Son Saura (Menorca): how to get there and what to see

Son Saura is the westernmost cove on the unspoilt stretch of southern Menorca, already within the municipality of Ciutadella. It isn't a small, tucked-away beach like others in the south: here we're talking about a wide, open bay, with pale sand and a backdrop of pine forest. Anyone seeing it for the first time is taken aback by how large it is and how little the whole setting has been built up.

If you're planning your trip and can't decide whether to see it by land or by sea, this guide tells you where it is, how to reach it each way and what you'll find when you step onto the sand.

Where it is and what it's like

Son Saura sits at the south-western tip of the island, on the Ciutadella coast, before you reach Es Talaier and Cala en Turqueta heading east. It's actually two sandy beaches separated by a rocky outcrop: the western section (sometimes called Bellavista) and the eastern one (es Banyul). Together they form a large bay, one of the most extensive on this unspoilt stretch.

The landscape is the classic southern Menorcan one, but on a grand scale: white, fine sand, water that shifts from clear to turquoise depending on the depth, and a dense pine wood that comes almost down to the beach. Behind it there are areas of marshland and farmland, because much of the access crosses a private estate. There are no buildings at the water's edge, no promenade, no row of beach bars. It's a genuinely unspoilt cove, within protected land.

How to get to Son Saura

By car

You can reach Son Saura by car, but with caveats. The access track crosses a private estate and ends at a paid car park run by the landowner. From there you don't drop straight down to the sand: it's a walk through the pine wood of about fifteen to twenty minutes to the beach. In summer the car park fills up early, so it's worth setting off at first light; once it's full, there's no roadside alternative nearby.

Bring comfortable footwear for the pine-wood stretch and plenty of water, because there's nowhere to buy anything at the cove.

On foot along the Camí de Cavalls

Son Saura sits right on the Camí de Cavalls, the path that rings the entire island. It's a good option if you want to string together coves on foot: from Son Saura heading east the path carries on towards Es Talaier and Cala en Turqueta, all on the same unspoilt stretch. It's a lovely walk without any big climbs, but bear in mind that much of it runs without shade and in the height of August the sun is fierce.

By sea

Son Saura is a wide bay with good anchorage over sand and shallow waters, which is why it's a well-known spot among those sailing the south coast. Arriving by sea has the obvious advantage: you skip the paid car park, the walk through the pine wood and the early start, and you see the open bay from the water, which is where its size is best appreciated.

We set out by llaüt from Es Canutells, in the south, and sail as each day allows. I'll be honest: Son Saura sits at the far south-western tip, about as far from our base as it gets, and the route depends on the sea and the wind on any given day. I won't promise that on a particular day we'll go all the way down here. If this western area interests you, we'll talk it through when arranging the trip and I'll tell you what's realistic given the conditions. You can see how we put together the south-coast routes to get an idea.

What you'll find

• Sand and space. One of the widest beaches on the unspoilt south, with plenty of room even when there are people about. Fine, pale sand.
• Shallow, calm water. The bottom shelves gently, so it's good for a relaxed swim and for going with children. The waters are sheltered and, on calm days, very clear.
• Snorkelling. Around the rocky areas at either end and over the sand and posidonia beds there's life to peer at with mask and snorkel. It isn't a dramatic cliff face, but the clean water does the rest.
• Pine wood and shade. Unlike many bare coves, here the pine wood behind offers natural shade if you arrive early and settle along the edge.
• No facilities. There's no beach bar, no toilets, no sunbed hire on the sand. Bring what you need and, above all, take away whatever you bring.

Best time to go and tips

The best time for Son Saura is from late May to June and then in September: the water's already warm, there are fewer people and parking is easier. In July and August the cove gets a lot of visitors and the car park fills up by mid-morning; if you're going by car at that time of year, arrive early or accept that you may not get a space.

As it's protected land, apply the common sense of an unspoilt area: leave no rubbish, respect the vegetation behind the beach and, if you arrive by sea, anchor over sand and never over the posidonia, that protected underwater meadow that keeps the water so clean. Bring a parasol or look for the edge of the pine wood, because natural shade is limited and the southern Menorcan summer shows no mercy.

Nearby coves

If you want to string together the unspoilt western stretch, Son Saura's two natural neighbours are Es Talaier, small and with shallow waters right alongside, and, a little further east, Cala en Turqueta, one of the most sheltered on the island. Further east still is Cala Macarella, one of the most famous in the south and one we do run boat trips to when the day is right.

To place it within the wider picture, take a look at the guide to the coves of southern Menorca and the complete guide to the coves of Menorca.

Frequently asked questions

Can you get to Son Saura by car? Yes, but the access crosses a private estate and ends at a paid car park. From there it's a fifteen-to-twenty-minute walk through the pine wood to the sand. In summer the car park fills up early.

How long does it take to walk to Son Saura? From the car park, about fifteen to twenty minutes through the pine wood. Along the Camí de Cavalls you can string it together with Es Talaier and Cala en Turqueta to the east, all on the same unspoilt stretch.

Does Son Saura have facilities? No. It's an unspoilt cove with no beach bar, toilets or sunbed hire. Bring water, food and shade, and take your rubbish away with you.

Is it good for going with children? Yes. The water shelves gently, it's shallow and calm on settled days, which makes it comfortable for a family swim.

Do you take people to Son Saura by boat? Son Saura sits at the far south-western tip, far from our base at Es Canutells, and each day's route depends on the sea and the wind. We don't promise it in advance: tell us what you're after when arranging the trip and we'll see what's realistic.