Cala Murta

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

This Cala Murta is a tiny, rocky sea pocket on Mallorca’s east coast, just south of Porto Cristo and very close to the Caves of Drach. It is much smaller and more rugged than many nearby beaches, more like a rocky access point to outstandingly clear water than a place to spread out for a full day. Many visitors hear about it as a hidden cove to combine with a cave visit and come for a short swim or snorkel in a quiet setting. If you like intimate, rock framed corners and do not need sand or facilities, this little inlet can make a charming stop.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type: Very small rocky cove
• Ground: Rocks, small slabs, some rough stones
• Water entry: From rocks, quickly deep
• Water feel: Very clear, mostly calm to light chop
• Shade: Limited, mainly from cliffs and vegetation
• Facilities: No services at the cove, only in Porto Cristo
• Parking: Street or nearby parking above the cove, then short walk
• Best for: Confident swimmers, snorkelers, quick swims after visiting the caves

The overall vibe

Cala Murta is a beach in Mallorca only in name; in practice it is a narrow rocky inlet a few metres wide and about 20 metres deep, set immediately south of Porto Cristo near the Caves of Drach. The headland and cliffs around it provide shelter and a sense of seclusion, and there is very little flat ground at sea level. You mainly see rock, low shrubs and the clear water in front of you, with a chalet or building above one side but no development on the shore itself.

The atmosphere is quiet and intimate. You are unlikely to find large crowds here, but in summer there can be a handful of people at any time, especially those who know the area or have just visited the caves. Many stay only a short while, swimming or snorkeling and then heading back toward Porto Cristo, so the flow of visitors is light and discontinuous rather than packed.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

There is no real sand at Cala Murta. The ground consists of rock shelves, rough stones and small boulders, with just enough broken rock or very small patches where you might place a towel if you do not mind the hard surface. This is not a place for lying in comfort, but you can sit on a flat rock to rest.

Water entry is from the rocks, usually down small natural steps or via smoothed spots where other visitors have gone in and out before. The seabed drops away fairly quickly, moving from rock and boulders close to shore into deeper water where the bottom may be a mix of rock and patches of sand. Water shoes are very useful here, both for grip and to avoid hurting your feet on sharp or uneven surfaces. Once you are in, the water is typically very clear and the small cove is sheltered from large swell, making it inviting for a short swim or snorkeling along the rock faces.

Who Cala Murta is perfect for

Cala Murta suits confident swimmers and snorkelers who enjoy small, rugged coves and do not need any beach services. It is a good option if you are already in Porto Cristo or visiting the Caves of Drach and want a quick, refreshing dip in natural surroundings away from the main town beach. Many people who seek out “hidden” corners along the east coast include it as a brief stop rather than a full‑day destination.

It is not suitable for families with small children, people with limited mobility or anyone who wants sand, shallow water and flat access. The rocky entry, quick depth and lack of lifeguard presence make it better for experienced swimmers who are careful and self reliant in the water. If your ideal best beaches Mallorca list is based on long sandy bays, Cala Murta should be treated as a small extra experience, not a main beach.

Facilities and comfort

There are no facilities at Cala Murta itself. You will not find sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, showers or a bar at the cove. All services such as cafés, restaurants, shops and public toilets are in Porto Cristo or around the Caves of Drach, a short drive or walk away but not close enough for quick back and forth trips during a swim.

Comfort here depends on simple preparation. A good pair of water shoes or sturdy sandals helps with the rocky ground, and a small towel or mat is useful if you plan to sit for a while on the rocks. Because the cove is small and largely open to the sky, there is only limited shade from the cliff walls and vegetation depending on the time of day. This is usually fine for a short stop, but it is not an all‑day shade beach.

Getting there and parking

Cala Murta lies on the east coast of Mallorca in the municipality of Manacor, just south of Porto Cristo and near the entrance to the Caves of Drach. To reach it you normally drive toward Porto Cristo and the caves on main roads such as the MA 4014, MA 4020 or MA 4023, then use local streets to get closer to the coast in the Cala Murta area. Some descriptions mention a path starting near the back of the Caves of Drach entrance and leading down to the cove in about 10 to 15 minutes.

Parking is on nearby streets or in areas used for the caves and Porto Cristo, depending on how you choose to approach. Once parked, you walk down a small path that takes you through low vegetation and rock toward the shore. The path is short but can be uneven, with stones and perhaps some mild slopes, so light trainers or sturdy sandals are more comfortable and safer than thin flip flops.

The best spots along Cala Murta

For example, many visitors simply choose the nearest flat rock platform where it is possible to put a towel and leave belongings while they swim. If you want a bit more space or privacy, you can move slightly along the rocks toward the sides of the inlet, always checking your footing and staying clear of any unstable rock faces. Snorkelers usually follow the rock walls along either side of the cove, where you are more likely to see fish and interesting underwater formations.

Because the cove is small, there is not much difference between “sections” as on a large beach, but the corners can feel quieter if several people are using the central entry point. Those who enjoy photography often climb a little higher up the path or onto safe vantage points behind the cove to capture the rock framed water from above.

What you can do nearby

• Visit the Caves of Drach and their underground lake, a few hundred metres away
• Spend a longer beach day on Porto Cristo’s main sandy beach
• Explore the harbour and seafront promenade of Porto Cristo
• Drive to other nearby coves and beaches such as Cala Anguila or Cala Mendia
• Combine the visit with a drive along the east coast, linking several small calas

Best time to visit

Morning and late afternoon are usually the best times to visit a small rocky cove like Cala Murta. In the morning, temperatures are lower, the rocks are cooler and you are more likely to find the place quiet. Late afternoon brings softer light and a pleasant way to end a day of sightseeing or a cave visit.

Midday in summer can be intense on the rocks, with strong sun and reflected glare from the water, and there is little room to move into deep shade. Because the cove is so small, it can feel full quickly if several groups arrive at once, so treating it as a short stop rather than planning to stay all day gives you more flexibility. If you are exploring several beaches in Mallorca, Cala Murta works best as a quick dip and photo stop after or before time at larger, more comfortable beaches nearby.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Wear sturdy sandals or water shoes for the short path and the rock entry, as the ground can be uneven and slippery when wet. Take care on the rocks and avoid jumping into the water without checking depth and the position of submerged stones first, because the cove is small and conditions can change with shifting material and water levels. Bring a small bottle of water, sun protection and a towel, even if you are only planning a short visit, as there is no shade or service directly on site.

Because there is no lifeguard, always stay within your swimming ability, keep an eye on changing wave or wind conditions and avoid swimming alone far from the rocks. As this is a small and fragile natural corner, keep noise low and be sure to carry out all rubbish with you when you leave. Mallorcard recommends for this area that visiting Cala Murta by rental car is recommended because mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals as it works with multiple companies, the current promo code is available on mallorcard.es and typical savings can be around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season, which makes it easier to combine the cove, Porto Cristo’s main beach and the Caves of Drach in one flexible day, keeping extra water, footwear and a change of clothes in the car.

Good to know

This Cala Murta is on the east coast of Mallorca in the municipality of Manacor, immediately south of the town and harbour of Porto Cristo and close to the Caves of Drach complex. It is a very small rocky cove tucked into the coastline, with cliffs and rocky slopes on either side and only minimal flat rocky ground at sea level, rather than a classic sandy bay. The surrounding area is a mix of natural rock and vegetation with nearby residential and tourist infrastructure slightly inland around Porto Cristo and the cave entrance.

The tiny size of the cove and its location near such a major attraction mean it is best understood as a secondary, quick swim spot rather than as a primary beach. It is distinct from the better known Cala Murta on the Formentor peninsula in north Mallorca, which is a larger shingle bay reached by a longer hike; when planning or using maps, make sure you focus on the Cala Murta near Porto Cristo if you want this small, east coast cove.