Nudist Beaches in the Balearic Islands

Balearic Islands

Situated off the eastern coast of mainland Spain, lie the extremely popular Balearic Islands. The archipelago is made up of 4 larger islands, Ibiza, Majorca, Formentera and Minorca along with its 3 smaller islands of S’Espalmador, Dragonera and Cabrera as well as a host of islets. Steeped in history, the Balerics have been ruled by several nations over the centuries, with many a battle being fought over their strategic position along important trading routes and the islands many natural harbours. Subject to countless pirate attacks in days gone bye, the islanders soon learned to fortify their towns and villages as well as building important coastal towns slightly inland so as to provide the townsfolk with a better chance to prepare and arm themselves against the attacks. The Balearic Islands are now a Mecca for holidaymakers in search of sun, sea and sangria. The islands enjoy a typical Mediterranean climate with many hours of sunshine and average summer temperatures of 28 degrees celsius. Throughout the Balearics, the environment offers a pleasant mix of coastal areas, mountain ranges, lush valleys and fertile plains. There are protected Natural Parks, salt marshes and Marine Conservation areas, all home to a diverse range of flora & fauna.

Although not the largest of the Balearic Islands, Ibiza is certainly the most famous. Ibiza’s party scene is legendary and each summer sees the island comes alive with fantastic International DJ’s and their trusty groupies, filling the lively bars and huge nightclubs that have given Ibiza its fame. The West End is a popular area of bars and smaller clubs that, of an evening, fill up with scantily dressed revellers gearing up for the night ahead. Another popular party area is the Sunset Strip which is home to several Ibiza institutes such as Savannah and Cafe Mambo. During the day, Ibiza Town offers visitors a fantastic choice of shops, eateries and busy beaches where most of the nightclub patrons doze the day away and recharge their batteries for another night of revelry. The island offers visitors an excellent mix of sun kissed beaches, turquoise seas, historical villages and rolling countryside. Amongst the islands many beaches are a choice of 6 nudist beaches located near the towns of Santa Eulalia del Rio and Sant Josep de sa Talaia.

A 30 minute catamaran journey from Ibiza is the smallest of the populated Balearic Islands, Formentera. The island’s stunning turquoise seas and fine sandy beaches are more reminiscent of the Caribbean than Spain and offer visitors endless hours of peace and tranquillity. Being only 19 kilometres long and 6 kilometres wide, it is easy to get around the island and most travellers either rent a scooter or bicycle as the island has green lanes and cycle tracks to many of the lagoons and beach areas. Visitors have a choice of dozens of beaches and hidden coves as well as a selection of 24 nudist beaches, an indication of Formentera’s hippy hey day when practically everyone sunbathed nude.

For the largest selection of beaches in the Balearics, Minorca, although smaller than some of its sister islands, has more beaches than Ibiza and Majorca combined. Its capital city Maó, also known as Mahón has one of the largest natural deep water harbours in the world, second only to Pearl Harbour. The city was once fortified and throughout history it has been a strategic stronghold for many nations. Originally the centre of commerce for the island, the town of Es Mercadal is home to Mount Toro, the highest mountain on the Minorca. The island has some beautiful countryside with pine forests reaching all the way to the sea, hiding stunning coves and bays. Cala Galdana, situated near the town of Es Migjorn Gran is the most photographed bay in Europe. Aside from its abundance of beautiful beaches, Minorca is known for its megalithic stone monuments, an indication of early prehistoric human activity. Among the islands coves and bays are a choice of 7 official nudist beaches.

Majorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, with a total area of 3,640 km2. The Phoenicians were the first to colonize Majorca in the 8th century BC, although remnants have been found dating back to the Neolithic period 6000-4000 BC. The island offers visitors an abundance of attractions, beautiful countryside and a large selection of scenic towns and villages, as well as vibrant nightlife in the capital city of Palma and nearby party town of Magaluf. Port d’Andratx, in the south west of Majorca is popular with the rich and famous jet set, and many film stars and musicians have homes here. Internationally renown as a place of outstanding beauty, the village of Valldemossa nestles in a picturesque valley surrounded by the stunning Sierra de Tramuntana mountains and is also a favourite destination of the famous, both past and present. The Polish composer Frederic Chopin spent a winter here in 1838 and Michael Douglas and his beautiful wife Cathrine own a property in the surrounding hills. The town of Manacor is famous for its production of artificial pearls and is home to Spain’s loveable tennis star Rafael Nadal and his uncle, Barcelona football player Miguel Angel Nadal. Magaluf can be likened to a smaller version of Ibiza town where the agenda for most is nightly partying, and swimming and sunbathing during the day. The beaches here get very busy during the summer months, but throughout Majorca’s towns and villages are a fantastic selection of quiet, secluded beaches, 43 official nudist beaches and hundreds of small hidden coves and islets.

No matter which island visitors choose as a holiday destination, they will surely find a location that offers the perfect itinerary for them and their family. Be it a quiet mountain retreat enjoying the fresh air and exercise, days and nights filled with fun and dancing, all over sun bathing on one of the many official nudist beaches in the Balearic Islands or an adventure filled family holiday in one of the islands fantastic beach resorts, the wonderful archipelago that is the Balearic Islands will not disappoint.