From Mallorca to Ibiza: The 8 most beautiful beaches in the Balearic Islands

They are located between 90 and 200 kilometers from mainland Spain and are enjoying ever-increasing popularity. Last year, the four Balearic Islands recorded a new visitor record: 18 million holidaymakers went to Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. And demand is also high in the current tourism year 2024.

No wonder, because each of the four islands has its own charm: The largest island, Mallorca, which has been popular with Germans since the 1950s, stands for great beaches, a varied landscape with UNESCO World Heritage mountains, a medieval old town, churches Architecture and fine wines.

Menorca, the second largest island, is considered the greenest, least known and most contrasting of the four inhabited Balearic islands. Ibiza is known for its party options, picturesque old town and hippie flair. And Formentera, the smallest, is also called the “Little Caribbean” because of its dream beaches. An overview of the most beautiful beaches in the Balearic Islands.

1. Mallorca: Es Trenc – beach jewel in the nature reserve

Picking out the most beautiful one among Mallorca’s approximately 200 beaches and bays is not easy. As this depends on personal preference. However, along the 560 kilometer long coastline there is sure to be a highlight for every taste – from kilometers of white dream beaches to small romantic sandy bays nestled between steep cliffs to the notorious party beaches like Ballermann 6.

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, even locals recommend Es Trenc beach. Because: It looks like the Caribbean there. The only difference: Instead of coconut palms, pine trees sway in the wind. However, the sand is white as powdered sugar, the sea is turquoise green and crystal clear. One of the longest beaches on the island, Es Trenc offers five kilometers of sand dunes in a nature reserve. That’s why the gently sloping beach on the south coast is almost undeveloped and a place of peace.

2. Mallorca: Playa de Muro – paradise for dune freaks

On the other side of the island, in the northeast, there is another dream beach in white: the natural Playa de Muro. This is located in the extensive bay of Alcúdia, directly in front of the Albufera Natural Park and Bird Sanctuary, is six kilometers long and known for its white, fine sand dunes.

The calm and gently sloping water makes the sandy beach ideal for vacationing families with children. But many locals also come here because there is more than enough space. And there is something relaxing and calming about the view of the large bay. When the wind blows offshore, kitesurfers and windsurfers glide across the water. You can borrow the appropriate equipment from the surf school.

3. Menorca: Cala Macarella – rocky bay for lovers

The second largest Balearic island has always been in the shadow of its big sister Mallorca. However, this also has advantages: the 50 kilometer long and 16 kilometer wide island is nowhere near as crowded. Cala Macarella is considered one of the most beautiful bathing bays on the south coast. However, if you want to get to this dream bay, you have to make a little effort. Because it takes three quarters of an hour to hike. Over hill and dale, through fragrant pine forests, along the rocky coast with breathtaking views of the turquoise sea. Another option: get across the water in a sailboat. The rocky bay with its white sand cannot be reached directly by car.

The hiking trail begins in the beach town of Cala Santa Galdana, which made a name for itself as one of the first holiday resorts on Menorca in the early 1970s. The footpath starts at the stairs to the Mirador bar and leads westwards to the right to the Cami de Cavalls, the old horse path and circular route around the island. You can’t miss it, red signs on wooden pegs show the way. A wooden staircase then leads down to the pretty bay: the sea gently laps onto the wide beach, which offers natural shade under pine trees and rocks. The limestone sand feels soft like flour and shines white. Here nature shows itself at its most beautiful and almost untouched side. Only a small beach café shows that civilization has finally arrived.

4. Menorca: Cala en Porter – sandy bay between rocks

The journey to Cala en Porter is already spectacular: a serpentine leads steeply down to the protected, white sandy bay, which is nestled between two 200 meter high rock faces. The right rock is undeveloped and overgrown with green bushes. Small, whitewashed houses cling to the left-hand boulder like eagles’ nests. The majestic setting around the 150 meter long sandy beach conveys one thing above all: peace.

The clear water is as smooth as a bathtub. In the deep bay it is also impossible to be driven out to sea, which parents will appreciate. They can even keep an eye on their offspring from the surrounding beach bars. Behind the beach there are not only parking spaces with impressive fan palms, but also a children’s playground. Dogs are prohibited on the beach.

5. Ibiza: Las Salinas – soft sand and turquoise water

The third largest Balearic island of Ibiza is the celebrity hotspot in the Mediterranean: its mix of fantastic beaches and wild parties magically attracts the rich and famous. Whether Leonardo DiCaprio, Kylie Minogue, Richard Gere or Kate Moss – they all love Ibiza and come back again and again. You can also go to Las Salinas beach on the southernmost tip of Ibiza, around ten minutes by car from Eivissa, the island’s capital.

Why? Because the beach, named after the neighboring salt lakes and the nature reserve, is 1.5 kilometers long and crescent-shaped. Because it has soft, white sand lapped by clear water in pastel blue and turquoise tones. And because he’s just cool. Sand dunes dotted with pine trees surround casual beachside restaurants and beach bars serving top-notch food and drinks. Since there is often a lot of hustle and bustle on Salinas Beach, many celebrities don’t attract attention and enjoy not being in the flashlights.

6. Ibiza: Es Cavallet – paradise for nudists

Of course, on an island discovered by hippies there must also be nudist beaches. Like Es Cavallet, the official nudist beach. The wild and natural bay, also in the south of Ibiza, is considered one of the most beautiful and enjoys cult status. This is where the history of nude bathing in Spain is said to have begun. Dunes and lush Mediterranean vegetation protect the fine, white, one kilometer long and 30 meter wide sandy beach and its naked guests from unwelcome glances.

Peace, crystal clear water and often high waves are guaranteed here. If you want to stretch your feet, walk to a fortification tower at the end of the bay. There is a nice beach bar at the back of the beach. The beach is equipped with loungers, parasols, showers, lifeguards, restaurants, bars and a beach boutique.

7. Formentera: Playa de Ses Illetes – one of the most beautiful in the world

The southernmost Balearic island is also called the Little Caribbean. Small because Formentera is just 20 kilometers long and only two kilometers wide at its narrowest point – making it the smallest of the four inhabited islands. And the comparison with the Caribbean is aimed at the white sandy beaches and the sea shining in the brightest turquoise tones. This extraordinary color has to do with the seagrass meadows on the seabed, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an ecosystem worthy of protection. This also explains why the water is said to be the clearest in the Mediterranean and the beaches are natural.

At the northwestern end of the island, Playa de Ses Illetes lies on a narrow headland. It is not only considered the most beautiful beach in Formentera, but is also regularly ranked among the best beaches in the world: the finest, white sand with a delicate pink shimmer forms a kilometer-long dune landscape. The sea in the middle of the nature reserve is shallow, crystal clear and its turquoise tones are intoxicating. Small rocky islands divide the beach into two sections. There is a lot of space here and everyone can find their place. There are also a few beach cafes with fantastic views of the neighboring island of Ibiza, from where ferries and boats to Formentera leave.

8. Formentera: Playa de Migjorn – Star of the South

With a length of five kilometers, Playa de Migjorn can call itself the longest beach in Formentera. What is also special is its scenic diversity. Because it consists of several bays: with white and golden sand, rocky areas and romantic mini-bays – all with their own name and different accesses. The beauty of Playa de Migjorn attracted well-known musicians such as Jimmy Hendrix and Bob Dylan in the 1960s, and Madonna and Leonardo DiCaprio have also been spotted here.

Apparently they all also visited the Blue Bar, one of the casual beach bars. If you still don’t want to go back to the hotel after your sundowner, you have the best chance of seeing many shooting stars. Because in the summer of 2023, Formentera received the “Starlight Tourist Destination” certificate from the UNESCO Starlight Foundation. This means that here on the south coast in places like Cap de Barbaria or in Migjorn there are particularly good conditions for stargazing due to low light pollution.