone is what makes it so recognisable.

It shares both its scenery and its access with its neighbour Cala en Tortuga, tucked right beside it a little further north. Many people visit the two on the same day, because you reach both from the same point and the walk between them is short.

Where it is and what it's like

Presili belongs to the Favàritx area, at the eastern tip of the Parc Natural de s'Albufera des Grau, the heart of the Biosphere Reserve. It's a corner unlike anywhere else on the island: the lighthouse, the bare slate, the low vegetation holding out against the wind and a landscape that seems to belong somewhere else entirely. The cove is sandy, open to the north, with dunes and some vegetation behind it.

Being natural parkland and tramuntana coast, there's no development here, no road running down to the shore and no services. That's exactly what keeps it the way it is: a beach of pale sand set in protected surroundings, with no more noise than the wind and the sea.

How to get to Cala Presili

By car and on foot from the lighthouse

The usual way to arrive by land is to drive to the Far de Favàritx area. A narrow road runs as far as the lighthouse (in summer, vehicle access can be regulated by the natural park, so it's worth checking before you set off). From the lighthouse car park, you walk down towards the coves: around 10-15 minutes along a footpath, part of it following the Camí de Cavalls, the historic trail that rings the island.

It's not a hard walk, but it's open terrain, all rock and sand, with barely any shade. In July and August, around midday, the sun is relentless. Comfortable shoes, water and a hat; and ideally go first thing or late in the afternoon.

Along the Camí de Cavalls

The very path linking the lighthouse with Presili and Tortuga is part of the Camí de Cavalls. If you like walking, you can join up both coves in a single outing, since they sit almost side by side. It's a lovely, manageable stretch, but remember you're crossing a natural park: stay on the trail and respect the dune vegetation.

By sea

Presili is also known from the water, and it's one of those cases where the boat makes complete sense: you save yourself the walk under the sun and you see the slate and the line of the coast in a way you can't appreciate from land.

Our llaüt sets out from Es Canutells, on the southern coast, and we sail south or north depending on the day, on how the sea and wind are behaving. Presili and Tortuga are northern destinations we do reach when the weather allows, but I'm not going to sell it to you as a sure thing: the north is tramuntana coast and, when it blows, this stretch kicks up and it's not worth it. The honest thing is to tell you straight. If you fancy seeing this area by sea, take a look at the routes and we'll line up the day according to the forecast; when you're ready to book, you'll find it on the bookings page.

What you'll find

Presili is a cove of pale sand, with the water coming in turquoise and shallow at the shoreline. Behind it there are dunes and low vegetation; in front, that slate backdrop that gives it its character. When the north is calm, it makes for a quiet swim in very clean water.

For snorkelling, the interesting part is at the rocky ends of the cove: slate and rock beds with rockfish and nooks worth poking about in with mask and snorkel. The middle is sandy, so to spot life head towards the sides.

As for services, none: there's no bar, no toilets, no lifeguard and no parasols to hire. Natural shade is scarce, almost non-existent, so if you go in the middle of the day bring your own shade. You're inside a natural park, so whatever you carry in, you carry back out: water, food and your rubbish on the way home.

Best time to go and tips

• When to go. June and September are the best: warm water and far fewer people than in the thick of August. In peak season, especially at midday, you notice the crowds and the lighthouse car park fills up early.
• The wind rules. This is the northern coast: with tramuntana, neither the swimming nor the approach by sea is pleasant. Check the forecast before planning your day. It's with a southerly wind or in calm conditions that Presili truly shines.
• Lighthouse access. In summer, traffic on the Far de Favàritx road may be regulated by the natural park. Find out beforehand so you're not caught out and, if you can, go early.
• Zero shade. There are no trees and no parasol worth the name: bring your own, plus sunscreen and plenty of water. The shadeless path is hard going in the heat.
• Natural park. Don't stray from the trails, respect the dunes and take all your rubbish with you. There are no bins and nobody to clear up for you.

Neighbouring coves

If you're planning your day around this part of the north, the natural thing is to string together the two Favàritx coves. The immediate neighbour is Cala en Tortuga, right beside Presili and with the same slate scenery; you walk from one to the other in a few minutes. Further west, over at the other end of the north coast, is Cala Pregonda, another of this coast's great unspoilt beaches, if you want to discover more of the northern sands.

To place it all in context, two reads will help: the guide to the coves of northern Menorca, covering the beaches of this coast and how to reach each one, and the complete guide to the coves of Menorca, with both south and north. And if what you fancy is seeing the coast from the water, on the boat routes page I explain how we work depending on the day.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Cala Presili?

By land, driving to the Far de Favàritx area and walking down for around 10-15 minutes along a footpath, part of it following the Camí de Cavalls. There's no road that reaches the shore. The other option is to arrive by sea.

Can you drive all the way to Cala Presili?

Not to the cove itself. The car gets you to the Far de Favàritx area, and from the car park you continue on foot for around 10-15 minutes. In summer, vehicle access to the lighthouse can be regulated by the natural park, so it's worth checking before you go.

How long does it take on foot from the Favàritx lighthouse?

Around 10-15 minutes along a path of rock and sand, with barely any shade. It's right beside Cala en Tortuga, so you can visit both on the same walk. Bring water, a hat and comfortable shoes.

Does Cala Presili have any services or a beach bar?

No. It's an unspoilt cove inside the Parc Natural de s'Albufera des Grau: there's no bar, no toilets, no lifeguard and no parasols. You need to bring water, food and shade, and take all your rubbish away with you.

When is the best time to visit Cala Presili?

In June or September, with warm water and fewer people. As it's the northern coast, it's best to avoid days of tramuntana: with a northerly wind the sea kicks up and it's not pleasant for swimming or for arriving by sea.