Na Ferradura

Na Ferradura beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Na Ferradura is a small horseshoe shaped cove on Mallorca’s northeast coast, right on the rocky seafront walk of Cala Ratjada. The bay is tucked between low rock formations with a narrow ribbon of sand and flat stone shelves leading into very clear water. You are just a short stroll from cafés and hotels, yet the cove itself often feels calmer than the bigger main beaches nearby. Many visitors mention using this spot for shorter swims, sun on the rocks and a quieter break between walks along the promenade. If you like compact coves with character inside a lively resort area, na Ferradura can be a good fit.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type - Tiny urban cove
• Ground - Sand with rocks and stone shelves
• Water entry - Mostly from rocks and small sandy strip
• Water feel - Clear, can be choppy on windy days
• Shade - Very limited, some from rocks at times
• Facilities - No direct services, nearby in Cala Ratjada
• Parking - Use Cala Ratjada street and public parking
• Best for - Short swims, local feel, dog owners

The overall vibe

Na Ferradura is a beach in Mallorca that offers a small, rocky cove experience inside the broader resort setting of Cala Ratjada. The cove sits just off the seafront promenade, so you have constant movement of walkers, joggers and locals with dogs passing above while only a smaller group come down to the rocks and narrow sand. The atmosphere is informal and relaxed, less organized than the main Son Moll or Cala Agulla beaches. Many regulars describe it as a cove where you drop in for a swim, let the dog splash in the shallows or sunbathe on the rocks for an hour, then continue your day in town.

Because of its size, na Ferradura can feel pleasantly intimate rather than crowded, even when there are several groups spread along the rocks. The setting is scenic in a compact way: clear water framed by dark rock, small terraces and the curve of Cala Ratjada’s coast in the background. It is not a quiet, remote nature cove, since you are always aware of the resort above, yet the lack of heavy infrastructure on the shore gives it a simple, lived in charm. Some parts of the season it is also officially dog friendly, which adds to the everyday neighborhood feel.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The shoreline at na Ferradura combines a short, narrow band of coarse sand with surrounding rock platforms and boulders. In the central part, sand runs into the water, but space is limited, so many people choose to sit or lie on flat rock shelves and use these as their base. Entering the sea can be done from the sandy section or from rock edges where the drop is small enough and the footing feels secure. The seabed is a mix of sand, rock and seagrass patches, so the texture underfoot varies.

Water clarity is often very good, with turquoise tones on sunny days, but on windy days from the north or east small waves and chop can rise in the cove. Because the rocks can be uneven and some areas slippery with algae, water shoes are very helpful for most visitors. Once in, depth increases fairly quickly compared with long sandy bays, so this spot suits people comfortable with swimming rather than long wading. You should always check where you are stepping and avoid jumping from higher rocks where depth or obstacles are uncertain.

Who na Ferradura is perfect for

Na Ferradura is perfect for travelers who enjoy small coves with a slightly improvised feel and do not mind mixed rock and sand. It suits couples, solo visitors and locals who want a quick dip close to town, as well as dog owners when dogs are allowed. People who like combining promenade walks with short swims and rocky sunbathing often appreciate this cove. It can also appeal to those exploring several Cala Ratjada beaches who want a change from the larger sandy stretches.

It is less suitable for families with very young children who need wide, soft sand and lots of room to play. Visitors with mobility issues may find the rocky access and steps down from the promenade challenging. If your main goal is a long, comfortable sand beach with full facilities, you will be happier at Son Moll, Cala Agulla or Cala Mesquida. For travelers seeking remote, wild nature away from resort areas, na Ferradura is more of an urban cove stop than a main nature destination.

Facilities and comfort

There are no direct services on the cove itself: no sunbed rentals, beach bar, toilets or showers right on the rocks. All of the comfort comes from what you bring and from the fact that Cala Ratjada’s promenade and streets just above provide full resort facilities. Within a few minutes’ walk you have cafés, restaurants, bars, supermarkets and shops for anything you might need. This makes it easy to stop here with minimal gear, swim, then head to a terrace for a drink or meal.

For comfort on the rocks, many people bring a thicker towel, mat or even a light foldable chair to soften the hard surface. Shade is scarce; at certain times of day parts of the cove may fall into shadow from the rocks or nearby buildings, but you should not rely on this. A hat, sunglasses and good sunscreen remain important. Na Ferradura works best for shorter sessions or as a repeat swim spot during a day spent mostly walking and sitting in cafés around Cala Ratjada.

Getting there and parking

Na Ferradura lies in Cala Ratjada in the municipality of Capdepera on Mallorca’s northeast coast, roughly between Son Moll and Cala Gat along the waterfront route. The cove sits directly below the coastal promenade that links these beaches, so the most common way to reach it is on foot from accommodation or parking in town. You simply walk the seafront path until you see steps or side paths leading down to the rocks and narrow sand of na Ferradura.

Parking relies on Cala Ratjada’s general street parking and any public car parks within the resort. In high season and evenings, spaces near the waterfront are in demand, so you may need to park a little further back in town and walk down. Rental cars remain very useful in this area to combine Cala Ratjada’s beaches with other coves and Capdepera sights, but for na Ferradura itself, once in the resort you will mostly be moving on foot. The approach from the promenade is short but may involve uneven steps and rock, so suitable footwear helps.

The best spots along na Ferradura

Because the cove is small, the main choices are between the central sandy patch and the rock shelves along its sides. For example, many families with older children or visitors who prefer easier entry choose the small sand area, where the slope into the water is gentler. Space there is limited, so arriving earlier in the day gives you a better chance of securing this spot. The edges of the cove offer more privacy and are popular with sunbathers who do not mind lying on rock.

Swimmers who enjoy jumping from low heights often use certain rock ledges where the water is known to be deep enough and free of obvious obstacles, but it is essential to check conditions each time. Snorkelers like staying near the rocky sides, where fish and seagrass are more common. For photos, viewpoints on the promenade above the cove show the horseshoe shape, clear water and surrounding rocks particularly well, especially in the morning or late afternoon.

What you can do nearby

• Walk the coastal path linking na Ferradura with Son Moll and Cala Gat
• Spend time on larger sandy beaches in Cala Ratjada such as Cala Agulla or Son Moll
• Visit the Capdepera lighthouse for sea views and sunsets
• Explore the harbor area of Cala Ratjada with its restaurants and boat trips
• Drive to the nearby Península de Llevant Natural Park for hiking and more remote coves
• Visit Capdepera village and its hilltop castle

Best time to visit

Morning is often the most comfortable time at na Ferradura, with cooler air, softer light and more space on the rocks and sand. Early swimmers and dog owners often use the cove before breakfast, when the promenade is quieter. As the day progresses, especially in summer, more people arrive and the sun can become intense on the bare rock surfaces.

Late afternoon can also be pleasant, with slightly fewer people than at midday and warmer light on the rocks and water. If you are planning to visit multiple beaches in Cala Ratjada, you might spend the main part of the day at a larger sandy beach and use na Ferradura for early or late swims. In high season, timing your visit outside the central midday hours makes both heat and crowd levels easier to handle.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because na Ferradura is rocky and compact, safety and comfort preparation matter. Wear shoes or sandals with good grip when moving down from the promenade and around the rocks, and bring water shoes for entering the sea. Avoid jumping from higher rocks unless you are absolutely sure about depth and underwater obstacles. Keep an eye on sea conditions; if the water is rough and waves are breaking hard on the rocks, choose another Cala Ratjada beach with easier access that day.

Pack enough water, sunscreen and a hat, as there is almost no fixed shade. A thicker towel or mat will make sitting and lying more comfortable on the stone surfaces. Keep valuables in a small bag you can keep close, since space is tight and people pass nearby. If the cove feels too busy or conditions are not ideal when you arrive, it is easy to continue along the promenade to one of the nearby larger beaches, so think of na Ferradura as one flexible stop in your Cala Ratjada seaside day rather than your only option.

Good to know

Na Ferradura is located on the northeast coast of Mallorca in the resort of Cala Ratjada, within the municipality of Capdepera. The coastline here is a small rocky cove with a narrow sandy strip, directly below a seafront promenade and surrounded by resort development rather than untouched nature. The wider area is strongly holiday focused, with many hotels, apartments, bars and restaurants, but this particular cove stays relatively simple in terms of built infrastructure. Knowing the exact position of na Ferradura between Son Moll and Cala Gat helps you distinguish it from nearby larger beaches and from more remote natural coves further along the coast. This clear location context makes it easier to integrate na Ferradura into walks, running routes and beach hopping days around Cala Ratjada and the Capdepera coastline.