Discovering Mallorca’s Southern Charm

10 min readJun 17, 2023

Embark on a journey from the vibrant south of Palma to the picturesque Cala D’Or

Mallorca’s southeast, just a stone’s throw from the capital city of Palma and the airport, is a sun-soaked treasure trove of experiences. Picture-perfect beaches, quaint inland towns, thriving arts scenes, bustling resorts, and a plethora of watersports — it’s all here.

This region, with the exception of the resorts of El Arenal, Can Pastilla, and Cala d’Or, exudes a more laid-back vibe than the Southwest. It’s a haven of serene fishing harbors and arguably some of the island’s most stunning ‘playas’. These heavenly beach pockets are nestled along the seemingly endless coastline, backed by untouched nature reserves. Don’t miss the windmills dotting the landscape, standing as living testaments to their historical role in milling grain and pumping water.

A Peek into the Southeast’s History & Culture

Since the 4th century BC, salt has been an integral part of this region’s history. Carthaginian merchants were the first to mine its vast salt flats. This practice was continued by the Byzantines, the Moors, and the Christians, and remarkably, it’s still alive today.

Ses Salines, or ‘salt mines’, is the heart of this age-old tradition. However, the town’s roots go back even further to the prehistoric era, as evidenced by the remnants of a well-preserved Talayot settlement on its outskirts.

Related: Salt flats of Mallorca

The natural harbor of Colonia St Jordi, in use since the Roman era, is now a hotspot for cafe culture with a plethora of delightful eateries lining the waterfront. This tranquil village is surrounded by a series of beautiful beaches, including Es Trenc, a long paradise beach that evokes images of the Caribbean.

The inland southeast town of Llucmajor shares a surprising connection with the monastery of Lluc, nestled in the distant Serra de Tramuntana. Both derive their names from the Latin word ‘lucus’, meaning sacred wood. At first glance, Llucmajor may seem like an ordinary town, but it hides intriguing landmarks, including a stone monument commemorating the death of King Jaume III during the Battle of Llucmajor in 1349.

Porreres, like many places in Mallorca, owes its name to a knight who was gifted the town and its surroundings in the 13th century. Following the Christian conquest led by Jaume I, which saw the deployment of the enigmatic Knights Templar religious order to seize the island, the area was bestowed upon knight Guillem de Porrera, giving birth to Porreres.

Here, you’ll encounter the ‘Cathedral of Rural Mallorca’: the Church of our Lady of Consolation. This grand structure boasts a Romanesque entrance and a barrel-vaulted ceiling, supported by eight massive arches on either side.

Campos, a settlement built inland as a safeguard against potential pirate invasions on the coast, traditionally hosts a market on Thursdays and Saturdays. Interestingly, the town’s official crest features a brown bear, believed to symbolize the name of the place (‘camp’: field and ‘os’: bear: ‘field of the bear’).

One of the only two hot springs in the Balearic Islands can be found here. Discovered in Roman times, the Baths of Sant Joan are reputed to have therapeutic properties and are located next to the road north of Colonia Sant Jordi. For centuries, people have traveled from all corners to bathe in the warm, salty waters.

In 1521, Felanitx was the site of a perilous revolt, part of an island-wide rebellion that lasted until a final confrontation with the imperial army on March 8th, 1523. The Germanies, a brotherhood of peasants and artisans, hatched a plan to overthrow the town’s noble leaders — and they succeeded.

Today, Felanitx is a peaceful place and the heart of the island’s second wine-growing region, Pla i Llevant.

Santanyí is a testament to the magic that happens when you combine a charming town, abundant sunshine, a picturesque rural setting, and a vibrant community of international creatives. This artist’s haven is home to numerous galleries nestled within its labyrinth of beautiful honey-stone streets, and it exudes a distinctly cosmopolitan vibe.

Cala D’Or, large, lively, and bustling, lives up to its flashy gold-referencing name. This top family resort town is a built-up affair. However, its array of excellent restaurants, a series of six beautiful sandy coves, and a fantastic marina make it worth a visit.

Southeast Mallorca: A Playground of Attractions

First and foremost, the beaches in the Southeast are a sight to behold, and you’re spoilt for choice. Approximately 6km from Colonia de Sant Jordi, Es Trenc is a 2 km-long stretch of gently-sloped white sand, backed by dunes. The water is a stunning shade of aquamarine, and, since this beach lies away from any built-up area, it feels wonderfully unspoiled.

There is parking, accessible down a rough track, but do note that due to the popularity of this spot, spaces are limited. A couple of beach bars mean you can get a cold drink and snack. One word of warning, though — Es Trenc is one of Mallorca’s two official naturist beaches, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea!

A short distance to the west lies Sa Rapita, a potentially less crowded option with equally pristine sand, and amazingly clear water. It’s a hit with windsurfers, while the shallow sea depth makes it great for children.

The Blue Flag beach of Cala Mondragó, located 7 km to the southeast of Santanyí, is a large cove within a designated natural park. It’s a glorious place with crystal clear, blue-green water and an abundance of pine trees scenting the air. Just around the bay, and accessible via a coastal path, is the equally lovely Playa S’Amarador.

A few kilometers west of Sa Rapita is Cala Pí. Another enchanting sea inlet, it’s flanked by pine-covered cliffs and reached via a set of steep steps.

Dive into Watersports

The southeast’s abundance of top-notch beaches naturally leads to a wealth of watersports. Kitesurfing reigns supreme in Can Pastilla. This bustling resort next to the airport has several surf schools offering lessons and equipment hire for not only this high-speed thrill sport, but also windsurfing, stand-up paddle, and — when conditions are right — surfing.

At the predominantly German resort of El Arenal, just 10 km east of Palma, you can simply show up and enjoy everything from water skiing and jet skiing to paragliding, pedal boats, and crazy banana boat rides.

Es Fangar: A Rustic Retreat

A world away from the beaches in the atmosphere, yet only 15 km from the east coast in distance, is the country estate of Es Fangar. Well worth a visit for the beauty of its surroundings, Es Fangar is the largest ecological finca in the Balearics and invites visitors for tours and wine tastings, by prior arrangement.

Hiking to the San Salvador Monastery

The 510 meter-high sanctuary of San Salvador in Felanitx offers a fantastic hiking experience. You can conquer the challenging route to the summit in just over an hour, starting from a path found 2 km along the road leading from Felanitx to Portocolom.

Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views across the island from the towering statues of Christ and the cross. Next to the church, refectory, and former monks’ cells arranged around the central courtyard, there’s a welcoming cafe for a well-deserved drink and snack, or lunch.

For those who prefer to drive, there’s a winding road from Felanitx (requiring a bit of patience and caution) with parking at the top.

Cabrera Island: A Natural Paradise

Cabrera, an archipelago of islands located off the southern coast, is a designated national park and an area of pristine natural beauty. In the summer, daily boat trips depart from the port of Colonia de Sant Jordi, allowing you to explore the island with its small castle and museum, and swim and snorkel in its refreshingly cool blue cave.

Tee Off at the Golf Course

The prestigious Marriott Son Antem Golf Club is located just outside the inland town of Llucmajor. It boasts not one, but two 18-hole courses, set in stunning countryside with woods and ancient olive trees.

Local Delights

The centuries-old tradition of harvesting salt in the southeast’s salt plains has been refined to perfection, resulting in many island products that make wonderful gifts or valuable additions to your kitchen. Flor de Sal d’Estrenc and Llum de Sal are two Mallorca producers of beautifully-packaged pots of health-boosting, gourmet salt.

The Piris family produces special Mallorcan cheese in Campos, using high-quality milk from local farms. Meanwhile, Porreres is the hub of apricot production, celebrated with an annual apricot fair. Look out for the deliciously moist cake treat ‘Coca de Albaricoque’ in the local bakeries.

Felanitx is the hub of Mallorca’s second wine-growing region, Pla i Llevant. There are three notable wineries in the surrounding area of the town and one in Llucmajor.

Where to Stay in the Southeast

Here’s our selection of the best places to stay in the Southeast — beaches, countryside, and history included.

Colonia Sant Jordi
Campos
Sant Llorenc
Ses Salines
Porreres
Cala Blava
Santanyí
Llucmajor

Culinary Delights in Southeast Mallorca

Given that this is a centuries-old fishing and farming territory, you can expect a seafood and locally-grown produce-rich menu at many of the region’s top-notch restaurants.

Santanyí
Calonge
Felantix
Ses Salines
Sa Coma
Colonia Sant Jordi
Cala Blava
Campos
Llucmajor
Cala D’Or

Life in the Southeast of Mallorca

The South of Mallorca is a tapestry of diverse experiences: Playa de Palma bay with its 7 km stretch of fine sandy beach and the party hotspot El Arenal; the rugged cliff line with the urbanizations of Maioris and Puig de Ros; the picturesque Cala Pí with its beach deeply cut into the coastline; and the authentic countryside around Llucmajor and Campos, where life still revolves around agriculture. The diversity in nature and surroundings is reflected in the properties on offer, as well as the client profile.

Lucie Haurie, a well-established and trusted real estate agent with branches in Alquería Blanca and the charming town of Santanyí, is considered the go-to expert in the southeast. Haurie and her team offer a variety of interesting properties in the region, and they particularly recommend Santanyí as an excellent place to live year-round — a historical village with a diverse cultural scene.

Playa de Palma is primarily known for the tourist-centric El Arenal. However, not all of Playa is exclusively dedicated to mass tourism. Can Pastilla, at the very west of Playa, has evolved into a popular residential area, thanks to its proximity to Palma and beautiful beachfront. Off the main promenade, you’ll be surprised to find stunning villas and modern apartment buildings offering all amenities. The beach and shopping facilities are within easy walking distance, and both shops and restaurants remain open all year. The tourism industry is the main source of income during the high season for the local shops, bars, and restaurants, which cater more to families than the typical Arenal party crowd.

While Can Pastilla used to be among the less expensive areas for buying properties some years ago, prices have now adjusted due to increasing demand. However, with starting prices of 270,000 euros for a three-bedroom house, it still falls below the levels of property in Portixol, Palma, or the Southwest. Seafront apartments for sale are hard to find and are usually sold very quickly, though prices are naturally high. Villas with a garden and pool also fall into the upper price bracket.

Arenal itself is more of an apartment market and interesting for those buying to rent and looking for an above-average return on investment. At the south end, Playa de Palma beach turns into steep cliffs topped by the very attractive residential areas of Son Verí and Cala Blava. Both are very popular with commuters and residents who like to be close to Palma, but prefer to live in the countryside. The seafront apartments and villas offer spectacular views over the Playa, the sea, and Palma bay. Many of the houses are built in the traditional style of Mallorcan summer residences and are surrounded by lush gardens.

The urbanizations of Las Palmeras, Maioris, Puig de Ros, Bahía Azúl, Bahía Grande, and Tolleric largely cater to commuters and their demand for houses close to Palma. Most integrate well with the landscape, and prices range from mid-to-high levels, depending on the size of the land and location. Buyers are mostly from the Spanish mainland, Mallorcans, and permanent residents from Northern Europe.

Further south, Cala Pí is a small, romantic creek close to a few smaller holiday resorts, which have partly been built in Moorish style. The bay with the fine sandy beach forms a natural harbor and is one of the most picturesque on the island. Both Cala Pí and the adjacent Vallgornera are mainly holiday villages lacking the bustle of bigger resorts and are ideal for those seeking to relax in quiet surroundings and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. The prices for apartments fall into the middle price bracket, while seafront villas with their truly spectacular views are hardly ever offered below one million euros.

In general, plots to build on are scarce throughout the South and if they are offered for sale they are rather expensive. With these and seafront plots being extremely rare, buyer preference is for inland plots with mountain views, preferably situated on a hillside.

We hope you found this guide to the South of Mallorca helpful and that it inspires many memorable stays in Mallorca. We always appreciate hearing from you, so feel free to share your feedback here. Enjoy your Mallorca adventure!