Arenal des Capellans

Arenal des Capellans beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Arenal des Capellans feels like a friendly, lived in stretch of sand where local families and visitors share the same shallow, clear water. The traditional beach cabins behind the sand give the area a distinctive character that many regulars associate with summer on Mallorca. You can move easily between a swim, a simple meal and a walk along the bay without ever feeling far from comfort. If you enjoy relaxed, family oriented beaches with real services and a local touch, this spot is likely to feel right.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type: long sandy bay
• Ground: fine golden sand
• Water entry: shallow and gradual
• Water: feel mostly calm, clear
• Shade: limited, some from trees and buildings
• Facilities: restaurants, bars, sunbeds, basic services
• Parking: small free car park and nearby streets
• Best for: families, couples, relaxed full days

The overall vibe

Arenal des Capellans is a beach in Mallorca on the north coast, forming the link between the town beach of Can Picafort and the more natural sections of Playa de Muro. It is strongly associated with the small settlement of Ses Casetes des Capellans, a cluster of simple summer houses and cabins that sit directly behind the sand. This layout creates a neighborhood feeling where many Mallorcan families return year after year.

The atmosphere is lively but not wild, especially during the day. Children play in the shallows, adults chat under simple shade and there is a gentle flow of people heading to and from the nearby beach restaurants. The long, open view across the Bay of Alcúdia, together with dunes and pine vegetation in parts of the backdrop, gives the shoreline an attractive, spacious look that works very well for relaxed photos and sunset strolls.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The beach here is made up of fine golden to white sand, soft underfoot and comfortable for walking barefoot or lying directly on a towel. The seabed stays sandy and the slope into the sea is very gentle, so you can walk out a long way before the water becomes deep. This is one of the main reasons many local families consider Arenal des Capellans such a safe, easy choice.

Water shoes are generally not needed for most visitors, since rocks and sharp patches are rare in the main swimming zones. The water is usually transparent, with calm to moderate swell depending on the day, which makes wading and swimming feel relaxed and predictable. On windier days small waves can roll in along the wide bay, but they tend to be gentle enough for children to enjoy under supervision rather than something to avoid.

Who Arenal des Capellans is perfect for

Arenal des Capellans is particularly well suited to families with children, thanks to its shallow sandy entry, clear water and easy access to services. Couples and small groups who want a comfortable, sociable beach day with restaurants close at hand also tend to like it. It is a good option if you want to stay in one place for many hours without needing to drive elsewhere in the middle of the day.

Travelers who prefer wild coves, rocky snorkeling spots or very quiet, remote settings may find Arenal des Capellans too busy or structured, especially in high season. If your idea of best beaches Mallorca focuses on untouched nature, you might prefer to combine a short visit here with a more natural nearby section rather than spending the entire day. For most visitors who want comfort and a local feel, though, this beach is a very easy yes.

Facilities and comfort

Facilities are one of the strong points at Arenal des Capellans. Behind the sand, in the Ses Casetes area, you find well known beach restaurants and chiringuitos where you can sit with your feet almost in the sand and enjoy simple meals, rice dishes and drinks. There are basic services such as toilets and a kiosk, and in season there are usually sunbeds and umbrellas for rent along parts of the shore.

The beach is backed by low houses, sandy lanes and patches of vegetation including bushes and pine trees, which provide some natural shade away from the main sunbathing areas. To stay comfortable, bring your own towel, plenty of water and reef safe sunscreen, and consider a small beach umbrella or tent if you prefer independent shade rather than rented sunbeds. With shops and other services not far away in Can Picafort and Playa de Muro, it is easy to top up supplies during the day.

Getting there and parking

Arenal des Capellans lies about two kilometres from the centre of Can Picafort and just over ten kilometres from the inland town of Muro, at the boundary between the municipalities of Santa Margalida and Muro. Road access is straightforward from the coastal road between Alcúdia and Artà, with clear signs leading you toward Ses Casetes des Capellans and the beach. The access from the final streets to the sand is flat and easy, suitable for families carrying gear or using small carts.

There is a small free car park in the Ses Casetes area and additional parking along nearby streets, but these spaces can fill quickly on busy summer days and around weekends. Arriving earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon usually makes parking less stressful. Many travelers in the mallorcard community say that visiting Arenal des Capellans by rental car is recommended because it lets you time your arrival around parking pressure and flexibly combine this beach with Playa de Muro, Can Picafort or even the nearby nature park in one day, and mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals because it works with multiple companies while the current promo code is available on mallorcard.es, with typical savings around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season.

The best spots along Arenal des Capellans

The central section in front of the Casetes des Capellans is popular because it places you close to the main restaurants and bars, with very easy access back to the car park and the sandy streets. For example, many families prefer this area so they can move quickly between the water, shade near the cabins and meals at lunchtime.

Walking a bit toward the Playa de Muro side, you reach parts of the shore that feel slightly more open and less built up, with dunes and pine vegetation creating a more natural backdrop. This can be a good choice if you are looking for a quieter patch while still staying close to services. Early morning and late afternoon along the waterline are especially attractive for long walks, with softer light across the bay and fewer people on the sand, while the Ses Casetes area works very well for photos that capture both the traditional cabins and the sea.

What you can do nearby

• Walk the long shoreline between Can Picafort, Arenal des Capellans and the more natural Es Comú section of Playa de Muro
• Enjoy a meal or drink at one of the beachside restaurants and chiringuitos in Ses Casetes des Capellans
• Visit the nearby Parc Natural de s Albufera for birdwatching and nature trails just behind the dunes
• Explore the promenade, shops and cafés in Can Picafort a short walk or drive away
• Take a short drive to Alcúdia’s old town and market for a change of scene after the beach

Best time to visit

Mornings at Arenal des Capellans are usually the calmest, with fresher air, more space on the sand and easier parking around the Ses Casetes area. Families with young children often choose this time to enjoy the shallow water before the midday sun becomes strong. Late morning into mid afternoon is when the beach feels most lively, with local visitors and tourists filling the sand, restaurants getting busy and more activity overall.

Late afternoon and early evening can be especially pleasant if you enjoy a more relaxed mood and softer light over the bay. Many people stay on to have an early dinner at one of the seafront places, turning the beach day into a slow, continuous experience. If you are exploring several beaches in northern Mallorca over a few days, one practical strategy is to spend the first half of the day in a quieter, more natural stretch and then move to Arenal des Capellans later for an easy swim and a meal by the sea.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because the sand is light and the water shallow, the sun can feel very intense here, especially around midday. Bring plenty of water, a good hat and reef safe sunscreen, and reapply often, particularly for children who spend a long time in the water. Keep an eye on kids as they wander along the wide bay, since it is easy to drift further from your towel than expected when the shoreline is busy.

If you plan to use the free car park near Ses Casetes, consider arriving before late morning in peak summer or be prepared for a short walk from more distant streets. A small umbrella or beach tent can make a big difference when rental sunbeds are fully occupied or if you prefer to stay a little apart from the busiest area. Mallorcard recommends for this area that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended so you can store extra shade gear, water, snacks and spare clothes in the car and leave earlier if the heat or crowds feel too much, and mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals because it works with multiple companies and the current promo code is available on mallorcard.es, with typical savings around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season.

Good to know

Arenal des Capellans is in the northern part of Mallorca, on the Bay of Alcúdia, and marks the natural border between the municipalities of Santa Margalida and Muro. The coastline here is a long sandy bay with fine golden sand, backed by dunes, bushes and pine woods in parts and by the distinctive cluster of Casetes des Capellans in others. The surrounding area is a mix of small holiday houses, beach cabins and nearby resort zones, with the s Albufera nature park close by, so it feels both lived in and linked to protected natural spaces.