Platja del Rei

Platja del Rei Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Platja del Rei, also known as Caló del Rei or Portals Vells III, is the most tucked away of the three small coves in the Cala Portals Vells bay on Mallorca’s southwest coast. This is a compact, white sand beach framed by pine forest and low cliffs, with clear turquoise water and a sheltered, intimate feel. You come here when you want the beauty of Portals Vells but with a slightly quieter, more low key atmosphere than the better known neighbouring coves. Many visitors describe it as a lovely little corner to linger for a few hours with a book and swims rather than a full facility beach. If you enjoy small, natural feeling coves and do not mind a short walk, Platja del Rei can be a very satisfying stop.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type: Small pine backed cove
• Ground: Soft white sand
• Water entry: Gentle, some stones in places
• Water feel: Clear, usually calm
• Shade: Pines at the back and sides
• Facilities: No direct services on the sand
• Parking: Free parking above, short walk

The overall vibe

Platja del Rei is a small beach in Mallorca that offers a tranquil, almost secluded atmosphere even though it lies close to the busy southwest resorts. At around 30 metres long and 40 metres deep, it feels intimate, nestled in a narrow arm of the Portals Vells inlet near the small local harbour. The sand and water look almost lagoon like on calm days, with pines leaning in around the rim of the cove and only a few boats anchored nearby. Because there are no bars or large buildings directly on the beach, the mood stays quiet, shaped mostly by the visitors spread out on towels and by the sound of water and wind in the trees. It feels more like a sheltered nature corner than a built up resort strand.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The beach itself has soft, light sand that is comfortable for bare feet and for lying on a towel. As you walk into the sea, you will usually find a mostly sandy bottom, though in some areas there can be small stones and patches where the ground feels a little firmer or uneven. The cove’s sheltered position inside the larger Portals Vells bay means the water is often calm with gentle ripples rather than strong waves, which many relaxed swimmers appreciate. Depth increases gradually enough for you to ease in, though it becomes deep sooner than on very wide, open bays. Water shoes are not essential for most people entering from the central sandy area, but they can be helpful if you like to swim along the rocky edges or are sensitive to the occasional stone underfoot.

Who Platja del Rei is perfect for

Platja del Rei suits couples, small groups and calm beachgoers who value a natural setting, clear water and a smaller scale over extensive services. It is a good choice if you are staying in the southwest and want a scenic cove for swimming and relaxing without the full bustle of the large resort beaches. Families with older children who are comfortable with simple conditions often enjoy it too, though families with very young children may prefer the wider sands and infrastructure of bigger bays. It is less ideal for travellers needing full accessibility, promenade life or immediate bar and restaurant options directly on the sand. For those who like to build a best beaches Mallorca style day out by visiting several coves in one area, Platja del Rei works well as the quieter last stop in the Portals Vells cluster.

Facilities and comfort

On the sand at Platja del Rei there are no formal facilities such as permanent sunbed lines, big kiosks or changing blocks. There may be basic elements like a shower point or occasional seasonal services in the wider area, but the cove itself feels simple and natural. You are close, however, to the small yacht club and to the more developed neighbouring coves in the Portals Vells bay, where you can find a beach bar or restaurant and toilets. This means you can walk over there for food, drinks or facilities, then return to the quieter setting of Platja del Rei to spend most of your time. You should still arrive self sufficient for several hours with water, snacks, sunscreen, hats and a good towel or mat, and consider bringing your own small umbrella if you want consistent shade closer to the waterline.

Getting there and parking

Platja del Rei lies about eight to nine kilometres from Magaluf in the municipality of Calvià, forming part of the Cala Portals Vells inlet between Punta des Xisclet and Punta de s’Estaca. You reach the area by car via local roads that leave the main route near Magaluf and Son Ferrer and then follow clear signs for Portals Vells. At the end of the road, there are free parking areas in the pine forest above the bay and near the small harbour. From the parking, you walk down a short track of roughly two hundred metres to the cove, on paths that can be sandy and a bit uneven but manageable in sturdy sandals or trainers. Because spaces in the car parks are shared between all three Portals Vells beaches, it is wise to arrive earlier in the day in high season to avoid pressure on parking and to have a wider choice of places to sit.

The best spots along Platja del Rei

Within this compact cove, small differences in location change the feel of your day. If you prefer softer footing and easier water entry, the central and more obviously sandy part of the beach is your best choice, where the transition into the sea is smooth and the bottom stays mostly sandy for a while. If you value shade and a bit more privacy, the back of the cove under the pines or along the sides where rocks meet trees can provide cooler pockets, especially in the morning and late afternoon. Snorkelers tend to move toward the rocky edges and the outer parts of the small inlet, where underwater rock formations and seagrass beds offer more to look at. For photos, stepping a little up onto the access path and shooting across the cove captures the sand, water, boats and trees together in a small, harmonious frame.

What you can do nearby

• Walk on footpaths to the neighbouring coves Portals Vells I and Playa del Mago and compare their different moods
• Visit the nearby historic Torre des Moro above the bay for views over the inlets
• Explore the small harbour area of Portals Vells and watch boats coming and going
• Combine a swim here with a short coastal walk along the pine backed cliffs around the inlet
• Use this cove as a quiet swimming stop before or after visiting the more built up southwest resorts

Best time to visit

Early in the day, Platja del Rei usually feels especially calm, with gentle light, fewer people and very still water, making it ideal for a relaxed first swim or quiet reading session. By late morning and midday in the main season, more visitors arrive from the other Portals Vells coves and from boats, and the limited sandy area begins to feel noticeably fuller. Afternoon sun can be strong, but the tree line at the back offers useful shade if you time your move with the shifting light. Later in the afternoon and early evening, the cove often becomes more tranquil again as some people leave and the colour of the rocks and pines warms in the low sun. If you want both easier parking and more choice of spots on the sand, plan to arrive before about 10 in the morning during busy months and stay through to the softer light of the later afternoon.