Cala Mitjana, Galdana and Turqeta: A Spectacular Coastal Walk

The coastal walk from Cala Mitjana to Cala Turqeta is one of the best in Menorca. Taking place on the southern coast of Menorca, you’ll get to enjoy many stellar beaches during this walk other than just Cala Mitjana and Cala Turqeta. These other beaches include Cala Mitjaneta, Cala Galdana, Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta.

In this Balaeric Islands hiking guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this immense coastal walk on the south coast of Menorca. We’ll provide the trail specs, a GPS-guided map and a trail description. Then, we’ll discuss how to get to Cala Mitjana. Afterwards, we’ll talk about Cala Galdana in a bit more detail as this is the biggest hub near Cala Mitjana.

Cala Mitjana to Cala Turqeta: Hiking the Camí De Cavalls

By hiking from Cala Mitjana to Cala Turqeta, you’ll be hiking a section of the famous 184km Camí de Cavalls circular route. Indeed, just hiking a section of the route is one of the best travel experiences you can have in Menorca. Of course, if you have the interest, time and energy, we recommend doing the entire loop walk over 5–8 days. Otherwise, just doing sections, like the coastal walk from Cala Mitjana to Cala Turqeta, is a great way to get a taste of the island’s circuit route. Indeed, you’ll see many amazing beaches along the way, including Cala Mitjaneta, Cala Galdana, Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta.

Read our Cala Morell to Algaiarens, Binimel·là to Cala Pilar and Cala en Bosch to Cala Turqeta guides

Cala Mitjana to Cala Turqeta Trail Details and Map

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 16.1km
• Time: 4 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 400m
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Cala Mitjana Car Park
• Map: Wikiloc

Trail Description

In this trail description, we’ll break down the trail into sections, to help show the highlights of this brilliant coastal walk. It all starts at Cala Mitjana in Menorca.

Cala Mitjana to Cala Mitjaneta

Starting from the Cala Mitjana Car Park, you’ll follow a dirt trail approaching the coastline that meanders through pine trees. After around 1.3km, you’ll discover Cala Mitjana, otherwise known as Cala Mitjana Beach. It’s a small beach that’s brimming with beauty. In fact, it’s considered one of Menorca’s ‘virgin beaches‘. These beaches are considered the most pristine and stunning on the island.

Surrounded by a lovely forest and sandstone sea cliffs, you’ll walk along the beach towards Cala Mitjaneta. Compared with Cala Mitjana, Cala Mitjaneta is even smaller! Honestly speaking, some tourists visiting Cala Mitjana don’t even know that this minuscule beach exists just next to it. Compared with Cala Mitjana, Cala Mitjaneta seems like more of a small bay or cove than a beach. If anything, Cala Mitjaneta appears to be just an extension of Cala Mitjana. But, this doesn’t detract from the charm of it.

Personally, Beck and I wandered down to the shoreline of Cala Mitjaneta to fully scope it out. We then continued along a leafy dirt trail from Cala Mitjaneta heading towards Cala Galdana.

Cala Mitjaneta to Cala Galdana

The dirt trail leading away from Cala Mitjaneta eventually arrives at a road. If you cross this road and continue straight, you’ll arrive at a decent viewpoint of Cala Galdana. After checking out this viewpoint, retrace your steps, turn left and continue along the road. Soon enough, you’ll arrive at a series of steps leading down to Cala Galdana, also known as Cala Galdana Beach and Cala Galdana Playa.

Admittedly, the water of both Cala Mitjana and Cala Galdana weren’t looking their best when we visited in November 2021. This change in water colour from turquoise to dark blue or even brown is due to algae, which forms in the freshwater river running into Cala Galdana. If you have read Cala Galdana reviews online, you may have heard about this water discolouration. Despite the lack of turquoise-coloured water, we still think the beaches were worth visiting.

Cala Galdana to Cala Macarella

After walking by Cala Galdana in Menorca, the trail then continues parallel to, but slightly away from the coast. The trail undulates over varied terrain. You’ll notice many side-trail options leading to coastal viewpoints. Each one is likely to provide superb coastal views. Personally, with sunset approaching, we decided to take just one of these side trails. This trail led to a mesmerising viewpoint overlooking Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta. If you were to choose one of the side trails on offer, we’d recommend this one. Certainly, it provides some of the most stellar views of Cala Macarelleta and Cala Macarella in Menorca.

Following this short out and back to this viewpoint, you’ll continue west along the trail. Soon enough, you’ll reach a series of wooden steps, which wind down to Cala Macarella, also known as Cala Macarella Beach. Similar to the other beaches experienced so far, Cala Macarella is another glorious stretch of coast. Perhaps more hidden than the others, Cala Macarella feels a touch more remote and natural. For this reason, Beck and I enjoyed walking across the soft sands of Cala Macarella.

Cala Macarella to Cala Turqeta

From Cala Macarella, you have two options. You can continue along the official Camí de Cavalls coastal trail, heading west to Cala Turqeta. Alternatively, you can walk on another trail that leads you to the stunning Cala Macarelleta. Personally, with sunset approaching, we didn’t include a visit to Cala Macarelleta. But, we hear it’s another beautiful secluded beach, similar to Cala Macarella and Cala Turqeta. From Cala Macarelleta, it’s possible to then rejoin the Camí de Cavalls coastal trail further along and continue to Cala Turqeta.

Personally, Beck and I think Cala Turqeta is the star attraction of this entire coastal walk. Similar to Cala Macarella, this beach is harder to reach. Its remoteness provides a genuine ambience of tranquillity. Out of all of the stunning beaches seen on this coastal walk, we spent the most amount of time exploring Cala Turqeta. Once you’ve enjoyed this pristine and secluded paradise, it’s time to retrace your steps to complete the hike. During the return leg, Beck and I enjoyed some speed hiking to ensure we made it back in time before nightfall kicked in.

FYI – Cala Turqeta is sometimes spelt Cala Turqueta.

How to Get to Cala Mitjana in Menorca

To do this incredible coastal walk, you’ll need to get to Cala Mitjana. Let’s review your options for getting to this beautiful beach.

Cala Mitjana Bus

Unlike other beaches in Menorca, Cala Mitjana is quite easy to reach using public transport. From Mahón, you’ll take the approx. 45 minute Line 51 bus for €4.40. If you’re travelling from Ciutadella, you’ll take the roughly 30 minute Line 52 bus for €2.95. From Ferriers, you’ll take the approx. 15 minute Line 53 bus for €1.35. All of these buses pass by the Cala Mitjana Car Park en route to their final destination in Cala Galdana. Simply alight at the bus stop located out the front of the Cala Mitjana Car Park before the bus heads into the town of Cala Galdana.

Keep in mind that Cala Mitjana is easy to reach during peak season (June to September). But, bus services are reduced in Menorca between October and May. Personally, when Beck and I visited Menorca in November 2021, there was no Line 53 bus running from Ferriers to Cala Galdana. So, if you’re visiting outside of peak season, head to this TSMA website for details on departure times.

Driving to Cala Mitjana

The easiest and quickest way to get to Cala Mitjana is by driving there yourself. As mentioned, given the reduced bus service outside of peak season, you may have no other choice but to drive there. Beck and I hired an automatic car from Menorca Airport for around €13/day.

To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.

Cala Mitjana Parking

You’ll find plenty of spots at the Cala Mitjana Car Park. Even during the peak season, there’s generally a lot of parking available here. From the Cala Mitjana Car Park, it’s an approx. 1.3km walk to the beach.

How to Get to Cala Turqeta in Menorca

It’s possible to do this coastal walk in reverse, starting at Cala Turqeta. Although, getting to Cala Turqeta isn’t as straightforward. There isn’t any public transport running to or near Cala Turqeta. The only way to start the hike from Cala Turqeta is by driving there yourself. From the Cala Turqeta Car Park, you’ll walk around 1km to reach the beach.

Other Trail Options

• Start the walk in Cala Galdana: some people walk from Cala Galdana to Cala Mitjana as part of this coastal walk as they’re staying in Cala Galdana.
• Do a shorter walk: the Cala Galdana to Cala Mitjana walk on its own is a great shorter trail option. The Camí De Cavalls Cala Galdana to Cala Mitjana return trail is around a 60-minute walk. Of course, this depends on how long you spend at each of the beaches!
• Sant Tomàs to Cala Mitjana hike: this walk includes other nice beaches such as Cala Escorxada, Cala Fustam and Cala Trebalúger. This hike takes in more of the coastline east of Cala Mitjana. Indeed, you could do a monster walk from Cala Mitjana to Cala Turqeta and extend it to include a walk to and from Sant Tomàs. Alternatively, you could simply do the Sant Tomàs to Cala Maitjana coastal walk another day.

Cala Galdana, Menorca

Other than doing the coastal walk, you might be interested in other things to do and experience in the area. The biggest hub of activity near this coastal walk is in Cala Galdana. Here, you’ll find plenty of accommodation options, restaurants and activities. Let’s explore all of this below.

Cala Galdana Hotels

There aren’t any Cala Mitjana hotels per se. But, there are plenty of Cala Galdana hotels to choose from. Indeed, Cala Galdana is just a stone throw’s away from Cala Mitjana. So, Cala Galdana is a great place to stay to do this coastal walk. Generally speaking, you won’t find much in the way of budget options in Cala Galdana. So, we’ve handpicked the most popular mid-range and luxurious options.

Cala Galdana Villas

Similar to hotels in Cala Galdana, you won’t find any budget options for Cala Galdana villas. But, opting to stay in a villa in Cala Galdana is a popular choice for many. With that in mind, here are the best Cala Galdana villas.

Cala Galdana Restaraunts

Similar to accommodation options, you won’t find much in the way of Cala Mitjana restaurants in Menorca per se. But, again, there are plenty of Cala Galdana restaurants to choose from nearby. Our Cala Galdana restaurant recommendations include Pizzeria Restaurante Sa Lluna and Alaska Restaurante & Tapas Bar.

FYI – if you’d rather do your own cooking, we recommend doing your food shopping at Lidl for cheaper groceries.

Cala Galdana Boat Hire

One of the most popular things to do in Cala Galdana is to take a boat trip. GetYourGuide’s 2 Hour Cala Galdana Glass-Bottom Boat Trip is one of the most popular tours in Menorca that’s booked online. Indeed, this boat trip is amazing. Otherwise, if you’d rather book a boat trip locally in Cala Galdana, we recommend heading to either Iguana Boats or Minor Boats.

Cala Galdana Parking

Given Cala Galdana’s great restaurants and boat tours, you may want to head there after doing the Cala Mitjana to Cala Turqeta coastal walk. In that case, you can simply explore Cala Galdana on your way back to Cala Mitjana. Otherwise, you could finish the walk and then do a quick drive over to Cala Galdana.

Although, in peak season, the Cala Galdana Parking Lot, albeit relatively large, does fill up very quickly. Around the Cala Galdana Parking Lot, there is free street parking. But, this also fills up quickly during summer. If you visit Menorca in the winter, parking in Cala Galdana shouldn’t be a problem.

What to Bring

These are our five hiking gear essentials for this coastal walk.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

You should also take water, snacks, lunch, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, swimmers and a towel.

Bonus Tips: Travelling Responsibly and Facilities

• Leave no trace: don’t leave any rubbish behind. Basically, be a decent human being during your visit.
• Facilities at Cala Mitjana: you’ll find toilets and bins at the Cala Mitjana Car Park. There are no sunbeds or umbrellas to rent on the beach. Also, you won’t find much in the way of phone signal at Cala Mitjana.
• Explore other virgin beaches and places of natural beauty in Menorca: don’t just stop at the virgin beaches of Cala Mitjana, Cala Mitjaneta, Cala Macarella, Cala Macaralleta and Cala Turqeta. There are many other stellar virgin beaches to see on the island.
• Discover more about hiking in Menorca: feel free to watch our Menorca hiking video. You can also read our Menorca hiking guide, where we talk about the eight best day hikes on the island.

For other epic coastal walks in the Balearic Islands, check out our Mallorca hiking guide, where we talk about the nine best hikes on the island.