The perfect destination for sun lovers

Thanks to its wonderful landscape and excellent light, Santanyí has turned into the chosen place by lots of artists (painters, sculptors, photographers, musicians, etc.) who look for their inspiration. All that, makes me talk about Santanyí as a modern and fashionable town with a lively cultural life which still preserves the calm of the former Mallorquin villages. The municipality of Santanyí is characterized by keeping the former Mallorquin building typology in houses and constructions. That is, one or two-floor houses and natural materials from the area such as stone, limes and sandstone. The Romans, Byzantines, Moors and Catalans all settled here during the last 2,000 years , making this island extraordinarily rich in history and culture.

In the old days, a very important part of its economy was based on agriculture but the fact of having more than 35 km of coastland gave the town a seaworthy character to the area. Combining this with a serene atmosphere and some fine places to eat and stay, you have the ingredients that give Santanyí its special quality. Here I provide all the information you need to enjoy a visit to this quietly enchanting southern town. Be it for the scenery, curiosity or interest in art, Santanyí is well worth a visit and the best time to go is in weekend time.

Saturday is market day, so you better start off early. Enjoy a breakfast in one of the cafés and watch the continual coming and going on one of the nicest markets on the island. Take a look around the galleries or stroll around the market stands with their vast selection of curiosities.

For dive organic wine tasting, the Son Alegre wine cellar in nearby Calonge is hard to beat. For fun boutique shopping, head to Plaza Mayor – the location of Italian designer fashion store Es Centre and Cult, which showcases young fashion and designer jeans. Here you can either walk along the beaches to Colonia Sant Jordi (approx. 1.5 hours) or you can take the opposite direction and follow the cliffy coast to Cala Llombards (2.5 to 3 hours, good shoes necessary).

You should plan for an early dinner in one of the excellent restaurants in Santanyí and don’t miss the live music in Sa Cova (starts at around 09:30hrs). If you are lucky, owner Juan will join in with the band and play the guitar; regardless it will be a night to remember.  Here you will get an authentic idea of what the island was like before the times of mass tourism. A traditional place, authentic nature and a corner of heaven, this island is a beautiful dream.