Playas de Son Saura

Wade out from the sand and the water is still only hip-deep 20 to 30 metres from the shore, about the length of a swimming pool, and clear over a pale bottom. Son Saura is two large bays of very soft white sand with nothing built on them: no bars, no sunbeds, no shops.

The first beach opens off a stand of pines where the cicadas carry on through the summer heat. Keep walking. Past a small watchtower, about 500 m further on, lies the second bay, the one with the lifeguard and the toilets.

At times posidonia seagrass drifts ashore and leaves a band of weed along the waterline, with a strong smell you notice as soon as you reach the sand.

• Bring everything you need: there are no shops, bars or sunbeds, and no drinking water nearby.
• The sand has no shade, so in high summer bring a sunshade.
• The path from the car park is stony; wear trainers for it.
• The first beach is used by nudists, and no sign says so.
• In summer the car park fills early, and once it is full cars are turned back on the narrow approach road.

The last stretch is by car on narrow roads from Ciutadella, ending at the Son Saura car park, about 580 m from the beaches in a straight line. From there it takes about 15 minutes on foot along a stony path, and guideposts stand near the beaches. The path reaches the first bay at a stand of pines; the second lies past a small watchtower, about 500 m further on.

In summer the car park fills early. Once it is full, cars are turned back, and the only way out is the long drive back to the Ciutadella ring road. A bus stop named Son Saura sits about 650 m away in a straight line.

Best: September and October, or first thing in the morning in summer. Avoid: Arriving mid-morning or later in July and August.

The water stays clear and warm into late October, while in high summer the beaches can be very crowded and the car park fills early in the day.

The dunes behind the sand are protected ground. Where ropes fence off stretches of them, the area beyond is vegetation being left to recover: stay outside the ropes, and keep to the boardwalk and the paths between the car park and the beaches.