The tiny resort of Sant Elm is situated in South-West Mallorca.It is reached via a winding country road that threads its narrow way through low cultivated hills.There are two hotels and several decent restaurants lining its single street.

The place to stay is the friendly, family-run Hostal Dragonera. It has double rooms from 57 euros in high season which come with ample buffet breakfast served in a dining room overlooking the gorgeous, sheltered bay. There is a sun terrace with free sunbeds from where steps lead down to what is essentially a private sandy beach seperated by rocks from the village's main strand.

www.hostaldragonera.net/

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A beautiful beach. Within easy distance from Cala D'Or and the sun-worshipping 'let's make like a sardine' beaches, is a way to escape the hordes at a gorgeous, wooded, white-sanded cove.

It is accessible by road and then a short walk and just along the coast from Porto Petro. Busy with families but not packed and set in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Fantastic, safe swimming/snorkeling - it gets deep quickly but very sheltered and only a short walk along the rocky path (from which you can dive in several places) to another beautiful and much quieter little beach.

Facilities include two restaurants/ bars with great reasonably-priced food and also showers. We all loved it (11 of us, ages 5- 62). We've been back there each year for the last four and never tire of it.

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Cycle along the coastal path to Portixol beach, a little curve of sand surrounded by pastel-coloured villas and smart restaurants which means you can spend an afternoon to-ing and fro-ing between beach towel, sea and restaurant terrace.

This is the modern, spruced up side of Palma and the restaurant menus reflect that – scrambled egg and sea urchin caviar with truffles was on the menu when I went to Minimar. If you want patatas bravas and gambas you’ll have to head back into central Palma.

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Largely undeveloped inlet, accessible by road but, thanks to Robert Graves, coach parties are banned here. The beach is stony, but the swimming is safe. Eat fresh fish caught by the local fishermen at Can Lluc restaurant, right on the beach, then stretch your legs on the lovely stretch of coastal path between Cala de Deìa and Alconassar.

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Small pebble cove leading inland to a narrow, 1,000ft high gorge, the Torrent de Pareis. Wonderful swimming. The beach is on the coach party itinerary but if you go early in the morning or late in the afternoon you’ll find it deserted.

Between Sóller and Pollença.

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A beautiful tiny beach, with the most gorgeous colour of azure sea, good for snorkelling.

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