An unspoilt cove between pine woods and rock
A half-moon of white sand tucked between low cliffs and pine woods, without a single building in sight. On the north side the sea has carved out a rock arch, "el Pont" (the bridge), and beneath the coast lie more than 500 metres of sea caves and underwater passages.
60min
On foot from Cala Romàntica
70m
Of fine white sand
500m
Of sea caves and passages
Today at Cala Varques
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- Wind
- Offshore waves
Cala Varques opens to the . With an offshore wind it stays sheltered; if the wind blows in from the sea, the waves come in.
Parking
No official parking
Then about 60 min on foot (moderate).
See it from the sea
Trips that pass by Cala Varques. In July and August it pays to book ahead.
Speedboat trip from Portocolom to the Cala Varques natural area
A speedboat from Portocolom to the Cala Varques area, with sea caves and 3 swim stops.
Check dates and pricesBook on GetYourGuide
Mallorca: glass-bottom boat trip, caves and unspoilt coves
A glass-bottom boat (departures from Porto Cristo, Sa Coma or Calas de Mallorca) that tours the area around Cala Varques and its natural bridge.
Check dates and pricesBook on GetYourGuide
Mallorca: snorkelling boat trip in the nature park
A 2-hour boat trip with a diving centre to snorkel at Cala Varques and Cala Magraner.
Check dates and pricesBook on GetYourGuide
What you’ll find
- Sand
- Fine white sand, about 70 × 50 m of beach.
- Facilities
- None: no beach bar, no toilets, no lifeguard. Bring everything you need.
- Little shade
- There are pine woods around it
- Snorkelling: excellent
- The "el Pont" rock arch on the north side and more than 500 m of sea caves and passages.
- Kids, with care
- The water is usually calm, but the walk is long and there are no facilities or lifeguard.
- Dogs: no specific rule
- Manacor's by-law bans dogs on resort beaches or beaches with facilities; Varques is neither, and there's no specific rule.
How to get there
- By car and on foot
- In March 2026 the Consell de Mallorca (island council) blocked off the old stretch of the Ma-4014 that was used as a car park with concrete blocks, and the verges have yellow lines and fines. The alternative is the free car park at Cala Romàntica. The legal and hassle-free way is to leave the car at Cala Romàntica and follow the coastal path south, about 3.5 km, unsignposted, through pine woods and over rock. From the turn-off on the Ma-4014 (between km 10 and 11) there's a 20 to 40-minute dirt track, but it's private for vehicles and you can no longer park there.
- By bus
- There's no stop at the cove. The nearest ones are at Cala Romàntica (s'Estany d'en Mas), about 3.5 km away on foot.
- By boat
- Several snorkelling and sea cave trips from Porto Cristo and Portocolom pass by or stop at the cove.
Best time to go
- Season
- May, June, September and October
- Time of day
- Before 10:00 or after 18:00
- Crowds in summer
- High
In July and August it gets packed. The area's management plan sets a recommended capacity of 129 people, far below what you see in high summer. Go early or late in the afternoon.
Tips and what to bring
- Water and food for the whole day. There’s no beach bar or drinking fountain, and the way back is uphill in the heat.
- Proper walking shoes, not flip-flops: the path has loose stones and unsignposted stretches.
- A parasol or something for shade. The pines are behind the sand, and at midday there’s nowhere to shelter.
- Mask and snorkel. The rock arch on the north side and the cave entrances are the best of the cove. Don’t go into the caves without a guide.
- Take your rubbish home. There are no bins, and the cove is still unspoilt because people look after it.
In the morning the sun falls full on the sand, because the cove faces east. If you want a bit of shade from the rocks, go late in the day.
Photos of Cala Varques
Cala Varques features in these guides
Nearby coves
- es Caló Blanc0.2 km · guide coming soon
- Cala Falcó0.6 km · guide coming soon
- Caló des Serral1 km · guide coming soon
- Cala Magraner1.7 km · guide coming soon
- Cala Pilota1.9 km · guide coming soon
- Cala Romàntica2.2 km · guide coming soon
- Cala Mendia2.7 km · guide coming soon
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Cala Varques?
On foot. The easiest way is to park at Cala Romàntica and walk about 3.5 km along the coast (around an hour). You can also get there on a boat trip from Porto Cristo or Portocolom.
Where can I park?
There's no official parking. Since March 2026 the old car park by the Ma-4014 has been closed, and you'll be fined on the verges. Park at Cala Romàntica.
Can you jump off the rocks?
No. The Ajuntament de Manacor (town council) has banned it after several serious accidents. Follow the signs, even if you see people doing it.
Is it good for children?
The water is usually calm, but there's a fair walk, no shade on the sand, no facilities and no lifeguard. Better with children who are already good walkers.
Can I bring my dog?
There's no specific rule for this cove. If you bring a dog, keep it on a lead and check with the Ajuntament de Manacor first.
Is it a nudist beach?
Nudism is common, although most people wear swimwear.
Is it private or closed?
The beach is public. What's private is the access track for cars, closed since 2019. You can still get there on foot.