Mallorca in Spring – an island full of fragrances and blossoms.

Come with Me to Santanyi and Cala Figuera.

I had never seen the island like this! Mallorca shines in succulent green, almond blossoms are almost gone and cherry blossoms paint a beautiful pink landscape. On every corner, herbs and trees exude their rich and sweet fragrances.

It was the beginning of March. The weather forecast predicted 18 degrees, but we got lucky and were enjoying 25 degrees and beautiful skies. Only a few tourists were around and most of them tortured themselves by using a bike. Some restaurants and shops were closed till the end of March, but there was no hectic, no stress, just calm and quiet.

Santanyi –small town with flair.

Our first stop on this Mallorca trip was Santanyi in the south east of the island, approx. 45min by car from Palma.

I was invited by Living Houses Santanyi to spend three nights in their outstanding houses. If you want to know more about them, take a look at my article: Luxury townhouses instead of a fincastle (only in german). The invitation had special meaning to me as I had visited Santanyi a short time earlier while getting married on Mallorca.

I love the small alleys where light and shadow create a beautiful atmosphere amidst the houses with the typical warm, Mediterranean light on the sandstone-walls that immediately feels like holiday.

Many Germans have permanently moved here and opened restaurants or boutique shops. Some are also service providers such as architects, interior designers, doctors or realtors. Most of the time I look at these kinds of developments with a lot of skepticism. However, in Santanyi it did not give me a bad impression. But if you dislike being addressed in German in some restaurants, Santanyi is not the place for you.

Santanyi Market.

Santanyi has a really beautiful market, Placa Major, where you can find the 18th century church Sant Andreu next to restaurants and cafes. Here are no typical tourist stores with air mattresses or souvenirs. The city centre is pristine and well looked after.

Every Wednesday and Saturday from 9 am to 1pm, you can visit the weekly market. Fruits, vegetables, sausages, cheese and of course Flor de Sal from the salines in Es Trenc are available to purchase. Additionally, you can find art, jewellery and other items. On market days, the town is full, even outside holiday season. While the Placa Major is in the centre, you can find small boutiques, decoration shops and unique stores in small alleys. If you only want to visit Santanyi for one day, I recommend going on a market day.

My restaurant recommendations for Santanyi.

Es Cantonet – Plaça d’en F. Bernareggi, 2, 07650 Santanyí

While traveling for our wedding, we had dinner with friends at the Es Cantonet. I cannot help but recommend it. The restaurant itself has only a few tables, so I recommend booking ahead of time, even during low season. In the months of summer, I recommend a table in the inner yard.

Es Moli – Carrer Consolació, 19, 07650 Santanyí,

At the Es Moli you can be seated inside or outside. It is a little more spacious than Es Cantonet and tapas are on the menu.

Sa Botiga – Carrer del Roser, 2, 07650 Santanyí

Located directly by the church, this restaurant has a great outside seating area. Here you can sit and watch the market place and the church. There are only a few tables available inside. We had breakfast and dinner there and were very happy, especially with the friendly service.

Hotel Santanyi – Plaça de la Constitució, 7, 07650 Santanyí

Hotel Santanyi also offered a very welcoming atmosphere. There we had breakfast on a market day. The breakfast buffet can be enjoyed either inside or in the protected inner yard.

Further recommendations from other travellers:

Goli – Carrer Portell, 14, 07650 Santanyí,

Anoa – Carrer de s’Aljub, 32, 07650 Santanyí

A trip to Cala Figuera.

From Santanyi you can take a 10 minute ride to Cala Figuera. The village itself is not spectacular, and the highlight awaits you at the harbour.

Classic tourism is not present. Instead, old buildings are renovated and you can find high-class vacation apartments and other residences. The Fig-Bay is one of the most pristine fishing ports on Mallorca. What makes it special is the divide in the bay, where beautiful boating houses create a dreamlike scene for a photo.

Along the shores, you can walk the arms of the bay. There you can find fishermen repairing their nets and tending to their boats. A beautiful path goes along the green wooden gates. You better wear good shoes. At the end of the second arm there is a stairway to your left that takes you to a lighthouse at the entrance of the bay.

Picturesque, but …

No matter where you stand, you will always see the two-star hotel Villa Serena at the head of the bay. You surely have a great view from the hotel itself, but the building disturbs the whole scenery.

Directly behind the hotel, you can enjoy the view from the cliffs to the lighthouse and the open sea. The Cala Figuera is a popular travel destination. So popular that even in March several busses with tourists arrived. On the narrow paths, the crowds can spoil your picturesque atmosphere.

My recommendation: get to Cala Figuera early in the morning, so you can enjoy the beautiful bay.

There are some restaurants directly above the bay where you can relax and drink water, beer or coffee. I cannot personally give restaurant recommendations, though.

Mallorca in spring is a definite recommendation.

In spring, Mallorca is beautiful and very different from the summer time. Not all hotels and restaurants are opened yet, but it is peacefully calm.

(Translated by Barbara Riedel)

Visiting the island in December was also recommended to me. Have you been on Mallorca during winter? Tell me about it in the comments!

Check out my Story about the Bay Calo des Moro