A sandy bay backed by pine-covered slopes, a handful of hotels and a golf course. Canyamel is one of the quieter beach resorts in the north-east, with the Coves d'Artà in the cliffs nearby.
Canyamel
Canyamel in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- Golfers; Canyamel's course lies inland behind the resort
- Best months
- April–June, September–October
- Time to allow
- Half a day, or a full day with the caves and tower
- With children
- Good in suitable sea conditions
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Parking behind the beach; spaces are harder to find in high summer
- Getting into the water
- Shallow and sandy
- Keep in mind
- Lively nightlife
- Access
- Pushchairs: Possible as far as the beach edge · Wheelchairs: Access to the beach edge is possible
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
From the water, the bay sits between the coastal slopes.
At the edge of the sandy beach, the shore turns rocky.
Pines line part of the beach.
Getting to know Canyamel
Does Canyamel suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- Golfers; Canyamel's course lies inland behind the resort
- A sandy beach with pine-covered slopes nearby
- Families looking for shallow entry into the sea, when conditions are calm
- Combining a beach visit with the nearby Coves d'Artà
- A golfing break in spring or autumn
Things to bear in mind
- Lively nightlife
- A wide choice of shops and restaurants
- Exploring widely without checking transport options first
- A winter stay with the full range of holiday facilities
Drive from the airport
70 minutes
70 km
Bus connections
Seasonal bus connections serve the area
Region
Llevant
Nearest beach
Cala Bona
6 km
Elevation
5 m
above sea level
Season guide for Canyamel
November Worth considering
Very quiet Mostly closed
Worth visiting in April, May, June, September and October. Mostly closed in January, February, March, November and December.
Location
Location of Canyamel
- Region
- Llevant
- Municipality
- Capdepera
- Elevation
- 5 m above sea level
- Airport
- 70 km , around 70 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.6578,3.4394
The bay
Canyamel has around three hundred metres of fine pale sand, with a shallow entry into the water. Pines along part of the back of the beach provide welcome natural shade.
Sunbeds, parasols, a few bars and lifeguards are available in season. Many holiday businesses close in winter, but you can still visit the beach.
What to expect
Canyamel has some hotels, a small choice of restaurants and a golf course. It has neither a historic centre nor extensive nightlife. If you want plenty of variety, plan trips further afield; if you prefer a quiet base, that limited bustle may be the appeal.
A car is useful for exploring. Check current bus routes and timetables if you intend to rely on public transport.
The caves above the bay
At the northern end, the coast rises steeply towards the Coves d’Artà. Their entrance sits high above the sea beneath a cavernous rock opening. Allow roughly eight minutes by car or a good half-hour uphill on foot.
A simple plan works well here: visit the caves in the morning, then spend the afternoon on the beach.
The defensive tower
Inland stands the Torre de Canyamel, a defensive and refuge tower from the 13th century, associated with the Montsó family. It is beside the Ma-4042 on the approach to the coast.
Even the exterior is worth a stop. Check visiting times with the operator if you want to see the museum inside. The Porxada de Sa Torre restaurant is next door.
Golf
Canyamel’s golf course lies inland towards Capdepera, with eighteen holes among pines and rocky slopes. For some visitors, the course is the main reason to stay here, particularly in spring and autumn.
Those golfing visitors help sustain some business beyond the peak beach months. March to May and September to November are popular times for a round, although individual hotels and restaurants set their own opening seasons.
If you do not play, you are unlikely to notice the course much: it is tucked inland, away from the beach.
When to visit
I favour May and October. In August, this bay gets busy too, even if the atmosphere is usually quieter than Cala Ratjada.
From November to March, expect many seasonal businesses to be closed. The nearby caves can still make a visit worthwhile; check their opening times before setting off.
Photographs
Canyamel in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Canyamel
Three hours
Spend some time on the beach, then walk or drive up to the Coves d'Artà. Allow enough time for the guided cave visit.
Half a day
Visit the caves in the morning, then head to the beach.
A full day
Add the 13th-century Torre de Canyamel inland, followed by Capdepera or Artà in the afternoon.
On a rainy day
The Coves d'Artà are a good indoor option, a short drive away. Check opening times before setting off.
The beach at a glance
- Underfoot
- Fine pale sand
- Getting into the water
- Shallow and sandy
- Length
- Around three hundred metres of sand in a broad bay
- Shade
- Pines along part of the back of the beach, plus parasols for hire
- Wind
- Often calm, though easterly winds can bring waves
- With children
- Good in suitable sea conditions
- Facilities
- Sunbeds and parasols for hire · Seasonal beach bars and restaurants · Lifeguards in the main season
Practical details
- Parking
- Parking behind the beach; spaces are harder to find in high summer
- Public transport
- Check current seasonal services to and from the surrounding towns
- Time to allow
- Half a day, or a full day with the caves and tower
- Good to know
- The Coves d'Artà are in the cliffs at the northern end of the bay, roughly thirty minutes uphill on foot or eight minutes by car.
- Bus
- Seasonal bus connections serve the area; check current TIB routes and times before travelling
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Small seasonal shops; a wider choice in Capdepera · Pharmacy: Check local availability; further services in Capdepera · Medical care: Medical services in Capdepera · Cash machines: Some near the hotels · Fuel: In Capdepera
- Access
- Level approaches to the edge of the beach, then sand · Pushchairs: Possible as far as the beach edge · Wheelchairs: Access to the beach edge is possible · Dogs: Check current restrictions before bringing a dog to the beach
- What you will not find
- Extensive nightlife · A large choice of restaurants · The full summer range of services throughout winter · A historic old town
- Coordinates
- 39.6578,3.4394 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
A limestone cave with a huge opening above the sea near Canyamel. Inside, a guided route climbs and descends steps …
Around thirty minutes on foot
Torre de Canyamel stands in the valley beside the road to the coast. The imposing 13th-century defensive tower …
Above Capdepera stands a former walled settlement, with walkable defensive walls, the Miquel Nunis tower and a …
A church without a roof stands in the middle of Son Servera. Beyond Església Nova’s iron gate, garden paths pass …
Behind a wall of enormous stone blocks on the edge of Artà lies a Talayotic settlement with around 3,000 years of …
A watchtower dating from 1566 on the summit above Cala Agulla and Cala Mesquida, now a ruin. The walk up takes …
A fortress with a church inside, high above Artà. Walls with nine towers surround a courtyard of palms, an old …
A hermitage founded in 1805 in the hills of Artà, reached by a narrow, winding road. The last resident hermits …
Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
Other beaches to consider
Beaches and swimming nearby
Walk north from Cala Millor and the seafront stroll becomes a wander around the harbour. In Cala Bona, little …
A working fishing harbour and lively holiday resort on Mallorca's north-east coast. Three different beaches are …
A broad sandy bay north-west of Cala Ratjada, backed by pine woods and dunes. Pale sand fills the centre, with …
Nearly two kilometres of pale sand, a car-free promenade and hotels behind it. Cala Millor is an unmistakable …
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Canyamel
What is Canyamel's beach like?
Around three hundred metres of fine pale sand, with a shallow entry into the sea. Pines provide some natural shade along the back of the beach. Sunbeds, bars and lifeguards operate in season. Check the flags, particularly when easterly winds bring waves into the bay.
How do I get from Canyamel to the Coves d'Artà?
The caves are in the cliffs at the northern end of the bay. Allow around eight minutes by car along the winding access road, or roughly half an hour uphill on foot.
Is Canyamel a good holiday base?
Yes, if you want a quieter stay. There are hotels, a modest choice of restaurants and a golf course. For more evening activity and a wider selection, consider Cala Ratjada, around twenty minutes away by car.
What is the Torre de Canyamel?
A 13th-century defensive and refuge tower associated with the Montsó family, inland from the bay beside the Ma-4042. It makes an easy addition to a beach trip. There is a museum inside; check current visiting times with the operator.
Do I need a car in Canyamel?
A car is useful for shopping and exploring the area. Bus services vary by season, so check the current timetable before deciding whether they suit your plans. The caves can also be reached on foot if you are comfortable with the uphill walk.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Canyamel?
Recommended months: April, May, June, September, October. Access and opening are limited in January, February, March, November, December. See the visiting advice on this page.
Is Canyamel worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy. The bay is busy too, though the atmosphere is generally quieter than Cala Ratjada.
How far is Canyamel from Palma airport?
About 70 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 70 minutes by car. Follow signs towards Canyamel from the main roads between Artà and Capdepera. Parking areas lie behind the beach.
Do I need a hire car for Canyamel?
A car is needed Seasonal bus connections serve the area; check current TIB routes and times before travelling
Where can I park in Canyamel?
Parking behind the beach; spaces are harder to find in high summer
Can you swim at Canyamel?
Yes. Fine pale sand Shallow and sandy Around three hundred metres of sand in a broad bay Pines along part of the back of the beach, plus parasols for hire Good in suitable sea conditions
Can I visit Canyamel with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Level approaches to the edge of the beach, then sand Pushchairs: Possible as far as the beach edge Wheelchairs: Access to the beach edge is possible
Are dogs allowed at Canyamel?
Check current restrictions before bringing a dog to the beach
Canyamel features in our Mallorca highlights
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.