A good summer destination is the Balearic Islands, an insular autonomous community of Spain that is in the Mediterranean Sea and whose capital is Palma. Within these islands is the precious Minorca, is one of the Gimnesias islands, and on the coast of the island is the cove that can become your last destination: Turquoise.
Today we have to talk about this lovely beach, small and with blue waters, tremendously popular in the summer season. Where it is, how to get there, whether or not it has parking, whether or not it has a beach bar, when to go ...
Menorca and its coves
Is the second largest island and third in terms of number of inhabitants. It is small, hence its name derived from Latin, and the capital is the city of Mahón, located on the east coast. Due to its natural wealth since the beginning of the 90's it is a Biosphere Reserve.
It has 701 square kilometers and is the first Spanish territory to see the rising sun, so if you go this summer and see the sun rise, you may think that you are doing it before all the Spaniards on the continent. It enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate and their summers are not extremely hot.
Menorca enters the world of tourism a little later than the rest of the Balearic Islands since it had its own industry to support its population. Hence, its landscapes are better preserved and that is why its baptism as a Biosphere Reserve. Everything adds up today to be a popular summer destination for British, Dutch, Italians, Germans and more.
Cala Turqueta
Menorca has several beaches but Cala Turqueta is among the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, and is one of the most popular. If you don't like people it may not be a good destination but even if it happens and get to know them because you can't miss them.
It is located on the south coast of the island and it is a beach of fine white sands and blue waters. The shadow is provided by a pine grove that surrounds her along with the protective embrace of calcareous cliffs. It is not alone on the south coast, there are two other beaches, and although Turqueta is popular of the three it is the least frequented. Or so they say. If we look at it well, they are two small beaches together but separated by a rocky promontory.
The first part is the largest and since it is at the mouth of a torrent the sand is always somewhat damp. Under the pines there are some picnic tables and some flat rocks that people usually settle on. If you cross the pine forest you will come across the other beach, smaller and with some dunes behind.
You know why is it called Turqueta? Name drift from water color as it resembles a soft turquoise. Finally, because of how it is oriented, it is a beach that runs out of sun early so it empties fast. Therefore, to spend the sunset is a good place. Do not worry.
How to get to Cala Turqueta
The cove It is about 14 kilometers from Ciutadella de Menorca. If you don't have a car you must take a bus to leave you in the cove from this point. In summer it is 68 line and the bus drops you in the parking lot on the beach. If you have a car, you take the Sant Joan de Misa road heading south and its beaches.
At the height of the Sant Joan de Misa hermitage, turn right and take the direct route to the cove. You travel about four kilometers and turn right again onto an unpaved road that leaves you in the parking lot. And from there you walk about 10 minutes to the sea.
Be careful that if you go in the middle of the summer season it may be that there are many people with a car and that the parking lot is full. There is no choice but to go and look for another place on another beach. Luckily there are signs that tell you which parking lot is full so don't get distracted.
What to do in Cala Turqueta and surroundings
The island is small and the best way to go around it is to follow a historical trail with 20 signposted stops that cross the entire coastline. Its about Camí de Cavalls, an old path that was used to defend the island and that took shape in the first half of the 2010th century. It was opened, after a restoration, in XNUMX as a public road and travel 185 kilometers total.
As I said has 20 stops so you can do it from end to end or stopping at each station or drawing your own sections. If you dedicate a whole day to it you can do it without problems, you use the morning to go and the afternoon to return. It passes along the north coast in ten stages from Maó to Ciutadella and along the south coast from Ciutadella to Maó in another ten stages. Take, yes, water, food, glasses, a hat and comfortable shoes.
Cala Turqueta is the beginning and end of two of the stages of the Camí de Cavalls. Nearby is Cala Galdana, Cala Macarella and Macarelleta. If you go west you arrive at Cape Artrutx, the Es Talaier cove and the beaches of Son Saura which is five kilometers away. Walking to these beaches precisely, from Turqueta, you find a path that takes you to an old defense tower that offers you wonderful panoramic views.
To aim: Es Talaier is 1 kilometers, Cala Macarelleta 3 km, Macarella 1.7 km, Son Saura 1.9 km and Cala Galdana 2 km. If you go in summer you can even get there from Ciutadella by boat, excursions are organized in the morning, at noon and in the afternoon.
Finally, some recommendations: it is best to arrive very early if your intention is to spend the day and go at sunset. It is a beach with a lifeguard and bathrooms nearby and yes, it has a small beach bar in the parking lot.