Around 110 steep steps lead down to fishermen's cottages, boathouses, rock and a tiny strip of sand. Cala s'Almunia is quite different from a conventional beach. Paths continue towards Caló des Moro, but remember the climb back when planning your day.
Cala s'Almunia
Cala s'Almunia in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- Preferring rocky coves to sandy beaches
- Best months
- March–May, October–November
- Time to allow
- Two to three hours, allowing extra time for the approach
- With children
- Difficult with young children
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Use authorised visitor parking and follow current signs; access and roadside restrictions apply in the residential area
- Getting into the water
- Mainly over rocks and steps
- Keep in mind
- Families with very young children or pushchairs
- Access
- Pushchairs: Not suitable · Wheelchairs: Not suitable
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
Water access is mainly from rock, where suitable footwear helps.
The old boathouses are private property. Enjoy the view without entering or climbing on them.
A second inlet branches off to the right of the steps, with a tiny natural beach at its end.
Getting to know Cala s'Almunia
Does Cala s'Almunia suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- Preferring rocky coves to sandy beaches
- Snorkelling in calm, clear water
- Combining a visit with nearby Caló des Moro
- Sure-footed walkers who bring their own supplies
Things to bear in mind
- Families with very young children or pushchairs
- Anyone who struggles with steep steps
- Needing refreshments, sunloungers or lifeguards
- Swimming in rough conditions
Drive from the airport
60 minutes
58 km
Bus connections
Check current seasonal transport to the Cala Llombards area
Region
Migjorn
Nearest beach
Caló des Moro
0 km
Elevation
8 m
above sea level
Season guide for Cala s'Almunia
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Mostly closed
Worth visiting in March, April, May, October and November. Less suitable in July and August. Mostly closed in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.
Location
Location of Cala s'Almunia
- Region
- Migjorn
- Municipality
- Santanyí
- Elevation
- 8 m above sea level
- Airport
- 58 km , around 60 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.3131,3.1184
A rocky inlet with old boathouses
Cala s’Almunia is mainly a rocky cove, with pale stone, boathouses, fishermen’s cottages and clear water in calm conditions. There is only a small sandy area. To the right of the access steps, another inlet ends in a tiny natural beach.
Most swimming access is over rock, so suitable water shoes are useful.
The steps down — and back up
The cove is around nine kilometres from Santanyí. Follow current parking signs and restrictions in the Cala Llombards area, then allow for the walk to the access steps.
About 110 steep steps take you down. The same steps await at the end of the visit, and after hours in the sun the climb can feel considerably harder. Keep enough water and energy for the return.
Bring what you need
There is no bar, drinking-water supply, toilet or lifeguard service. Bring food, plenty to drink and sun protection, along with sturdy shoes for the approach.
During rough seas, waves push into the cove and spray rises against the rocks. Do not enter the water or approach exposed edges; look from a safe place above instead.
Continuing to Caló des Moro
Paths lead past the cottages towards Caló des Moro. Its final descent is rough and steep, so follow current access signs and continue only if you are comfortable on that terrain.
When to visit
March to May and October to November usually offer a more comfortable walk than midsummer. July and August bring crowds despite the difficult access and lack of services.
Avoid the descent in rain, when both steps and rock become slippery.
Photographs
Cala s'Almunia in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Cala s'Almunia
Three hours
Walk down, swim or snorkel if conditions allow, then leave enough energy and time for the climb back.
Half a day
Continue along the paths towards Caló des Moro. Its final descent is rough and requires sure footing; follow current access signs.
A full day
Visit these coves in the morning, then head to Cala Llombards or Cala Santanyí for a change of setting and seasonal refreshments.
On a rainy day
Avoid the descent when wet; the steps and rocks become slippery.
The beach at a glance
- Underfoot
- Rock with a very small sandy area
- Getting into the water
- Mainly over rocks and steps
- Length
- Only a few metres of sand; most of the shoreline is rocky
- Shade
- Very little; bring sun protection
- Wind
- Strong waves can push into the cove
- With children
- Difficult with young children
- Facilities
- None
Practical details
- Parking
- Use authorised visitor parking and follow current signs; access and roadside restrictions apply in the residential area
- Time to allow
- Two to three hours, allowing extra time for the approach
- Good to know
- There are no refreshments, drinking-water supplies or lifeguards. Bring food, plenty of water, sun protection and sturdy shoes.
- Bus
- Check current seasonal transport to the Cala Llombards area; the final approach is on foot
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: None at the cove · Pharmacy: In Santanyí · Medical care: In Santanyí · Cash machines: None at the cove · Fuel: In Santanyí
- Access
- Around 110 steep steps, followed by rocky ground · Pushchairs: Not suitable · Wheelchairs: Not suitable · Dogs: The steep descent is difficult; check current restrictions before bringing a dog
- What you will not find
- Food and drink outlets · Drinking water · Lifeguards · A broad sandy beach · Parking directly at the cove
- Coordinates
- 39.3131,3.1184 Google Maps Apple Maps
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Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Cala s'Almunia
How many steps lead to Cala s'Almunia?
Around 110 steep steps, after the walk from the authorised parking area. The climb back is the most demanding part of the visit, so allow enough time and drinking water for it.
Does Cala s'Almunia have a beach?
Only a tiny sandy strip; most of the bay is rocky. Another small inlet to the right of the steps has a little natural beach at its end. For more sand and easier beach facilities, consider Cala Santanyí or Cala Llombards.
Can you buy food or drinks at Cala s'Almunia?
No. There are no bars, drinking-water supplies, toilets or lifeguards. Bring food, plenty of water and sun protection, as shade is scarce.
Is Cala s'Almunia suitable for children?
It is difficult with young children. The steep steps, rocky water access and lack of lifeguards or facilities make an easier sandy beach more practical. Pushchairs are unsuitable.
How do you reach Caló des Moro from Cala s'Almunia?
Paths continue past the fishermen's cottages towards Caló des Moro. The final descent is steep and rough. Wear proper shoes, follow current access signs and only continue if you are comfortable with the terrain.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Cala s'Almunia?
Recommended months: March, April, May, October, November. Access and opening are limited in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. See the visiting advice on this page. Comfortable temperatures for the descent and a look around the cove.
Is Cala s'Almunia worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually very crowded. Busy despite the difficult access, little shade and lack of facilities. August: another month may suit you better. Usually very crowded.
How far is Cala s'Almunia from Palma airport?
About 58 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 60 minutes by car. Around nine kilometres from Santanyí. Follow current visitor-parking and access signs, then allow for the walk through the residential area and the steep steps down to the cove.
Do I need a hire car for Cala s'Almunia?
A car is needed Check current seasonal transport to the Cala Llombards area; the final approach is on foot
Where can I park in Cala s'Almunia?
Use authorised visitor parking and follow current signs; access and roadside restrictions apply in the residential area
Can you swim at Cala s'Almunia?
Yes. Rock with a very small sandy area Mainly over rocks and steps Only a few metres of sand; most of the shoreline is rocky Very little; bring sun protection Difficult with young children
Can I visit Cala s'Almunia with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Around 110 steep steps, followed by rocky ground Pushchairs: Not suitable Wheelchairs: Not suitable
Are dogs allowed at Cala s'Almunia?
The steep descent is difficult; check current restrictions before bringing a dog
Cala s'Almunia features in our Mallorca highlights
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.