Beautiful European beach just three hours from UK is just like the Caribbean
Located on the southern tip of Majorca, Es Trenc beach is celebrated as one of the most beautiful and unspoiled in the whole of Spain. It boasts diverse natural ecosystems including salt flats, wetlands and sand dunes.
Renowned for its striking fine, white sand and crystal-clear waters stretching over four miles along the coastline near the town of Campos, Es Trenc's appearance is regularly compared with the Caribbean.
Its gently lapping waves make for a serene and picturesque setting, while the absence of large commercial developments allows uninterrupted views of the sea and surrounding landscape, preserving the area's natural charm.
The beach is located in the middle of the Parc Natural Maritimoterrestre Es Trenc-Salobrar de Campos, a protected area serving as a habitat for more than 170 species of migratory birds including flamingos, ducks, sea eagles, ospreys and marsh harriers.
The park protects the beach-dune system and its diverse habitats, including important marine meadows of Posidonia oceanica — also known as Neptune grass of Mediterranean tapeweed — meaning visitors have the chance to experience a taste of Majorca 's untouched coastal wilderness.
Es Trenc beach is not only home to stunning natural scenery, but also a number of WWII -era bunkers. While these concrete structures never saw combat, over the years they have been transformed into unexpected cultural landmarks.
In 2014, local artists revitalised their facades by painting and inscribing them with verses from the renowned Majorcan poet Miquel Costa i Llobera, turning them into unique works of public art.
Es Trenc is perfect for those seeking relaxation — its calm and shallow waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, making it the perfect spot for families. The soft sand is welcoming, while the beach's length ensures there's enough space to find your own quiet spot if you so wish, even during the busier seasons.
For added convenience, there are beach bars (chiringuitos) offering refreshments and local food, as well as sun loungers and umbrellas available to rent.
Beyond swimming and sunbathing, Es Trenc is a haven for photographers. The golden dunes, lush vegetation, ever-changing hues of the sea — from deep blue to emerald green — and diverse wildlife provide endless opportunities for shooting stunning snaps.
Walks along the beach offer a sense of tranquility and connection with nature, far removed from the hustle and bustle of Majorca's more developed resorts.
The fastest and most convenient way to reach Es Trenc from the UK is by flying to Palma de Mallorca Airport. Direct flights from London take around two hours and 20 minutes. From the airport, the beach is roughly a 35-minute drive.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
6 hours ago
- Time Out
What it's like to dine at Angélica Cocina Maestra: the Mendoza restaurant with a Red Michelin Star
There are places you don't just visit—you live them. Angélica Cocina Maestra is one of those. From the moment you arrive at the Catena Zapata Wines restaurant, you feel transported to a universe where history, architecture, wine, and gastronomy merge with impeccable mastery. The experience begins long before sitting at the table. Upon entering, the host invites you to take a guided tour of the impressive building that recreates a Tuscan villa in honor of Nicola Catena, the Italian winemaker who arrived in Mendoza in 1902 to lay the foundation for the family legacy. His son Domingo continued that legacy, and together with Angélica Zapata, they gave this world-renowned winery its name. As they narrate the clan's story and the philosophy of the place, you walk through hallways displaying pages from the book Gold in the Vineyards, written by Laura Catena, illustrating stories of some of the world's most important vineyards. The path leads to the dome, where the largest obsidian stone in Latin America is housed. Continuing onward, you come across an intimate room that opens only on very special occasions, and its wine cellar, which showcases all the winery's wine lines and a display table featuring 'clippings' of important moments in the family business—old photographs, accounting documents from 1924, the first Catena Zapata wine logo, and even a painting of the family tree. Angélica Cocina Maestra: A 'Wine First' Experience The tour ends in a Mediterranean-style courtyard, whose pathway leads to the restaurant entrance. A maître d' awaits warmly at the door, offering a sequence of gestures that promise excellence. Everything here is designed to pay tribute to the Mendoza land and its wines. Thus, amid ambient music and the design of windows offering a 360-degree view of the landscape, winery, and garden, one of the most fascinating culinary experiences begins—one that has been awarded both a red and a green star by the prestigious Michelin Guide. At Angélica Cocina Maestra, the guiding principle is clear: 'Wine First.' The wine does not merely complete the menu; it inspires it. Each dish is crafted to dialogue with Catena Zapata's labels, creating a sensory synergy that surprises with every one of the 13 steps in the culinary journey. The sommelier and waiter explain in detail the exclusive pairing at each stage, with sparkling wines, whites, reds, and Pera Grau Sherry. They guide diners to perceive the combination of flavors that reveal Mendoza's very DNA. 'Wine sets the pace of the kitchen—not the other way around. We start from the glass to arrive at the combination of products with different textures and cooking methods on the plate,' says Josefina Diana, the chef leading the restaurant alongside chef Juan Manuel Feijoo. "Wine sets the pace of the kitchen—not the other way around" The experience begins with snacks that awaken the senses. From a hydrolate made with water sprayed into a glass so that the scent of rain can be smelled, to a sort of stone-shaped box that opens in two to reveal a reimagined stuffed Mendocino sopaipilla and a gel accompaniment made from delicate baby herbs and flowers gathered from the garden. The cured trout aged for five days; the dish called 'expression of the garden' with all green leaves, fennel flowers, chamomile pollen, and a vinaigrette sorbet; the goat and saffron arancini evoking grandmother's cooking; and the crispy pork roll with a slice of black apple—all moments that evoke amazement and countless expressions of happiness on diners' faces. Each dish is part of a story written with local ingredients, global techniques, and a stunning aesthetic palette. The jewel of the menu—and the favorite of both chefs—is the combination of beetroot and sweetbread, a sophisticated dish that shows how well these two ingredients come together: a crispy sweetbread wrapped in foam and covered with a veil made from three proprietary vinegars, beautifully accompanied by flower petals and beetroot root both pickled and puréed—more like velvet. Pairing it with an Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay 2022 was a pleasurable and aromatic journey. This Catena Zapata wine is currently ranked as Argentina's second-best wine and the country's best white wine. Terroir, Technique, and Fun at the Table The chefs who came to Angélica Cocina Maestra from the iconic Chila share: 'We always design the seasonal menu with products from Mendoza. Our great goal and challenge is to communicate about the territory, which we approach with responsibility and great respect.' They add: 'We always start designing the proposal from the product we want to cook or show, then develop the rest of the dish.' "Our great goal and challenge is to communicate about the territory, which we approach with responsibility and great respect" Josefina and Juan Manuel bring a contemporary, playful, and sensitive perspective to Mendoza fine dining; they make their dishes 'stand on their own' because among the many preparation ideas they suggest, those that make sense come together, shaping what they present at the table. 'Menu design becomes a conversation, and that feels very natural to us,' they emphasize. 'We like to play, to have the diner interact with the dishes. Each bite can awaken different emotions and surprises,' adds Juan Manuel. Indeed, the cheese course experience is on another level; on a wheeled table, they bring different varieties and origins to invite tasting and pairing with sweets, honey, and nuts. "We like to play, to have the diner interact with the dishes" The truth is that at Angélica Cocina Maestra, diners choose the menu, which varies in the number of courses depending on the wine pairing selected: the Angélica Zapata tasting with 5 labels; the D.V. Catena with 4; the Roller Coaster honoring Domingo V. Catena; the Wine First in tribute to Angélica; the Memorias with 7 lines; or La Famiglia Unita, Parcelas, and Escalera al Cielo with Catena Zapata Wines' premium lines. Notably, there is also a non-alcoholic pairing option. Angélica Cocina Maestra is part of the Catena Zapata Wines ecosystem, one of Argentina's most emblematic wineries Its imposing pyramid-shaped structure, inspired by Mayan culture, faces the Andes like a modern temple to wine. Here, Nicolás Catena Zapata is crowned the 'father of Argentine Malbec' and turned the winery into an icon of the country's viticultural innovation. Laura Catena, the family's fourth generation, is one of the driving forces behind this new gastronomic concept that pays tribute to her grandmother Angélica, a woman who fervently believed in education as a universal right. Architect Ricardo Zumel designed the project, built in the basement of a 1920s winery, with hand-cut stones, handcrafted bricks, recycled wooden beams, flooring made from barrels, and railroad sleepers. The aesthetic highlights the family's Italian heritage. Thus, the Wine First concept restaurant stands as a sensory experience that combines the best of Argentine wine with a gastronomic proposal of the highest standard—worthy of a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Panic on popular Spanish holiday island as bookings down and tourists 'stay away'
Workers in one resort have spoken about fears that tourism protests have had a huge impact on visitor numbers this year Worried locals in a once heaving Spanish tourism town have admitted they fear tourists have been 'scared away' over tourism protests. The popular Soller Valley in Majorca has long been a draw for visitors with tourism contributing a big chunk to the local economy. But now residents in the town, who rely on tourists for their income, say they are scared the message to 'go home' has been heeded. Like many parts of Spain, demonstrations over growing resentment towards the tourist industry have had an affect on visitor numbers. One hotel owner admitted to the Majorca Daily Bulletin: "We've scared the tourists away. "I wouldn't want to spend my holidays in a place where I don't feel welcome." The lack of custom was backed up by a waiter in a local restaurant who says the peak summer season has shown people are staying away and visitor numbers are lower than in previous years. The staff member said: "Except on weekends or rainy days, there's not much going on here; we're just waiting around, and it's been like this since May," reports The Express. Majorcan officials admit there has been a drop in tourist numbers across the Balearic islands in the wake of protests. The Mallorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM), said municipalities such as Soller are seeing noticeable declines in tourist activity whilst the Majorca Daily Bulletin says industry representatives across the hotel, hospitality and transport sectors have reported a decrease in tourist footfall. Pedro Oliver, the president of the College of Tour Guides, said his excursion sales have fallen 20% this summer, with the worst-affected areas being Valldemossa, Palma, and Port Soller. He said: "The anti-tourism messages are resonating. If you generate negative news, which has repercussions in other countries, tourists opt for other destinations when choosing their holidays. "We are sending the message that we don't want tourists and that everything is too crowded." Juanmi Ferrer, the leader of the Restaurants Association in Mallorca (CAEB), has warned that fewer visitors could lead to restaurants across the island being forced to close this year. Some areas are seeing up to a 40% drop in customers, and in a highly unusual move, restaurants in traditionally busy tourist towns like Soller are granting holiday leave to staff in the middle of peak season - a time when staff would usually work flat out to cope with demand. In June, as many as 10,000 people took to the streets of Palma to demand an end to the 'touristification' of the region. They called on local authorities to do more to combat the impact of tourism whilst also telling potential visitors to stay away. It was mirrored by a smaller rally in Ibiza, and the protesters disturbed visitors' evening dinner with chants of "tourists go home" and placards proclaiming "Majorca is not for sale," along with "Your vacations, our anxiety". Some expressed their anger towards "guiris", the local slang for Brits or foreigners, but the central issue remained the rise of Airbnb-style rentals which have transformed considerable parts of residential housing into holiday lets, leading to soaring rents.
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
New budget airline route from the UK to connect Brits to the ‘Maldives of Europe' for £19.99
Plus, a Sun reporter head to the destination to see if it the ultimate budget beach break TAKE OFF New budget airline route from the UK to connect Brits to the 'Maldives of Europe' for £19.99 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHITE sandy beaches and crystal clear waters are just a couple of hours away in the 'Maldives of Europe' - and there are more direct flights from the UK. Wizz Air is launching direct flights from London Gatwick to Tirana, the capital of Albania for just £19.99. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Tirana is the capital of Albania and is home to many bunkers Credit: Alamy 5 Wizz Air has now added a second route from the UK to the European city Credit: AP The flights will operate five times a week, with the first taking off on October 26. The route marks Wizz Air's second route to the Albanian city, with the airline also flying to Tirana from London Luton Airport. While Tirana is an city break destination of its own, most will use it as a base to travel to the Albanian Riviera. Away from the city, you can explore other parts of the country which have led to the European destination being dubbed the 'Maldives of Europe'. Along the country's coastline there are crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and natural beauty. There are many beach clubs to explore too, often serving up typical Mediterranean cuisine. For example, in the town of Sarandë, which is sandwiched between the Ionian Sea and rolling hills, there is the Lost Seaside beach club. Here, guests can enjoy a pool, beach, restaurant and lounge - including sunbeds that hang over the sea and pool. Prices in Albania are typically really cheap. Five stunning, little-known holiday destinations 5 Elsewhere in Albania, many people have remarked the crystal clear waters and sandy beaches Credit: Getty 5 This has led to it being dubbed the 'Maldives of Europe' Credit: Alamy You can grab a pint for just 250 LEK (£2.22) or a glass of wine for between 200 and 400 LEK (£1.78 to £3.55). Food is also cheap, with a mid-range, three course meal for two costing around 4,500 LEK (£39.94). The average price of a double room in Albania is £83 per night, according to Kayak. Yvonne Moynihan, managing director at Wizz Air UK, said: "With Albania increasingly recognised as the 'Maldives of Europe', this route allows more of our customers to discover untapped destinations across southeastern Europe." Wizz Air also recently announced five new routes to Spain, as well as a direct route to Medina from London Gatwick - which is a first for the airline. Is Albania the ultimate budget beach break? A SUN reporter headed to Albania, here's what they thought. When I first told my friends I was going to Albania, they reacted with a raised eyebrow and a simple question: 'Why?' The country isn't a typical beach destination, but it has become a word-of-mouth hit for those seeking sunny, affordable getaways. Flying from Gatwick, I hoped for a cheap and cheerful holiday, and that's exactly what we got. The low prices were a pleasant surprise. In the town of Vlore, cocktails were just £3.70. A bowl of seafood linguine cost only £5.20, and a full lunch on Ksamil beach was just £11.30. I stayed mainly in Airbnbs, which ranged from £14 to £21 per person per night. The water along the Albanian coastline was consistently a stunning turquoise blue, much like the seas found in Corfu or Sardinia. The beaches were also blissfully quiet, thanks to the area still being somewhat of an undiscovered gem. Peaceful, picturesque, and perfect for those on a budget, Albania is an ideal holiday spot. It's a hidden gem that offers incredible value without compromising on beauty. In the same country, you can also spend the day in Maldives-style overwater huts. Plus, the incredible plans for unique 120-bed 'floating' hotel in idyllic UK beauty spot have been revealed.
