Looking for Platja de Santa Margalida? First of all, you should know that Santa Margalida is a municipality with several kilometres of coastline, and when people talk about its beach they’re almost always talking about Can Picafort, as it’s the biggest and the one with the most services. It’s in the Bay of Alcúdia, in the north of Mallorca. And yes, it’s the one you’ll find on most maps under that name.
It’s a beach of fine, golden sand, with calm waters and a lively seafront promenade, making it ideal whether you’re coming as a family or looking for a plan as a couple or with friends. And the best part is that all around it you’ve got very different options, from small coves to almost unspoilt stretches of sand, for whenever you feel like a change of scenery.
How to get to Platja de Santa Margalida
Getting there is easy. From Palma Airport it’s about 65 kilometres to Can Picafort, which works out at roughly an hour by car via the motorway, the road heading north. If you’re not going to rent a car, you can also get there by bus from Palma and Inca.
Once you’re here, the beach is just a short walk from the town centre, so if you’re staying in Can Picafort you can walk there, and if you’re staying in Santa Margalida you’ll be about 15 minutes away. That said, if you’re coming by car, bear in mind that in high season parking is usually packed—you’ll need to arrive early.
Beach features and services
Can Picafort Beach is one of the biggest in the area. Depending on how you measure it, it’s between 1.3 and 2.5 kilometres. What’s clear is that it’s a long beach, with fine sand and shallow waters—perfect for visiting with kids.
In 2023 it was one of the three beaches in Santa Margalida to fly the Blue Flag, along with Son Bauló and Son Serra de Marina—more than well deserved.
As for services, it has lifeguards, showers, toilets, bins, cleaning, and sun umbrella and sun lounger hire. Plus, along the seafront promenade you’ll find bars, restaurants, beach bars, a tourist office, and a yacht club.
And if you’re looking for something different, there are other beaches very close by.
More beaches near Santa Margalida
The most famous and longest beach in Santa Margalida is Can Picafort, but it’s by no means the only one. Quite the opposite: there are others that are very different from each other, from fully serviced sandy beaches to almost unspoilt corners, and they’re well worth getting to know depending on the kind of plan you have.
- Son Bauló: it’s at one end of the bay, southeast of Can Picafort, and it’s the smallest, at around 160 metres. It has similar services to the main beach—toilets, showers, sun umbrella and sun lounger hire—a beautiful wooden walkway, and views towards Cap Ferrutx.
- Playa Petita: it’s much more natural and quiet, although it doesn’t have its own services. It’s a great option if you’re looking to switch off and you don’t mind bringing your own towel, umbrella, and something to eat and drink.
- Son Serra de Marina: it has a more unspoilt-looking coastline, around 400 to 450 metres long, with very crystal-clear waters. It’s a beach that locals visit a lot, with few services and a nearby yacht club.
- Es Comú: it’s the most natural stretch of the great Playa de Muro and is part of the Parc Natural de s’Albufera area. It’s the perfect option if you’re looking for sand, calm, and fewer people, although it’s not as easy to get to as the others.
And don’t stop at just these. There isn’t just one stretch of sand—we can say that the best beaches in Mallorca are many, and every single one is worth a visit.
Activities and things to do nearby
Santa Margalida beach is the perfect starting point for enjoying a day at sea, but there’s also plenty to do nearby.
If you like water sports, the yacht club and local centres give you the chance to try kayaking, paddleboarding, and the odd sporting activity in Mallorca too.
And if you’re still craving more nature or culture, just a few kilometres away you’ve got the Parc Natural de s’Albufera, the public estate of Son Real with its Talayotic necropolis and, of course, the municipality of Santa Margalida itself.
Where to eat near the beach
Eating near the beach is very easy because right on the Can Picafort seafront promenade you’ll find everything from beach bars with a set menu to terrace restaurants where you can try fresh fish and rice dishes—one of the island’s many specialities.
If what you want is to taste the island’s cuisine, you can’t miss dishes like tumbet—made with potato, aubergine, pepper, and tomato—, variat—a tapa with a bit of everything, literally—and, for dessert, ensaïmada, another emblem of Mallorcan gastronomy.
Come and visit Platja de Santa Margalida
To enjoy Platja de Santa Margalida you’ll need to grab your spot early, especially in July and August, because by mid-morning the beach is usually already full. If you’d rather avoid the early start, choose to travel to Mallorca in September, when there are fewer tourists.
Or better yet, try to stay nearby so you don’t have to travel too far to the beach. Wondering where? At Ideal Property we have houses, villas, and apartments in Can Picafort and the surrounding area, so you can enjoy Santa Margalida beach in Mallorca and everything else the island has to offer.