Location
Spain
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
June to September
About Playa de Son Bou
Son Bou, in Alaior on Menorca's south coast, is the island's longest beach: about 2.3 km of golden sand with dunes and a wetland behind it. The eastern end is dominated by two large hotels and the resort, and it is the busiest, most family-oriented part. The western end, beyond the Sant Jaume development and heading towards Sant Tomàs, is quieter and less commercial, and it has long been used by nude bathers. Nude use becomes more common the further west you walk. The water is generally calm and shelves gently. In season there are lifeguards, showers and sunbed and umbrella rental, mostly concentrated at the resort end. A local newspaper reported in 2024 that nudism on Menorca is declining as once-quiet beaches get more crowded, so expect a mixed crowd even at the western end in high summer.
Getting there
Son Bou is signposted from the Me-1 main road via Alaior. There are car parks behind the beach; from them, paths cross the dunes to the sand. For the nude area, walk west along the shore away from the hotels. Summer buses run to Son Bou from Maó and other towns.
What visitors say
Guides agree that the hotel end is busy and geared to families, while the western end towards Sant Tomàs is calmer and favoured by nude bathers. Visitors praise the long walkable sand and calm water. Some note that nude use has thinned in recent years as the island gets busier, and that the line between textile and nude areas is informal.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Spanish law does not prohibit public nudity, and FEN notes that nudism is legal on any Spanish beach; this beach is on FEN's list of beaches with a traditional nude use. There is no official signed nude zone; nude use at the western end is an informal custom (2026).
Naturism at Playa de Son Bou sits under Spain's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: Spain public nudity guide.
Naturist status confirmed against an official source on 24 October 2026.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 39.9040, 4.0638
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Spain
Frequently asked questions
Where is the nude area at Son Bou?
At the western end, past Sant Jaume towards Sant Tomàs, away from the hotels.
Is Son Bou family-friendly?
Yes, the resort end is a family beach with lifeguards and rentals.
Is there parking?
Yes, car parks behind the dunes, plus summer buses.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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