Tucked away in Calviá, Mallorca, lies El Mago - an enchanting, unspoiled cove with a peaceful beach of white sand. Legend has it that the stones for the construction of the majestic cathedral were obtained from here. Although it was once officially designated as a nudist beach, El Mago now attracts mainly young people and couples who want to enjoy the beach clothed. However, the place remains a place of unspoiled beauty and invites you to experience and enjoy the magical aura and breathtaking coastal scenery.
Location and surroundings of El Mago
The famous El Mago beach is located about nine kilometers southeast of Magaluf in the municipality of Calvià, Mallorca. It belongs to Portals Vells, a beautiful bay between the peaks of Xisclet and s'Estaca. The natural environment of the beach is breathtaking, with crystal clear waters and fine white sand. The orientation of the beach towards the east-southeast ensures that the winds do not usually hit the coast strongly, making the sea calm most of the time. The water depth varies between four and five meters.
History and fame
El Mago gained fame when the movie "The Magus" was filmed here in 1967 with actors Anthony Quinn and Michael Caine. Originally, the film was supposed to take place in Greece, but due to a coup at the time, Mallorca was chosen as a substitute.
¿Nudist beach?
El Mago is known as a nudist beach and has a curious history. In 1984, the idea of legalizing nude bathing in 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 decreased and the beach is mainly visited by young people and couples. Despite the pristine natural environment, there is a restaurant right on the sand where you can have a nice meal and drink.
The Oratory of Portals Vells
Near the small beach, there is a secret unknown to many bathers. 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 the Mother of God of Portals Vells. The cave contains a remarkable altar that, according to legend, was created in the 15th century by Genoese sailors to honor the Virgin Mary for bringing them safely ashore after they almost sank in a storm. The altar shows symbols such as the sun, moon, crown, shield and even a face, which makes some historians wonder if the oratory was actually created by the Templars.
Access and services
The beach of Portals Vells is easily accessible by car via the Ma-1 road. There is a free parking just two minutes from the coast. It is also possible to get there by public transport, however the nearest TIB stop is in Sol Mallorca and more than 15 minutes walk away.Portals Vells beach offers all kinds of services, including restaurants, toilets, access for people with disabilities, rescue services and the possibility of renting umbrellas and deck chairs. At Cala del Mago there is a beach bar open during the summer season.
Boating and diving
For boaters, the conditions for anchoring and diving are excellent. The small bay offers easy access from the sea. At a distance of only 2 km you can visit the Cap de Cala Figuera, from where you have an incomparable view of the bay of Palma.
The beach of El Mago and the nearby cave of Portals Vells thus offer a perfect combination of natural beauty, historical elements and opportunities for activities such as boating and diving.
