Cala Sant Vicenç and Its Four Beaches

Cala Sant Vicenç is in the municipality of Pollença, close to Port de Pollença and at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana (articles in Spanish). People often talk about Cala Sant Vicenç as if it were one beach, but this small coastal village is home to four coves: Cala Barques, Cala Clara, Cala Molins and Cala Carbó.

Once a small fishing village, Cala Sant Vicenç still has traces of its seafaring past, especially in the old slipways and fishermen’s shelters. Today there are homes, places to stay and restaurants among the coves and cliffs.

What makes it such an interesting place to visit is how close together the four coves are and how different they feel. Some are sandy, others rocky, and each offers a different mix of facilities and ease of access for families.

There are lovely views of Mallorca’s north coast and the Serra de Tramuntana, with the Formentor peninsula and the craggy ridge of Cavall Bernat among the landmarks.

The walk to Coves Blanques also starts here. We especially recommend it outside the hottest months.

Cala Barques and Cala Clara

Cala Barques

Cala Barques is probably the best known of the four coves and one of the easiest for a family beach day. It sits next to Cala Clara, separated by a small stretch of rocks, and both beaches are close to the centre of the village.

The sandy beach is about 85 metres long and has an old fishermen’s landing place, a reminder of Cala Sant Vicenç’s past. Off to one side is a small picnic area with wooden tables.

Cala Barques has some of the best facilities of the four coves. In season, there’s a lifeguard, toilets, showers and sun lounger and parasol hire. There are bars and restaurants nearby, and the bus stops close to the beach.

There’s little natural shade, worth bearing in mind in summer, particularly with young children. The easy access, nearby facilities and short walk to Cala Clara make it a practical choice.

From the beach you can see some of the old fishermen’s shelters and landing places. They give you an idea of what this little village looked like before it became one of northern Mallorca’s better-known resorts.

We recommend looking for a space on Avinguda Cavall Bernat, a wide street a short walk away.

Cala Clara

Cala Clara is just next to Cala Barques, beyond a small stretch of rocks. It’s an easy walk from one beach to the other.

It’s a smaller sandy cove, with rocky ledges where you can lay out a towel. It gets plenty of morning sun and, like much of Cala Sant Vicenç, has little natural shade.

Cala Clara has fewer facilities of its own, but those at Cala Barques are a short walk away. There are also old fishermen’s landing places here.

Between Cala Barques and Cala Clara, a broad rock shelf gives access to the sea. The rocks underfoot can be slippery, so we recommend water shoes, especially if you’re with children.

Cala Clara is a good option if you’d like a smaller, more sheltered spot within easy reach of the facilities at Cala Barques.

Cala Molins and Cala Carbó

Cala Molins

Cala Molins is one of the larger and more popular coves in Cala Sant Vicenç. It’s a sandy beach with usually clear water and the rocky cliffs typical of this part of the Pollença coast.

There’s parking nearby and several bars and restaurants close to the beach. During the season there’s also a lifeguard, toilets, showers and sun lounger and parasol hire. It’s an easy place to spend a few hours by the sea.

There’s hardly any natural shade, especially worth remembering in summer. The clear water and seabed make Cala Molins a good spot for snorkelling when conditions are calm.

You can also book water activities from the beach, including kayak trips that let you explore this stretch of coastline from the sea.

The sand, easy access and nearby facilities make Cala Molins one of our preferred spots for a family beach day.

Cala Carbó

Cala Carbó is small and the most unspoilt of the four coves. Its shore is mostly rock and pebbles, with a small sandy patch under the water.

From Cala Molins it’s a short walk along a paved road with a bit of a slope. It’s a less convenient approach than at the other coves, particularly with young children.

The cove still has some of its old fishing character. On one side you can see a slipway once used to haul boats out of the water in rough weather. There are also rock platforms and steps down to the sea beside the houses.

Cala Carbó has no facilities of its own, so bring water, food, sun protection and suitable footwear. Water shoes are particularly useful for walking over the stones and getting into the sea.

The uneven ground and lack of facilities make it less convenient with little ones. Families with older children who are happy on rocky ground may enjoy the quieter setting.

Which beach should you choose in Cala Sant Vicenç?

The coves are all close together, but each suits a different sort of beach day. Here’s how we’d choose.

• Cala Barques is easy to get to, with plenty of facilities and places to eat nearby. You can walk from here to Cala Clara.
• Cala Clara is smaller and more sheltered. It has fewer facilities of its own, but it’s easy to visit both beaches on the same day.
• Cala Molins has sand, nearby parking and facilities for a longer family beach day. Its clear water is good for snorkelling when the sea is calm, and there’s little shade.
• Cala Carbó is the quietest and most unspoilt of the four. It has no facilities and its pebble and gravel shore makes it less convenient with young children. See the official Cala Carbó guide (in Spanish).

If this is your first visit and you’re coming with children, Cala Barques and Cala Molins are probably the easiest choices. If you’re after somewhere quieter and are happy bringing everything you need, Cala Carbó feels quite different.

Cala Sant Vicenç visitor information

Location · Cala Sant Vicenç, Pollença.
Coves · Cala Barques, Cala Clara, Cala Molins and Cala Carbó.
Parking · On-street spaces around the village and parking near Cala Molins.
Public transport · TIB bus 321 stops at Cala Barques.
Facilities · Cala Barques and Cala Molins have the most facilities, with toilets, showers, lifeguards and sun lounger and parasol hire in season.
Accessibility · Cala Barques and Cala Molins have beach walkways.
Footwear · Water shoes are useful, especially at Cala Clara and Cala Carbó.
Cala Carbó · Bring water and anything else you’ll need, as there are no facilities.