Cala Macarella and Macarelleta in Menorca

Cala Macarella and its little sister Macarelleta are the ultimate expression of beach paradise on Menorca's south coast: fine white sand, turquoise waters and lush vegetation surround the island's two most popular coves.

In high season they can get crowded, but so that this doesn't dampen your experience, take note of the following tips for enjoying them (and consider joining a boat trip around the coves of southern Menorca to enjoy them from the water).

If you feel like having a real relaxing day, enjoying the best coves on the island and taking a dip in the deepest, turquoise waters, a boat trip is a great idea. By taking a tour of the coves in the south of Menorca you will discover Macarella and Macarelleta from the sea, without having to wait in the car park, walk to the beach or look for a spot for your parasol.

The tour departs from Ciudadela and takes you to the best coves in the south. It includes a traditional paella served on board as well as drinks. You'll make several stops to enjoy swimming and snorkelling and return to port after a full day's sailing. The excursion costs around €50 per person and is all-inclusive - well worth it!

By car

In high season, the most practical way is to drive to Cala Galdana and park there. Cala Galdana is one of the main tourist spots on the island, with several hotels and restaurants, so it is well prepared to receive tourists and there is plenty of parking space. From there it is only a 30 minute walk to Cala Macarella. During the summer, the parking and access to this beach is closed to private cars in order to reserve the area.

If you visit the island outside the high season, you can go to the cove's own car park, which has 900 parking spaces and is only 15 minutes away from the beach. Remember that it is closed in summer!

On foot

Walking is quick and easy, and the route is very well signposted. From Cala Galdana you will only have to walk for about 30 minutes and the path is totally natural and the views are worth it. You will be crossing a pine forest, so you will find shady stretches and as it is not too steep, it is very easy to walk. This route forms part of the famous Camí de Cavalls that crosses the island.

By bus

It is possible to get to Cala Macarella by public transport. Take any of the buses that stop at Cala Galdana and from there it is only a thirty-minute walk to the sandy cove. It's a short and pleasant walk and by taking the bus you save yourself the hassle of finding a parking space, so make it a good option to get to Macarella. Check the Menorca public transport website for timetables and bus routes from your accommodation.

The answer is very easy: enjoy! You can spend hours and hours there and it won't take long. The colour of the water invites you to take an endless dip and if you have goggles and a snorkel, you can snorkel around the cliffs that flank the beach. In Macarella and Macarelleta there is a very varied underwater life and the clarity of the water will give you a great view of the seabed. Go for a swim!

You can also walk along the beach to reach Cala Macarelleta. It is only a few metres away and is smaller than Macarella, but it has a special charm.

If you go to both coves in summer you will have to organise your timetables well to try to avoid the peak hours when the beach is most crowded. It is always best to arrive early in the morning, when the car park is not yet full and you can walk to the beach without having to walk in the sweltering midday heat. If you arrive later than 11 o'clock you will find it very difficult to park.

Another option you can try is to arrive around 14:00 or 15:00, when the early risers start to leave the beach to go to eat or rest for a while in the hotels. However, bear in mind that the intense heat will make it a little difficult to walk to the beach. If you feel like enjoying it quietly and calmly, you will be practically alone in the late afternoon.

Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta are practically virgin beaches. There are no toilets or lifeguards, but there is only one restaurant-bar, where you can eat or buy drinks. If you go on an excursion to Cala Macarella you'll find it right away, it's called Cafeteria Susy, and it has a fairly basic but tasty menu that will get you out of trouble if you're so comfortable on the beach that you don't even want to leave for lunch.

Cafeteria Susy is the only restaurant-bar that you will find on the excursion to Cala Macarella and you can eat there, as well as have a soft drink or buy an ice-cream or a drink. If you want more variety you will have to leave the beach and go to other nearby beaches with more variety, such as Cala Galdana. There you will find several hotels, restaurants and supermarkets.

Booking an excursion to Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta with children is a good idea. The way to get there is easy and not very long. The beach is fine sand and the children will enjoy the warm water temperature. If you have goggles for them to snorkel, they are sure to have a great time swimming in search of colourful fish.

Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta are two of the best beaches on the island for snorkelling. In addition to their clean and transparent waters that will allow you to see from metres away, you will find a wide variety of marine fauna. If you want you can do it on your own (remember to bring goggles and snorkel) or you can join a boat trip, as the excursions to Calas Macarella and Macacrelleta have stops in the area for swimming with enough time to snorkel (the boat also provides you with the necessary equipment).

If you like the idea of snorkelling in Minorca, there are also other coves in both the south and north of the island where you can enjoy this sport and discover the underwater life of Minorca, which is very extensive. I tell you more in my article about the best places to snorkel in Menorca.

Cala Macarelleta is only a few metres away from Cala Macarella and its beauty has nothing to envy to that of its big sister. You will only have to walk a few minutes to enjoy the marvellous views of this small cove. It tends to be less crowded, but there is also less space for visitors, so if you get there early, make the most of the opportunity and stay a while to enjoy it.