Caletilla

Caletilla is a Spanish toponym used to designate a small coastal inlet or beach. The name is formed from caleta, meaning a harbor or cove, with the diminutive suffix -illa, yielding a sense of “little cove.” It is commonly applied to coastal coves or beaches that are smaller than surrounding ones and that often lie near rocky headlands or harbor areas.

Geographically, the term appears in multiple coastal towns across Spain and in regions influenced by Spanish toponymy. Caletilla is typically not the name of a separate municipality; rather, it refers to a specific cove or beach within a town or district. The naming reflects historical uses of small coves as shelter for boats and as parts of traditional fishing quarters.

In practice, places named Caletilla or La Caletilla are usually sheltered swimming spots that may be integrated with urban beaches or seaside promenades. The exact features—such as access points, facilities, and surrounding urban context—vary by location, but such coves are commonly associated with calm waters and easier entry compared with more exposed coastal coves.

Etymology and usage of Caletilla illustrate a broader pattern in Spanish toponymy, where diminutive forms signal small-scale coastal features that have shaped local geography and cultural use. See also caleta, a general term for a cove or harbor.