Ses Salines
Traditional rural town in the south east of Majorca
Ses Salines is a small village in the south east of Mallorca. It and it's associated port Colonia St Jordi have a rich history thanks to its location on fertile land.
There are ancient salt mines dating back to Roman times. The salt produced here has become a major industry for the area, with gourmet flavoured salts being produced for export. The sea salt is extracted during August using traditional methods.
History & Culture in Ses Salines
Ses Salines early history
The discovery of Roman remains in Ses Salines has led to the belief that Roman troops, under the command of Cecilio Metellus, arrived here in the year 123 BC to exploit the S'Avall salt flats. In fact the name of the town means ‘source of salt’. Salt mining grew considerably during the Roman period until the 6th century AD.
During the Islamic occupation that followed it seems the exploitation of Ses Salines continued. After the Christian conquest, led by King Jaume 1 in 1229, the salt mines were considered to be royal property, until 1255 when he gave them up to Arnau de Cruilles.
The Dezcalar family
In the 1300s the area became the property of the Torrella family, followed by the Dezcallar family which still preserves it today. They have protected and exploited the salt flats here, either directly or through lease management, over the centuries through to modern times.
Sights & Attractions in Ses Salines
History, architecture and culture in Ses Salines
Aside from the salt production you will be interested in the nearby Bronze Age settlements which date back to the 9th century.
There are many historical building in Ses Salines including the Church of St Bartholomew, there is of course the golden sandstone architecture to admire.
Sights in Ses Salines
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Botanicactus Botanical Gardens, Ses Salines
Botanicactus is one of Europe's largest botanical gardens, with bamboo and palm trees and dozens of varieties of cactus.
Beaches in Ses Salines
Head to Colonia St Jordi for watersports and wonderful beaches.
Beaches in Mallorca
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Es Carbo Beach, Colonia de Sant Jordi
Located 4.8 km away
If you are looking for a beach where you can get away from it all, then Es Carbo may be the one for you. A 30 minute walk east from Colonia St Jordi in the south of Mallorca, it is a vast stretch of white sand that sits in a protected bay.
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Es Trenc Beach, Ses Covetes
Located 5.8 km away
Unassigned to any of the island’s numerous holiday resorts, the stunning beach of Es Trenc is geographically fairly isolated with a wonderful wild and natural feel. With 2km of bleached white sand and transparent water, it's often referred to as more Caribbean than Mediterranean in characteristics.
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Cala S'Almonia Beach, Cala Llombards
Located 6.6 km away
With beautiful views and crystal clear water it's a great place for swimming and snorkelling. Picturesque and quiet, it's no surprise that it's popular with the locals.
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Es Calo des Moro Beach, South Mallorca
Located 6.8 km away
Es Calò des Moro is one of those picture perfect calas that takes your breath away. 'One of the last paradises of Mallorca,' claims the foundation 'Amics d'Es Calò des Moro' which has been looking after it for the last fifteen years.
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Playa Es Caragol Beach, South Mallorca
Located 7.3 km away
Found on the west side of Mallorca’s most southern tip, Es Caragol is wonderful if you enjoy sunbathing somewhere a little more remote than your usual tourist spot.
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Sa Rapita Beach, South Mallorca
Located 7.9 km away
Also known as Platja de Sa Ràpita, an alternative to Es Trenc is the beautiful neighbouring beach at S’Arenal de sa Rapita in the southeast of Majorca. It is much quieter than Es Trenc, and is popular with families, surfers and windsurfers.
Things to do in Ses Salines
The salt flats
The nearby saltpans act as a magnet for migrant waders and wildfowl on their way from Africa to their breeding grounds in Europe each spring. Cap de Ses Salines, Mallorca's southernmost point, is another good spot for birdwatching.
Enjoy a walk around the town
The town itself makes a pleasant place to stroll, with an abundance of local Santanyi sandstone which turns golden in the sun. Just outside Ses Salines, on the road to Santanyi, is Botanicactus, one of Europe's largest botanical gardens, with bamboo and palm trees and, extraordinarily diverse in form, dozens of varieties of cactus.
Boat trips
You can also get the boat from nearby Colonia St Jordi to the protected Cabrera Islands off the south east coast.
Cycling in Ses Salines
There are several cycle routes in the area, on mainly flat ground making cycling an excellent way to explore the area.
Cycling Routes in Mallorca
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Colonia Sant Jordi to Cap de Ses Salines Cycling Route
Located 5.1 km away
22km point to point but a longer day out at 44km if you do the return journey by bike instead of catching the bus.
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S' Arenal to Capocorb Cycling Route
Located 29.7 km away
A flat road cycle but at a distance of 60km this could be a long ride for a beginner so be prepared!
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Cycling from Palma to Playa de Palma
Located 39.7 km away
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.
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Cala Millor to Porto Cristo Cycling Route
Located 40.5 km away
A great way to explore this part of the coast and easy enough for the whole family to enjoy...especially with beach breaks along the way.
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Palma to S'Arenal Cycling Route
Located 42.8 km away
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.
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Seeing Palma by bicycle
Located 43.0 km away
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.
Hiking in Ses Salines
There are also several coastal walks you can enjoy, the tourist office will be able to direct you.
Walking Routes in Mallorca
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Coastal Walk from Ses Salines to Es Trenc Beach
Located <1 km away
Ses Salines is located on the south-east coast of Mallorca. This is a summer walk which you can start from Ses Salines itself, or at the beach resort of Colonia de Sant Jordi.
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An Uphill Walk from Felanitx to Monastery of San Salvador
Located 16.7 km away
Felanitx is located in the south-east of Mallorca.
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Hiking up the Puig de Randa Review
Located 23.5 km away
Good Friday is often a great opportunity for a spring time walk, especially in Mallorca where there was not a single cloud in the sky and temperatures were in the mid 20s.
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Hiking from Algaida to Cura Sant Honorat Gracia & Randa
Located 27.7 km away
Algaida is located towards the middle of the island, about 15 km east of Palma. This hike can start from the town of Algaida, walking towards Castellitx, where there is a beautiful hermitage, the "Ermita de la Pau" that is well worth visiting, and then on to Aubella, where the climb to Cura starts.
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Hike from Petra to Hermitage of Bonany
Located 30.7 km away
Petra is located towards the middle of the island, about 8km west of Manacor. The walk up to the hermitage starts in Petra, following the paved road and involves a walk of a little over an hour, you can also get there by a trail going up from Vilafranca.
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Walk from Inca to Hermitage of Santa Magdalena
Located 43.6 km away
Inca can be reached either by train from Palma or by car. If you go to Inca on a Thursday, you'll be able to enjoy one of Mallorca's biggest and best markets.
Hotels in Ses Salines
There are several lovely rural hotels in the area, converted farmhouses offering traditional accommodation close to the sea.
Hotels in Ses Salines
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Es Turo Rural Hotel
Located in Santanyi
Family owned for 200 years, this hotel is located in a finca, a traditional Spanish estate, in the south of Mallorca. It is situated on a hill close to the town of Ses Salines.
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Migjorn Hotel Suites, Ses Salines
Close to the coves and to the beaches with fine white sand in the south-east of the island, you´ll find a country estate with 35 acres of open fields, an exclusive, comfortable, quiet and charming hotel.
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Font Santa Spa & Hotel, Ses Salines
This is a superior five-star hotel located in Campos, in the south of the island of Mallorca.
Price: €4,620
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C'an Bonico Hotel, Ses Salines
This hotel is located in a manor house dating back to the 13th century. Recently the house has been reformed and converted into a luxurious hotel, preserving great part of its architectural original structure.
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Sa Carrotja Finca Hotel, Ses Salines
In the south of the island, between fields of almond and fig trees, near the village of Ses Salines and 6 km from the sea, stands the ancient stone house of Sa Carrotja, one of the oldest in the village.
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Son Marge Finca Hotel, Ses Salines
A property located in the South East of the island, in a flat area called the “Migjorn” where one still notices how important agriculture once was in Mallorcan life. This rural atmosphere has been perfectly combined with comfort.
Directions
By car
Car hire is a viable option in Mallorca, and Ses Salines is only a 35 minute car journey from Palma airport. Or take the worry out of getting from the airport by booking a private transfer.