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

Cala en Turqueta is one of the unspoilt coves south of Ciutadella and, for many people, the postcard image of Menorca's southern coast: pale sand, shallow water in a blue that leans towards green and a sheltered inlet set between pine-covered cliffs. It's protected, has no development right beside it and keeps the feel of a wild cove despite being very well known. Here's what's worth knowing before you go: how to get there, what you'll find and when it's worth the trip.

Where it is and what it's like

Turqueta sits on the south-west stretch of the island, in the municipality of Ciutadella, between Son Saura (to the west) and the Macarella area (to the east). It's a cove of fine white sand, tucked into a small valley that drops down to the sea, with limestone walls and pine woods on either side. The water comes in very shallow and calm, which makes it comfortable for swimming and gives it that clear tone that has made it famous.

It's an unspoilt cove: no beach bar, no sunloungers and no development on the cove itself. That's a good part of its charm, and also the reason it pays to go prepared, because there are no services to speak of.

How to get to Cala en Turqueta

By car and on foot

The most common way is by car. From Ciutadella you take the road towards Son Saura / Macarella and, at the relevant turn-off, the branch that leads to the Turqueta car park. From the car park there's a short, flat walk through the pine woods to the sand, easy for almost anyone, even with children.

In high season, road access to the south of Ciutadella is regulated: the car park fills up early in the morning and, once it's full, they close it to cars. If you're going in July or August, the sensible thing is to start early (arrive first thing) or go mid-afternoon, when it begins to empty. This isn't a cove where you can improvise at midday in the middle of August and expect to find a space.

On foot along the Camí de Cavalls

Turqueta sits on the Camí de Cavalls, the path that rings the whole island. It's a good base for walking between unspoilt coves: along the path you can link it with Es Talaier and Son Saura to the west, and with the Macarella area to the east. It's a great option if you want to string several coves together on foot and not depend on the car and the car park.

By sea

Thanks to its southern aspect and shallow waters, Turqueta is a rewarding cove from the water: it anchors well over sand and the shallow entrance invites you to swim right off the boat. It's one of the south-western coves that can indeed be visited on a boat trip, with an honest caveat worth keeping in mind (we explain it below).

What you'll find

A beach of pale, fine sand, modest in size, with the water coming in very flat. The bottom is sand with patches of posidonia, the marine plant that keeps the water clear and which is protected (that's why you don't anchor on it). For snorkelling, the rocky sides of the cove are the most interesting: there, where the bottom alternates between sand and rock, you'll spot small fish.

As for services, there's little to report: it's an unspoilt cove, so there's no bar, no sunlounger hire and no toilets on the sand itself. Bring water, some food and your own shade. There's also barely any natural shade on the sand until mid-afternoon, when the pines on the west side start to cover part of the beach; bear that in mind if you're going with little ones or you're not carrying a parasol.

Best time to go and tips

June and September are, probably, the best months: the water is already (or still) good for swimming and the crowds are considerably smaller than at the height of summer. July and August concentrate the bulk of visitors and the car park falls short by mid-morning.

A few practical notes:

• Go early or mid-afternoon in summer to dodge the full car park.
• Bring shade (natural shade is scarce until the end of the day) and enough water.
• Comfortable footwear if you arrive along the Camí de Cavalls; the path has stretches of dirt and stone.
• Respect the posidonia and take your rubbish with you: it's a protected area with no cleaning services on the sand.

Cala en Turqueta by sea: what we offer (honestly)

Turqueta is one of the few unspoilt coves in the south-west that we genuinely reach by sea. We set off from Es Canutells, on the south coast, and on a full-day trip it's one of the possible destinations, as it's among the furthest west of our range. We say "possible" deliberately: it depends on the sea and wind on any given day. When the weather plays along, the approach and the anchorage in its shallow waters are among the most rewarding on the south coast; when it doesn't, we look for a more sheltered stretch. The course is decided with the forecast in hand.

We sail in the Capeador 43, a traditional Menorcan llaüt of 9 metres, for a maximum of 7 passengers plus the skipper, on a private trip. If you'd like to see Turqueta from the water, take a look at the options in boat trips and, once you've made up your mind, book your trip.

Neighbouring coves

If you want to string together several unspoilt coves in the south-west, the ones that fit best with Turqueta are Es Talaier, a small, sheltered cove right next door, and Son Saura, the broad bay that closes off this stretch to the west. Heading east, into a much more popular area, lies Cala Macarella. To place it within the bigger picture, see the guide to the coves of southern Menorca or the complete guide to the coves of Menorca.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Cala en Turqueta? By car to the car park (turn-off from Ciutadella towards the Son Saura/Macarella area) and then a short, flat walk through the pine woods to the sand. You can also arrive on foot along the Camí de Cavalls, linking with Es Talaier and Son Saura, or by sea.

Is there a car park? Does it fill up? There's a car park, but in July and August it fills up by mid-morning and they close it to cars once it's full. The best bet in summer is to arrive first thing or mid-afternoon.

Does it have services or a beach bar? No. Turqueta is an unspoilt cove, with no bar, sunloungers or toilets on the sand. It's worth bringing your own water, food and shade.

Is it good for going with children? Yes. The water comes in very shallow and calm and the walk from the car park is short and flat. The only drawback is the lack of natural shade on the sand until mid-afternoon, so bring a parasol.

Can you visit Cala en Turqueta by boat? Yes, it's one of the southern coves we include as a possible destination on a full-day trip from Es Canutells, as it's among the furthest west of our range. We don't guarantee it every time: it depends on the sea and wind on any given day.