Caló des Moro, Mallorca (How to Get There Without a Car)
If you’re planning a trip to Mallorca, chances are you’ve come across photos of Caló des Moro. This once hidden gem has now become a victim of its own Insta-famous success and is firmly on the tourist map.
I wanted to find out what all the fuss was about, is Caló des Moro really worth the effort, especially if you don’t have a car?
After years of exploring Europe’s islands without a car, tracking down the best beaches has become second nature. So during my visit to Mallorca, I made sure to visit Caló des Moro, and I’ve got all the details from my own trip.
Caló des Moro has a reputation as a must-see beach in Mallorca, thanks to its turquoise water, dramatic cliffs and wild, natural setting. But is it worth the hype? Can you get there without a car and what is there to do when you arrive?
In this complete guide to Caló des Moro, I’ll answer all your key questions, especially if you’re getting around without a car. I’ve also included plenty of photos, so you can decide for yourself whether Caló des Moro deserves a spot on your Mallorca itinerary.
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Where is Caló des Moro?
The beautiful turquoise beach of Caló des Moro is located on Mallorca’s southeast coast, near Santanyí.
When looking on maps or bus timetables, be aware that Caló des Moro can be spelt in several different ways, including Cala des Moro, Cala del Moro and Caló del Moro.
How to get to Caló des Moro without a car
I visited Caló des Moro without a car and it was an easy journey. The bus was quite busy in shoulder season, so in peak summer be prepared to stand. Remember to tap in and out when using the buses in Mallorca.
Bus
From Palma
The bus journey from Palma to Caló des Moro takes around 1.5 hours.
Take a bus from the Intermodal station in Palma to La Verge (e.g. #510e).
The big yellow and red buses leave from underground at the Intermodal station. It’s easy to find the right bus, as there are several departure boards which tell you the bay number and the bays are clearly labelled.
At La Verge, change buses and take bus #517 to Caló des Moro (the destination of the bus is Santanyí).
There’s an information booth at La Verge and a taxi rank a little way down the street, in case you need them.
Bus tickets cost from €5.40 from Palma to Caló des Moro.
From Colònia de Sant Jordi
If you have several days for your Mallorca itinerary, I recommend you base yourself in Colònia de Sant Jordi for some of it.
From here it’s even easier access to Calós des Moro (and you’ll be within walking distance of two other top beaches in Mallorca, Es Trenc and Es Carbó).
An hourly bus, #517, leaves from Colònia de Sant Jordi to Caló des Moro. However, this service is only direct to Caló des Moro every 2 hours.
The other bus departures require a change at Cas Canonge, near Satanyi. You will need to cross over the road to take the onwards bus to Caló des Moro.
Journey time is 20 minutes on the direct bus or 40 minutes if you have to change near Santanyí.
The bus will drop you right next to the parking area for Caló des Moro. From there, it’s a 20-minute walk to Caló des Moro beach.
The bus ticket from Colònia de Sant Jordi costs from €2.70.
Pro tip: pay by card on the buses in Mallorca to get the best price. If you pay in cash the fare is considerably higher. I use a Monzo card, to avoid transaction fees.
Boat trip
To combine maximum enjoyment and convenience, visit Caló des Moro by boat. Book onto this brilliant 2.5 hour boat trip.
This small-group cruise glides along Mallorca’s southeast coast, stopping for swims at Caló des Moro and the secluded Cala Marmols. You also get to sail past the striking Es Pontas rock arch.
It’s a scenic way to enjoy these beautiful beaches without the hassle of buses. The tour is highly rated so it’s worth booking ahead.
Bike
Another way to get to Caló des Moro under your own steam is to hire a bike in Colònia de Sant Jordi and cycle there. Journey time by bike from Colònia de Sant Jordi to Caló des Moro is around 50 minutes.
Taxi
Uber operates in Mallorca and there are local taxis. So, for maximum convenience, you could get a taxi to take you direct to Caló des Moro.
However, you will still have to walk the last bit, as the roads surrounding Caló des Moro are reserved for residents only. So your taxi will most likely drop you off at the dedicated parking area, from where it’s a 20 minute walk to the beach.
Pro tip: if you want to hire a car in Mallorca, check out discovercars.com to compare prices from local and international companies, all in one place.
Access to Caló des Moro by foot
Once you’ve got off the bus, or parked, you’ll need to walk 20 minutes to get to Caló des Moro beach. There are two different routes, the scenic way and the easy way.
Route 1 – scenic route
The main advantage of this route is the incredible views you get of Caló des Moro without the need for a drone.
From the bus stop, walk south towards the coast, down Carrer de Cala Llombards.
Turn right onto Carrer des Castellet and continue until the end. It looks like a dead end but when the road runs out there are two dirt tracks. Take the right hand path, in the photo below.
The orange-coloured dirt pathway takes you through scrub. Follow the right-hand side fork. This takes you slightly away from the coastline for a few minutes but soon brings you back.
Follow the upwards track along the main path that takes you right along the cliffs for great views of the beach. After a couple of minutes, you’ll come out alongside the route down to the beach.
You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the small wooden fences and painted Caló des Moro sign.
Once you reach the beach, you’ll have to go down the rocky steps and may have to wait to let others up, as there is only one route up and down
Route 2 – easy route
The benefit of this route is that you can take a detour to see two beaches for the price of one by going past Cala S’Almonia.
This route starts off by heading down Carrer de Salmunia, following the sign for ‘S’Almonia’.
Turn left a the end and then right soon after, to continue on Carrer de Salmunia. At the end, turn left again onto Carrer des Caló des Moro and when you reach the end, you’ll see a route through the scrubland or the option to turn right.
Go right, along the road and follow it all the way until you reach the steps down to Cala S’Almonia beach.
From here you walk along the beach for a short distance, then take the left hand pathway all the way to platja Caló des Moro.
I recommend going one way and coming back the other way. Note that if you take the easy route back, you’ll be going up the steps and there are over 100 of them, so be prepared.
What the Caló des Moro beach is like
Caló des Moro isn’t a traditional strip of sandy Mallorcan beach. It’s a stunning rocky cove. Surrounded by verdant pine covered cliffs, with translucent waters, this is a place to come for the view but not stay for relaxing.
This place gets super busy in summer. There are reports of people queuing for over an hour to get down to the beach.
I visited on a weekday in early May and even though that’s the shoulder season it was still busy. There was no space to layout on the sand, as every inch was taken up.
With it being so busy I didn’t want to wait around to find a space, as it was way too crowded for me. It’s just not conducive to a relaxing day at the beach.
For actually spending time at the beach in Mallorca, I preferred nearby Es Carbó beach.
Access to Caló des Moro beach requires a degree of physical fitness, as there are slippery and rocky steps to go down. The descent is short but steep, and you want to have good footwear on, flipflops are not good for this.
There is limited shade once you get onto the beach, so to cool off you’ll just have to go for a swim in the gorgeous blue water.
In early May, for me this meant a very quick dip, as the water was freezing cold. By June it should be warm enough to enjoy.
Is it worth visiting Caló des Moro?
It is worth visiting Caló des Moro, but with a few qualifications. Caló des Moro is undeniably beautiful. The water is a shade of turquoise that invites a feeling of happiness and calm, and the cliffs give it that wild, untamed feel. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to take it all in.
But, and there is a but, it’s not a peaceful hidden spot. It gets super busy, especially in summer, and the actual beach part is small and overcrowded.
If you’re expecting a quiet swim and a long lounge with a book, you’ll be disappointed.
For this reason, I suggest it’s only worth visiting Caló des Moro in summer or late spring if you’re planning to combine it with a trip to other places.
It’s not worth spending all day here when there are so many other lovely places in Mallorca to visit.
If you’re happy to treat it as a short stop in a day of sightseeing, go early, and manage your expectations, it’s definitely worth seeing. Just don’t expect to have it all to yourself.
If you’re travelling without a car, as I do, you can combine a trip to Caló des Moro with a visit to Cala S’Almonia, Cala Figuera and Cala Llombards. This makes for a fun day out and is doable combining buses and some walking.
During the off season you should be able to check out Caló des Moro without having to queue and with easier parking and access to the beach. So in that case, it’s definitely worth a trip.
Facilities at Caló des Moro
Caló des Moro is a natural, unorganised beach. This means there are no facilities, so no cafe, toilets, sunbeds or umbrellas.
There is also no lifeguard. Bring your own shade, as it gets very hot at Caló de Moro from late spring onwards, as well as being very busy.
There are facilities in the nearby village of Cala Llombards, at Avenida de Cala Llombards. You’ll find a restaurant and a supermarket, which are both about a 25-minute walk from Caló des Moro.
Things to do nearby Caló des Moro
Once you’ve seen Caló des Moro, and especially if you’re visiting at peak tourist season, don’t miss the other attractions nearby. They include:
- Cala Llombards – a bigger stretch of sandy beach
- Cala Figuera – a picturesque traditional fishing village
- Es Pontàs – rock arch
- Ses Salines – natural park and restaurant
- Es Trenc beach – a huge white sand beach
- Platja es Carbó – another gorgeous white sand beach
- Colònia de Sant Jordi – local town
- Santanyí – great for the weekly market
- Boat trip to Isla de Cabrera – a protected marine national park
When to Visit
If you want to see Caló des Moro at its best, timing matters. In summer, it’s heaving by mid-morning, with the potential for queues on the path down. The beach itself is small, so once it’s full, that’s it.
I visited in early May and even then, it was getting busy by midday. Aim for before 9am or go for a late afternoon dip when the crowds start to thin out. If you can, head over on a weekday, rather than a weekend.
If you’re visiting outside of peak season (May, early June, or September), it’s calmer and just as beautiful, although the sea is cold and the weather can be changeable in Mallorca in May).
Where to stay near Caló des Moro beach
Universal Hotel Cabo Blanco, Colònia de Sant Jordi
If you’re after a peaceful, adults-only hotel with excellent sea views, Universal Hotel Cabo Blanco is just the place. It’s right on the seafront in Colònia de Sant Jordi, so you can walk to the beach in minutes, or stay put and enjoy the lovely pool with coastal views. Rooms are bright and modern, and many come with balconies facing the water.
Hotel Honucai, Colònia de Sant Jordi
For a more budget friendly option check out Hotel Honucai. It has a boutique vibe and unbeatable location overlooking the beach promenade in Colònia de Sant Jordi. Unwind in the rooftop pool. It’s just over the road from the port, making it perfect if you’re planning a boat trip during your stay.
If you’re looking for other great destinations in Europe to stay in without a car, check out my article on where to stay in Malta without a car.
Wrap up
Caló des Moro does look like the postcards and Instagram reels, but it’s not without its challenges. If you’re willing to go early, and aren’t expecting a quiet, relaxed full day at the beach, it’s absolutely worth a visit.
Even just standing at the viewpoint, looking down at that vivid turquoise water, feels like it deserves a place on your Mallorca itinerary.
If you’re planning a beach-hopping trip around Mallorca without a car, Caló des Moro is just one stop worth adding to your list. Combine it with a trip to iconic Es Trenc Beach and a stay in Colònia de Sant Jordi, just up the road.
And if you’re thinking ahead to your next European escape, Malta is a brilliant option for car-free travel, sunshine and sea swims without the crowds.