Cala des Capellans

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

Cala des Capellans, also known as Caleta des Capellans, is a small, quiet cove on the Mal Pas side of Alcúdia’s north coast. It sits close to s’Illot and the pine woods of Bonaire, with a narrow strip of coarse sand and pebbles backed by trees and low rocks. Many visitors come here for a short, peaceful swim and the views across the Bay of Pollença rather than a full resort style day. The setting feels more local and natural than urban, even though residential areas are not far behind the pines. If you enjoy low key coves with simple access and clear water, this spot can work very well as part of a north coast day.

• Beach type: Small semi natural cove
• Ground: Coarse sand and pebbles
• Water entry: Gentle, some stones
• Water feel: Clear, usually calm
• Shade: Good from pines
• Facilities: Very limited, nearby only
• Parking: Roadside by the pines
• Best for: Short swims, locals, walkers

The overall vibe

Cala des Capellans is a modest beach in Mallorca that offers a relaxed, neighbourhood cove atmosphere rather than a busy tourist scene. The shore lies below a fringe of pine trees and low rocky edges, with simple paths and a few benches nearby, giving it a calm, park like feeling. The crowd tends to be a mix of local residents, people staying in holiday homes in Mal Pas and a few visitors who have come over from Alcúdia looking for something quieter than the big bay beach. It rarely feels crowded, though on summer weekends it can be well used by families and groups who know the area. The views over the water toward the Formentor peninsula and nearby islets make it a pleasant place for photos and a relaxed swim, especially in the softer light of morning or late afternoon.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The shoreline at Cala des Capellans is made up of a mix of coarse sand, small pebbles and some larger stones, with rockier sections nearer the sides of the cove. You can usually find enough sand to sit and to enter the water comfortably, but it is not as uniformly soft as Alcúdia’s main bay beach. The water entry is generally gentle, with a slope that lets you wade in gradually, though you may feel stones underfoot in places. Water shoes are helpful if you have sensitive feet or plan to move around close to the rocks, since the seabed transitions from sand to pebbles and rock patches as you go deeper. On many days the water is calm and clear, as the position in the bay and the shape of the shore protect it from large waves; on windier days there can be a bit more movement, but it usually remains manageable for regular swimmers.

Who Cala des Capellans is perfect for

Cala des Capellans suits travelers who prefer small, quiet coves over large, organised beaches and who are happy with basic conditions. Local families, couples and walkers often use it for a short swim, a bit of sun and then a stroll under the trees. It works well for people who are staying in Mal Pas or Bonaire and want a nearby spot to cool off without driving to the main resort beaches. It is less ideal as a full day base for larger families who need playgrounds, watersports, wide sand and lots of nearby entertainment. If your best beaches Mallorca route includes a mix of big, serviced bays and smaller, local feeling stops, this cove fits nicely into the quieter category.

Facilities and comfort

Directly at Cala des Capellans facilities are very limited. There are no lines of sunbeds, big rental stands or beach clubs on the sand. Shade comes naturally from the trees behind the beach, where you may also find simple seating and picnic spots, depending on the exact section you use. Any toilets, cafés or restaurants you rely on will be in the surrounding Mal Pas and Bonaire residential areas or further back toward Alcúdia, so it is sensible to bring water, snacks and anything you need for a comfortable stay. Because the area is more local than resort focused, you should not expect lifeguard services or extensive signage; swimmers need to take normal care and judge conditions themselves.

Getting there and parking

Cala des Capellans lies near Mal Pas and Bonaire on the north side of the Alcúdia peninsula, facing the Bay of Pollença. To reach it by car, you drive from Alcúdia town toward Mal Pas and Bonaire, then follow smaller streets through the pine and residential zone toward the coast, checking your map for the exact cove location so you do not confuse it with neighbouring small beaches. The access roads are narrow but straightforward, with low traffic outside peak summer weekends. Parking is usually along nearby streets or in small roadside spaces under or near the pines, and in high season it can be a bit busier when more people from the area come down for a swim. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended so you can reach Mal Pas easily, move between this cove, S’Illot and other nearby beaches and avoid relying on limited local 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. From where you park, short paths lead directly to the water.

The best spots along Cala des Capellans

Even on a small cove, small choices about where you sit can shape your experience. Many visitors gravitate to the central part of the shore, where the mix of sand and small pebbles makes it easier to spread a towel and the entry into the sea is smoother. Others prefer the corners where rocks give more structure, and where you can sit partly on stone and partly on sand with a bit more separation from other groups. For example, families may choose a spot close to the trees at the back so children can play between shade and shore without being in direct sun all the time. Snorkelers tend to explore along the rocky sides and toward nearby islets, where fish and sea grass break up the sandy bottom. If you like photos, the angle that includes the pines, the islets and the distant Formentor outline gives a good sense of the cove’s setting.

What you can do nearby

• Swim and relax at other Mal Pas coves like Platja de Sant Joan and Platja de Sant Pere
• Visit Alcúdia old town and its medieval walls for a walk and a meal
• Explore the Alcanada area and its beach further around the bay
• Take short coastal walks around Bonaire and Mal Pas for viewpoints over the Bay of Pollença
• Join boat trips or watersports from nearby ports such as Port d’Alcúdia or Port de Pollença

Best time to visit

Morning is often the most peaceful time at Cala des Capellans, with cooler air, calm water and fewer people under the pines. If you arrive early you can usually pick your preferred spot and enjoy a quiet swim before the day heats up. Late morning and early afternoon bring more families and locals, especially in summer and on weekends, but the cove still feels more gentle than large resort beaches. Late afternoon and evening are especially pleasant here, as the light over the bay softens and temperatures drop, making it a nice place for a final swim and some time under the trees. If you are touring several beaches in Mallorca, this cove works well as part of a relaxed north coast day where you mix Alcúdia town with a couple of different small and large beaches.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because Cala des Capellans has limited services and a mixed sand and pebble ground, a bit of preparation goes a long way. Bring water, some snacks and reef safe sunscreen, plus a hat or lightweight cover up, as you will move between sun on the shore and shade under the pines. Simple water shoes are useful if you prefer not to feel stones underfoot when entering the water or walking near the rocks. Keep an eye on children, as there is no lifeguard and the seabed changes from sand to stones in some areas, though the general entry is gentle. The Mallorcard community tip is that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended so you can keep towels, extra clothes and picnic supplies in the car and easily switch to other nearby beaches or to Alcúdia town if wind, crowds or mood change, 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 des Capellans is on the north coast of Mallorca, in the Alcúdia area near Mal Pas and Bonaire, facing into the Bay of Pollença. It is a small cove with a mix of coarse sand and pebbles, framed by rocky coastline and coniferous forest rather than dense hotel development. The surrounding zone is mostly residential and holiday home focused, with a natural feel at the water’s edge thanks to the pines and the lack of large buildings right on the shore. Having the exact cove marked on your map is helpful, as this stretch includes several small beaches and access points and Caleta des Capellans sits close to s’Illot and the Pinars de Bonaire woods. When planning your north Mallorca days, see this beach as a quiet, local style stop that combines well with visits to Alcúdia’s old town and other nearby coves, rather than as a single, all day resort beach.