Southern Beaches

Cala Llucalcari is one of a number of small southern beaches about 8Kms south of Alaior which nestles between Cap de ses Penyes and Cova de sa Calc.

This beach is made up of sans and gravel and the sroounding cliffs are high and steep. To the rear of the beach is a wetland and on the eastern side of the beach grows lush vegitation and Bushes watered from the wetlands area.

The southern beaches area of Menorca is cut by about forty canyons, some of them irrigated by torrents, with a contrasting landscape, as well as a rich flora and fauna. The summits are dry because of their sunny exposition, whereas the sides are dark and wet because they are more protected.

Access by car is limited to parking at Son Bou and then walking the Kilometer or so to Cala Llucalcari. This explainswhy this is one of the southern beaches which is never very crowded by tourists nor by locals.

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This is not really a beach it is more of a tourist attraction witha facinating collection of caves, some of which are inhabited. Access tothe small sand and pebbled beach area is down an unmade road. On our visit we left the car at the end of the blacktop road and walked to the coves. We were passed by a number of vehicles, not all suited to the rough track and indeed their was room to park virtually at the water edge. The reason this is more of a touristattraction is that the caves were burial caves. There are about 100 caves around Cales Covesmany of which have been carved into the cliffs. Some you can reach some are inaccessible. If you have the time and energy check out Cales Coves smaller second bay by clambering over the rock head, then go for a dip in the bay's other fork.Nudist use the rocky shelves and cave entrances and swim in the watersof the coves.

There are no facilities at all at the Cove so come prepared if you plan to stay very long.

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My first holiday in Menorca was at Son Bou, perhaps that is why this beach is one of my favourite beaches. However I like to think that my feelings are more analytical. The beach at Son Bou is golden sand which goes on for over a mile. All the way to San Thomas in fact.

This is one of the southern beaches which is well served with good facilities at the eastern end although the further west you go the less developed it becomes. In this area nudists congregate on this unofficial beach.

In the east the beach is backed by Son Bou itself and a vast car park. This combination makes the eastern end of the beach very crowded especially at the weekend when tourists are joined by locals all seeking a place to settle on the foreshore.

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Five kilometres from Es Migjorn Gran, between Punta d'Atálix and Racó des Cavallsnear the villages of Santo Tomàs West and Torre de Son Bou. It is at the western end of the low coastline of southern beaches which starts at Son Bouand runs to Sant Tomàs and on to this small isolated sea inlet. The beach is sand with some seaweed and rocky areas. It is however exposed to the wind from the south. Despite it crystal clear waters it is not well used by either locals or tourists as one has to leave the car at Sant Tomàs and walk along the sandy path to get to Atalis.

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Cala Escorxada is just 8 Kms from Es Migjorn Gran in an area of Special Natural Interest (Natural d'Especial Interès).This area runs from Cala Mitjana to Binigaus. This coastline has high cliffs and this small cove is at the mouth of the Torrent de sa Torre.The beach is comprised of fine grained white sand backed by pine clad high cliffs. The cove is rather exposed to winds directly from the south.Access by car is from Cala Mitjana and involves a 40 minute. Consquently the beach is never normally crowded.

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Platja de Binigaus is the closest of the southern beaches to Es Migjorn Gran and can be found between Punta Rabiosa and Rodona,next to the village of Sant TomàsThis beach is a 15 minute walk along Camí de Cavalls (path of horses)in the Area of Special Natural Interest (Natural d'Especial Interès).The beach is a lage bay and the first in this stretch of coast of a reasonablesize. The sand and pebble nature of the beach with crystal cclear water and usually a gentle breeze, unless the wind is in the south makes an attractiveforepiece for the dunes at the rear. The small island of Illotde Binicodrell effectively separates the beach from the next beach.

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Platja de Sant Tomàs is next to Platja de Binicordell, and Punta Atàlitx. The beach is sandy with a rocky areas to the east. A gentle breeze, crystal clear water and easy access from the village leads to it becoming crowded. The facilities are however good on this beach.

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Platja de Binicodrell is close to Platja de Binigaus, and Punta Negra near Illot de Binicodrell. Close by is Platja de Santo Tomàs, as well as next to the village of Santo Tomàs. This is part of this huge bay, totally open to the sea. This beach is a 15 minute walk along Camí de Cavalls (path of horses) from the free car park in Sant Tomàs.

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Cala Trebalúger is in the Area of Special Natural Interest (Natural d'Especial Interès).This coast has high cliffs with sea inlets and beautiful coves. This natural beach is the result of a sea inlet at the end ofa canyon and a river with the same name.The small beach is fine grained white sand and the water is calm and crystal clear.This is one of the southern beaches very popular with sub aqua enthusiasts and with nudists. Access by car is from Cala Mitjana and involves a 40 minute. However the beach can be crowded at times.

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Cala Galdana, also referred to as Cala Santa Galdana or Cala Santagaldana, is located on the south coast approximately 7Kms from Ferreries, located between Morro de Ponent and Penyal Vermell, as well as next to the village with the same name and surrounded by mirador des Riu and sa Punta (excellent panoramic views). The name is given by the Arab word Guad-al Ana.

Cala Santa Galdana is often referred to as the queen of Menorcan Beaches.A wonderfully sheltered keyhole bay with white sands, pine trees and high cliffs guarding its entrance. The bay has excellent conditions for swimming and morning shade at the eastern side. Cala Santa Galdana also boasts a fun water park and a children’s playground and is situated at the mouth of Menorca’s only river and the "The Algendar" ravine which stretches inland for 10kms. Access by car is straight forward just follow the signs to the private car where one can leave your vehicle on a free parking area or in the surrounding area.

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Cala Mitjana

On the road south from Ferreries take a left just before you reach Cala Galdana. Follow the rough road down to a free car park. A 5 minute walk brings you to this little known cove with pine clad low white cliffs. Snorkeling and swimming conditions are excellent and Cala Mitjana is close by. These beautiful Menorcan beaches are undeveloped so come prepared. You can also reach the beach on foot from the nearby Cala Galdana. Just follow the path to Camí de Cavalls 1.5Kms away, a walk of less than half an hour.

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