Santanyí Holidays: Beaches, Bays and Day Trips in Mallorca
Illes Balears · Balearic Islands · Spain · 12,664 residents · on the coast
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Santanyí is a coastal town of around 12,700 people in the south-east of Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands, set 65 metres above sea level and roughly 25 miles from Palma de Mallorca airport. Its appeal for British travellers is simple: two well-known beaches, Cala Llombards and Caló d'es Moro, lie within about 3 miles of the town, and the archaeological site of Na Nova is closer still. Summers are reliably hot and dry, with July averaging 30°C and barely any rain, while October stays warm at around 25°C. A ring of smaller harbour villages and inland market towns sits within 16 miles, so a fortnight here can mix beach days with easy excursions.
Why go
- Cala Llombards bay is about 2 miles from town and suits families as well as swimmers.
- July brings average highs of 30°C with just one rainy day in the month.
- Direct flights from the UK land at Palma de Mallorca, around 35 minutes' drive away.
Top sights in Santanyí
Beaches and Ancient Stones Near Town
The best-known spot close to Santanyí is Cala Llombards, a bay roughly 2 miles from the town centre and a natural choice for a family beach day. A little further out, about 3 miles away, Caló d'es Moro is a second beach that draws visitors to this stretch of coast.
For something other than sand, Na Nova is an archaeological site listed as cultural property of the municipality, around 2.5 miles from town, and makes a good counterpoint to a morning in the water.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page, where you will find a selection of activities available around Santanyí.
Tours & tickets in Santanyí
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Santanyí can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Santanyí
Choosing Between Town and Coast
Santanyí itself sits slightly inland at 65 metres above sea level, with its nearest beaches 2 to 3 miles away, so staying in town means a short drive or ride to the water but a more settled, everyday feel in a place of under 13,000 residents.
If you would rather wake up by the sea, the small harbour village of Portopetro, with fewer than 800 inhabitants, is about 4 miles away and suits those after quiet. Colònia de Sant Jordi, around 7.5 miles off, is a larger coastal option. For more going on, Manacor, the biggest town nearby, is about 16 miles away.
This page shows live hotel prices for Santanyí and the surrounding area, so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Santanyí and the villages around it is a hire car from Palma de Mallorca (PMI), about 35 min away.
Best time to visit Santanyí
When to Visit Santanyí
- 16°CJan24 mm
- 16°CFeb86 mm
- 18°CMar31 mm
- 19°CApr40 mm
- 22°CMay46 mm
- 26°CJun10 mm
- 30°CJul2 mm
- 30°CAug44 mm
- 27°CSept51 mm
- 25°COct30 mm
- 20°CNov30 mm
- 17°CDec16 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are June, July, August and October. July is the driest month of the year, with just 2 mm of rain and a single rainy day on average, and July and August are the hottest, both reaching around 30°C by day and staying near 23°C at night.
October is a fine shoulder-season choice, with highs of about 25°C and lows around 19°C. September is still warm at 27°C but brings more showers, with around nine rainy days. February is the wettest month by volume at 86 mm, while May has the most rainy days, at about ten.
Winter is mild rather than beach weather, with January and February highs of around 16°C.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 10°C | 24 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 9°C | 86 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 18°C | 12°C | 31 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 19°C | 13°C | 40 mm | 11 h |
| May | 22°C | 16°C | 46 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 26°C | 20°C | 10 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 30°C | 23°C | 2 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 23°C | 44 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 21°C | 51 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 19°C | 30 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 20°C | 15°C | 30 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 17°C | 11°C | 16 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and Transfers
The nearest airport is Palma de Mallorca (PMI), a large airport with direct flights from the United Kingdom. It is around 25 miles from Santanyí, and the drive takes roughly 35 minutes, so car hire or a transfer gets you to the town quickly after landing.
If you prefer to arrive by sea, the port of Palma, about 30 miles away, has ferries from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia on the Spanish mainland, plus links to Ibiza and Maó. Alcúdia, around 34 miles away, connects with Barcelona and Ciutadella, while Ciutadella on Menorca, about 58 miles off, also has routes to Barcelona and Alcúdia.
By air
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI)25 miles, about 35 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Palma (30 miles), Alcúdia (34 miles), Ciutadella (58 miles).
Santanyí is good for
Around Santanyí
Easy Day Trips From Santanyí
Two places sit just 4 miles away: Ses Salines, a town of around 4,300 people, and the small harbour village of Portopetro. Colònia de Sant Jordi, on the coast about 7.5 miles off, makes another short outing.
Around 8 miles from Santanyí you have a choice of three: the inland towns of Campos and Felanitx, the latter home to more than 18,000 people, and the coastal village of Portocolom. Further afield, Porreres is roughly 12 miles away, and Manacor, the largest town in the area with over 42,000 residents, is about 16 miles away.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
The beaches are a few miles from the town itself, so having a car makes life much easier, particularly if you want to try both Cala Llombards and Caló d'es Moro or explore the nearby villages.
With July and August averaging 30°C, plan beach time for the morning or late afternoon and keep the hottest hours for shade. If you are travelling in September or May, pack a light layer and expect the odd shower, as these are among the months with the most rainy days.
Santanyí is a modest-sized town, so for a wider choice of shops and services, Manacor is the largest nearby centre, about 16 miles away.
Questions people ask
How far is Santanyí from Palma airport?
Santanyí is around 25 miles from Palma de Mallorca airport (PMI), and the drive takes roughly 35 minutes. The airport has direct flights from the United Kingdom, which makes the town a straightforward choice for a short break or a fortnight.
What are the best beaches near Santanyí?
The two best-known beaches close to town are Cala Llombards, a bay about 2 miles away, and Caló d'es Moro, roughly 3 miles away. Both suit families, and they are near enough to visit in a single day if you have a car.
When is the best time to go to Santanyí?
June, July, August and October offer the most pleasant conditions. July and August are the hottest, with highs around 30°C, and July is the driest month. October remains warm at about 25°C, making it a good option outside the school summer holidays.
Is Santanyí good for families?
Yes. Cala Llombards and Caló d'es Moro are both family-friendly beaches within about 3 miles, the Na Nova archaeological site offers a change of pace, and the airport is only 35 minutes' drive away, which keeps transfers short with children.
Can I take a ferry to Mallorca instead of flying?
Yes. The port of Palma, about 30 miles from Santanyí, has ferries from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia on the Spanish mainland. Alcúdia, around 34 miles away, also has sailings from Barcelona, as well as a link to Ciutadella on Menorca.
What day trips can I take from Santanyí?
Ses Salines and Portopetro are both about 4 miles away, and Colònia de Sant Jordi is around 7.5 miles off. Campos, Felanitx and Portocolom are each about 8 miles away, while Porreres and Manacor sit roughly 12 and 16 miles from town.