Mallorca has some of the most beautiful coves in the Mediterranean, but also the worst parking problem in Spain in summer. This guide sorts them by area, tells you which have services and which are wild, and how to get there without fighting for a spot. The key: go early or out of season.
Not all are for the same thing: some are long and family-friendly, others small and photogenic (and jammed), and a few wild without a single beach bar. Choose by the day.
By area
| Area | Standout coves | Character |
|---|---|---|
| South | Es Trenc, Cala Pi | Long and wild / narrow inlet between cliffs |
| South-east | Mondragó, Caló des Moro, Cala Llombards | Turquoise, small and photogenic |
| North-east | Cala Agulla, Cala Mesquida | Spacious, with dunes and pine woods |
| North | Formentor, Playa de Muro | Family-friendly, calm water |
| Tramuntana | Sa Calobra, Cala Tuent, Cala Deià | Dramatic, between mountains |
The essentials
Es Trenc (south). The most famous wild beach: white sand and Caribbean water, no buildings, beside the salt flats. Hardly any services; bring shade and water.
Cala Mondragó (south-east). Inside a natural park, with two calm beaches (s'Amarador and Mondragó). Turquoise water and a protected setting; ideal for families.
Caló des Moro (south-east). The cove of the photos: tiny, wedged between rocks, with impossible water. Beautiful but it gets jammed; the parking is minuscule and you climb down steps.
Sa Calobra and Cala Tuent (Tramuntana). Spectacular coves at the foot of the mountains, at the end of the most vertiginous road on the island. Arrive early or come by boat.
Playa de Muro / Alcúdia (north). The great family beach: fine sand, long and shallow, with all the services.
How to avoid the queues
⭐ Tip: the small coves (Caló des Moro, Cala Varques) have minimal parking. Arrive before 9:00 or after 18:00, or go by boat/excursion. At midday in August there's no room even for a towel.
With or without services
| With services (beach bar, sun loungers) | Wild (bring everything) |
|---|---|
| Playa de Muro, Cala Agulla, Mondragó | Es Trenc, Caló des Moro, Cala Varques |
What we don't recommend
- Going to the small coves at midday in summer. No parking and overflowing.
- Expecting services at the wild ones. Es Trenc or Cala Varques have no beach bar; bring water and shade.
- Stepping carelessly on the posidonia. The underwater meadows (a World Heritage Site) are what give the crystal-clear water.
- Climbing down to Caló des Moro with reduced mobility. It's a descent over rocks and steps.
Common mistakes
⚠️ Warning: the slip-ups we see most.
- Not going early. It's the only way to park at the fashionable coves.
- Forgetting water shoes. Some coves have rocks or pebbles.
- Not checking the wind. Depending on the direction, one cove or another will be sheltered or choppy.
In one sentence
The best coves in Mallorca range from the wild Caribbean of Es Trenc to the turquoise of Mondragó and the drama of Sa Calobra; the difference between enjoying or enduring them is going early. For the rest of the island, what to see in Mallorca is your guide.