Es Carnatge

Es Carnatge beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Es Carnatge is not a classic soft sand holiday bay but a rugged coastal strip where locals walk, cycle and let their dogs splash in the sea all year round. The shoreline feels open and raw, with rock shelves, small sandy coves and constant views across the Bay of Palma. Planes approach nearby Son Sant Joan airport overhead, which some visitors find exciting and others prefer to avoid. Many people who come here say they enjoy the mix of natural feel and urban convenience, with Palma and Can Pastilla close by. If you are looking for an easy coastal walk, a dog friendly swim and a different side of Mallorca’s shore, this spot can work very well.

• Beach type: Rocky coast with small coves
• Ground: Rock slabs and small sandy patches
• Water entry: Mostly from rocks, some coves
• Water feel: Clear, can be choppy
• Shade: Very limited, some walls and rocks
• Facilities: Along the promenade, not on the waterline
• Parking: Street parking near the seafront
• Best for: Dog owners, walkers, local style swims

The overall vibe

Es Carnatge is a coastal beach area in Mallorca that offers a semi wild, rocky shore experience right in the middle of the Bay of Palma. Instead of a single defined beach, you find a string of low cliffs, flat rocks and a few small sandy inlets, backed by a long seafront path for walkers, runners and cyclists. The atmosphere is relaxed and very local, with dog owners, joggers and neighbors using the area as an outdoor living room rather than a day long sunbathing beach. Noise comes more from conversation, dogs playing and the hum of planes overhead than from beach bars or loud music. Many regulars say they appreciate the feeling of open sea views and rougher rock formations while still being close to the city and everyday services. Photo wise, you get good angles of the coastline, planes on final approach and the curve of the bay, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

Most of Es Carnatge is rocky, with low platforms and uneven steps down to the sea. In some spots the rock is flat enough to lie on a towel, while in other areas it is broken, sharp or sloping, so you need to watch your footing. There are a few small coves with sand or mixed sand and pebbles where entering the water feels more like a traditional beach, but they are limited in size and can be busy with local users, especially dog owners. Water shoes are very helpful here, both for walking over rocks and for stepping carefully into the sea in places where algae and sea grass make surfaces slippery. Swimmers often mention that the water can deepen relatively quickly once you move away from the rock edge, and that waves and chop increase on windier days, so it is best for confident swimmers who pay attention to sea conditions.

Who Es Carnatge is perfect for

This coastal stretch is ideal for dog owners, walkers and runners who want to combine exercise with sea air and occasional swims. It suits travelers staying in Palma or nearby who are curious about more local coastal areas rather than classic resort beaches. People who enjoy sitting on rocks, watching planes and feeling a slightly raw seafront atmosphere often find this area characterful. It can also appeal to those who like easy access for a quick dip rather than a full beach infrastructure day. Es Carnatge is not ideal if you are expecting fine sand, sunbeds, calm shallow water for children or a postcard style holiday bay. For visitors following classic best beaches Mallorca lists, this area is usually seen as a pleasant urban nature stretch rather than a headline swimming beach.

Facilities and comfort

There are no sunbeds, umbrellas, lifeguard towers or formal beach facilities directly on the rocks and coves of Es Carnatge. Instead, comfort comes from what you bring and from the urban services close behind the seafront. Benches and seating areas line parts of the promenade, and in the nearby neighborhoods of Coll d’en Rabassa, Cala Gamba and Can Pastilla you find cafes, bars, small supermarkets and restaurants. Many local residents and regular walkers come with simple folding chairs, cool boxes and towels, positioning themselves on flat rock shelves or small sandy patches. Shade is limited, so a hat and perhaps a compact sunshade are important if you plan to stay longer, especially in the midday hours of a Mallorcan summer. Toilets are generally in nearby bars or cafes rather than on the shoreline itself, so it helps to plan breaks and purchases accordingly.

Getting there and parking

Es Carnatge sits between Can Pastilla and the Coll d’en Rabassa area, directly on the coastal road that runs east from Palma toward the airport and Platja de Palma. You can reach it easily by car following the seafront direction or via the Ma 19 with exits toward these neighborhoods, then joining the promenade. Parking is mostly on local streets and near the coastal path, so in busier times you may need to look around side roads for a free space. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting this stretch by rental car is recommended because mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals through several companies, the current promo code is available on mallorcard.es and typical savings of around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season make it easier to time your visit flexibly and combine Es Carnatge with other nearby beaches without relying on full buses. The coastal path itself is flat and paved, so once you have parked it is straightforward to walk or cycle along and choose the rock or cove area that suits you best, with only the final steps down to the water being uneven.

The best spots along Es Carnatge

If you want easier sea access, look for the small sandy coves and gently sloping rock entries close to Cala Pudent, where regulars say getting into the water feels more comfortable. For example, many families with dogs prefer the sections where simple stairs or ramps cut into the rock allow animals and owners to step down more safely. Plane spotters tend to choose open rock platforms with an unobstructed view toward the airport, where aircraft pass low overhead. Walkers often continue along the entire stretch between Coll d’en Rabassa and Can Pastilla, using benches as rest points and stopping where the sea looks most inviting. Those who like quieter corners usually walk a little further from the main access points and sit on smaller rock shelves away from the most popular dog bathing entries.

What you can do nearby

• Walk or cycle the seafront path between Palma and Can Pastilla
• Enjoy a drink or meal in the cafes of Coll d’en Rabassa or Can Pastilla
• Take a quick detour to Cala Gamba’s small harbour and waterfront terrace bars
• Combine a coastal walk here with a visit to Palma’s old town later in the day
• Watch planes landing and taking off near Palma airport from safe viewing spots along the shore

Best time to visit

Early morning works well if you like a quieter atmosphere, cooler temperatures and fewer people walking dogs or jogging along the promenade. At this time the light is soft, and you can usually find space on the rocks or by the coves without any rush. Midday and afternoon bring stronger sun, more heat reflecting off the stone and busier paths as local residents and visitors head out for walks and dog swims. Late afternoon into sunset can be especially pleasant, with the sky coloring over the Bay of Palma and temperatures easing while the coastal path stays lively but relaxed. If you are exploring several coastal spots over a few days, Es Carnatge often fits nicely as a shorter stop on a day when you are moving between Palma and the eastern or southern sections of Mallorca rather than as your main full beach focus.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because much of the shore is rocky, wear sturdy sandals or water shoes that give grip on wet and sometimes slippery surfaces. Take care when climbing down to the sea, especially if algae or sea grass are visible on the rock, and avoid jumping from heights you do not know well. Bring plenty of water, a hat, and strong reef friendly sunscreen, since shade is scarce and reflections from stone and sea increase the feeling of exposure. If you are visiting with a dog, plan for fresh water, waste bags and a towel, and respect any local signage on where animals can enter the water. The Mallorcard community tip is that Mallorcard recommends for this area that visiting by rental car is recommended so you can keep extra drinks, snacks and shade gear in the vehicle, make use of strong rental deals with several companies where the current promo code is available on mallorcard.es and benefit from typical savings of around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season if you decide to cut your visit short when heat or wind rises.

Good to know

Es Carnatge lies on the south coast of Mallorca, in the central part of the Bay of Palma between the urban areas of Coll d’en Rabassa, Cala Gamba and Can Pastilla. The coastline here is a rocky shore with low cliffs, flat slabs and scattered small sandy coves, rather than a single continuous beach. The surroundings feel urban residential, with apartment buildings, local streets and the airport nearby, but the protected coastal strip itself keeps a natural character with sea grass, fossils and rock formations. This mix makes it popular for everyday walks and dog outings rather than classic holiday beach days. When you look at a detailed map of the area, the marked coastal fringe helps you understand exactly which stretches are accessible for walking, where the small coves sit and how close the shore is to nearby neighborhoods along this part of the Mallorca coastline.