Caló d'es Parral

Caló d’es Parral beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Caló d’es Parral is a small, quietly dramatic cove at the western end of Colònia de Sant Pere on Mallorca’s northeast coast. You reach it by walking along the seafront promenade until the village beach gives way to darker, coarse sand and stones where a torrent meets the sea. The water is clear and often feels surprisingly wild for a spot so close to houses and a harbour. Many visitors treat it as a more natural extension of the town beach, a place to sit on the bank, watch the waves, and take a cooler swim. If you like simple, semi natural coves with a village just behind them, this beach can suit you well.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type – small semi natural cove
• Ground – coarse dark sand and pebbles
• Water entry – mixed, uneven but manageable
• Water feel – clear, can be choppy with wind
• Shade – some shade from banks and tamarisk trees
• Facilities – services back in Colònia de Sant Pere
• Parking – village street and seafront parking
• Best for – quiet swims, walkers, local atmosphere

The overall vibe

Caló d’es Parral is a beach in Mallorca that offers a modest, slightly wilder feeling cove right at the edge of Colònia de Sant Pere. The shore is about 130 metres long and quite narrow, made of coarse, darker sand and gravel that contrasts with the lighter tones of the main village beach. On one side you see the mouth of the Torrent de sa Font des Parral, which has carved a shallow channel through the stones and adds to the sense of being at a natural meeting between mountains and sea. Behind the beach, the promenade, low walls, and banks shaded by tamarisk trees remind you that the village is just a few steps away. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, with a mix of locals, walkers, and a few visitors who have wandered beyond the main sandy stretch.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The ground at Caló d’es Parral is mostly coarse, dark coloured sand mixed with pebbles and stones of different sizes. It is comfortable enough for sitting or lying on a towel, but you will notice the grain is heavier than on many tourist bays. As you approach the water, the seabed becomes more irregular, with patches of larger stones and areas where the torrent has shifted material. This gives water entry a slightly uneven feel, so it is wise to walk in carefully and expect the ground to change under your feet. Water shoes can be quite helpful, especially near the torrent mouth and along the rockier sections of shore. The water is usually clear, but the open orientation of the bay of Alcúdia means waves and chop can appear on windy days, making getting in and out a little more dynamic than on sheltered resort beaches.

Who Caló d’es Parral is perfect for

Caló d’es Parral is a good choice for travelers who enjoy a village setting with a touch of wildness and do not need a perfectly even sandy bottom. It suits couples, solo visitors, and walkers who are exploring Colònia de Sant Pere and want a quieter place to swim or sit compared with the main harbour beach. Locals often bring dogs or come for a quick dip after a walk along the promenade, which adds to the lived in, everyday feel. It is less ideal for families with very small children who need wide flat sand, or for visitors who expect full facilities on the beach itself. If your idea of best beaches Mallorca includes natural, slightly rugged spots with local character, Caló d’es Parral can be a pleasant stop alongside the larger beaches of the bay of Alcúdia.

Facilities and comfort

On the beach itself, facilities are simple. You may find litter bins and a path or steps from the promenade, but there are no rows of sunbeds or beach bars on the coarse sand. Any services you use, such as cafés, restaurants, toilets, or small supermarkets, are on the Colònia de Sant Pere seafront and in the streets just behind. This makes it easy to combine a swim at Caló d’es Parral with a meal or drink without having noise and buildings right on the cove. Because the ground is grainy and stony, a thicker towel or beach mat increases comfort if you plan to stay more than a quick swim. Some shade is available from the banks and tamarisk trees behind the beach, especially in the earlier and later parts of the day, but at midday sun exposure is strong.

Getting there and parking

Caló d’es Parral lies within the municipality of Artà, at the western end of Colònia de Sant Pere on Mallorca’s northeast coast. Reaching it by car is straightforward: you drive to Colònia de Sant Pere, park in village streets or near the harbour, and then walk along the promenade toward the western side of town. The cove begins where the main sandy beach and harbour protection end, so you do not need to navigate rural tracks or long paths. Parking is usually on the streets or in small public areas in the village; in summer it can get busy near the front, but spaces are usually easier to find a couple of streets back. 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 include Caló d’es Parral in a flexible route that also visits nearby Son Serra de Marina, Betlem, or other northeast beaches without relying on less frequent bus lines. From wherever you park, the walk to the cove is short and flat.

The best spots along Caló d’es Parral

Most people settle on the central part of the shore, where the coarse sand is a bit more consistent and access to the water feels straightforward. For example, many visitors choose a place near the area where the torrent meets the sea, since it gives an open view along the beach and often a slight change in the colour and texture of the water. The edges of the cove, where rocks and small cliffs appear, are quieter and can appeal to those who want a more secluded feel, though the ground is stonier. The banks and small shaded areas just behind the beach are good for picnics or reading out of the direct sun. Walkers using the promenade sometimes use Caló d’es Parral as a midpoint rest, sitting on the wall or benches above the cove to enjoy the view without going down to the shore.

What you can do nearby

• Walk the seafront promenade of Colònia de Sant Pere, linking the main beach, harbour, and Caló d’es Parral
• Explore further west toward the coastal paths that lead in the direction of Betlem and small natural coves
• Enjoy restaurants and cafés along the village waterfront after a swim
• Drive to Son Serra de Marina or Can Picafort for larger beaches along the bay of Alcúdia
• Visit the inland town of Artà for its historic centre, market, and hilltop sanctuary

Best time to visit

Morning at Caló d’es Parral tends to be quiet, with soft light, cooler air, and fewer people on the shore or promenade. This is often the best time for a calm swim and for enjoying the view toward the mountains of the Llevant peninsula and the open bay. By late morning and midday, more local residents and visitors arrive, especially on weekends and in summer, and the sun can feel strong on the darker sand and stones. Late afternoon brings a gentle atmosphere again, with warm colours on the hills and water as the sun lowers and people drift between the cove and the village terraces. If you are exploring several beaches around the bay of Alcúdia over a few days, Caló d’es Parral works well as a short morning or end of day stop in combination with longer visits to larger beaches.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because of the coarse sand and stones, bring sturdy sandals or flip flops for walking on the shore and consider water shoes if you have sensitive feet or prefer more secure footing when entering the sea. Step carefully where the torrent meets the beach, as stones can be loose or slippery. Pack enough water, snacks, and reef safe sunscreen, even though the village is close, so you can stay comfortably on the cove without having to interrupt your swim to shop. 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 carry shade gear, extra clothes, and picnic supplies easily and move on quickly if wind or waves make the cove less comfortable. On breezy days, be aware that waves and spray can reach higher up the shore than expected, so keep bags and valuables slightly back from the waterline.

Good to know

Caló d’es Parral is on the northeast coast of Mallorca, within the municipality of Artà, directly attached to the village of Colònia de Sant Pere at the western end of its seafront. The coastline in this area combines a main village beach with fine golden sand and this smaller cove of coarse dark sand and pebbles where the Torrent de sa Font des Parral flows into the bay of Alcúdia. The surroundings are residential and village focused rather than resort heavy, with low rise houses, a small harbour, and a simple promenade defining the seafront. This gives the beach a relaxed, local feel while still offering easy access and basic services a short walk away. Knowing exactly which small arc of darker sand is Caló d’es Parral helps you distinguish it from the main Colònia de Sant Pere beach and nearby natural coves when planning your northeast Mallorca beach days.