Caló des Grells

Caló des Grells beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Caló des Grells is a compact rocky cove on the edge of Palma, just beyond the Porto Pi shopping centre and the naval base at the western end of the seafront. You reach a small rocky platform and coarse pebble shore by a wooden staircase, with the open sea stretching out beyond the harbor walls. It feels urban and raw at the same time, with clear water, rocks, and concrete edges instead of sand and beach bars. Many locals use it for quick swims, sunbathing on the rocks, and sunset views rather than full beach days. If you like city coastline, rocky bathing, and easy access by car or bike, this spot can work very well.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type – small urban rocky cove
• Ground – pebbles, rocks, some coarse sand
• Water entry – from rocks and small pebble strip
• Water feel – clear, can deepen quickly
• Shade – very limited, mostly late day cliff shade
• Facilities – no direct services on the cove
• Parking – nearby parking area at the end of the road
• Best for – quick swims, locals, sunset stops

The overall vibe

Caló des Grells is a beach in Mallorca that offers a modest, urban rocky cove experience three kilometres from central Palma. The shore is about 50 metres long and 20 metres wide, with a mix of stones, pebbles, and a few coarse sandy patches at the base of low cliffs. Access is via a wooden staircase from the end of the port road, which gives the place a tucked away feeling despite being so close to the city and the western dock. The atmosphere is casual and local, with people coming for an after work swim, sunbathing on the rocks, or a quick cool down during a bike ride along the seafront. You see the naval base, Fort San Carlos, and ships in the distance, so the setting feels clearly urban rather than remote, but the water is surprisingly clean and inviting for such a city edge location.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The ground at Caló des Grells is mainly stone and pebbles, with some small areas of coarse sand near the waterline. Most people sit on towels spread over the pebbles or on flatter rocks along the sides. Water entry is typically from the pebble area or off rocks close to the foot of the stairs, and the slope is quite steep once you get into the water. Regular swimmers say it is important to step carefully, because the combination of loose stones and algae covered rocks can be slippery. Water shoes are very useful here for both entering and exiting the sea, and for moving along the rocky shoreline. Once you are in, the depth increases quickly, which suits confident swimmers but is not ideal if you want to stand in shallow water for long. The cove is open to the sea, so the clarity of the water can vary a little with currents and wind, and you should pay attention to conditions on days with stronger swells.

Who Caló des Grells is perfect for

Caló des Grells works best for confident swimmers, urban explorers, and locals who enjoy rocky bathing spots close to the city. It is a good fit if you are staying in Palma and want a quick, non touristy swim without travelling far. The place also appeals to people who like to sunbathe on rocks and watch ship and boat traffic near the west dock. It is not suitable for families with very young children, visitors who need easy access and wide sand, or anyone expecting lifeguards, sunbeds, and beach bars. If your idea of best beaches Mallorca is all about long sandy bays or wild mountain coves, this spot is more of an interesting city edge extra than a main entry on your list.

Facilities and comfort

There are no direct facilities on the cove itself. You will not find toilets, showers, sunbed rentals, or food outlets on the rocks at Caló des Grells. Any services you use are in the nearby Porto Pi area, where the shopping centre and city infrastructure provide cafés, supermarkets, and bus links a short drive or longer walk away. This means you need to arrive with your own water, snacks, towel, and whatever you want for comfort. The lack of natural shade makes a hat and sunscreen essential, and a small umbrella can be useful if you plan to stay longer than a quick swim. Because the beach is mostly pebbles and concrete edges, a thicker towel or lightweight mat makes sitting and lying down more comfortable.

Getting there and parking

Caló des Grells lies in the municipality of Palma, on the western side of the bay, between Punta des Grells and sa Cova des Coloms, close to Porto Pi and the Castell de Sant Carles. To reach it, you follow Palma’s Paseo Marítimo west in the direction of Andratx until you see signs toward the western dock, then turn toward the Dic de l’Oest and continue to the end of the road. There is a parking area near the access point, as well as some additional spaces along the approach, making it straightforward to visit by car outside the very busiest moments. 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 slot a stop at Caló des Grells into a flexible route that might also include Portals, Illetes, or city sightseeing without relying entirely on buses. From the parking area, a short walk and the wooden staircase bring you down to the cove.

The best spots along Caló des Grells

For most visitors, the central pebble area at the base of the stairs is the easiest place to settle and access the water. For example, many regular swimmers prefer to leave their things here before slipping carefully into the sea from the gentlest part of the shoreline. The rocky edges on either side of the cove offer flatter ledges that work well for sunbathing and for people who like to jump in once they are familiar with the depth and seabed. From some of these rocks you also get slightly elevated views out toward the bay and the west dock, especially attractive late in the day. If you walk a little along the upper coastal path near Punta des Grells, there are additional vantage points for photos of the cove and the surrounding fortress and lighthouse area.

What you can do nearby

• Visit the Porto Pi shopping centre for cafés, shops, and practical services
• Walk or cycle along the Paseo Marítimo toward central Palma, enjoying harbor views
• Explore Castell de Sant Carles and the military museum area above the cove
• Continue by car or bus to nearby beaches in Cala Major, Illetes, or Sant Agustí
• Combine a swim here with an evening visit to Palma’s old town and cathedral

Best time to visit

Caló des Grells is most comfortable in the morning or late afternoon, when the sun is lower and temperatures are less intense on the rocks and concrete. Midday in summer can feel very hot and exposed, since the pebbles and stone surfaces hold heat and there is almost no natural shade. Because the cove is small, it can feel busy when a group or two arrives, but it usually has a more local than touristy rhythm. Late afternoon and early evening are especially popular with residents, who come for a last swim or to watch the sunset behind the western part of the bay. If you are basing yourself in Palma, this spot works well for quick dips before or after city plans, rather than for long, central hours on the beach.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Wear sturdy sandals or trainers for the walk down and bring water shoes for entering the sea, as the stones and rocks can be slippery and uncomfortable. Check the sea state before going in, since the open orientation and proximity to the harbor entrance mean currents and waves can sometimes be stronger than they look from above. Pack enough drinking water, reef safe sunscreen, and a hat, as there are no services on the cove and you will be in direct sun for most of your time. 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 lets you bring extra towels, water, and a change of clothes and move on quickly if conditions are rough or the cove feels crowded. As with many rocky urban spots, avoid leaving valuables unattended and keep an eye on personal items while you swim.

Good to know

Caló des Grells is on the southwest side of Palma, on the Bay of Palma coastline between Punta des Grells and sa Cova des Coloms, near Porto Pi and Castell de Sant Carles. The coastline here is rocky and urban, with cliffs, pebbly patches, and man made platforms rather than a classic sandy bay. The surrounding area is dominated by transport and port infrastructure, military facilities, and the western dock, but the small cove itself offers direct sea access and open views. This makes it a practical and distinctive place for a swim within easy reach of Palma without the feel of a resort. Understanding exactly where this tiny rocky beach sits on the map helps you see that Caló des Grells is more of a city edge bathing cove than a family beach, which is important when deciding if it fits your Mallorca plans.