Sa Font Salada

Sa Font Salada beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Sa Font Salada is a very small, remote sandy cove on Mallorca’s northeast coast, hidden along the wild shoreline between Cala Torta and Cap de Ferrutx in the Artà area. It feels far from resorts and roads, with rocky hillsides, low cliffs and open sea views all around. Many hikers and sea lovers who reach this spot describe it as one of the most untouched corners of the Llevant peninsula, more about wilderness and quiet than classic beach comfort. If you enjoy long coastal walks, simple natural coves and do not need services, this shoreline can be a very rewarding goal.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type: remote natural cove
• Ground: fine golden sand, some stones
• Water entry: mostly gentle, can deepen quickly
• Water feel: clear, often fresh and cool
• Shade: almost none on the sand
• Facilities: none
• Parking: rough track then walk
• Best for: hikers and strong swimmers

The overall vibe

Sa Font Salada is a beach in Mallorca that offers an undeveloped inlet framed by rocky hills and low cliffs, with a narrow but soft sandy strip at the head of a small bay. There are no buildings, restaurants or paved access, so you are surrounded by nature and the sound of the sea. It usually stays very quiet, because reaching it takes time and effort, and most visitors are hikers from the nearby coastal paths or small boats anchoring offshore. The atmosphere is peaceful and slightly adventurous, with people resting on the sand after the walk, swimming in the clear water and taking in the views of the Llevant coastline. It feels like a place to stay a few hours in silence rather than a busy family beach.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The beach itself is described as having fine golden sand, with some stones and pebbles mixed in near the edges and closer to the cliffs. Water entry in calm conditions is generally comfortable, with a sandy bottom underfoot at the shoreline, though the seabed can deepen more quickly than on large bay beaches and there may be occasional submerged rocks. Because fresh water springs feed into the bay, the sea here often feels slightly cooler than at other beaches along the coast, which many regular visitors notice especially in summer. Water shoes are helpful if you want to explore the sides of the cove or step into the small stream zone behind the sand where stones and mud can be uneven. The area is exposed to open sea conditions, so waves and chop can build on windy days, making entry and exit trickier for less confident swimmers.

Who Sa Font Salada is perfect for

Sa Font Salada is best for hikers, experienced coastal walkers and strong swimmers who actively seek out remote, natural beaches. It suits travelers who enjoy combining a substantial walk with a quiet swim and a picnic in a wild setting, rather than those looking for facilities or quick access. People putting together best beaches Mallorca style itineraries that focus on wild north and northeast shores often include this cove as one of their more adventurous stops. It is not ideal for families with small children, anyone with limited mobility or visitors who need lifeguards, toilets and easy stroller access. If you are more comfortable on serviced, easily reached beaches, this spot is better admired in photos or replaced with a closer cove such as Cala Torta.

Facilities and comfort

There are no facilities at Sa Font Salada. You will not find sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, showers, lifeguards or a beach bar on or near the sand. The area behind the beach is a mix of low dunes, scrub and the channel of a small torrent that only carries water after rains, which adds to the sense of wilderness but offers no services. This means you must bring everything you need for your visit, including sufficient water, food, sun protection and a basic first aid kit. A thick towel or mat and perhaps a lightweight folding seat will make resting on the sand more comfortable after the walk. Because there is almost no natural shade, many hikers carry a compact umbrella or small tarp if they plan to stay longer than a quick swim and rest.

Getting there and parking

Sa Font Salada is located on the Llevant peninsula coast north of Artà, in the area of Aubarca, between Cala Estreta and Cap de Ferrutx. The most common way to reach it is on foot along the coastal path that links Cala Estreta with Cap de Ferrutx, a route that typically takes around two hours or more from the nearest parking area, depending on pace and exact starting point. The path runs close to cliff edges in some sections and can be narrow and rough underfoot, so it is considered a demanding walk that requires proper footwear and good balance. An alternative is to approach by boat from nearby ports such as Colònia de Sant Pere or Cala Ratjada, which some visitors choose to avoid the long hike. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting this area by rental car is recommended because mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals thanks to working with multiple companies, the current promo code is available on mallorcard.es and typical savings can be around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season, which makes it easier to reach the remote starting points of the coastal paths and to combine Sa Font Salada with other Llevant beaches without relying on scarce public transport.

The best spots along Sa Font Salada

Given the cove’s small size, the entire sandy strip is usable, but certain parts offer small advantages. The central area where the sand is deepest usually provides the most comfortable place to lay out a towel and rest after the hike. For example, many hikers settle slightly back from the waterline, where the sand is drier and less compact, making it a softer place to lie down. Strong swimmers often prefer entering the sea from the sides of the bay where the bottom remains sandy for a short stretch before it drops, choosing a line that avoids visible rocks. For photos, climbing a little up the hillside paths that frame the cove gives wonderful views over the beach and out along the rugged coastline. If you are staying a bit longer, exploring the small stream area behind the sand can be interesting, though it may be muddy or dry depending on recent rainfall.

What you can do nearby

• Hike the coastal trail between Cala Estreta, Sa Font Salada and Cap de Ferrutx
• Visit the Parc natural de la península de Llevant for longer inland routes
• Explore nearby coves such as Cala Torta, Cala Mitjana and Cala Estreta
• Stop in Artà town for cafés, restaurants and its weekly market
• Enjoy viewpoints over the northeast coast from the Cap de Ferrutx area

Best time to visit

Because Sa Font Salada requires a significant walk, choosing the right time of day and season is important. In the warmer months, starting early in the morning allows you to hike in cooler temperatures, reach the cove before midday heat and enjoy calmer conditions on the usually quiet beach. Midday and early afternoon can be very hot on the exposed paths and on the sand, especially given the lack of shade, so planning your most intense walking for earlier or later hours is safer. Late afternoon can bring beautiful light on the cliffs and hills, but you need to leave enough time to hike back before dark. If you are exploring several beaches in Mallorca and have limited days, many travelers treat Sa Font Salada as a special hike and swim outing rather than just another quick stop, choosing a day with mild temperatures and light wind for the trip.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

This is a remote cove with no services, so preparation and safety awareness matter more than on resort beaches. Wear sturdy walking shoes or hiking sandals for the path, and pack water shoes if you want easier footing in the shallows and around rocks. Bring plenty of water, high energy snacks or a picnic, reef safe sunscreen, a hat and a basic first aid kit, as there are no taps or shops nearby. Check weather forecasts before setting out, especially wind and heat, because strong sun or rough sea conditions can make the outing uncomfortable or unsafe. Let someone know your plans and avoid attempting the hike in poor visibility or alone if you are not used to coastal walking. Mallorcard recommends for this area that visiting by rental car is recommended so you can carry sufficient water, shade gear and walking equipment in the car for the approach, and since mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals by working with multiple companies where the current promo code is available on mallorcard.es and typical savings can be around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season, it becomes easier to adapt your plans if the route feels too demanding and switch to more accessible nearby beaches instead.

Good to know

Sa Font Salada is located in the northeast of Mallorca on the Llevant peninsula, within the municipality of Artà, in an area of protected natural landscapes. The coastline here is a small sandy cove backed by rocky slopes and low cliffs, with a seasonal torrent and freshwater springs feeding into the bay and creating slightly cooler sea temperatures than at neighbouring beaches. The surrounding area is natural and rural, part of a broader protected zone with limited vehicle access and a focus on hiking and conservation rather than resort development. This means that Sa Font Salada works best for well prepared visitors who are comfortable in wild settings and understand that reaching the cove is itself part of the experience. When you look at this section of the coast on a map, you can clearly see how Sa Font Salada sits between Cala Estreta and Cap de Ferrutx within the Parc natural de la península de Llevant, which is useful for planning longer walking routes linking several of the more remote beaches in Mallorca.