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Latest update: 17 July 2023
The houses of Santanyí have a golden-white glow thanks to the sandstone. When the sun hits, the town sparkles. Some palm trees are spread over the town to get you into the Mediterranean vibe. Santantyí definitely deserves a visit during your stay in Mallorca. Take half a day and don’t forget the Mondragó National Park!
Where is Santanyí?
Santanyí in Mallorca is a municipality and a town. The area is in the southeast of Mallorca and extends from the southernmost tip (the Cap Salines lighthouse) to the popular holiday resort of Cala D’or. The old center of Santanyí is cozy and not too busy, but with plenty of options for a snack or a drink. The beach of Santanyí is four kilometers away.
The town center of Santanyí, Mallorca
Santanyí in Mallorca is known as an artistic town. You will undoubtedly pass artists’ workshops and a few galleries when you walk through the center. So if you want to buy original souvenirs, you’ve come to the right place in Santanyí. There are art shops, home decor stores, and a Tony Mora branch. Tony who? Tony Mora, actually Antonio Mora, sells handmade cowboy boots. Really pretty but pricey. You can also buy them in my home country, the Netherlands, but that’s not quite the same as buying them straight from the producers, right?
Santanyí market
There is a market in Santanyí on Wednesday morning and Saturday morning. Excellent for a short stroll, and then find a seat at one of the outdoor cafes somewhere. Because there are plenty of those! In terms of sights, there is not much to do in the town. As always in Spanish towns, you’ll find a church and a central square, but otherwise, it is mainly a place to wander from your coffee to your sangria while visiting shops and galleries.
In the past, Santanyí was under almost continuous threat from pirates. That is why a solid city wall has been built. You can still see it today – the wall, not the pirates. The Porta Murada is the old gateway to the city.
Because the center is surrounded by the wall and the streets are so narrow, it is best to park outside and walk a short distance. Park for free here or here.
Tip! Haven’t arranged a rental car yet? Try your luck at Sunny Cars or Easyterra. My favorite car rental companies because you arrange everything at once. So no hassle when picking up with extra insurance that they try to sell you.
Restaurant tips in Santanyí
There are actually quite a few nice options in Santanyí to eat. So hard to choose! I tried two restaurants. In high season it is wise to call and reserve a table. But also in the winter season, it is better to make a phone call to check whether the restaurant of your choice is open.
Restaurant Retroway
Retroway is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant. It is slightly out of the center and on a busy road. So it doesn’t look very attractive from the street. But inside, it is wonderfully quiet, and there is a lovely outdoor area for sunny days. You can have lunch and dinner at Retroway, but please do check the opening times before you head out. I like the lunch dishes, but the portions are not very big. The beetroot ravioli is delicious, for example. For a cappuccino, I would look for another place (read: not good).
Google Maps location Retroway
Restaurant Alchemy
In the summer, you can sit outside on the square at Alchemy. In the winter, you sit in the cozy restaurant area with the heating set on intoxicating hot. Alchemy is a restaurant with a little bit of everything: pizza, wok, tapas, fish… I admit right away that I don’t think that’s a good sign. If we’ve learned anything from Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, it’s that you should keep your menu short and sweet. Rather cook a few things exceptionally well than everything just so so. But, I am pleasantly surprised by the tapas. They are super tasty, and in addition to the ‘standard’ tapas like meatballs in tomato sauce and patatas bravas, there are a few creative options on the menu.
Google Maps location Alchemy
Get more tips for a perfect Mallorca holiday!
Beaches in or near Santanyí
You don’t have to drive far to reach a lovely stretch of beach. Santanyí itself has a beach, but you can also go to Cala D’or or the Mondragó National Park for a beach day. I would go for the second option. Cala D’or is very much a seasonal town. Outside of the season, when I’m there, it’s a deserted holiday village. Almost all cafes and restaurants are closed, and most hotels too. It’s really deserted, and the atmosphere feels super empty.
But to be honest, I think that’s fine because, given the number of souvenir shops, hotels, and bars, I already know that this part of Mallorca is too intense for me in the summer months. In the quieter period, it is nice to walk down the beaches of Cala D’or: Cala Petita, Cala Gran, and Cala Esmeralda, for example. Also, look at the photos; what a difference it makes when the sun is out!
From Santanyí: Mondragó National Park
From Santanyí, you can easily reach the national park Mondragó (Parc natural de Mondragó). There are five short walking routes between different remote beaches that you can string together. We do four in one afternoon. It is a foresty area, right on the cliffs. The perfect place for a picnic. The bays are beautiful and wonderfully quiet in the fall. I can well imagine that it gets swamped here in the summer. Fortunately, there are several bays to still choose the best one for you.
The best hotels in Santanyí
Would you like to spend your whole holiday or a few nights in Santanyí? These are friendly hotels and bed & breakfasts:
- S’Hotelet de Santanyi: beautiful bright rooms with a small swimming pool
- Living Casa Mar: luxury house with four bedrooms, ideal for larger groups
- Stadthotel Santanyí: stay in the center
- Hotel Pinos Playa: beachfront hotel with simple, affordable rooms
More Mallorca inspiration?
Useful links for your Mallorca trip
- Accommodation. All-time favorite: Booking.com. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator. You could also check out WithLocals. Book ‘free’ walking tours at Freetour.com or GuruWalk, and for bike tours, try Baja Bikes.
- Attractions and museums. Get a 5% discount on museums and attractions with the coupon code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Boat. You can get to Mallorca by boat from Barcelona and other places on the Spanish mainland. Balearia also sails between the other Balearic islands. But be sure to compare prices at Omio and Direct Ferries.
- Car rental. Compare prices at Discover Cars and Rentalcars.
- Flights. Be sure to check out Vueling, but do compare all your options! Definitely check out Skyscanner and Kiwi.
- Money. Your debit and credit cards may not get accepted everywhere. You could opt for a Revolut card as an additional card when you travel.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Maybe Expedia or CheapOair have got a good deal for you.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Travel guides. I love the practical travel guides from Lonely Planet, buy them at Amazon. And I love this guidebook: 111 Places in Mallorca that you shouldn’t miss. Buy it at Amazon.
- Yoga retreat. Or, what about a yoga retreat on the island?
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First published: May 2022. Updated since!
