Visiting Sa Calobra
Located in the very northwest of Mallorca, Spain, discover the stunning hidden beach of Sa Calobra, sandwiched between 200-meter-high rock formations! To get there, drive the hairpin bends and sheer drops of Sa Calobra road, passing through a dramatic gorge.
Did you know? Sa Calobra means ‘snake’ in the Mallorquin language. You may also hear it referred to as La Calobra, which is its Castellano (Spanish) name.
Torrent de Pareis
Torrent de Pareis is the name of the gorge that forms the route to Sa Calobra. This incredible limestone canyon was eroded by water over many years, creating a deep channel surrounded by towering cliffs. Many fascinating caves are also embedded in the rock.
This area has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status (classified as a national monument).
Sa Calobra Road
The road to Sa Calobra is one of the most scenic we’ve ever driven on and a must-do on your Mallorca itinerary!
Most people leave from Soller and begin their ascent through the Tramunta Mountains to the summit of Coll dels Reis (730 meters high). You’ll drive along limestone-flanked roads that sometimes become even a squeeze for one car. Along the way, you’ll see slow-wandering donkeys and even the odd mountain goat scrambling to the summit.
As you drive to the start of Sa Colobra Road, you’ll also pass the Mirador des Gorg Blau, a stunning viewpoint over an emerald lake. There are plenty of spots where you can stop and take photos before continuing your journey. (here is the exact location)
Once you reach Coll dels Reis, you’ll begin your descent down the famous Sa Colobra road. This zig-zagging road has close to 30 jaw-dropping hairpin bends! Many of the curves are very tight, creating a snake-like effect down the mountain. Engineer Antonio Parietti intentionally designed this feature to eliminate the need for a tunnel.
The most incredible bend of all, though, is the Nus de sa Corbota, meaning ‘knot of the tie’. This section of the road actually loops back underneath itself!
Things to know about the Sa Calobra Road
- Watch out for the donkeys! They move slowly and can quickly emerge from behind the bends, so keep your speed to a minimum.
- Before your descent, there’s a small food stall with a good viewpoint and snacks. The exact location is here.
- The drive from Soller takes about an hour. However, the Sa Colobra road descent typically takes 25-30 minutes. Here is the complete route.
- It’s not a drive for the faint-hearted! However, it’s a real adventure and well worth it for the incredible views over Torrent de Pareis and Sa Colobra beach.
- The road is popular with both coach trips and cyclists, which can cause higher traffic levels. Because of this, we recommend driving early in the day (before 9 AM). It’s also quieter later in the afternoon (after 4 PM).
- Time your journey so that you end your day at Coll dels Reis for sunset (here is the location). Absolutely magical!
Sa Calobra Beach
At the end of the Sa Calobra road, you’ll find yourself in the charming Port da Sa Coalobra. It’s very pretty, with bobbing fishing boats and catamarans and a few waterside restaurants.
Tip: The beach is free to visit but has paid parking. Before leaving, remove any valuables from your car, especially in peak summer months. (Learn more about travel safety)
Although Port de Sa Calobra is charming, the real gem is the hidden Sa Calobra beach. The route there is remarkable: pass along sheer cliffs and through 2 narrow stone tunnels that, at some points, are only wide enough for one person to pass! At the end, gaze in awe as you emerge onto the most beautiful pebble beach. Note: It takes just 15 minutes to walk from the port to the beach.
Sa Calobra is wide, but as the gorge narrows closer to the sea edge, so does the beach. At this narrower part, it can feel busier, especially during high season. However, even when it’s busy, it still feels incredibly wild and natural; you won’t find any sunloungers or umbrellas here!
Tip: If it’s too busy, you can also drive to Cala Tuent, the next remote beach to the south.
Boat Trip to Sa Calobra
Although the Sa Calobra road is a real highlight, you can also reach Sa Calobra beach by boat in two ways:
By Ferry
Puerto de Soller to Sa Calobra: A standard ferry leaves 4 times a day (during high season) and returns in the afternoon. The journey takes approximately one hour. Check the ferry times here.
Organized Boat Trip
Joining an organized boat trip to Sa Calobra can be a fun way to discover this remarkable part of Mallorca. Boat trips range in length and type, for example, by speedboat or catamaran, and include time for swimming and snorkeling.
Where to Stay
Sa Calobra is one of the most remote spots in Mallorca, and therefore, there are no hotels in the immediate area. However, if you’d like to spend a night nearby, you can find plenty of excellent hotels, apartments, and hostels in Soller.
How to Get to Sa Calobra
If you’re renting a car on your Mallorca itinerary, we highly recommend taking on the adventure of the great Sa Colobra road!
We recommend to rent a car in Spain through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Most people start the route from Soller, weaving their way up into the mountains to Mirador de Gorge Blau before their descent. The entire journey takes approximately one hour.
Note: If you leave from Palma, you’ll eventually join the same route (total journey time: 1 hour 30 minutes).
Car rental in the summer gets booked up very quickly. Make sure to reserve well in advance of your trip!
By Coach
If you don’t have a car or have limited time on your trip, booking an organized coach trip can be a good way to visit Sa Calobra. Please note that coaches travel at peak times of the day, meaning there can be quite a bit of traffic, and Sa Calobra Beach will be busier.
Tip: There are no public buses to Sa Calobra. However, you can take a public bus from Palma to Soller (or the famous vintage train) and then take a taxi or boat from there to Sa Calobra.
Visit Sa Calobra by boat, train, and tram on a multi-stop tour from Palma! See tickets and availability here.
By Boat
An alternative way to visit Sa Calobra is by boat from Soller. You can either book the regular ferry or join an organized boat tour to explore more hidden spots.
Restaurants
Although there are some restaurants at Sa Calobra port, they’re not the best on the island and are also more expensive because of their remote location. Instead, we recommend bringing a picnic to enjoy on Sa Calobra Beach (sustainable travel tip: don’t forget to take your trash away!)
If you do want to eat out, book a table at this restaurant in nearby Cala Tuent, or head back to Soller to take advantage of the many fantastic eateries there. Some of our favorites in the area are:
- Restaurant Es Vergeret
- Ca’n Llimona
- Restaurant Corazon
- Sa Figuera Restaurant
Best Time to Visit Sa Calobra
Sa Calobra is stunning to visit at any time of the year, although the winter months can bring rougher seas (which can make the water less turquoise). Additionally, during the winter and early spring months, days can be wetter, creating a flow of water down Torrent de Pareis that cuts off the route for hikers.
For these reasons, we recommend visiting in the late spring and early fall, when days are still sunny and warm, the balmy sea temperatures are ideal for swimming, and crowds are fewer. If you do visit in the summer, make sure to drive the Sa Calobra road before 9 AM or after 4 PM, so you won’t have to share the route with coaches.
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