Cala Bendinat

Cala Bendinat beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Cala Bendinat feels like a compact, sheltered neighbourhood beach where pine trees, rocks and quietly moored boats set the tone rather than big hotels. The cove lies between Bendinat and Portals Nous, so it attracts many local residents and guests from nearby villas who come for calm water and a relaxed swim. You can feel close to Palma and the marina of Puerto Portals yet still have a small, natural looking bay at your feet. If you like intimate sandy coves with clear water and basic comfort, this spot fits well.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type: small sandy cove in residential area
• Ground: fine golden sand with rocky edges
• Water entry: shallow and easy
• Water: feel calm, clear, ideal for swimming
• Shade: from pines and some buildings
• Facilities: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, basic seasonal lifeguard
• Parking: nearby streets, small local areas

The overall vibe

Cala Bendinat is a beach in Mallorca on the southwest coast, in the municipality of Calvià, just a short distance from Portals Nous and about ten kilometres from Palma. It is also referred to in official descriptions as Platja de Portals Nous or Cala Portals Nous, a U shaped inlet finishing in a small sandy cove framed by pines and low rocks. Residential buildings and some villas sit back from the shoreline, but the beach itself still feels relatively natural compared with more built up resort strips.

The atmosphere is calm and fairly local. Regulars mention that the beach is often used by residents of Bendinat and Portals Nous, with families and couples outnumbering large tour groups. The bay is small enough to feel intimate and easy to supervise if you are with children, yet busy enough in summer to have a friendly, lived in energy. It is more about quiet swimming, chatting in the shade and watching small boats than about loud music or water parties.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The sandy area at Cala Bendinat is around 70 to 100 metres long and roughly 15 to 20 metres wide, with fine golden or white sand that feels soft underfoot. The bay is partially framed by rocky outcrops and pine crowned rocks, which add character and give some structure for swimmers and snorkelers along the sides.

The water entry is gentle and shallow, ideal for wading in and for children to play near the shore. The seabed in the central area is mainly sand with little depth at first, which makes it comfortable for standing and floating without sudden drops. Water shoes are not necessary in most of the swimming zone, although they can be handy if you like to explore the rocky edges or climb in from the sides. Because the cove is sheltered and partly protected by nearby rocks and the shape of the inlet, the water is usually very calm and clear, which regular swimmers appreciate for easy lengths and relaxed floating.

Who Cala Bendinat is perfect for

Cala Bendinat is well suited to families, couples and older travellers who want a small, manageable beach with a relaxed, neighbourhood feel. Many local families use it precisely because it combines gentle water, soft sand and a short walk from home or accommodation. It is an appealing choice if you are staying in Bendinat or Portals Nous and want an easy swimming spot without needing to drive further along the coast.

It is less ideal for people who want a long stretch of sand for extended walks or extensive water sports. You will not find the same sense of wide open space you get at beaches like Palmanova or Es Trenc. If your personal best beaches Mallorca list is all about very large bays, Cala Bendinat will feel more like a cosy, convenient base you visit frequently rather than a destination for a big, one off beach day.

Facilities and comfort

For a small cove, Cala Bendinat offers good basic facilities. Reports note that there is a rental service for sunbeds and umbrellas, along with showers and toilets directly behind or near the sand, although there are no large built in beach bars on the beach itself. A seasonal lifeguard presence is often mentioned, giving extra reassurance for families during the main bathing months.

The surroundings add to comfort: pine trees and rocky slopes frame both ends of the cove, providing some natural shade, and residential roads mean everything feels close and human scale. Within a short walk you reach Portals Nous and its marina area, where there are many restaurants, cafés and shops, so it is easy to move between the beach and other services. If you prefer to save on rentals, bringing your own towel and a small umbrella still works well on this beach.

Getting there and parking

Cala Bendinat sits between Bendinat and Portals Nous in the municipality of Calvià, roughly ten minutes by car west of Palma. You typically reach it by taking the main Ma 1 motorway toward Palmanova and Andratx, exiting for Bendinat or Portals Nous and then following local roads (such as Avenida América or the turnoff by the “Cidon” supermarket in Portals Nous) down toward the sea. The access ends at a small square or cul de sac near the shoreline; from there a short path or steps lead to the sand.

Parking is mostly in nearby residential streets and around the small square above the cove. Note that it is “usually possible” to find parking in surrounding streets, although it can be tighter in peak summer and on weekends. Public buses connect Palma with Portals Nous, and from the bus stop it is a short walk to the cala, which can suit those without a car. Many travellers in the mallorcard community say that visiting Cala Bendinat by rental car is recommended because it gives the most flexibility for timing, makes it easy to hop between this cove, nearby Portals Nous beaches and Palma in one day, and avoids depending on less frequent buses, 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 Cala Bendinat

The central part of the beach, where the sand is deepest and the sea bed is uniformly sandy, is usually where families and less confident swimmers choose to stay. For example, many visitors set up near the middle of the cove where lifeguard coverage and direct access to the shallowest water align. This zone is also closest to the steps and facilities, which is useful if you expect to move back and forth during the day.

Toward the ends of the cove, the sand narrows and gives way to rocks and pines. These corners tend to be quieter and are often chosen by people who prefer a more tucked away spot for reading or a bit more separation from the main cluster of sunbeds. The rocky edges also provide simple snorkeling opportunities, with fish and marine life around the stones even in relatively shallow water. Views from the back of the beach and from paths over the rocks capture both the cove and parts of the surrounding coast and marina, making them good places for photos.

What you can do nearby

• Walk to the marina of Puerto Portals for restaurants, cafés and yacht watching after your beach time
• Explore other nearby beaches such as Playa d’Oratori (Portals Nous) and Sa Caleta de Portals Nous on foot or by a short drive
• Visit Palma for shopping, sightseeing and evening dining, using Cala Bendinat as your daytime swim spot
• Play a round at Real Golf de Bendinat or visit local sports clubs if you are combining beach time with activity days

Best time to visit

Mornings at Cala Bendinat are typically the quietest and most pleasant, with softer light and cooler air before the area fills with day visitors and local families. Regular descriptions highlight that, because the cove is small, it can feel busy in the middle of the day even when overall numbers are not huge, so early arrivals have a more relaxed experience.

Late afternoon and early evening can also be attractive, particularly in summer when the heat eases and the light on the pines and rocks becomes warmer. This is a good time to combine a last swim with a walk to Puerto Portals for dinner. If you are exploring several beaches in the southwest of Mallorca, Cala Bendinat works well as a shorter stop paired with bigger bays like Palmanova, or as your regular “home” cove if you are based in Bendinat or Portals Nous.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because the beach is small and used by many local residents, arriving early in high season gives you more choice on where to sit and makes parking easier. Bring reef safe sunscreen, hats and enough water, as the midday sun can be strong and shade on the sand itself is partly dependent on rented umbrellas and pine shadows. Keep an eye on children near the edges of the cove where rocks and boats may be present, and remind them not to swim too far into areas used by small craft.

A simple pair of swim shoes can be useful if you or your children like to explore the rocky corners, though they are not essential for the central sandy area. If you prefer to avoid the cost of sunbeds, a light beach umbrella or shade tent is worth carrying. Mallorcard recommends for this area that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended so you can store shade gear, extra clothes and snacks in the car and easily pivot to Palma, other beaches or the marina if the cove feels too full, 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.

Good to know

Cala Bendinat sits on the southwest coast of Mallorca between the residential areas of Bendinat and Portals Nous, about ten kilometres west of Palma in the municipality of Calvià. The coastline here is made up of a series of small coves and low rocky headlands, with this particular inlet forming a U shaped bay of around 100 metres in length and 20 metres in width. The surrounding area is a mix of residential streets, villas, hotels and the upmarket marina of Puerto Portals, so the general feel is more residential and resort oriented than wild.