Petra holidays: inland Balearic Islands town guide
Illes Balears · Balearic Islands · Spain · 2,707 residents
Petra is a small inland town in the Balearic Islands, home to around 2,707 people and set at roughly 103 metres above sea level. It is not on the coast, which shapes the kind of holiday it suits: slower days, short drives to neighbouring towns such as Sineu and Manacor, and an easy run to the airport. Palma de Mallorca, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is about 21 miles away, a drive of around 29 minutes. Summers are properly hot, with July reaching about 33°C, while June and October bring the most comfortable balance of warmth and dry weather. For British travellers after a quieter base away from the shoreline, Petra makes a sensible choice.
Why go
- Palma de Mallorca airport, with direct UK flights, is only around 29 minutes away by car.
- June and October offer warm days, around 29°C and 25°C, with relatively little rain.
- Sineu, Manacor and Santa Margalida all lie within roughly 6 miles for easy day trips.
Top sights in Petra
Tours and activities around Petra
Petra itself is a small inland town rather than a place of headline attractions, and its appeal lies in its quiet pace and its position among neighbouring towns. A selection of tours and activities in the surrounding area can be booked directly on this page, with tickets shown in the booking cards below.
Because Petra sits about 21 miles from Palma de Mallorca and within easy reach of the port of Alcúdia, many visitors use it as a base and combine local wandering with organised outings further afield.
We are still mapping the sights for this town.
Tours & tickets in Petra
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Petra can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Petra
Choosing a base in Petra
Petra is inland, at around 103 metres above sea level, and with a population of about 2,707 it suits travellers who want calm evenings rather than a lively resort strip. There is no seafront here; the nearest stretch of coast with a ferry port is Alcúdia, about 16 miles away.
Staying in town keeps you central for exploring nearby Sineu, Manacor and Montuïri. Live hotel prices for Petra and the surrounding area are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Petra and the villages around it is a hire car from Palma de Mallorca (PMI), about 29 min away.
Best time to visit Petra
When to visit Petra
- 15°CJan39 mm
- 16°CFeb92 mm
- 19°CMar26 mm
- 21°CApr49 mm
- 23°CMay61 mm
- 29°CJun25 mm
- 33°CJul6 mm
- 32°CAug42 mm
- 27°CSept56 mm
- 25°COct37 mm
- 20°CNov42 mm
- 16°CDec14 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
June and October are the most pleasant months. June averages highs of about 29°C with seven rain days, while October settles at around 25°C with six rain days and lows near 17°C.
July and August are the hottest stretch, with highs of 33°C and 32°C and only three rain days each, so plan outings for the cooler parts of the day. February records the heaviest rainfall at about 92 mm, and May has the most rain days, around 13. Winter days stay mild, with highs of 15°C to 16°C from December to February. Petra is inland, so no sea temperature applies here.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15°C | 7°C | 39 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 7°C | 92 mm | 8 h |
| Mar | 19°C | 9°C | 26 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 21°C | 11°C | 49 mm | 11 h |
| May | 23°C | 14°C | 61 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 29°C | 18°C | 25 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 33°C | 21°C | 6 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 32°C | 21°C | 42 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 18°C | 56 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 17°C | 37 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 20°C | 13°C | 42 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 16°C | 7°C | 14 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, drives and ferries to Petra
The nearest airport is Palma de Mallorca (PMI), a large airport with direct flights from the United Kingdom. It sits about 21 miles from Petra, and the drive takes around 29 minutes, so car hire on arrival is the simplest way to reach town.
If you would rather travel by sea, Alcúdia is the closest ferry port at about 16 miles, with sailings to Barcelona on the mainland and to Ciutadella. Palma's port, about 26 miles away, connects with Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia, as well as Ibiza and Maó. Ciutadella, around 47 miles off, links with Barcelona and Alcúdia.
By air
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI)21 miles, about 29 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Alcúdia (16 miles), Palma (26 miles), Ciutadella (47 miles).
Around Petra
Day trips from Petra
Several towns lie within a short drive. Sineu is the closest at about 6 miles, and Manacor, the largest neighbour with around 42,631 residents, is roughly 6 miles away, as is Santa Margalida.
A little further out, Lloret de Vistalegre and Montuïri are each about 7 miles off, Porreres around 9 miles, and both Muro and Costitx about 9 miles. With car hire, you could take in several of these on the same day.
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Tips from Robin
Practical tips for Petra
Petra is small and inland, so car hire from Palma de Mallorca airport makes getting around far easier, both for day trips and for reaching the coast at Alcúdia.
In July and August highs reach 32°C to 33°C, so carry water and plan walks for the morning or evening. If you are coming in spring, pack a light waterproof: May averages around 13 rain days.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Petra?
Palma de Mallorca (PMI) is the nearest airport, about 21 miles from Petra. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, and the drive to town takes around 29 minutes, which makes it a straightforward transfer after landing.
Is Petra on the coast?
No, Petra is an inland town at roughly 103 metres above sea level. The nearest coastal port is Alcúdia, about 16 miles away, so plan on a short drive if you want time by the sea during your holiday.
What is the best month to visit Petra?
June and October offer the most pleasant conditions. June brings highs of around 29°C with seven rain days, while October is slightly cooler at about 25°C with six rain days, avoiding the peak summer heat of July and August.
How hot does Petra get in summer?
July is the hottest month, with average highs of about 33°C and lows around 21°C, and August is close behind at 32°C. Both months see only around three rain days, so expect long, dry, hot days.
Can I reach Petra by ferry from mainland Spain?
Yes. Alcúdia, about 16 miles away, has ferries to Barcelona, and Palma's port, around 26 miles from Petra, connects with Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia. From either port it is a short drive inland to town.
Which towns can I visit on a day trip from Petra?
Sineu, Manacor and Santa Margalida are each roughly 6 miles away. Lloret de Vistalegre and Montuïri are about 7 miles off, while Porreres, Muro and Costitx are around 9 miles, all easy outings with car hire.