The Best of Santanyí 2024
Perfect for a market morning + beach + town day; or on any other day, as a beach + town destination.
Santanyí is a 10 - 15 minute drive from the beaches listed below. Go to Santanyí for a meal, and simply to wander around. You can also catch the weekly market here on Wednesdays and Saturdays, if you are keen to arrive in Santanyí in the morning; the Saturday one gets very busy as it is one of the most popular on the island, but go early to both.
What makes Santanyí especially charming is that the city is designed for pedestrians. Find parking on the outskirts, and stroll into the centre of town.
Cala Llombards
Beach
*my favourite cala
50-60 minutes SOUTH of Palma is Cala Llombards
🏖️🍟🏊♀️🤽♂️🏝️💦🚿
Cala Llombards is one of my favorites, and one of the most picturesque beaches in Mallorca. It is on the smaller side, so arrive early to get a parking spot (there is a small lot, or you can try your luck with parking in the neighborhood and walk down some stairs to get here).
A sandy white shore with clear water, it is in a shallow cove, with rocks or cliffs on either side of it. If you can’t find seats on the beach, you can always choose to sit on the rocks, or jump off from them for a swim. You can also rent beach loungers and umbrellas down here, if you are an early bird. It does get crowded in the summer months, with its narrow width, so you need to be okay with that. There’s also a beach bar (Chiringuito Cala Llombards) down here, and a couple of outdoor showers and basic toilets.
image via Oscar Nord
Mallorca beaches, South Mallorca beaches, beaches close to Santanyí
Caló del Moro + Cala s’Almunia
Adjacent beaches, with two distinct vibes
*two of Mallorca’s most infamous beaches
50-60 minutes SOUTH of Palma are Caló del Moro + Cala s’Almunia
🏝️🏊♀️💦
Caló del Moro and Cala s’Almunia are most definitely two of the most famous and photographed beach coves in Mallorca. Caló del Moro is a small sandy beach cove, whereas Cala s’Almunia is a rocky cove. They are both stunning with amazing turquoise waters.
You will first arrive at Cala s’Almunia, where you can sit on the rocks, or jump and dive off from the cliffs - there is actually much more seating here, if you don’t mind sitting on rocks. To get to Caló del Moro, you need to walk along a nature path to the left of Cala s’Almunia; the walk is 10 minutes or less. You will arrive at the top of the cliff above Caló del Moro, the sandy beach is below it and it is a bit of a scramble down to the beach, so it does require some physicality.
Keeping mindful of treating the landscape of Mallorca with respect, I suggest a visit in the shoulder months; with their recent rise in popularity, the coves can get very busy, and it does affect the land, as well as the experience. Parking can be tricky to find here; try for free parking on the main road and walk down to the beaches, as road access is for residents only (yellow lines on the roads indicate resident only parking).
image of Caló del Moro via Calvin Craig (left), and Cala s’Almunia (right)
Mallorca beaches, South Mallorca beaches, beaches close to Santanyí
La Nouvelle Famille
Modern European
*top choice in Santanyí
Website • Instagram • Google Maps • Book Reservation
Carrer d’es centro, 1, 07650 Santanyí
All day; check online, seasonal hours
🌞🌛🇪🇺🍴🍷
Opened in mid-2023, La Nouvelle Famille is a fresh and welcome concept to the town of Santanyí. Husband and wife owners beautifully updated an original tavern, and preserved the charming central bar, as well as the wooden windows and doors, and added a cute outdoor seating area.
The innovative menu is modern European, but is also inspired by the local market. Visiting La Nouvelle Famille comes down to timing: you can get breakfast on Market days (Wednesday and Saturday), it functions as a wine bar during which lunch and dinner are available (although dinner service depends on the season), plus they also offer a late and long Sunday brunch. I really hope to see more places like this open in Mallorca.
image via @la.nouvelle.famille
Santanyí restaurants
Mimar Lifestyle Store
Boutique
Website • Instagram • Google Maps
Carrer del Bisbe Verger, 25 and 27, 07650 Santanyí
10:30am - 1:30pm; closed Su & Mo
🏡🪴👒🍨🕯️🌱✨
The Spanish word ‘Mimar’ stands for pampering, and owner Kiki takes the time to hand pick only the best products to indulge blissfully into both your daily life routine and self-care rituals. The space itself feels a bit like a sanctuary, with soothing music and essential oil scents drifting through the shop.
This shop has a little bit of everything, and it is ever changing, so each visit is like stepping in anew. From home decoration, ceramics, and vintage furniture to clothing made from natural fabrics (organic cotton, silk and linen), plus swimwear, lingerie and active wear. You will also find some special souvenirs add gifts: select from jewelry, organic skin care products, herbal remedies, crystals, smudges, palo santo and other ritual tools.
image via @mimarlifestyle
Santanyí shops
OCRE Restaurant & Bar
Classic Mediterranean (Spanish)
*romantic fine dining
Website • Instagram • Google Maps • Book Reservation
Carrer de Can Ferrereta, 12, 07650 Santanyí
Lunch & Dinner; open every day
🌞🌛🇪🇸🍴🍷🌟
Located in the serene luxury of the Can Ferrereta Hotel, Ocre serves a thoughtful and seasonal Mediterranean menu. Dine al fresco in their gorgeous courtyard, if you can.
The indoor dining space is housed within a former wine cellar with wooden beams and original stone arches (one of which has graffiti dating from the 17th century). Either way, you will enjoy a stand-out dining experience at Ocre.
image via @hotelcanferrereta
Santanyí restaurants, Mallorca fine dining
Restaurant Laudat
Refined Mediterranean (Spanish)
*fine dining
Website • Instagram • Google Maps • Book Reservation
Carrer de Sant Andreu, 18, 07650 Santanyí
Lunch & Dinner; lunch only on We & Sa (market days); closed Su
🌞🌛🇪🇸🍴🍷🌟
For another fine dining experience, consider Restaurant Laudat. Simple and elegant, chef Miguel Laudat makes use of Mallorca’s best raw ingredients to pull a delicious Mediterranean menu, one that leaves you feeling light and pleasantly full. Opt to sit on their lovely lemon tree patio terrace.
image via @restaurant_laudat
Santanyí restaurants, Mallorca fine dining
Port de Cala Figuera
Port town
*Mallorca’s mini Venice, a drink with a view
15 min drive from Santanyì area
⛵️🚤🍹
Port de Cala Figuera is a 15 minute drive from the beaches, and you will drive through Santanyì to get here.
A boat harbour that feels reminiscent of a mini Venice, I would head here to explore this unique spot and grab a drink; as I wouldn’t say that the dining options are the best.
image via: Sam Boat Tours
Mallorca boat harbour
A blog post exclusive discount
I hope that you found this helpful in planning your beautiful Mallorcan holiday!
As I’ve mentioned throughout the post, more details for cafés and restaurants, shops and sites, beaches and day trip options are available within the pages of the Guide (available in digital or paperback format), and many more locations are included as part of the WKDY Wanderer membership platform, via custom Google Maps and Online Directories.
For those of you who found me through this blog, I wanted to offer you a discount of 30% off both the Digital Guide, as well as the WKDY Wanderer membership. Enter code GRATITUDE30 at checkout*
*please note that the Digital Guide and Membership will need to be purchased separately; the discount is applicable to both