Majorca and the rest of the Balearic Islands have an endless number of coves on their coasts and visiting some of them is no doubt why many people go to the Balearic archipelago. Unfortunately, we won’t have enough time to visit them all, so we’ll have to take our pick. And Cala Varques has become one of the most popular coves in Majorca.
Let’s find out a little more about Cala Varques!
- Location of Cala Varques
- Characteristics of Cala Varques
- Services at Cala Varques
- Things to do in the area
- What to see in the surrounding area
- Where to stay when visiting Majorca
Location of Cala Varques
Cala Varques is located on the east coast of Majorca, in the municipality of Manacor, close to the town of Porto Cristo and the famous Cueva del Drach. Despite this, it’s one of the most difficult to reach coves on the island.
To get to Cala Varques, you have to walk from Cala Romántica, to the north, where you can park easily. The route is an hour’s walk along a dirt track, so we recommend that you dress in comfortable clothing and travel lightly.
Other options for getting there aren’t recommended as they require crossing private routes from the Ma-4014 road between Porto Colom and Porto Cristo, and there are no legal parking options in the surrounding area.
You can also reach Cala Varques by boat from the sea.
Characteristics of Cala Varques
Cala Varques is 70 metres long and about 50 metres wide in the middle. It has fine white sands, crystal clear waters, and is shallow for the first few metres from the shore.
It’s the clarity of its waters that make it an excellent place to snorkel and admire the marine fauna that inhabit this small bay.
As is the case with most stretches of the Majorcan coast, around Cala Varques there are other small coves, caves, and grottoes that form part of the attractions this beach has to offer. A perfect place for scuba diving or caving.
Services at Cala Varques
Cala Varques is a completely unspoilt beach and has no services, car park, or beach bar, so you should bring what you need to spend the day there. You must bring food and water.
The nearest village is the area around Cala Romántica (or S’Estany d’en Mas), an hour’s walk away, where there are restaurants and a supermarket.
Things to do in the area
Those who come to Cala Varques will relax and enjoy a natural and solitary spot. Sunbathing, swimming in crystal clear waters, and exploring incredible caves is all there is to do on this secluded beach.
As we said at the beginning of this article, Cala Varques is a paradise for caving and diving lovers, as it’s surrounded by land and sea caves.
On land, you can visit the Cuevas del Pirata and Cueva del Pont, where you can admire the countless stalactites and stalagmites and take a dip in the water surrounded by this impressive scenery.
From the sea, you can visit the Cueva des Coloms, a spectacular cave that we recommend you visit with an expert guide.
The coast of Majorca is full of cavities and curious shapes such as these caves. Walking from Cala Varques, you can reach Es Caló Blanc, where you’ll discover a beautiful natural rock bridge over the sea where you can take spectacular photos.
What is not allowed in Cala Varques is cliff jumping or psicobloc, i.e. climbing without ropes. There have been reports of accidents leading to serious injuries in the past and these activities have subsequently been banned. No other water sports take place there either. Bear in mind that it’s a cove with no emergency services or surveillance and is very difficult to access.
We also suggest you discover coves like this one from the sea by taking a boat trip. The view is radically different!
With all these attractions and exposure on social media, the beach has become one of the most popular coves in Majorca. Despite this, it remains a secluded and difficult to access place, which is why it maintains a somewhat nudist spirit in the small coves to the south.
What to see in the surrounding area
Cala Varques is close to some of the must-see places in Majorca, such as the Cuevas del Drach or Porto Cristo, both of which are about ten kilometres to the north. The Cuevas del Drach are the most famous caves on the island, spectacular caves that stretch over a kilometre in length.
Judging by the number of boats anchored there, Porto Cristo is also a lovely place to spend the day and enjoy its urban beach in the middle of the estuary, a sheltered natural harbour.
In neighbouring Manacor you’ll find more attractions. This village is the birthplace of Rafael Nadal and it’s here that the best Spanish tennis player in history decided to open his tennis academy and museum, the Rafa Nadal Experience. An essential place for sports lovers who want to get to know the most internationally renowned Majorcan.
Manacor is also the home of Perlas Majorica, the popular Majorcan pearl company. You can visit their factory in Manacor and learn how these famous pearls are made.
If you go south of Cala Varques, you’ll discover new very small coves frequented by nudists. Also nearby are the towns of Calas de Mallorca and Porto Colom, a beautiful village that still manages to maintain the feel of a fishing village and that overlooks a fabulous bay.
Where to stay when visiting Majorca
There are countless options for accommodation in Majorca, but we’d like to give you two good ideas to consider when staying on the Balearic island.
Not far from Cala Varques and Porto Colom you’ll find the Barceló Aguamarina hotel, a four-star hotel on the turquoise waters of Cala Ferrera that has been recently refurbished. This spectacular hotel has 417 rooms, two swimming pools, restaurants, and all-inclusive packages.
It’s certainly a great option to stay in the east of Majorca for a visit to Cala Varques.
Another interesting option for those who prefer the city is the Barceló Illetas Albatros, a four-star adults-only hotel on the outskirts of Palma de Mallorca. Its spectacular rooms with sea views radiate pure calm and tranquillity, with the convenience of having the city just a stone’s throw away.
