Caló d'en Sureda
Beach in Mallorca
Caló d’en Sureda beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go
Caló d’en Sureda is a small, quiet cove on Mallorca’s northeast coast, close to Colònia de Sant Pere and Betlem. The shoreline feels simple and natural, with light sand mixed with gravel and low rocky edges facing the wide bay of Alcúdia. It is the kind of place where you come for an unhurried swim, open views, and a more local atmosphere rather than classic resort infrastructure. Many visitors mention that it often feels peaceful, even in summer, compared with the busier beaches on the other side of the bay. If you enjoy low key, semi wild coves and do not need many facilities, this spot can be a good fit.
Quick facts at a glance
- Beach type – small semi natural cove
- Ground – sand and gravel with rocks
- Water entry – mostly gentle, some stones underfoot
- Water feel – clear, usually calm to mildly choppy
- Shade – very limited, mostly from rocks or nearby vegetation
- Facilities – minimal, services in Colònia de Sant Pere
- Parking – roadside or small informal areas nearby
- Best for – quiet swims, walkers, relaxed nature stops
The overall vibe
Caló d’en Sureda is a beach in Mallorca that offers a modest sandy and gravel cove in a largely natural corner of the Artà coastline. The beach is short and not very wide, sitting along a stretch of low rocky shore interspersed with small inlets. You look out across the bay of Alcúdia to the distant mountains and coastline on the far side, with very little building density directly at the water. The atmosphere is calm and unpretentious, with a mix of local residents, walkers, and a few beachgoers who prefer quiet corners over large resort bays. It often feels like a pause along a coastal walk rather than a place designed for full day beach sessions, which many travelers appreciate.
Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels
The ground at Caló d’en Sureda combines pale sand with gravel and small stones, plus low rock outcrops along the edges. In the central part of the cove there is enough sand and fine gravel to lay out a towel comfortably, though you will still notice small pebbles. Water entry here is generally gentle, with a shallow slope that lets you walk out gradually. Underwater, the seabed shifts between sandy patches and areas with stones or small reefs, so it is sensible to step carefully at first. Water shoes can be helpful if you have sensitive feet or want to explore around the rocks, especially where waves or currents move stones underfoot. On normal days the sea is clear and inviting, though breezier conditions can bring small waves and surface chop.
Who Caló d’en Sureda is perfect for
Caló d’en Sureda works best for travelers who value peace, natural surroundings, and simplicity over full service comfort. Walkers, cyclists, and people staying in or around Colònia de Sant Pere often use it as a swim stop during a day spent exploring the coast. Couples and solo visitors who enjoy sitting quietly with a book or watching the changing light across the bay also tend to like this cove. It is less ideal for families looking for a broad sandy playground, or for anyone who wants sunbeds, lifeguards, and easy stroller access. If you are building a best beaches Mallorca style itinerary focused on natural, less developed spots, Caló d’en Sureda can be a pleasing, low key stop alongside the larger beaches of the northeast.
Facilities and comfort
On the beach itself there are no formal facilities such as sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, or toilets. Any services you might want, like cafés, restaurants, or small supermarkets, are found back in Colònia de Sant Pere or nearby villages, which are close by but not directly on the cove. This means you should arrive prepared: bring enough drinking water, snacks, and whatever you want to sit on. A thicker towel or simple beach mat is useful to cushion the gravel and stones. Because natural shade is scarce, a small umbrella or sunshade can make your stay much more comfortable, especially in the middle of the day. The overall comfort here comes from space, quiet, and views rather than built infrastructure.
Getting there and parking
Caló d’en Sureda lies in the municipality of Artà, along the northeast coast of Mallorca, not far from Colònia de Sant Pere and Betlem. Access is usually by car along local roads that follow the shoreline from Colònia de Sant Pere toward Betlem, with small paths or tracks leading from the road down to the water. Parking tends to be informal, using roadside pull offs or small unmarked areas, so you will want to park considerately and avoid blocking tracks or driveways. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended because mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals since 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, which makes it easier to combine Caló d’en Sureda with other coves and villages in the northeast without relying on less frequent rural bus services. From where you park, expect a short walk over uneven ground to reach the cove.
The best spots along Caló d’en Sureda
For most visitors, the central sandy and gravel section is the most comfortable place to spread a towel and access the water. For example, many families with older children prefer this middle area where the slope is gentle and there are fewer rocks to navigate. The rocky edges are usually chosen by snorkelers and stronger swimmers who like to explore fish and underwater plants around the stones and small reefs. A bit higher up from the shore, low rocky ledges provide slightly raised spots that catch more breeze and offer better views out across the bay. If you are walking along the coast, you may also find small neighboring inlets with even fewer people, which can work well for short, quiet swims.
What you can do nearby
- Walk or cycle the coastal track between Colònia de Sant Pere and Betlem, stopping at small coves along the way
- Visit Colònia de Sant Pere for a harbor stroll, cafés, and simple seafront restaurants
- Explore the natural and archaeological areas of the nearby Parc natural de la Península de Llevant
- Drive to Son Serra de Marina for a longer, more open natural beach with dunes
- Combine a swim at Caló d’en Sureda with an inland visit to the historic town of Artà
Best time to visit
Morning often brings the calmest water and the quietest atmosphere at Caló d’en Sureda, as the light spreads over the bay and temperatures are still mild. By late morning and early afternoon, the sun is strong and there is little shade, so you will feel the heat more, especially in midsummer. Because the cove is small but not widely promoted, it rarely feels crowded in the same way as major resort beaches, although weekends can bring more local visitors. Late afternoon is a pleasant time to sit and watch the changing colors on the water and the distant mountains, with the air starting to cool. If you are exploring several beaches in this part of Mallorca, it can work well as a morning or late day stop, leaving the central hours for shaded cafés, inland villages, or larger beaches with more facilities.
Important tips for a smooth beach day
The mix of sand, gravel, and rocks means you should wear sturdy sandals or water shoes both for the walk down and for entering the sea. Step carefully near any darker, algae covered stones, as these can be especially slippery when wet. Pack enough water and high protection, reef safe sunscreen, since there is almost no built shade and the north coast sun can be intense, especially when reflected off the sea. The mallorcard community tip is that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended because mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals since 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, which allows you to bring shade gear, extra layers, and picnic supplies and to leave quickly if wind or waves pick up. A light windbreaker can be useful on days when breezes from the bay make the air feel cooler than expected once you leave the water.
Good to know
Caló d’en Sureda is on the northeast coast of Mallorca, within the municipality of Artà, along the shoreline between Colònia de Sant Pere and Betlem in the bay of Alcúdia. The coastline here is low and rocky, with fossil dune formations and small sandbanks creating a sequence of coves rather than one long beach. The immediate surroundings are more rural and natural than resort focused, with scattered houses and holiday homes rather than large hotel complexes. This gives the area a quiet, open feel, with views toward both the mountains of the Llevant peninsula and the opposite side of the bay. Understanding exactly which small inlet is Caló d’en Sureda helps travelers identify the modest sandy and gravel pocket that is suitable for swimming and relaxing, as opposed to the rockier stretches that line much of this part of Mallorca’s coast.
Location
Coordinates: 39.75785521440684, 3.32570372950536