Sand, pebbles and pines below the Torre d'Albarca
An open cove of sand and pebbles at the foot of a pine wood, in the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant (Llevant Peninsula Natural Park), with no buildings in sight. On the northern headland stands the Torre d'Albarca, a defence tower from 1751 that still has a cannon on its roof.
2,6km
On foot from the chain barrier
80m
Of sand and pebbles
1751
Year the Torre d'Albarca was built
Today at Cala Matzoc
Sea conditions today
Calculating…
We couldn't check the wind right now. Try reloading in a while.
- Wind
- Offshore waves
Cala Matzoc opens to the . With an offshore wind it stays sheltered; if the wind blows in from the sea, the waves come in.
Parking
Free parking area 2.6 km away
Then about 40 min on foot (moderate).
What you’ll find
- Mixed
- Sand and pebbles, with posidonia remains along the shore, about 80 × 100 m of beach.
- Facilities
- None: no beach bar, no toilets, no lifeguard. Bring everything you need.
- Little shade
- The pine wood comes right down behind the beach and gives some shade at the edges. There's none by the water.
- Snorkelling: good
- The middle is sand and posidonia. The interesting parts are by the rocks on both headlands, when the sea is calm.
- Kids, with care
- It's a fair walk, there are pebbles at the water's edge and there are no facilities or lifeguard.
- Dogs: not allowed
- Not during the bathing season. According to unofficial sources, Artà only allows dogs on its beaches from 1 October to 30 April. Check with the Ajuntament (town council).
How to get there
- By car and on foot
- There's no parking by the cove. The nearest is the free dirt area next to the chain barrier on the Cala Torta track. In 2025 the Govern (Balearic government) announced an organised car park at that junction, planned for 2026. Driving beyond the chain is prohibited. From Artà, take the Capdepera road and then the track of about 10 km towards Cala Torta. Leave the car in the open area by the chain barrier, where the tracks to Cala Torta and Cala Mitjana meet, and walk towards Cala Mitjana, then follow the coastal path west, past Cala Estreta. It's about 2.6 km on track and rocky path. The tracks that cross private estates have their barriers closed.
- By bus
- There's no stop nearby. The closest is at Cala Mesquida (TIB line 422, from Cala Rajada), several hours' walk away along the coast.
Best time to go
- Season
- May, June and September, on days without an easterly wind
- Time of day
- Before 11:00, so you walk before it gets too hot
- Crowds in summer
- Low
The walk puts a lot of people off. Even in summer it's usually quiet, mostly with walkers following the coast towards s'Arenalet d'Aubarca.
Tips and what to bring
- Walking shoes. It’s about 40 minutes on track and rocky path, with stretches of loose stone.
- Food and water for the whole day. There’s no beach bar and no drinking fountains anywhere along the way.
- Walk up to the Torre d’Albarca. It’s about 15 minutes from the cove and the views of the Llevant coast are worth it.
- Check the wind. The cove opens to the east: with llevant (the east wind) or gregal (the north-east wind) the swell rolls in and the shore fills with posidonia.
- Take your rubbish home. There are no bins, and the cove is inside a natural park.
With a westerly or southerly wind the water is usually calm. That’s when the cove looks like it does in the photos.
Photos of Cala Matzoc
Cala Matzoc features in these guides
Nearby coves
- Cala Estreta0.9 km
- Cala Mitjana (Artà)1.2 km
- Cala Torta1.6 km
- s'Arenalet d'Aubarca2.2 km · guide coming soon
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Cala Matzoc?
On foot. Park in the open area by the chain barrier on the Cala Torta track and follow the coastal path west via Cala Mitjana and Cala Estreta. It's about 2.6 km, roughly 40 minutes.
Can I get there by car?
No. Since 2024 a chain has closed the track to the Artà coves to motor vehicles, and the tracks that cross private estates have their barriers closed.
What's the tower next to the cove?
The Torre d'Albarca, also known as Torre des Matzoc. The Ajuntament d'Artà had it built in 1751 to keep watch over the channel towards Menorca, and it still has a cannon on its roof. It's about a 15-minute climb from the cove.
Is it good for children?
Only with children who are good walkers. It's about 40 minutes on foot, there are pebbles at the water's edge and there are no facilities or lifeguard.
Can I bring my dog?
Not during the bathing season. Artà allows dogs on its beaches from October to April, according to unofficial sources. Check with the Ajuntament before you go.
Is it a nudist beach?
Nudism is common here, alongside people in swimwear.