Can Picafort

The beach is the main attraction, but in the centre it is narrow. In July and August, it feels noticeably more crowded than the broader stretches at Port d’Alcúdia and Platja de Muro.

Walk north for more space. Beyond the centre, the sand opens out towards Platja de Muro, including undeveloped sections backed by dunes. The sandy coast continues towards Port d’Alcúdia for roughly ten kilometres. A longer walk gives you more choice, though even the quieter stretches attract people in August.

At the eastern edge, sand gives way to rock shelves, where you can also see an old coastal bunker.

The broad paved promenade runs from the beach towards the marina, with old tamarisks and benches beneath them. The shady seats are understandably popular.

A few wooden llaüts, Mallorca’s traditional fishing boats, remain among the motorboats. Near the harbour entrance stands a white obelisk. In the evening, the view stretches across the bay towards the Tramuntana, with the sun setting behind the mountains rather than into open sea.

The bunkers. Low concrete structures with narrow firing slits stand on rocks beside the sea. They are remnants of coastal defences and an interesting sight on a waterfront walk. Follow any access restrictions rather than assuming the interiors are safe to enter.

Necròpolis de Son Real. A few kilometres east, this prehistoric burial ground occupies a rocky headland beside the water. Its graves date from before the Roman conquest and make a rewarding change from a day on the beach.

The stone figures. Roughly carved figures with round heads stand beside the promenade and on the rocks. They look quite different beneath a cloudy sky from how they do in bright sunshine.

Bars, restaurants and nightlife are concentrated along the main road and the streets behind the seafront. In season, this is a lively place, which is exactly what many visitors want.

For a quieter evening, consider accommodation along Platja de Muro, checking the immediate surroundings before booking.

Many hotels, restaurants and other holiday businesses close between November and March. Seasonal supermarkets can close too, and parts of the resort reopen later than Port d’Alcúdia. For more year-round life on the north coast, consider Port de Pollença.

The beach remains accessible. In spring, with seagrass washed up along the water and sunbeds still stacked together, you can enjoy a much quieter walk. Just do not expect the full summer choice of places to eat and stay.

Along the coast between Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina stand white pillars with rectangular bases and pointed tops. They are alignment towers, or torres d’enfilació.

Built in pairs, they were used for military exercises involving ships and submarines during the mid-20th century. When the two towers appeared directly in line from the water, they marked a particular bearing. The towers in each pair stood roughly two hundred metres apart.

They no longer serve their original purpose, but remain useful landmarks on a coastal walk.

For a look at rural Mallorca, visit the Finca pública de Son Real on the road towards Son Serra de Marina. Old farm buildings, a museum and walking trails make it a worthwhile trip in its own right. A path of around 2.6 kilometres leads from the estate to the coastal burial ground.