Southern Mallorca

The forbidding geography of the coast between the Badia de Palma (Bay of Palma) and Colònia de Sant Jordi has preserved this area as one of Mallorca's least developed. Much of the shoreline is ringed by high, impenetrable cliffs lashed endlessly by the waters of the Mediterranean. They may not always be very accessible, but their untamed, raw beauty is hypnotising.

Beyond the cliffs are intimate coves and long swathes of fine sand, true marvels of nature. Whether tightly encircled by rock, or fading into rough scrub of pine and juniper, here are some of Mallorca’s best beaches. This part of the island, inaccessible or devoted to agriculture and conservation, has been spared the worst excesses of overdevelopment that have scarred parts of Mallorca. It's a glimpse of how all of the island’s coast must once looked.

Explore Southern Mallorca

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Southern Mallorca.

Lighthouse
Cap de Ses Salines
Follow the Ma6110 highway 9km south of Llombards to reach the Cap de Ses Salines, a beautiful bluff on Mallorca's southernmost tip with a lighthouse (Far…
Archaeological Site
Capocorb Vell
At this sprawling prehistoric village, you can wander along rocky pathways and beside rough stone structures that date to 1000 BCE. The site, which…
Beach
Cala Llombards
A petite cove defined by rough rock walls topped with pines, Cala Llombards is a truly beautiful place. A beach-hut bar and sun loungers shaded by palm…
Beach
Cala Pi
Reached via a steep staircase (follow the signs along Cami de la Cala Pi), this beach is only 50m wide but it is a beauty, stretching more than 100m…
Natural Feature
Es Pontàs
One of the top photo-ops on the south coast, this natural arch in between Cala Santanyí and Cala Llombards is a simply stunning sight. If you're fortunate…
National Park
Parc Nacional Marítim-Terrestre de l'Arxipèlag de Cabrera
Nineteen uninhabited islands and islets make up this national park, unique in the Balearic Islands. The archipelago comprises dry, hilly islands known for…
Beach
Cala Mondragó
Surrounded by coves, dunes and low hills, served by a bar and restaurant and blessed with clear, calm waters, this protected blue-flag beach has most…
Beach
Platja des Trenc
Platja des Trenc, the largest undeveloped beach on Mallorca, runs 2km northwest from the southern edge of Colònia de Sant Jordi. With long stretches of…
Lighthouse
Far de Cap Blanc
You can't enter this lighthouse at Cap Blanc, which dates to 1863 with a light-beam that was originally fuelled by olive oil. But you can approach the…
Aquarium
Centro de Visitantes Parque Nacional de Cabrera
At the northeastern end of town, watched over by a whale-skeleton sentry, this stone-and-glass swirl of a building is part aquarium and part…
Beach
Cala Santanyí
Cala Santanyí's popular but not overcrowded beach is the star in a scenic show that also includes a gorgeous, cliff-lined cove and impossibly cobalt…
Beach
Platja de Ses Covetes
This 200m sweep of pale, silky sand and gin-clear water forms part of the Reserva Marina del Migjorn de Mallorca (a protected marine reserve), so no…
Castle
Castillo de Cabrera
Attacked, damaged and rebuilt repeatedly since its 14th-century origin, this squat hexagonal tower guards Cabrera's eastern harbour. At one point it was…
Gardens
Botanicactus
Just outside Ses Salines is Botanicactus, Mallorca's largest botanical garden. Not just given over to cacti, its 15 hectares bristle with palms, bamboo…
Beach
Platja de Ses Roquetes
This broad stretch of white sand is lapped by clear, shallow waters, and looks across to a scattering of small islands. Nudism is allowed.
Beach
Sa Plageta
Surrounded by low pine-clad hills, this peaceful beach is a delightful place for a picnic and/or watery romp.
Farm
Artestruz Mallorca
The main attraction at this ostrich farm is the chance to see, stroke and feed the birds, which kids will love; they're also active at night. Meals …
Archaeological Site
Poblat Talaiòtic dels Antigors
About 1km south of Ses Salines (follow the signposts off the road to Colònia de Sant Jordi) is this neglected archaeological site. There's no visitors'…
Cave
Cova des Pas de Vallgornera
In Vallgornera (3km east of Cala Pi), half a dozen caves burrow their way through the rock underfoot. Some are truly impressive, with underground rivers…
Museum
Es Celler
This restored farmhouse contains an ethnographic and natural history collection. Outside is a small botanic garden where you can see many endemic Balearic…