Cala Galdana, ‘the queen of the Calas’, is a popular resort on the southern,central coast of Menorca. Set within the Algendar Gorge, it’s gorgeous horseshoe beach is backed by high, limestone cliffs and fringed with pine trees.
Before the tourism boom, Cala Galdana could easily be described as the most picturesque bay in all of Menorca – if not the Balaerics, full stop. The natural beauty of such a place is an obvious draw and today, the bay is backed by modern development, holiday accommodation and large hotels. It no longer can boast such a claim, but it is still a delightful setting to spend a week or two in Menorca.
Getting to Cala Galdana is a fairly straight forward affair as it is located on the central, south coast of Menorca. Transfers from the airport take around 30 – 45 mins. Parking is available to the rear of the beach and serves the resort of Cala Galdana as a whole. This fills up very early though but additional parking can be found elsewhere in the resort, with a little more effort required to reach the beach.
The Beach at Cala Galdana
The sand itself shelves very gently into the sea. Combined with the protection such a bay provides from wind and waves, it’s overall a very safe beach to take little ones. The deeper sea is easily reached for those looking for a more energtic swim.
The beach at Cala Galdana is a wide arc of soft white sand, stretching from one side of the bay to a rocky prominence on the other side and lined with pine trees that can provide shade if needed and. Backed by a promenade that leads to the main resort, you’ll find a couple of small beach bars that provide refreshments along here, public conveniences and a lifeguard/first aid centre.
From the beach, it’s easy to hire a pedalo (cash only) which you can take out to explore the permiter and deeper area of Cala Galdana’s bay. The pedalos are fitted out with high slides which, which after a little careful climbing and balance, you can then whizz down and plunge off into the Mediterranean sea.
Accommodation in Cala Galdana
The accommodation at Cala Galdana is a mix of aparthotels, luxury villas, apartments and a couple of rarities for Menorca, a few high-rise hotels. Due to the natural landscape of the resort, if any in your party have mobility issues, it is worth researching your accommodation in Cala Galdana thoroughly before booking. The high cliffs of Cala Galdana make for some stunning vistas that can be enjoyed from many properties here and when combined with a glass of wine, make for a truly deligthful way to spend an evening. However, bear in mind that if heading into the resort for an evening meal or entertainment, the liklihood is that you will need to reascend many steps or inclines back to your holiday accommodation. Many of the hotels in particular are located lower down within the resort. Generally speaking, you will find it is the private villas and apartments that are located higher up – but do check beforehand whatever your preference.
Two hotels dominate the landscape at Cala Galdana. Built during the tourism boom, new build hotels of this size are no longer permitted on the island. These are two fine hotels though. The Artiem Audax is an adults only affair with a suite of fitness leisure activities and wellbeing facilities. Plenty of swimming pools to choose from and a choice of restaurants. The other hotel is the Meliá Cala Galdana, located right at the beach’s edge, and whilst more of a family affair, it’s 5 star rating doesn’t go unjustified. Spectacular, unrivalled sea views are on offer for the beach facing rooms, but they can also be enjoyed from many of the facilities on offer at the hotel, including from the restaurants and bars.
Eating Out
Eating out at Cala Galdana is a varied affair. You’ll find a number of restaurants down in the centre of the resort along the road that runs paraelel to the Marina and subsequently, the Algendar Gorge. But you’ll find places to eat all around the resort, whether down by the waters edge or up high on the winding side roads that make their way up to the top of the cliffs. Both sides of the bay are catered for too – so you are never too far away from somewhere to dine.
For a unique experience, El Mirador Restaurants sits on the rocky prominence that juts out into the bay. Here you can sit and enjoy a meal whilst looking down in to the water below you and supurb views across the island. There are even better restaurants from a fine dining experience though, plus restaurants for all budgets and tastes.
In the centre of the resort, Tobogan Cala Galdana (shown right) is a relaxed family affair, complete with mini-golf and water slides. Just make sure to the let the chidlren’s dinner ‘go down’ before letting them loose on those slides!
Nearby Cala Galdana
It should be noted that three of Menorca’s most picturesque beaches can be reached via long walks from Cala Galdana. Cala Mitjana is perhaps the quickest to reach on the eastern side of Cala Galdana and takes you through pine forests following a less than conventional path. Cala Macrella and even Cala Macrelleta can be reached on the western side but by a much longer walk, which for the former, is clearly pathed and waymarked, but can be draining in the heat of summer. Macarellata may seem a stretch too far on some occasions and requires some route finding on tired legs.
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