Necròpolis de Son Real

The tombs run right down to the sea. More than 100 of them crowd the point, built from squared stone blocks, some round and some rectangular, and from a distance the cluster reads like the footings of a small village. They date back to the 7th century BC. Excavations recovered the remains of over 300 people, buried here in different ways over the centuries.

Information panels across the site explain what you are looking at. On a sunny day the place is quiet and still; under low cloud, with a grey sea behind the stones, it turns eerie. The walk in follows a wild, rocky stretch of coast, and the sea views come with it.

• There is no café, no toilets and no drinking water at the site or nearby: bring water, especially in summer.
• Google Maps routes you along the main road. The walking trail starts from Son Bauló beach (Platja de Son Bauló) in Can Picafort.
• The site is not wheelchair accessible, and the only way in is on foot.
• The tomb walls are original prehistoric stonework; do not climb or sit on them.
• The Son Real estate house (Finca Pública de Son Real), 2 km on foot from the tombs, has a small museum worth adding to the visit.

Both ways in end on foot. From Can Picafort, the trail starts at Son Bauló beach and follows the coast to the point; the Son Bauló bus stop sits about 1.9 km from the tombs in a straight line. Map apps send you along the main road — ignore them and stay on the coastal path.

The second approach starts at the Son Real estate house, about 2 km from the tombs on foot, with a small museum inside. Drivers will find the nearest free car park about 1.2 km away in a straight line, and the last stretch is walked either way.

Best: the morning or late afternoon, when low sun picks out the stone blocks and the coastal walk is cooler; grey, overcast days suit the place too.

Avoid: the middle of a summer day.

The approach crosses open coast with no café, water or toilets at the end of it, and midday heat on bare rock makes the round trip hard going.