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Swimming in Ciutadella

Also spelled Ciudadela

Ciutadella is the town at the western end of Menorca, about 40 km from Maó and the airport. Its southern coves lie between pine woods and limestone cliffs, and the Camí de Cavalls coast path links Cala en Turqueta, Macarella and Macarelleta on foot, while Cala Pilar faces north into the tramuntana. The old town and harbour are about 10 km north-west of the southern coves.

  • Spots5
  • Water in Nov19°
  • Free to enter5
Street map of Ciutadella with every spot marked and numbered54321
© OpenStreetMap contributors, © OpenMapTiles

Every spot in Ciutadella

Typical water temperature in November.

  1. Ben Salter from Wales, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY

    1Cala en Turqueta

    Cove, Ciutadella · Protected area (ANEI, Natura 2000); car park spaces limited

    A south-facing cove of white sand about 100 m long, split in two by a rocky outcrop and backed by pine woods.

    19°NovFree
  2. Marcelsala007, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA

    2Cala Macarella

    Cove, Ciutadella · No private cars to the car park 1 June to 30 September; shuttle bus, on foot or by bike

    A south-facing cove of white sand about 140 m long at the mouth of the Santa Anna ravine, backed by pine-covered cliffs and a small freshwater wetland.

    19°NovFree
  3. Pandymc, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA

    3Cala Macarelleta

    Cove, Ciutadella · No road access; dune restoration areas roped off

    A small south-east-facing cove of sand about 40 m long beside Macarella, reached only on foot from Macarella beach or from the sea.

    19°NovFree
  4. Markus Trienke, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA

    4Cala Pilar

    Cove, Ciutadella · Inside the Reserva Marina de Menorca; car park spaces limited

    A north-facing cove about 230 m long on the north coast of Ciutadella, where reddish mudstone and sandstone rocks meet ochre sand.

    19°NovFree
  5. Mynomadicbackpack, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA

    5Son Saura

    Beach, Ciutadella · Protected area (ANEI, Natura 2000); dunes protected

    Two south-facing sand beaches, Es Banyul (200 m) and Bellavista (320 m), separated by a small rocky point on the south coast of Ciutadella.

    19°NovFree

Questions about Ciutadella

Can you drive to Cala Macarella from Ciutadella in summer?

No. From 1 June to 30 September the road to the Macarella car park is closed to private cars, so you take the Macarella bus from the ring road (via perimetral) in Ciutadella, walk or cycle. From the car park it's about 20 minutes on foot to the beach, and Cala Macarelleta is another 10 minutes along the path. Children from 4 need a bus ticket.

Is there a bus from Ciutadella to the beaches?

Yes, in summer, to three of them. Line 68 runs to Cala en Turqueta, line 66 to Son Saura, and the Macarella bus to the Macarella car park. For Cala Pilar you drive to the Alforí car park off the Me-1 and walk about 2.5 km, roughly 40 minutes.

Which Ciutadella beaches have lifeguards?

Cala en Turqueta, Cala Macarella and Son Saura have lifeguards in season. Cala Macarelleta and Cala Pilar have no lifeguard service.

How warm is the sea at Ciutadella in October?

Typically about 22 °C in October, down from about 26 °C in August and 25 °C in September. By November it's usually around 19 °C.