Cala Mitjaneta

From the track above, the water looks almost too blue to be real, laid over white sand inside a ring of pale rock. Getting there takes some effort: about 20 minutes on foot down a steep hill from the car park.

At the bottom the water is shallow enough for children to paddle, and the rocks at either side are where people jump in. Up close the sea varies, crystal clear on some days and cloudy on others. The crowd varies as much, from almost nobody to a packed beach.

• The walk down takes about 20 minutes on a steep concrete track, and the way back is all uphill. Leave the buggy and heavy bags in the car.
• At weekends the car park can fill by around 11:00; the residential area by the roundabout takes the overflow.
• There is no drinking water nearby. Bring your own for the beach and the climb back.
• Horses use the track, and there are droppings along it at times.

You arrive by car at the car park near Cala Galdana, about 680 m from the cove in a straight line; one of the two parking areas there is Park Cala Mitjana, on gravel. A map board stands close by.

The path starts at the car park, is paved and easy to follow, and runs down a steep hill to the beach. Allow about 20 minutes on foot, and longer for the climb back. Without a car, the bus stops Cala Galdana – Rotonda are about 740 m away in a straight line, and the rest is on foot.

Best: early in the day, especially at weekends, and cooler days for the walk.

Avoid: weekend late mornings and the midday heat on the climb back.

The car park can fill by around 11:00 at weekends, and like every beach on a summer island the cove is busiest in the height of the season, while the steep track back up is hardest going in the hottest hours.