© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
© J. Rains
Holiday beach resort in the south west of Mallorca
Santa Ponsa, also known as Santa Ponça, is a holiday resort situated in a beautiful sheltered cove in the south-west of Mallorca. Despite being a favourite among British visitors for over 40 years, it’s remarkably avoided too many of the high-rise developments seen in some of Mallorca’s neighbouring coastal resorts. Santa Ponsa bay sits against a gorgeous mountain backdrop, dotted with well-designed villas and apartment buildings that blend in nicely with the scenery.
Its large blue flag beach is the main attraction here, a wide, long stretch of silky soft white sand lined by a lively promenade. Santa Ponsa is a family-friendly resort but welcomes a whole host of age groups due to being well equipped with restaurants, bars, shops and all sorts of activities for holidaymakers. Thanks to a steady expat community, the area has a year-round vibe, unlike many other resorts on the island, some restaurants and bars here stay open all year.
There are several yacht charter companies in the area, offering both sailing and motor yachts in a range of sizes. Charters are available for anything from a half-day outing to extended trips lasting weeks or even months. For the best options, be sure to explore Club Nautico Santa Ponsa and nearby Port Adriano.
The main event in Santa Ponsa is the Festes del Rei en Jaume, a celebration in reference to the aforementioned King Jaume I conquest in 1229. It is held at the beginning of September and the star attraction is the mock battle between the 'Moors' and the 'Christians', generally held on Saturday.
A prestigious EDGA-recognised event contributing to the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD). The Handisport Mallorca Open is hosted at the fully accessible Golf Son Antem championship course, the tournament welcomes adaptive golfers with handicaps ranging from +5 to 54.
Mallorca's largest agricultural fair. Markets, artisans, funfairs, animals & agriculture, music & dancing - it's all here!
Want to play golf, soak up the sun, watch exciting matches, and maybe even swing a club yourself. This could be the event for you.
Puerto Portals has become the port with the largest fleet of Dragons in Spain and a benchmark on the international circuit.
Head to Palma's city centre for the switching on of the Christmas Lights. Live music and more will liven up the streets of the vibrant city.
Spain, being predominantly Catholic, worships its saints devoutly. Every day of the year has a saints name associated with it and some are honoured with celebrations. January is a busy month, with Saint Anthony's day on 17 January and Saint Inés following shortly after, on 21 January.
It may look like just another beach resort but it's name actually comes from a Roman villa called Sancta Pontia. It was here that Jaume I landed in 1229 to begin his conquest of Mallorca. Sa Caleta, the cove where he landed, is now home to Santa Ponsa Marina and has been marked with a large stone cross since 1929 in memory of this historical event.
The festival Rei en Jaume takes place annually at the end of August, beginning of September to commemorate this landing.
Tourism hit Santa Ponsa in the early 1960s, as the area fully embraced package holidays, and now very little remains of the original village.
Santa Ponsa Beach is more than 500 metres wide, relatively deep and boasts ‘Blue Flag’ status.
There’s also another small beach within the cove called Caló d’en Pallisser if you fancy a change of scenery or want to hang out with the locals who tend to prefer this beach as it is usually less crowded.
The beach at Santa Ponsa is a lovely golden sandy beach in the heart of the resort, backed by shady pine trees for when you need some respite from the heat.
Cala Fornells’ overhanging pine trees offer ample areas of natural shade and retreat away from the Balearic sun, not to mention adding to the overall charm of the Mallorcan cove.
Tucked away in a sheltered bay on the southwest coast and protected from the island’s gusty winds, surrounded by the wonderful aroma of the neighbouring pine trees, Camp de Mar is a modestly sized purpose-built resort.
Follow a rugged track through pine wood forest to find this beautiful cove on the western tip of Palma Bay. No public transport will bring you here, so you’ll need to taxi through Calvia’s residential streets, or drive from Magaluf or Palma Nova before walking the last stretch to the bay. Ultimately, the best way to arrive here is on the water by boat, with a decent depth and sandy seabed both perfect for anchoring.
Cala Falco is a very pretty and small beach, surrounded by rocky outlets and pine. It is most famous for the trendy beach bar and restaurant that sits in the middle, attracting some of Mallorca's most affluent clientele. situated in the south west of Mallorca. The sea is clear and shallow, and the beach is narrow but deep,
Attracting thousands of tourists annually and especially popular with Brits and package holiday makers, Palmanova is a purpose built resort next to Magaluf in south west Majorca. Palma Nova actually hosts three separate ‘Blue Flag’ beach areas, Playa de Palmanova, Playa Son Matias and Playa Es Carregador.
There’s a good mix of international restaurants distributed around the resort of Santa Ponsa offering spectacular views of the bay and the freshest seafood - quite a few claim to serve the best paella in town.
For a special occasion head to one of the spots in Santa Ponsa Marina for creative Mediterranean cuisine in a sophisticated setting with spectacular sea views.
If meat is more your thing, there are a few steakhouses, there are also lots of Italian eateries here known for their authentic Italian pizzas, fresh ingredients, and warm, welcoming atmosphere just steps from the beach.
Adriana is a gourmet restaurant is based within a luxury hotel and offers diners, alongside its exceptional cuisine, breathtaking sea views.
They serve Mediterranean and typical Spanish food right in front of the sea. The restaurant boasts a modern indoor dining area and a sunny outdoor terrace by the marina.
Boutique dining inspired by the cuisine of Baja, California.
A vibrant restaurant by renowned chef Jonay Hernández.
Located in the swanky marina of Port Adriano, this restaurant offers a wide range of gourmet Italian dishes, as well as a whole menu for coeliacs.
Here you can enjoy both Asian and typical regional dishes, as well as grilled specialities from the Robata grill and exciting sushi creations.
Santa Ponsa offers a mix of pubs and bars with live music, perfect for an evening out. As the sun sets, the main strip comes to life with lights and energy. This is the busiest part of town after dark, where many of the late-night spots can be found.
This bar is perfect spot to enjoy a drink in a casual atmosphere with fantastic sea views overlooking Port Adriano.
Located right in front of the sea in the glitzy Philippe Starck-designed marina of Port Adriano, this nightclub offers a stunningly decorated interior and state of the art music system.
El Chiringuito is a beach bar located on a rocky platform in the small resort of Costa de la Calma. It's position faces west so it gets great sunsets!
A friendly, informal, and relaxed spot to enjoy by the water’s edge.
A meeting point for crew and port workers, it boasts a friendly and relaxed ambience with a great terrace where you can enjoy an amazing sunset.
Whilst the most popular past time for holidaymakers here is laying on the beach and a quick dip in the sea, there are other things you can do here.
There are plenty of convenience stores found within the resort alongside the typical holiday resort souvenir and beach shops selling local ceramics, inflatables, towels and sun cream. There is a small market held in Santa Ponsa on Saturday mornings on Avenida Riu Sill but the closest big market is held just down the road in Andratx every Wednesday. It’s well worth the visit. If you don’t have your own car you can get a bus or a taxi there.
If you want to keep the kids of all ages entertained and the beach isn't enough for them, seek out the theme parks and waterparks in the area and towards the neighbouring resort of Magaluf.
When we think of things to do, we think of activities which mostly take place around the beach or the port and marina. There are boat trips, trips over to the nature reserve island of Sa Dragonera, yacht charters, and a whole lot of watersports including scuba diving. It’s also easy to find family-friendly activities like pedaloes, kayaking, SUP paddle boarding. Thrill seekers will be pleased to know jet skiing is available in Santa Ponsa and Port Adriano.
Discover the southwestern coast of Mallorca on a stand-up-paddle board at your own pace, and enjoy the stunning scenery while practising an outdoor sport.
Your first underwater experience. For those who just want to try diving where fun and safety are guaranteed!
Paddle along the coast and between islands on our kayaks to visit the most interesting places of this beautiful area of Mallorca, such as a cave and a natural pool where you can snorkel or swim in crystal clear waters!
Paddle around the south western coast of Mallorca on our kayaks, exploring at your own pace and enjoying the stunning scenery this beautiful coastline has to offer.
Snorkelling trip to the Malgrats Marine Reserve where you will be able to see a wide variety of marine wildlife.
Ride through hidden backroads, coastal routes and mountain trails as you discover the beauty of Mallorca by bike, all year round.
A fairly easy cycle with a few hills to get the lungs and heart going - be careful of the midday sun!
A nice quiet route, if you stay away from the main roads and enjoy these resorts in a more laid back fashion.
Enjoy a flat route by the sea that is completely on purpose made cycle paths so that it is safe for all the family to cycle. It takes you from the capital city of Palma to the beach resort area of Playa de Palma.
Palma is a really bike friendly city. The giveaway is the prominent red cycle route running all along the Paseo Maritimo and through the city centre. The weather is perfect for it too. Despite the obvious benefits of urban exploration on two wheels, Palma on Bike was my first experience of cycling in the capital.
On Saturday we hired bikes and set off on a hot afternoon to explore the beaches of Palma Bay. A shoreline cycle path runs from the northern end of Palma docks all the way to the resort S’Arenal in the south.
A flat road cycle but at a distance of 60km this could be a long ride for a beginner so be prepared!
Camp de Mar is a purpose built beach resort with a really lovely beach, located on the south-west coast of Mallorca. This walk takes you along the coast and then over to Port Andratx, with an optional continuation to Sa Mola on the peninsula.
Once again, using my trusted hiking book ‘Mallorca, the finest coastal and Mountain walks’ by Rolf Goetz, I found a wonderful coastal hike from Portals Vells to Cala Figuera Lighthouse. A lovely, short and relatively easy hike makes it a contender for the best year-round walk in Mallorca.
This famous walk runs from Port d'Andratx, in the south-west of Mallorca, all the way to Port de Pollença, in the north-west, following ancient cobbled paths through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.
Puigpunyent is located on the south-west of the island. This walk provides some magnificient scenery without having to leave the road, which goes from Capdellà to Puigpunyent. The route takes in a series of ascents and descents, and cuts across woods and fields, with different views at each curve of the road.
Andratx is located in the south-west of Mallorca. From Andratx, the walk begins in the direction of S'Arracó, three kilometres away. A short rest in this delightful village gives you enough time for a visit to the parish church, where there is a statue of the Virgin "Our Lady of la Trapa".
Mallorca offers excellent hiking and walking opportunities, and the months between October and May provide the perfect weather conditions for hikers keen to explore Mallorca’s varied and spectacularly scenic terrain.
Your first underwater experience. For those who just want to try diving where fun and safety are guaranteed!
Paddle along the coast and between islands on our kayaks to visit the most interesting places of this beautiful area of Mallorca, such as a cave and a natural pool where you can snorkel or swim in crystal clear waters!
Snorkelling trip to the Malgrats Marine Reserve where you will be able to see a wide variety of marine wildlife.
Discover the southwestern coast of Mallorca on a stand-up-paddle board at your own pace, and enjoy the stunning scenery while practising an outdoor sport.
Paddle around the south western coast of Mallorca on our kayaks, exploring at your own pace and enjoying the stunning scenery this beautiful coastline has to offer.
Spacious five-bedroom villa with private heated pool, classic Mallorcan features, and a wealth of thoughtful facilities.
This elegant villa, set within the private Son Bunyola Estate, combines modern comforts with a serene atmosphere to ensure a truly relaxing holiday in Mallorca.
Historic four-bedroom villa with a unique bedroom set in a turret, private heated pool, and stunning coastline views.
Cosy family house of 270 m² in the centre of Valldemossa. High quality finishings and modern equipment, swimming pool (5 x 5 m) and large terrace. An ideal accommodation for a perfect holiday in the Serra de Tramuntana.
Villa Can Sort is located in a picturesque setting surrounded by the Serra de Tramuntana, for a relaxing holiday. It is a short drive from the old town of Soller, as well as the beach and restaurants of Puerto de Soller.
Beautifully located amongst pine and wild olive trees on the edge of the pretty rural town of Lloret lies Sa Rota de Ca'n Blanc, a charming and comfortable country hideaway from which to experience and explore the rural heartland of Mallorca.
Families and large groups will find some lovely short-term rental accommodation here with plenty of space for a more private holiday. These are located in the areas surrounding Santa Ponsa, especially towards Port d'Andratx and Costa d'en Blanes.
There is a wide range of hotels on offer in Santa Ponsa. Many holidaymakers come here on a package holiday. However, here you can choose from self-catering right the way through to all-inclusive with spas, pools and incredible views over the bay.
Set against the stunning Tramuntana mountains and the dazzling Mediterranean Sea, this elegant resort is an exquisite pièce de résistance embracing luxurious resort living and their signature butler service.
Moorish casbah luxury meets contemporary sleekness with unrivaled sea views of Spain's Balearic coast.
This sea-front hotel has 24 suites, all with a sea view. The sea, beaches and pinewoods create a peaceful, relaxing and comfortable atmosphere where you're sure to be able to unwind.
An idyllic and peaceful hotel, where you can enjoy a gastronomic experience in the beautiful patio surrounded by the more than 200 years old walls of the rural finca.
Formerly the Beach House Hotel, and located on the beach front near Magaluf, this hotel is packed full of funky modern furniture with bold and bright styling throughout.
As of 2016 this stunning adults only hotel became part of the brand Pure Salt Luxury Hotels. Created by the Amengual family, a celebrated name in Mallorcan hospitality, the hotel focuses on personalised luxury, fantastic services in an unbeatable location.
Car hire is a viable option in Mallorca and Santa Ponsa is a 30 minute drive from Palma airport. Or take the worry out of getting from the airport and book a transfer.
There are direct buses from the airport which run regularly.
Experience luxury and convenience with this company. Arrive at your yacht charter, sunset tour or boat trip in unparalleled style in a Rolls Royce Ghost.
The established company have been offering a reliable, reasonably priced, private transfer service in Mallorca since 1993.
This taxi & transfer company operates out of Palma, covering the whole of Mallorca Island.
A group of taxi drivers with many years of experience in the sector of airport transfers in Mallorca. You can book online in advance or call to book last-minute.
This taxi company offers 24-hour service from the airport to your accommodation all around Mallorca.
Taxi PMI is the Association of Taxi Drivers of Palma de Mallorca, who provide visitors with an efficient and reliable airport transfer service, whilst also eliminating the need to stand in a queue and wait for the next available taxi.
Find out all about what is happening in Mallorca and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, fabulous beaches, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see, and experience on the island.
See allLatest News & ReviewsThe island hosts all sorts of events, including agricultural fairs in the spring and autumn, live music and DJs in the summer, religious fiestas and international sporting events. Some of the most popular are the Mallorca 312 cycling race in April, the Copa del Rey sailing regatta in July and the Moors vs Christians mock battle in September.
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