In my mind, there are two kinds of beach days. The first is utter rest and relaxation. You take your overloaded beach bag and flip-flop straight from the parking lot or the bus stop to the sand, find a small place to call your own on a crowded beach, and just chill with your book and work on your tan, taking breaks to go to the nearby beach bar for a snack or something icy, maybe even going straight to dinner in your swim cover-up and sea-salty hair. And I love it as much as anyone.
The second involves a bit of adventure and includes a touch more tranquillity. I love to find a beach that’s a little harder to get to, but with a fraction of the people because then, the relaxing is even better. The water feels absolutely incredible after you’ve hiked for an hour or so, and it’s just… quiet. You can hear the lapping waves, the wind through the brush, the birds, and even the goats up in the rocks. This list is for those who prefer the latter, for the more adventurous who want to escape the crowds and see the hidden Mallorca.
These are five picturesque, remote virgin beaches that require hiking to access. Or you could go by boat, but I’m assuming you want to hike if you clicked on this article. Regardless, there is no direct access, so wear your comfy shoes with good ankle support and bring lots of water as well as any beach snacks/meals you want. The hikes are also largely in the sun, so don’t forget sunscreen. And please remember to leave no trace and to bring out whatever you brought in to keep the beaches beautiful.
Please note that as remote, virgin beaches that require a hike, none of these have facilities or amenities, just amazing views and peace. Come and escape for a while on these beautiful Mallorcan beaches.
Cala Figuera
Nearest town: Port de Pollença
Type of beach: Rock
Hiking time: 30 minutes
Cala Figuera (not to be confused with the fishing village of the same name near Santanyí) is located near Cap de Formentor, north of Port de Pollença. It’s a long drive and a bit of a walk, but it is well worth it to enjoy this rugged, isolated, rocky cove where bright turquoise waters contrast jagged cliffs. I was stunned when I saw it because it is just strikingly beautiful. It isn’t a sandy beach, but there is sand in the cove, you just have to tread carefully over the rocks to get to the white sand part. It isn’t the most comfortable beach but the views are incredible. As a rocky cove, sea life is abundant, so don’t forget your snorkel! Also, beware of the goats, they just might try to eat your lunch. They’re cute but a bit pushy so be careful.
There is a parking lot for this cove and signs are posted. However, it isn’t a large parking lot, so maybe come early. It’s a steep twenty to thirty-minute descent through rocks and shrubs to get down to the cove, but the walk down isn’t too bad. But don’t forget, if you go down, you must go up, so save some energy for the ascent back to your car.
If you’re already driving to this far point of the island, don’t forget to stop at Mirador Es Colomer on the way there, or better yet, on the way back to catch the sunset with some of Mallorca’s most incredible views. Again, parking is very limited so if you see a space on your way there, might as well stop. And if there’s still space on the way back and it’s sunset, stop again! There’s also a small snack stand at the Mirador. The nearby Formentor lighthouse is also a must-see. If you’ve already spent the day at Cala Figuera and around Cap de Formentor, stop for dinner at Port de Pollença.
Cala Bóquer
Nearest town: Port de Pollença
Type of beach: Rock
Hiking time: 30-40 minutes
This quiet pebble beach is tucked away at the edge of the Bóquer Valley (Vall de Bóquer) in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. It’s about a mile and a half hike. I love it because of how green it is, at least for Mallorca. You’re walking through bits of the Serra de Tramuntana and lots of low-lying shrubs and grasses. It’s not a coastal hike, more like a gentle mountain hike with a gorgeous cove at the end. The cove doesn’t have soft sand, but there are rocks you can sun on. It’s great for snorkelling. Unfortunately, I was unable to swim when I went because of the large amount of jellyfish that day, a gamble no matter which beach you go to. Nevertheless, the views and vibes were amazing all the same. A fun game to play with yourself, your friends, or your family is “Find the Goats,” because there can be a lot of them and sometimes you just hear them bleating but don’t see them. Also, protect your lunch because they can be bold.
It’s about a one and a half hour hike to Cala Bóquer. It isn’t that difficult, but the terrain can be a bit rugged so wear good shoes. This hike can be accessed by bus. For more detailed information on the hike route and how to get there, check out our Cala Bóquer beach spotlight.
S’Arenelet des Verger
Nearest town: Artà
Type of beach: Sand
Hiking time: 1.5 hours
S’Arenalet des Verger is a large, white sandy beach with cliffs in the distance. I’ve been twice and there has hardly been anyone else both times. The walk there is gorgeous (albeit long) and the beach itself is a dream.
This beach is in the Natural Park of the Llevant Peninsula and is a protected area.
There is a reason why this gorgeous beach has been sparse both times I’ve been. The hike itself can be a bit tricky. It’s an hour and a half long coastal hike with some ascent and descent needed, but the tricky bits are the rocks. Every so often, the type of rock you’re walking on changes and each new type brings its own difficulty. Some might be pebbly and shift around, others are just jagged and bring the risk of twisting your ankle (I speak from experience). Besides the length, it isn’t a strenuous hike, but the rugged terrain can be difficult to walk on. Wear good shoes. It is mostly in the sun but you do pass through some groves of trees. There are beautiful coves peppered along the way and you have to pass through and around three smaller beaches/calas to get to this specific beach. Additionally, you’ll pass by an 18th-century watchtower (Torre d’Aubarca) which is a cool spot to take pictures.
To reach S’Arenelet des Verger, leave Artá and go towards Cala Torta. You will find yourself on a road that gets worse and worse. Park where it is fine to do so and just start walking down the road. You’ll get to the lovely Cala Estreta and just keep going left past it.
There is a refugio for overnight stays on the beach, but it must be booked in advance.
Platja d’es Caragol
Nearest town: Ses Salines
Type of beach: Sand
Hiking time: 25-30 minutes
Cala Marmols may be my favorite cove, but Playa Caragol is by far my favorite beach. So, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that they aren’t that far from each other. You park at the same place, the Ses Salines lighthouse, and instead of turning left and walking for an hour and a half, you turn right and walk for about twenty-five to thirty minutes.
It’s a long, white sandy beach with amazing clear, turquoise, shallow waters. You can easily spend the day doing all the lazy, normal beach activities from reading to tanning to playing cards, there’s plenty of space for beach activities like volleyball and frisbee, and it’s an incredible place to swim and snorkel. When I went, I spent nine hours doing every beach activity you can possibly think of, and it was a perfect day. And, you do all these things in tranquillity because this is a remote beach you can only get to on foot or by boat, so there are no crowds.
It’s remote enough that there were quite a few nudists, so keep that in mind if you do want to bring your children. Again, remember while the walk isn’t difficult, between the thirty-minute walk and the drive, this is a remote beach with no facilities and nothing nearby.
Be careful, you may be ruined for all other beaches after a day at Playa Caragol.
Cala Marmols
