Cala Varques - secluded beach paradise near Porto Cristo

South of Porto Cristo between S'Estany d'en Mas and Cales de Mallorca lies the small bay of Cala Varques. Due to its remote location on a stretch of coast that is hard to access, the charming rocky bay with its fine sandy beach is something of an insider secret. Apart from during the peak season, tourists rarely visit the picturesque bay and its turquoise waters. Cala Varques has two rocky headlands on either side where pine trees and other Mediterranean vegetation grow.

Location of Cala Varques

Cala Varques is located about two kilometres south of the tourist village of S'Estany d'en Mas on the east coast of Mallorca. The next largest town, Cales de Mallorca, is located just four kilometres from the bay. Due to its location in the Cales Verges de Manacor nature reserve, there is no development at Cala Varques. The bay is framed by two rocky headlands covered with low Mediterranean scrub, pines and holm oaks. The promontory in the north separates Cala Varques from the other bay, Cala Falcó. The southern headland is a somewhat bulbous peninsula and it forms a natural barrier from the neighbouring bay, Racó de sa Teula. The sandy beach of Cala Varques gives way to pine forest as you head from the sea.

Directions to the bay

Due to the remote location of Cala Varques, arriving by boat is the easiest and most comfortable way to get there. The harbour of Porto Cristo is located just seven kilometres north of the bay. By car, take the MA-4014 that connects Porto Cristo with Portocolom. South of the turnoff for Manacor, you will find an unpaved dirt road that turns off the road, and end about 1.5 km later at a locked gate. From here it is about 20 minutes walk to the beach at Cala Varques. The path is not the easiest to walk, as it leads in parts through a dried pebbled stream bed. However, when you get there, your efforts will be worthwhile as you are confronted with a wonderful view of the turquoise waters with the bright white sandy beach.

Beaches at Cala Varques

The main beach at Cala Varques is about 90 m long and is decked in fine light sand. Mallorca is quite well known for seaweed and other mearine vegetation building up on the shore but this does not exist on this stretch of coast. To the northeast, the rugged coast rises to steep rock slopes and cliffs. The sea has created erosion in many places leaving a selection of caves and grottoes in the rock. One of these grottoes, was formerly inhabited by a hippy commune. Because of the high risk of forest fires in the summer, the city of Manacor has prohibited wild camping in the region. The rocky cliffs surrounding Cala Varques look almost like an ancient amphitheatre.

About 150 metres southeast of the main beach between the jagged rocks is another small sandy beach, which is only safe to use when the waves are low. This is a preferred place for nudists due its secluded nature as an ideal spot for all over body tans and this is accepted by locals and the municipality. The pine grove at the back of the main beach offers many shaded spots. This is where visitors and locals flock to, especially before the midday heat sets in.

No tourist facilities

Both of Cala Varques’ beaches have no tourist infrastructure. There are no dining facilities in the area, no beach bar and no toilets or showers. If you want to spend a day at Cala Varques, you will not only need to bring all your own things: provisions, towels, umbrellas etc. Although the beach is not maintained by the local municipality, it is clean and free of litter and seaweed. The increased number of visitors in recent years has meant that the beach is temporarily monitored by a lifeguard during the peak season.

Beach activities and free climbing on the cliffs

The activities on the beach of Cala Varques are limited to sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling on the cliffs. Since there is only a small swell in the bay, snorkelling on the rocks is possible without risk. The entire beach has a relatively flat descent to the water and children can splash around in the shallow waters, under parental supervision, with almost no risk. In the warmer weather, occasional free-climbers are drawn to Cala Varques. They use the rugged cliffs of the cliffs for a type of climbing called, "Deep Water Soloing". These are climbing sections on overhanging rocks, where climbers climb without many of the usual safety measures. Nevertheless, the danger is minimal because even if you fall, the worst thing that will happen to you is getting a bit wet.

Cala Falcó: The neighbouring bay

North of Cala Varques is Cala Falcó a 50 m long sea inlet, which is dominated by rocky cliffs. The bay is about 70 m wide and has a small sandy beach, which cannot be used all year round. In stronger waves, the beach vanishes completely and only reappears when the sea calms. A particular highlight in Cala Falcó are the surrounding cave systems, which partly extend into underground lakes. The closest one to the beach is the Cova de Cala Falcó, an unlit karst cave.

Cala Varques is a secluded beach paradise on the east coast of Mallorca. The bay is enclosed by two rocky headlands, between which extends to a 90 m long sandy beach.