Son Serra de Marina
A planned village of grid-pattern streets, no hotels and houses no higher than two storeys. In front lies a long, natural beach backed by protected dunes — a coast that narrowly escaped becoming another Rimini.
Son Serra de Marina
Son Serra de Marina in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- A wide beach without rows of loungers or large hotels
- Best months
- March–October
- Time to allow
- Half a day at the beach, or a week as a base for a very quiet holiday
- With children
- Suitable shallows, but no lifeguards or supervision
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Free in the side streets; usually possible to find space even in summer
- Getting into the water
- Gently shelving, with stones in some shallow areas
- Keep in mind
- Needing loungers, showers and a choice of restaurants
- Access
- Pushchairs: Possible as far as the beach edge, difficult on sand · Wheelchairs: No beach access aids
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
Washed-up seagrass is left in place to help protect the shore, part of a natural beach.
The harbour is on the western edge, with small boats rather than a parade of superyachts.
A place to eat, an open space and a few boats — a small, simple harbour.
Getting to know Son Serra de Marina
Does Son Serra de Marina suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- A wide beach without rows of loungers or large hotels
- Seeing local families enjoy the beach on Sundays
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing in one of the bay's better areas
- A quiet day out from Can Picafort or Colònia de Sant Pere
Things to bear in mind
- Needing loungers, showers and a choice of restaurants
- Wanting evening entertainment after sunset
- Arriving without a car, as buses are infrequent
- Expecting open businesses in winter
Drive from the airport
60 minutes
62 km
Bus connections
Route 331 between Can Picafort and Artà stops at the turn-off
Region
Pla de Mallorca
Nearest beach
Colònia de Sant Pere
5 km
Elevation
4 m
above sea level
Season guide for Son Serra de Marina
November Worth considering
Very quiet Mostly closed
Worth visiting in March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October. Mostly closed in January, February, March, November and December.
Location
Location of Son Serra de Marina
- Region
- Pla de Mallorca
- Municipality
- Santa Margalida
- Elevation
- 4 m above sea level
- Airport
- 62 km , around 60 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.7375,3.2206
A village drawn on a plan
Son Serra de Marina is a planned settlement rather than an old village that grew gradually. Streets form a grid, houses rise no higher than two storeys and there are no hotels. It often seems almost empty during the day, as many properties are holiday homes and other residents are at work.
The lack of large-scale tourism is deliberate.
The beach
Every cross street leads towards the sea. For swimming, head to the eastern end, where the long natural beach begins and continues towards Colònia de Sant Pere.
It is extensive enough to leave plenty of space even on Sundays, when local families arrive. There are no loungers, parasols, showers or lifeguards, and no trees for shade.
Immediately behind lies the protected dune area. Conservationists prevented a major hotel development inspired by Rimini, preserving this strip of coastline.
The harbour
At the western end is a small harbour with boats, a few yachts and somewhere to eat beside a broad concrete area. It is more a place to moor than a grand waterfront promenade, but it works nicely for a coffee and a look across the bay.
What to bring
Limited services come with the quiet setting: a small shop, a seasonal beach bar and little else. There is no pharmacy, doctor or reliably available cash machine. Bring water, food, shade and cash for the day.
Nearby
The Necròpolis de Son Real, a prehistoric burial ground right beside the coast, lies two kilometres west. It is freely accessible and usually quiet. Can Picafort is ten minutes away, Colònia de Sant Pere fifteen and Artà just under half an hour inland.
Photographs
Son Serra de Marina in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Son Serra de Marina
Three hours
Park at the eastern edge and walk along the beach until you find a quiet spot, usually within ten minutes. Return along the waterline.
Half a day
Spend the morning on the beach, have a coffee by the western harbour at midday, then return to the water as the afternoon breeze arrives.
A full day
Walk east towards Colònia de Sant Pere, eat there and return. Alternatively, drive towards the Necròpolis de Son Real, a prehistoric burial ground beside the coast.
On a rainy day
Little to do here. Head to Artà or Alcúdia, both around half an hour away.
The beach at a glance
- Underfoot
- Fine pale sand, firmer beside the water
- Getting into the water
- Gently shelving, with stones in some shallow areas
- Length
- Several kilometres towards Colònia de Sant Pere, without development
- Shade
- None; bring your own shade
- Wind
- Regular onshore afternoon winds attract kitesurfers
- With children
- Suitable shallows, but no lifeguards or supervision
- Facilities
- A seasonal beach bar on the village edge · No lounger or parasol hire · No lifeguards
Practical details
- Parking
- Free in the side streets; usually possible to find space even in summer
- Public transport
- Route 331 stops at the turn-off, not in the village
- Time to allow
- Half a day at the beach, or a week as a base for a very quiet holiday
- Good to know
- A protected dune area lies behind the shore. Keep to the paths; protecting this strip helped prevent development here.
- Bus
- Route 331 between Can Picafort and Artà stops at the turn-off, over 1.5 kilometres from the sea. Only a few services a day.
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Small seasonal shop in the village · Pharmacy: None; nearest in Can Picafort or Santa Margalida · Medical care: None in the village · Cash machines: Not reliably available; bring cash · Fuel: On the Ma-12 towards Can Picafort
- Access
- Tarmac village streets, then sand · Pushchairs: Possible as far as the beach edge, difficult on sand · Wheelchairs: No beach access aids · Dogs: Not allowed on the main beach section in season
- What you will not find
- Hotels · Loungers and parasols · Lifeguards · Nightlife · Souvenir shops
- Coordinates
- 39.7375,3.2206 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
Old farm buildings, gnarled olive trees and a museum about earlier life on Mallorca. Son Real lies between Can …
A few steps onto a wooden platform reveal the coast of Son Real. A dolmen lies beside the viewpoint, with the …
A Talayotic burial ground right beside the sea between Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina. Around 110 tombs …
A church among the pines, beside the old Son Serra estate with its towers and farm buildings. A glimpse of the …
A hermitage founded in 1805 in the hills of Artà, reached by a narrow, winding road. The last resident hermits …
A fortress with a church inside, high above Artà. Walls with nine towers surround a courtyard of palms, an old …
Behind a wall of enormous stone blocks on the edge of Artà lies a Talayotic settlement with around 3,000 years of …
A pilgrimage church on the Victòria peninsula, seven kilometres north-east of Alcúdia. The road ends at a …
Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
Other beaches to consider
Beaches and swimming nearby
Founded in 1880, this small coastal town has a harbour, a short beach and a promenade with a handful of …
A small fishing settlement first recorded in 1860 has become a busy holiday resort. Come for the beach, the …
A quieter alternative to Port d’Alcúdia, 3 km to the east. Low villas sit among pines beside a pebbly, sandy shore …
A long sandy stretch of the Bay of Alcúdia, with protected dunes and pines at Es Comú rather than a continuous …
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Son Serra de Marina
Are there hotels in Son Serra de Marina?
No. That is one of its distinctive features. It consists of homes and holiday houses on a grid of streets, no more than two storeys high. To stay here, rent a house or flat. Hotels are available in Can Picafort, ten minutes west.
What is the beach like?
Wide, pale and natural, with several kilometres of undeveloped sand and protected dunes behind. There are no loungers, showers or lifeguards. The water shelves gently, with stones in places. There is no natural shade.
Can you surf at Son Serra de Marina?
Yes. It is a well-regarded spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing in the Bay of Alcúdia, with regular onshore afternoon winds and plenty of space on the beach.
Why has Son Serra avoided large-scale development?
A major hotel development inspired by Rimini was opposed successfully by conservationists. The dunes behind the beach are now protected, leaving a low-rise village without a large hotel industry.
Where can you eat in Son Serra de Marina?
Choice is limited and businesses close in winter. In season, there is a beach bar and a few places in the village and harbour. For more choice, head to Can Picafort or Colònia de Sant Pere. Bring food for a beach day.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Son Serra de Marina?
Recommended months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Access and opening are limited in January, February, March, November, December. See the visiting advice on this page. A good time for an almost solitary beach walk.
Is Son Serra de Marina worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth a visit. Usually lively. There is still room, even when local families visit at weekends. August: worth a visit. Usually lively. One of the bay's least crowded beach options in August.
How far is Son Serra de Marina from Palma airport?
About 62 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 60 minutes by car. Turn off the Ma-12 and drive straight through the grid of streets towards the sea. Head east for the beach or west for the harbour.
Do I need a hire car for Son Serra de Marina?
A car is needed Route 331 between Can Picafort and Artà stops at the turn-off, over 1.5 kilometres from the sea. Only a few services a day.
Where can I park in Son Serra de Marina?
Free in the side streets; usually possible to find space even in summer
Can you swim at Son Serra de Marina?
Yes. Fine pale sand, firmer beside the water Gently shelving, with stones in some shallow areas Several kilometres towards Colònia de Sant Pere, without development None; bring your own shade Suitable shallows, but no lifeguards or supervision
Can I visit Son Serra de Marina with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Tarmac village streets, then sand Pushchairs: Possible as far as the beach edge, difficult on sand Wheelchairs: No beach access aids
Are dogs allowed at Son Serra de Marina?
Not allowed on the main beach section in season
Son Serra de Marina features in our Mallorca highlights
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.