CALA MACARELlA

A hike of around 30 minutes from the west end of Cala Santa Galdana  across a fragrant headland covered with wild flowers and herbs is followed by a steep, rocky descent to this delightful cove where a barranc flows into the sea. It's a good way to escape the crowds in high summer but you won't be alone there is a beach bar and there is even a rough road from Ciutadella that goes most of the way to the beach (it is a 20-minute walk from the car park!. Pine trees reach almost to the water's edge, providing welcome shade, and the beach shelves gently into the sea, creating good conditions for swimming. Many people consider this one of the most perfect spots on the Menorcan coast.

Overlooking the bay on its western side are three large caves, once used as burial caves but now In service as holiday homes in summer. If you want more privacy, you can cross the headland above the caves to the. Even more perfect cove of Cala Macarelleta, where plane fringed rocks surround a small sandy beach, popular with nudists. From the path on top of the headland you can look down on both coves at once, one of the best views anywhere on Menorca. The more adventurous can get between the two coves by swimming. Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta both offer good anchorage for yachts.