Summer 2026 still feels far from over on the approach roads to Ciutadella’s southern coves. Anyone expecting September to bring easy beach parking may need to allow more flexibility. Turqueta and Son Saura remain part of that conversation, alongside Macarella, although access to the latter works differently.
Our personal experience at Menorca Playas this summer has been finding beach car parks full on fine-weather days, continuing well into September. This is a firsthand observation, not an official daily occupancy record. It does not establish that every car park was full all day or tell us exactly how often each entrance closed.
Menorca beach parking: September does not guarantee a space
Swapping August for September can change the pace of a holiday, but it does not guarantee room for your car at a popular cove. That is the experience we are sharing on 20 September 2026: the season is moving on, while planning the journey still matters.
There was already a documented example before summer. Menorca.info reported full car parks at southern Ciutadella beaches on 24 May. That report describes May; our observation adds a later personal perspective. Together, they are not a statistical assessment of the entire season.
Cala Turqueta: plan the journey before setting off
Cala Turqueta is the sort of beach that makes you want to forget the time: pale sand, pine trees and turquoise water. Getting there deserves as much thought as packing your beach bag, though.
If signs show that the car park is full, follow the staff’s instructions and change your plans. Continuing down the road to try your luck does not secure a space. There is no universal arrival time we can recommend as a guarantee, either: availability changes throughout the day.
Check access information before leaving, choose an alternative and allow time for the walk. An early start can be part of the plan; a guaranteed parking space cannot.
Son Saura: a spacious beach still has limited parking
Here we mean Son Saura on Ciutadella’s southern coast, with the beaches of es Banyul and Bellavista, rather than the beach around Son Parc in northern Menorca.
The broad bay can suggest an easier arrival. But room on the sand and room for a car are different things. Our experience this summer is a reason not to assume Son Saura will always be available as a backup when Turqueta is full.
If you are travelling with children or someone who needs a particularly straightforward arrival, decide on an alternative before reaching a closed entrance. Avoiding a series of unsuccessful parking attempts can make a considerable difference to the day.
Macarella: restricted access is different from a full car park
Cala Macarella needs a separate explanation. Menorca.info’s report put the start of the 2026 bus service on 1 June, alongside restrictions on private vehicle access. It would therefore be inaccurate to describe Macarella as a car park that filled with visitors’ cars every day throughout summer.
During the restricted period, plan to arrive by bus or look into the walking route from Cala Galdana. Check access conditions and services for your date before travelling: setting off earlier by car does not overcome a road restriction.
You can check options and availability on the Autocares Torres booking website. Remember to check the return journey and the walk to the cove, too. Getting off the bus is not quite the end of the trip.
How to plan a beach day without relying on a parking space
- Check access to your chosen beach. A full car park and a restricted road call for different arrangements.
- Look up public transport for your particular date. Check outbound and return services and seat availability before planning the rest of the day.
- Choose a backup. Explore our guide to Menorca’s beaches, without assuming other car parks will have spaces.
- Respect closures and access roads. Do not improvise parking along verges or block entrances.
- Allow for the walk. Bring water, suitable footwear and sun protection, including in September.
Turqueta, Macarella and Son Saura are still worth visiting. What needs reconsidering is the assumption that a September visit requires no planning. Working out how to reach the beach is part of enjoying it.