El Mago: Enchanted Beach in the Captivating Southwest

Hidden in Calviá, Mallorca, lies El Mago – an enchanting, unspoiled cove with a peaceful beach of white sand. According to legend, the stones for the construction of the majestic cathedral were taken from here. Although it was once officially designated as a nudist beach, El Mago now mainly attracts young people and couples who prefer to enjoy the beach clothed. The place, however, remains a haven of untouched beauty and invites you to experience and enjoy its magical aura and breathtaking coastal scenery.

The famous El Mago beach is located about nine kilometres southeast of Magaluf in the municipality of Calvià, Mallorca. It belongs to Portals Vells, a beautiful bay between the headlands of Xisclet and s’Estaca. The beach’s natural setting is breathtaking, with crystal-clear water and fine white sand. The beach’s east-southeast orientation means the winds usually do not hit the coast strongly, so the sea is mostly calm. The water depth varies between four and five metres.

El Mago gained fame when the film “The Magus” starring Anthony Quinn and Michael Caine was shot here in 1967. The film was originally meant to be set in Greece, but due to a coup at the time, Mallorca was chosen as a replacement.

El Mago is known as a nudist beach and has a curious history. In 1984, the idea of legalising nude bathing at El Mago was proposed by a member of the Partido Popular (PP) and approved by Paco Obrador, a former priest and socialist mayor of Calvià. In recent years, the practice of nude bathing has declined, and the beach is mainly visited by young people and couples. Despite the unspoiled natural surroundings, there is a restaurant right on the sand where you can enjoy food and drinks.

Near the small beach, there is a secret that many swimmers are unaware of. A short path leads to a perforated rock with three gates that have a strange and unnatural shape. This cave was once used as a quarry for the construction of Palma Cathedral and is known as the Oratory of Portals Vells or the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Portals Vells. Inside the cave is a remarkable altar which, according to legend, was created in the 15th century by Genoese sailors to honour the Virgin Mary because she brought them safely ashore after they had almost sunk in a storm. The altar features symbols such as the sun, moon, crown, shield and even a face, leading some historians to wonder whether the oratory was actually created by the Templars.

Portals Vells beach is easy to reach by car via the Ma-1 road. There is a free car park just two minutes from the coast. It is also possible to get there by public transport, although the nearest TIB stop is in Sol Mallorca and more than a 15-minute walk away.Portals Vells beach offers all kinds of services, including restaurants, toilets, access for people with disabilities, lifeguard services and the option to rent umbrellas and sun loungers. At Cala del Mago there is a beach bar that is open during the summer season.

For boaters, the conditions for anchoring and diving are excellent. The small bay offers easy access from the sea. Just 2 km away, you can visit Cap de Cala Figuera, from where you have an incomparable view of the Bay of Palma.

El Mago beach and the nearby Portals Vells cave thus offer a perfect combination of natural beauty, historical elements and opportunities for activities such as boating and diving.